TWICE AS NICE

With multiples on the rise, yet the number of good books on the subject scarce, a welcome title for young twins or curious singletons. Rubel, a twin herself and illustrator of the Rotten Ralph series (a pair of Ralphs make a cameo), combines her child-friendly illustrations, photographs, and engaging, witty text to focus on life as a twin, twin facts and anecdotes, and society’s reactions to twins. She briefly explains how identical and fraternal twins are formed. Readers will take interest in celebrity twins through history and the “The Jim Twins,” identical brothers who, separated at birth, later discovered amazing similarities. Twins will appreciate the emphasis on individuality, including survival secrets and advice for parents, teachers, and friends of twins. “Can your mother tell you apart?” and “Other Dumb Twin Questions” draw attention to thoughtless question people sometimes ask and the humorous ways twins want to respond. A must for multiples, the people in their lives, and anyone who wants to learn about this special bond. (sources) (Picture book/nonfiction. 8-11)