Twin Trouble

When twin babies arrive in the family, eight-year-old Connie is far from happy: her new brother and sister are given her bedroom, everyone's attention is centred on them and, worst of all, she's expected to help look after the noisy pair. Only Nurse Meade appears to understand her feelings: she plaits two blue glass beads into Connie's hair - 'they're magic,' she says. And so they seem for twin grannies, mothers and fathers suddenly start appearing. Told in straightforward language from Connie's viewpoint, with humour effectively used to explore the feelings of jealousy and insecurity associated with the arrival of new siblings, this is an enjoyable read for younger juniors whether or not there are new babies on the scene.