ALICE ALONE

Being alone is fun—until it isn’t.

Alice is “right in the middle” of a rambunctious brood of four older brothers and four younger sisters. Her mom sometimes calls her by the wrong name; sometimes, her dad miscounts his offspring. Sometimes, Alice feels lost in the crowd. Her brothers do “older-kid things,” and her sisters get away with “younger-kid things.” Alice does “middle-kid things”—painting polka dots on her pants, dancing, and singing—but she feels invisible in her bustling home. One day, she takes off by herself. It’s “glorious!” to be “just Alice, all on her own,” and do what she wants. Eventually, though, the thrill of being alone wears off. It’s not as great as she’d imagined; what she needs is a big family hug. But suppose she’s been forgotten? No worries. Alice’s entire overjoyed family, having missed her terribly, finds her, and Alice realizes she’s dearly loved and right where she belongs—“back in the marvelous, murky middle!” This emotionally satisfying story will reassure children with multiple siblings that they’re vital to their family’s happy dynamic. Alternatively, kids with few or no siblings will receive validation that they’re equally valuable, for love is present in families of any size. This tale also addresses children’s desire for independence—regardless of family size—and assures kids they’ll always be heartily welcomed back. The cheery, energetic illustrations depict a warm, active household. Alice is tan-skinned; her family members vary in skin tone.

A cozy, relatable family story.