3 out of 4 stars
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What's it like to have a brother or sister who looks just like you? Do all twins look exactly the same as each other? How are twins different from one another? A Keepsake for My Twin and Me is a children's picture book by Felicia Jackson that teaches young readers about the special bond between twin siblings. With colorful cartoon-like illustrations and easy to understand text, the author explains the difference between identical and fraternal twins. She also shares examples of the different pairs of twins such as two girls, two boys, or a boy and girl. The book teaches universal themes including love, family, siblings, identity, kindness, and humor.
The author skillfully uses illustrations and humor as effective teaching tools to demonstrate the importance of individuality, even between identical twins. As young children often have the misconception that all twins look identical, I appreciate the book's emphasis on the contrasts between twins as well as the similarities. Examples of twins who have different interests and some of the differences in fraternal twins' physical appearances are also shared. Overall, the book conveys strong themes of love and kindness between siblings, as well as a sense of identity for each twin.
The only thing I disliked about this enjoyable picture book was the font style which I found distracting and somewhat difficult to read. I was unable to locate the exact font, but it was very similar to one called "Covered by Your Grace" except the font in the book was much lighter in comparison. I have seen other whimsical childlike fonts that were easier to read and more appropriate for book text. By changing the font, it would improve the book's visual quality and therefore, the reader's enjoyment.
Additionally, the punctuation was inconsistent. Some pages were correct, while others were missing punctuation. For a short book that's twenty-seven pages, the errors were really noticeable. As it's especially important that young readers see examples of correct grammar and punctuation modeled, I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. With the needed corrections, this book could easily earn the full four-star rating.
While this lovely children's book is especially relevant to families with twins, I would also recommend it to a wider audience of readers due to its strong themes of love and kindness between siblings. Parents and grandparents will enjoy reading it to preschool children, while beginner readers may read it on their own. Additionally, it would make a special gift for parents expecting twins.
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A Keepsake for my Twin and Me
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