David Sedaris and illustrator Bob Staake have created a darkly comic masterpiece in The Selfish Sister. This is a wickedly funny and wonderfully twisted take on sibling rivalry and greed that will delight not only children but also any parent with a Sedaris-esque sense of humor. The titular sister, who wants everything—even her brother's kidney—is the perfect anti-hero, and the book's rhymes and vibrant, "demented" illustrations make for a truly memorable romp. In a world of overly saccharine children's stories, The Selfish Sister is a much-needed breath of fresh, cynical air. It's a hilarious, genuine, and sickly hysterical must-read for any family.

A sister who wants it all--absolutely everything--to herself and herself alone. Sedaris delivers a tongue-twister of a ride with progressive anecdotes of greed and takes readers through the ups and downs of selfishness. He offers silly to egregious examples of things to want to keep all to oneself. Where does this incredible amount of self-seeking behavior leave our main character? The ending packs a moral punch. Reminiscent of Shell Silverstein, even the youngest readers should be able to grasp the lesson this book comically achieves.

Thank you #netgalley for the ARC of this illustrated children's book by one of my favorite authors. It took me several re-reads of this book to decide if it was dark or funny, or both. I loved all the sarcastic poetic language, the chaotic illustrations and the message that greed will leave you alone. (I am still trying to decide who I would buy this for that wouldn't see it as an insult...but maybe that's the point.) 5/5 stars

The Selfish Sister by David Sedaris is an absolute delight. It is clever, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt, with the kind of humor that works just as well for adults as it does for children. Sedaris has a gift for telling stories that sound simple on the surface but linger long after you finish reading.

My grandchildren adored this book. They laughed, asked questions, and immediately wanted me to read it again, and then again. Any book that inspires repeated read-alouds is a winner in my eyes. Each time we revisited the story, we noticed something new, whether it was a funny line, a clever detail, or a gentle lesson tucked beneath the humor.

What makes this story special is how it balances mischief and meaning. It never feels preachy, yet it opens the door to conversations about kindness, sharing, and understanding others. Sedaris’ signature wit keeps the tone light, while the emotional core makes it memorable.

This is a perfect read-aloud book and a joy to share across generations. It earns five stars not only for the writing, but for the laughter, connection, and repeat readings it inspired in our family.

"The Selfish Sister," written by David Sedaris and illustrated by Bob Staake, is a dark and funny story about a little girl who wants everything for herself and shares with no one. The clever rhyming prose reminded me of a cross between Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein with silly and cartoonish illustrations to complement it on every page. It's a twisted story that will certainly resonate with fans of Sedaris and his trademark wit and way with words. In the end, the book does have a meaningful message- someone can have all the possessions in the world, but without friends to share them with, they, in fact, have very little. It's a fun book to read and will appeal to anyone who has ever dealt with a selfish sibling or spoiled kid.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced read.

A delightful story, conveying a bigger message of how your home may be full, but your heart empty. That final illustration packs quite the punch.

Just like David Sedaris, The Selfish Sister is a hoot. A children's book with maybe some messages for adults, too. A long time fan of Sedaris, I enjoyed the story of the Selfish Sister. The illustrations and writing are clever with and abundance of fun.

I’ve loved David Sedaris for years, so I was incredibly curious to see what he would do in picture-book form. The Selfish Sister absolutely delivers his signature wit — just packaged for younger readers.

What I appreciated most is how unapologetically exaggerated the selfishness is. It’s bold, a little dark, and very funny. As an adult reader, I caught the satire immediately. The humor has that classic Sedaris edge, but the rhythm and structure make it accessible for kids who enjoy a slightly mischievous read-aloud.

I also appreciated how boldly the story leans into the sister’s selfishness. It doesn’t soften her behavior or rush to tidy it up. Instead, it pushes everything to hilarious extremes, which made the message land in a way that felt clever rather than preachy. I found myself laughing at how far it goes.

The illustrations by Bob Staake perfectly complement the tone — expressive, slightly chaotic, and layered with visual humor.

This ARC was definitely a highlight in the books I’ve read so far this year. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this beautiful book and the opportunity to read and review it.

What a delight! The Selfish Sister has absolutely everything—except for the most important thing of all. Fans of Sedaris's essays will love sharing this with their little ones. It's like an elevated Dr. Seuss with a little extra snark, and it's just as enjoyable for grown ups as it will be for kids (and I imagine they'll learn some new vocabulary words, too).

The Selfish Sister is a short rhyming picture book with a lesson about the consequences of selfish behavior. Sister's possessive claims get more and more absurd as she learns you can't demand everything. Very cute story.

I read this amusing, rhyming picture book with a big smile! The text and illustrations were perfectly suited for this lighthearted portrayal of sibling rivalry. Here’s hoping these two witty people, David Sedaris and Bob Staake, team up for even more picture books.

As with all things David Sedaris....I loved it! I could even hear it in his voice. Distinct, imaginative, and with cause...this book was great. You don't need a sister and/or sibling to share this book with a child. It's rhyming structure was perfection and reminded me of Dr. Seuss style, which is the icon. Definitely teaches a great lesson that all children (ahem...and adults) could really learn from.