THE ONLY ME

A young twin realizes that she and her sister are different in this debut picture book about identity.

Stella and Paige are twins, but they don’t look the same and they like different things. Both get frustrated when people treat them as though they’re the same or interchangeable: “We have the same last name, but we are not the same person!” Others consider the girls’ differences strange, believing that they should be more alike because they’re twins. With everyone comparing them, Stella starts wondering if she’s the lesser twin. But when her older brother asks for her help because she’s better at drawing, Stella realizes she’s more skilled than her twin at other things, too. Both girls have strengths, and together they make a great pair. Telling the enjoyable story through Stella’s voice, Bader creates an authentic look at how frustrated the girl is by other people’s expectations. The short sentences and accessible vocabulary make this a good choice for newly independent readers. Soto’s soft-edged, digital cartoon illustrations clearly portray the White twins’ differences in style and personality, bolstering the text with visual evidence. The drawing of the sisters’ brother depicts characteristics of both twins in his coloration and features, showing their family resemblance without reducing their distinctions. Stella and Paige’s world is filled with diverse friends, neighbors, and teammates, heightening the theme that all people are unique in their looks, interests, styles, and abilities.

An engaging celebration of self-love from the perspective of a twin.