Description

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NOW IN PAPERBACK

Mia and Tayja pretend to be princesses on a perilous journey, but there’s one thing they don’t have to pretend. They know in their hearts that they’re real sisters despite being adopted. Playful and sweet, Real Sisters Pretend celebrates the wonderful variety of modern families, in which the only essential ingredient is love.

About the Author

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Megan Dowd Lambert teaches in the graduate programs in Children's Literature at Simmons College. At the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art she developed two original storytime models, the Whole Book Approach and A Book in Hand, which are aimed at engaging readers with the picture book as a visual art form. A frequent speaker at professional conferences, schools, libraries, and museums, she reviews children's books for Kirkus Reviews and the Horn Book and contributes to Horn Book Magazine s "Books in the Home" column. A mother of six children ranging from infancy to college-aged, Megan lives with her family in Massachusetts. Her books include A Crow of His Own and Reading Picture Books with Children: How to Shake Up Storytime and Get Kids Talking about What They See.

Nicole Tadgell was born in Detroit, Michigan. A shy child whose family moved frequently, art was a fun escape for her. While studying studio art at Wheaton College, Nicole discovered children’s book illustration and knew it would be her path. Today she is the illustrator of over 30 books, many of them honored with awards. When she’s not drawing, Nicole visits schools and conducts lectures and workshops. She also practices tai chi and watches Doctor Who. Nicole lives in central Massachusetts.

Praise For…

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Where was REAL SISTERS PRETEND when I was growing up as an adoptee? A must have picture book, especially in today's world of varying family structures.
— Chris Soentpiet, illustrator of JIN WOO, AMAZING FACES, MY BROTHER MARTIN, and other books for young readers

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