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Sisters First
A lovely, lyrical ode to the magic of sisterhood by beloved former first daughters and bestselling authors Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush.
A young girl's wish is granted when a new sister arrives. While the baby can't do much, over time the big and little siblings become inseparable, playing and dancing, imagining and laughing. By each other's sides, they are smarter, kinder, and braver than they ever thought they could be. And they are forever sisters first.
This exquisite celebration of the bond between sisters is inspired by the spirited childhood of Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush, authors of the #1 New York Times bestseller Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life .
A young girl's wish is granted when a new sister arrives. While the baby can't do much, over time the big and little siblings become inseparable, playing and dancing, imagining and laughing. By each other's sides, they are smarter, kinder, and braver than they ever thought they could be. And they are forever sisters first.
This exquisite celebration of the bond between sisters is inspired by the spirited childhood of Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush, authors of the #1 New York Times bestseller Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life .
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
18 people are currently reading
578 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Bush Hager
13 books49.2k followersJenna Bush Hager is a co-host on NBC’s TODAY Show and an editor-at-large for Southern Living magazine. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope, written after she served as an intern with UNICEF in Latin America. She also co-authored the children’s books Our Great Big Backyard and Read All About It! with her mother. She lives with her husband and two daughters in New York.
In March 2019, she started the #ReadWithJenna Book Club. Our current book is "The School for Good Mothers" by Jessamine Chan. Click here to get your copy and join us today!
Looking for all of Jenna's book club picks? Find them here!
In March 2019, she started the #ReadWithJenna Book Club. Our current book is "The School for Good Mothers" by Jessamine Chan. Click here to get your copy and join us today!
Looking for all of Jenna's book club picks? Find them here!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
November 17, 2019
Presidential daughters seem to be pretty good at writing children's books. Sisters First is a cute little story about having, being, and loving a sister. Told in rhyming verse and illustrated with whimsical illustrations, it would be a nice gift for sisters or sisters-to-be.
A little girl sees her friends with their sisters and says a prayer that she would have a sister of her own. But when her prayers are answered, she realizes that babies aren't all that much fun... at least at first. With a bit of patience, the girl finds that her little sister is exactly what she asked for.
I like the overall sentiment, although I do have some issues with the rhyming text (the meter and rhymes are not that strong) and the language (the use of the word "prayer" rather than "wish" or "hope" makes the book seem more religious than it needs to be, potentially alienating readers who might otherwise get a lot out of the book; there is no mention of God, so the inclusion of the word "prayer" seems unnecessarily polarizing). That said, however, I really enjoyed the illustrations here. They're sweet and colourful, and show all the wonderful things--both real and imagined--that sisters can do with each other.
So, overall, this is a fairly strong book about the bond of sisterhood. Those looking for books that celebrate this particular sibling relationship might want to check it out.
Quotable moment:
A little girl sees her friends with their sisters and says a prayer that she would have a sister of her own. But when her prayers are answered, she realizes that babies aren't all that much fun... at least at first. With a bit of patience, the girl finds that her little sister is exactly what she asked for.
I like the overall sentiment, although I do have some issues with the rhyming text (the meter and rhymes are not that strong) and the language (the use of the word "prayer" rather than "wish" or "hope" makes the book seem more religious than it needs to be, potentially alienating readers who might otherwise get a lot out of the book; there is no mention of God, so the inclusion of the word "prayer" seems unnecessarily polarizing). That said, however, I really enjoyed the illustrations here. They're sweet and colourful, and show all the wonderful things--both real and imagined--that sisters can do with each other.
So, overall, this is a fairly strong book about the bond of sisterhood. Those looking for books that celebrate this particular sibling relationship might want to check it out.
Quotable moment:
January 8, 2020
This is a sweet ode to sisters, and I appreciate the diversity and representation of multi-racial families, but the text was just too saccharine for me.
February 17, 2023
I bought this book as a gift to my two nieces who are sisters, three years apart. I just loved it!
June 19, 2020
Beautiful story about sisterhood, whether its' one that we are born into or the one that we make. I loved the illustrations and the prayer at the end of the book. I listened to the PBS Kids read along and loved Jenna Bush Hager's storytelling; you could tell that she was a teacher at one point.
September 27, 2020
A new sister is on the way, and a young girl sends a request for her sister to be born kind, and clever, and smart. When she arrives, the girl is disappointed that her baby sister can do so little, but by being patient, the two slowly become friends.
January 1, 2020
First sentence: Before there was you, there was only me, and life was becoming a little lonely. There were friends to laugh with and dogs to chase, but I still said a prayer as I pictured your face...
Premise/plot: This celebrity penned picture book celebrates sisterhood. The text is super sweet and super predictable. This one is safe to judge based on the cover. You get exactly what you’d expect. It is written in rhyme.
My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I didn’t love, love, love it. But I liked it. The text felt a little forced to me because of the rhyming. Sometimes it felt natural and smooth. Sometimes it was a bit awkward. It worked more than it didn’t. So overall I liked it.
Text:3/5
Illustrations:3/5
Total:6/10
Premise/plot: This celebrity penned picture book celebrates sisterhood. The text is super sweet and super predictable. This one is safe to judge based on the cover. You get exactly what you’d expect. It is written in rhyme.
My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I didn’t love, love, love it. But I liked it. The text felt a little forced to me because of the rhyming. Sometimes it felt natural and smooth. Sometimes it was a bit awkward. It worked more than it didn’t. So overall I liked it.
Text:3/5
Illustrations:3/5
Total:6/10
January 2, 2021
Cute story about sisters but I don't think the pictures matched. They showed tons of friends playing and not enough of just the sister bond.
