*CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book*

*CCBC Choices Selection*

Joy. Love. Connectedness. These are all such hugely important things to hold onto right now in the midst of difficult times. It's paramount that we keep on emphasising to kids how loved they are, that family is family no matter what form it takes, that what matters is that we choose each other, always. Real Sisters Pretend (2016) by Megan Dowd Lambert, illustrated by Nicole Tadgell, explores that idea of chosen family so beautifully. It's a playful, joyful story of adoptive sisters, discussing their connection to each other and the misunderstandings of those outside their family. While it is clearly written specifically to the topic of adoption, the dialogue is true to life and highly entertaining. And I love the matter-of-fact choice of the author to make this a two-mom family. Because family is family, and that's the whole point of the story.-- "Noodlenuts Children's Books" (6/20/2020 12:00:00 AM)

Publisher Marketing:

I liked how they took care of one another in their pretend-play scenario about climbing a mountain, Lambert says, and I loved how they also took care of one another's feelings as they talked about adoption. REAL SISTERS PRETEND captures these interactions perfectly and movingly.

• Told with simple words and playful illustrations, this book touches on the topics of adoption, two moms, and multiracial family life.

• Modern families can look very different from the nuclear families of yesteryear, but as Lambert says in the book's introduction, No matter how a family comes to be, the most important thing is for everyone to feel loved, safe, and cared for. REAL SISTERS PRETEND is a great vehicle for sharing that love and reassurance.