Member Reviews

Karlsson mentions in the author's note that she wrote this book because she struggled to find literature for her son and what his experience might be during the process - My Sister, Daisy is the perfect literature for this situation. The story gives fundamental information and definitions without going in too much depth. It's a very child-friendly book that simplifies the topic enough for children to understand, without belittling their ability to understand it. The illustrations are more muted than I would have liked, but that's just my personal style preferences. Regardless of what I would have wanted, the illustrations are very well-done and complement the text perfectly. Overall, I would say this is a great book to read if you need to explain what transgendered means for a sibling.

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This was an adorable little picture book. It was about a little boy coming to terms with the fact that who he thought was his little brother was actually his little sister. I loved that the author went out to find books for siblings of transgender kids and couldn't find any, so they wrote this. So many books focus on the kid that is transitioning and ignore the siblings. This book was great that it focused on the sibling and how he was feeling.

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I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This is a story about a boy who gets a new brother and they become fast friends. In kindergarten, his brother starts to go by the name Daisy and is a girl. It is confusing for the young boy but he figures out how to make it work.

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This is a nice book about a child learning to accept their trans sister. It is written by a parent of a trans child. If your collection does not have any support for siblings of trans kids, this would be a great purchase. As I have seen mentioned prior to reading this, there are many books from the POV of the sibling of trans kids but trans kids need to see more stories about trans kids as the storyteller/main character. It's a good book, but it has been done. It is nice that this book features mixed race kids, as it is always great to see more queer books with brown skinned children.

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My Sister, Daisy by Adria Karlsson is a great story about gender and acceptance. I appreciate how the author utilized her own experience in writing this book. #MySisterDaisy #NetGalley

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I think it's the type of children's book that we need more. Like, no transphobia, just legit questions that kids can have when one of their family members comes out as a transgender person.
It's really heartwarming and hopeful, and I think, we have the best family ever written.
Also, I can't wait to discover more work by the author and the illustrator!

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Ok
I have to stop crying toi write this properly. But I'm so moved by the book.
I feel like when I read Twitter, and some transgender people announces with emotion that their comming out was a happy moment with their family and friends. I'm happy for them.
This book makes me happy, and answer a lot of questions I ask myself as a cis person who don't want to mess with her transgeder friends, whatever their age, who to adapt, accept and deal with the news, understand the changes, and the non-changes
The writing is just powerful, wonderful, I feel a caring parent wishing to share the experience.
Read it, just read it to feel the power of entire love

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This is a children's book about a little boy and his relationship to his younger sibling whom he loves very much.
The sibling is assigned male at birth but as he grows older, he comes out as a girl and takes the name Daisy.
This is basically a story about a child coming out as trans and how that affects the parents and the relathionship with her sibling.
In the end of the day tho, it's a very positive and lighthearted story because the parents are very supporting of their kid's choice and the older brother realises that even tho he now has a younger sister, she is still the same person.

It was a very simple yet very nice story and I was also really surprised to find out that this was based on real events, since she too is the mother of a little trans girl, and what made her write this was the lack of children's books (and not only children's books, let's be honest here) about trans people.

As a kindergarten teacher who also believes in equality and would definitely want to introduce such topics in a classroom, this book feels like a nice introduction to the topic of trans people.

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I love this story by Adria Karlsson. The fact that it is based on a true story and the need to fill a missing part of a family’s education is even better. There is no one better to tell our stories than those who live it. Karlsson took from her own family’s experiences, consulted medical professionals, and wrote a story for those who are part of someone’s transitioning process.

My Sister, Daisy aptly shows that nothing has to change other than how you refer to the transitioned person. Daisy’s brother learns that everything about Daisy is still the same and they can still interact in the same way.

The story also makes parents aware, and the reader, that there might be some jealousy or anger and that is okay. My only quibble with this section is that Daisy’s brother does not have a name. He feels as if Daisy is getting all of the attention. That Daisy is all that matters, this is kind of solidified by not giving the character a name.

Linus Curci’s illustrations are simple and filled with color. The lettering is a thick adult font probably due to the topic matter. Every page is easy to read and follow along.

I think My Sister, Daisy is a great addition to any rainbow bookshelf.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

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My Sister, Daisy is a beautiful book about the bonds of siblings and understanding. When little brother is born, big brother is excited to share things with him. They become best friends and big brother loves his little brother immensely. When little brother graduates from kindergarten, he tells big brother that she is really a girl and her name is Daisy. Big brother struggles to understand what is happening, but eventually realizes that Daisy is still the same person he has always loved.

This important book is based on a true story and it’s so wonderful that the author chose to share her family’s story with the world. This book will be beneficial to help young readers understand transgender folx and also helpful for families who may find themselves with a transgender family member. The text was approachable for children of all ages.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC

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Sister Daisy is a beautifully illustrated children’s book about Daisy and her older brother. They are best friends and do everything together. In kindergarten, things change, and Daisy tells him she is a girl, and her name is Daisy. He must adapt to the change and what it means for him and his relationship with his sister.

Cover: I love the cover! There is great white to color balance. The palette or sea green and blues is lovely.

Illustrations: The illustrations use vibrant bright colors. I particularly liked the photos in the two-page spreads – one featuring Daisy and his sister on a balancing beam and a second one showing Daisy, her brother and other children playing with a rainbow parachute.

