Seeing Double: Kids’ Books for and Featuring Twins
by Jennifer Ridgway
Since having twins, I have been drawn to novels that feature twins and to books about twins that are appropriate for my two kiddos. Having grown up an only child, I find the twin relationship fascinating.
While no one story ever defines the experience, there are quite a lot of children’s books featuring twins. At a young age, they help show what being a twin means. For older children, these books can help twins themselves feel that they have allies, while singleton children may enjoy reading about this unique relationship. Below are a few suggestions for all reading levels.
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Ages 2–6
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Twin to Twin
Featuring a set of boy/girl infant twins, this cute little book celebrates the joy of twins — double the fun!
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Two Is for Twins
Available from:With bright illustrations, this book celebrates all things in two and twinland. Unlike a lot of the other twin books, gender is not specified or apparent.
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Ages 6–8
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The Two and Only Kelly Twins
Available from:Arlene and Ilene Kelly are identical twins in second grade; they love being twins and do everything together and the same. But when triplets come to their school, they begin to question whether triplets may be more special than twins.
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By My Brother’s Side
Most twin books seem to feature either boy/girl twins or girl twins. This book by NFL Stars and twin brothers Tiki and Ronde Barber is a standout with boy twins. This is a story of hard work, family, and brotherhood.
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Ages 8–12
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The Templeton Twins series
Featuring 12-year-old boy/girl twins John and Abigail Templeton, this series will appeal to both boys and girls who like reading smart, funny adventure stories. The first book in the series has the twins kidnapped by an adult set of twins who want one of their father’s genius inventions.
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The Tapper Twins Go to War (With Each Other)
Written by a screenwriter, this is contemporary, humorous fiction sure to have your reader laughing out loud. Written as an oral history, it features 12-year-old Claudia and Reese and includes screenshots, chat logs, online gaming, photos, and text messages — perfect for today’s digital kids.
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For Teens
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I’ll Give You the Sun
Available from:This Printz Award winning book garnered rave reviews when it published. Told from both twins’ point of view, we learn the story of how these two incredibly close twins experienced an event that changes them forever.
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The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series
Available from:This beloved fantasy series features many characters from Greco-Roman, Egyptian, Norse, and Celtic mythologies as well as real historical figures from the Elizabethan, Renaissance, Egyptian, and Gilded Ages. The books follow the adventures of teen twins Sophie and Josh as they travel around the world.
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