I absolutely adored this heartwarming story that reminds us all that family is not confined to those who share the same blood! Harper and Wyatt are brother and sister who go to the park one day with their dads. They meet a set of twins who ask them how they are related because they don't look alike. Harper explains that her and Wyatt are both adopted and a conversation ensues about whether or not they are "real" brother and sister. This would be a great book to have in a classroom library; it shows a family that looks different from the "typical" family, address adoption and what it means, and reminds all of us of the bond that siblings share whether or not they share the same blood. I loved the colorful illustrations and the text that was written in a kid-friendly way. I will definitely be recommending this book to my teacher friends!

As a School Counselor I love the message of this book. Many children are part of blended or non-traditional families and it is wonderful for them to see themselves in a book. I love the message of how a family takes care of and looks out for each other - all the things that make a family besides blook.

As a mom of four adopted children who DO NOT look like me, or their other three siblings, I loved this book. It should be noted that this story is about a same-sex couple - there are two dads. Probably would be something good to know before purchasing the book.

A very sweet picture book. It tackles adoption and same sex parents in a very approachable way, through the eyes of young kids. The illustrations were beautiful.

Read an ARC through Netgalley.

This picture book tackles a topic so complex that it befuddles even adults: Who is my family?

Harper and her little brother Wyatt were both adopted into their family. Are they “real siblings”? Harper really looks after little Wyatt, coming to the notice of twins Alex and Sam. Alex is puzzled that Harper and Wyatt don’t resemble each other, so Harper reveals that they’re adopted.

“’Oh, said Alex. ‘So he’s not your REAL brother.’” At which point, Wyatt burst into tears.

Are Harper and Wyatt “real siblings”? Of course, they are! And author Seamus Kirst has Harper explain it perfectly through her heart-warming words and the delightful illustrations by Karen Bunting.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Magination Press and American Psychological Association (APA) in exchange for an honest review.

In this picture book, adopted siblings who are playing at the playground deal with another child commenting on their visible differences and questioning if they're really siblings. The younger brother is shaken by this experience, and the older sister reassures her brother that they are "real siblings." She gives examples of their special bond, talking about ways that they support and care for each other, and mentioning some shared experiences. She also talks about her memory of their dads bringing him home for the first time.

This book is from Magination Press, the children's publishing arm of the American Psychological Association. Their books usually include notes for parents at the end, but this one doesn't. I thought that was a missed opportunity. The story shows how siblings can reassure each other, but I think that an author's note with information about how parents can support adopted kids would have been helpful.

Beautiful book to put something so common into words. I grew up with my brother by marriage since he was one. I always called him my brother then our parents divorced and people were confused like “so thats not your real brother”. This is the best book because i cant say why you are but we are in fact real siblings.

What a gorgeous story about what it truly means to be family. Perfect to read to children who are a part of families that maybe look different than traditional families.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

I received an ARC of this children's book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautiful book that would be so helpful for anyone who has adopted children. And the pictures are very cute!

I think it was a cute story. I think they tried a little bit too hard by adding to dad’s and the story of adoption but I did like how the siblings showed how they loved each other.

A cute story exploring what it means to be "real" siblings with very pretty illustrations to go along with it.

I was excited to read "Real Siblings". We are a foster to adopt family and I thought it could be beautiful. But from the first three words, I knew it was not a title for our family. Dad and Daddy. Homosexual adoption book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to preview this title.