Story: This is based on a real family’s story. The mother of this family wrote it when she found no books to help her son adapt. For this book, the story is perfected paced and shows the emotions and changes that Daisy’s brother goes through. For example, he is a bit jealous that Daisy gets new clothes and extra attention which is a reasonable reaction for a child of this age (6 or 7 years old). My only question is why the author did not give a name to Daisy’s brother.

Verdict: Absolutely recommend! This provides a valuable perspective of children adapting and accepting a friend or sibling that is transgender. The book role models positive behavior like using correct pronouns and name. I also think this would be a good purchase for a classroom library!

ARC was provided to me by Capstone Editions, in exchange for an honest review.

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Well, I seem to be the person of unpopular opinion on this one. Well the writing itself is not bad it's also not good, and the pictures are beautiful, but that's about the best I can say. While I do understand the importance of this topic And discussing it, I think that the age may be too young. Every kid I have ever known likes to dress up like the other gender, and cats and dogs and firemen and whatever else because it's fun to be whatever you want to be. I fear our society is pushing kids to be a specific gender instead of just letting them grow up and love everything about themselves. To me, I don't doubt that I would have to talk with my children about this but I wouldn't want a book like this too be the vehicle for that conversation. I think until that question is brought up, we need to just let kids be kids. They shouldn't be worrying at that age what their penis says about their identity. I mean no disrespect, but this book is just not something I would ever really buy for a child. Thank you #netgalley for the opportunity to read this and exchange for an honest review.

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This was a great childrens book on gender identity and transgenderism. It showed how kids do understand gender and can understand lgbt+ people (specifically under the trans umbrella) and can know their own identity even from a young age.
I think in general this would be a great book to read to your kids to discuss gender identity, especially if they have a trans sibling or someone in their life who is trans. It discusses how even if someone "changes" the way they present or look they're still the same person which is great message for children to learn in general.
In summary this is a great book to discuss gender identity with kids (or adults who just don't get it).

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Beautifully written, Adria Karlsson’s picture book My Sister, Daisy is based on a true story. What an excellent addition to libraries and to read at home!

From the moment his new sibling is born, big brother enjoys showing his little brother the ropes. Charming illustrations show the two growing closer, as they enjoy all the best moments of childhood.

When Daisy discovers the gender she was assigned at birth was wrong, and she’s really a girl, she tells him, “I know who I am, and I know I’m a girl.” Knowing this is a world where children as young as Kindergarten are exposed to things which help steer them on their journey of self-knowledge literally brings tears to my eyes. I’m so happy!

As Daisy explains her feelings to her family, they are receptive and supportive. But big brother expresses his concerns: what if he forgets, will his sibling change, and how will this affect his relationship with his sibling? All valid concerns, and insightfully expressed.

I adored the rich and vibrant illustrations by Linus Curci. Little touches, like the charming purple octopus toy which reappears throughout the tale, are subtle and contribute to the continuity. The overall effect is truly lovely.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Capstone for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Sister Daisy is a beautifully written picture book based on a true story by Adria Karlsson.

The story begins when a family introduces their son to his new little brother. As the two grow up, the younger brother transitions, leaving the older brother with some questions. Through these thoughtful questions, he asks his sister how she knows that she is a girl and what name she will choose for herself. His parents reassure him when he doubts if he will remember her name and proper pronouns. The story continues to explore the older brother's journey in his acceptance and love.

I feel that this book was not only beautifully composed, but it was also beautifully illustrated. This story will be an excellent addition to libraries, resource centres and families.

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This book was a beautiful story, based off the true events of a family. Not being an own-voices reviewer, I cannot comment on the representation. However, the language used, the images and the content all support positive growth in sibling relationships of the LGBTQIA+ community and I feel that students, especially in Kindergarten, will resonate with the text and provides a great foundation to teaching empathy, about different family types and about transgender children. I really liked the line "Sometimes jealous and angry feel the same. But I wasn't angry with you." That's such a powerful line to articulate to children that it's fine to feel these emotions, but it's not the individuals fault.

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Thank you Capstone and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this picture book in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautiful story showing the transition a family makes when a member is transgender. The words were powerful and the illustrations really brought it all together.

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This was a beautiful book.

The topic of transgender is covered so well, there is compassion, care and delicacy in the handling of the subject. The book is easy to understand and is explains it really well.

The images are lovely and it is a superb book all-round.

A great way to introduce this topic to younger ones too.

It is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!

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Beautiful and emotionally moving book that presents and explains having a trans sibling in a very loving manner. A perfect example of how to help siblings understand trans kids in a gentle and loving, but matter of fact way. I wish I'd had this book when I was a kid!

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ARC was provided by Netgalley for an honest review.

This is definitely a book to add to the collection. This was absolutely adorable. We follow an older brother, coming to terms with the fact that his younger brother is actually his younger sister, Daisy. She identifies as a girl, and goes by she/her. He’s confused and has lots of questions. He’s worried that everything is going to change; but with the help of his parents, he starts to understand the situation. From then on he does his best to make sure that his sister feels loved, and accepted. The illustrations were beautiful, and I think this would be very informative for younger readers. And the fact that this book is based on the author’s experience with her daughter only makes for a more beautiful story.

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