November 18, 2024
Loved this so so so much. So adorable and taught awesome lessons about girlhood and sisterhood, and how to be there for your girls, when it’s easy and when it’s not.
(G rating)
(G rating)
November 12, 2019
Winning illustrations grace this creative picture book that celebrates the story of sisters everywhere - the joy that they find in one another and the imagination they share that takes them to magical places. Whether riding in balloons to visit the clouds, pretending to be coyotes howling at the moon, or fancying themselves to be "cat pirates sailing across the rough sea," the adventures of the three pairs of sisters depicted in this book are delightful.
November 14, 2019
Splurge and get the Audible version read by the authors.
This is a wonderful special volume of the lives of two lovely young ladies who grew up in the public eye. I am just blown away by how normal and utterly humble thru truly are.
This is a wonderful special volume of the lives of two lovely young ladies who grew up in the public eye. I am just blown away by how normal and utterly humble thru truly are.
July 27, 2020
I LOVED this book. I picked this up at the big book sale this year. It was one of the more expensive ones I grabbed (at $6!) but the pictures were beautiful and I have two daughters. So I purchased it anyway. We finally read it last night (it's been about 5 months since that book sale....) and I fell in love!
I didn't realize when I purchased it that was written by the Bush first daughters. I think this story has extra meaning behind it since it was written by sisters.
So on to what I loved: I loved that it starts out with the older sister praying for a baby sister because she was lonely. Then she was frustrated because the new baby couldn't actually play with her. But she realized that if part of her prayer for her sister was for her to be kind and patient, then she should be too. As the younger sister got older, they became inseparable. They did all sorts of things together and made each other better - braver, kinder, etc.
The illustrations were so sweet and whimsical. They also had multi-racial sisters shown throughout the story to show that all types of sisters have the same type of connection.
I really loved this book and I'm so happy I purchased it. This is a GREAT book to give to a pair of sisters you know or even as a gift for a soon-to-be big sister.
I didn't realize when I purchased it that was written by the Bush first daughters. I think this story has extra meaning behind it since it was written by sisters.
So on to what I loved: I loved that it starts out with the older sister praying for a baby sister because she was lonely. Then she was frustrated because the new baby couldn't actually play with her. But she realized that if part of her prayer for her sister was for her to be kind and patient, then she should be too. As the younger sister got older, they became inseparable. They did all sorts of things together and made each other better - braver, kinder, etc.
The illustrations were so sweet and whimsical. They also had multi-racial sisters shown throughout the story to show that all types of sisters have the same type of connection.
I really loved this book and I'm so happy I purchased it. This is a GREAT book to give to a pair of sisters you know or even as a gift for a soon-to-be big sister.
January 24, 2023
This book was about an older sister who wanted a sister to play with. She saw other people who had built in friendships and wanted the same. As a result, she prayed that her sister would be smart and kind. Once her sister arrived she began to get frustrated because her sister was too small to do the things she wanted her to do. However, she remembered her prayer and reminded herself that with time her sister would be able to do more. At the end of the book the sisters are best friends and say a prayer to always remember at the end of the day they are sisters first. I loved this book. I loved the meaning behind it and the emotions that drove the words. I also enjoyed the illustrations. Using this book in my classroom would be slightly difficult, but I will definitely use this book in my own home if I have daughters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2019
This is a great gift for sisters. While its intended age range is from 4-8 years old, this is a wonderful gift to give that loving sister in your life. I gave it to my sister for her December birthday as the story resonated so strong between us.
“Sisters First” is the great tale of an older sister praying for a little sister because she is lonely and needs a sister to play with and love. After the sister she prays for is born, the two go on adventures with their imagination and enjoy a lifelong friendship.
This book would be a great gift for a little girl when mommy brings a new baby sister home, or to remind two sisters of what they have together. It is a great story of love, friendship and family.
@fourseasonreader
“Sisters First” is the great tale of an older sister praying for a little sister because she is lonely and needs a sister to play with and love. After the sister she prays for is born, the two go on adventures with their imagination and enjoy a lifelong friendship.
This book would be a great gift for a little girl when mommy brings a new baby sister home, or to remind two sisters of what they have together. It is a great story of love, friendship and family.
@fourseasonreader
July 7, 2021
I just read Sisters First by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush which detailed the lives of the former twin first daughters of George Bush. An interesting read which gave me a better understanding George Bush the younger's presidency through the developing views of his daughters most notably that healthcare is a right of and for all Americans as well as all humans. That is a pretty liberal and a pretty human idea when the concept of pay and cost are thrown into the dustbin of history. The book is insightful and funny at times especially when the girls individually briefly thwart their secret service details during their respective college years.
January 21, 2020
Grab your Kleenex. No not sad … it is incredibly powerful and a wonderful love letter to sisters everywhere.
When I went to put this treasure on hold for my own sister at her library, she already had it checked out! This picture book is a treasure for sisters. We have a special bond that seems to survive and thrive no matter the obstacle tossed in our paths. A bond that, despite our rough patches as kids, came out just like mom promised: we are the best of friends and each other’s rock. I couldn't get through life without her and she is my staunchest supporter.
When I went to put this treasure on hold for my own sister at her library, she already had it checked out! This picture book is a treasure for sisters. We have a special bond that seems to survive and thrive no matter the obstacle tossed in our paths. A bond that, despite our rough patches as kids, came out just like mom promised: we are the best of friends and each other’s rock. I couldn't get through life without her and she is my staunchest supporter.
November 17, 2019
A book that will unite sisters throughout the world in the love, friendship and adventures they will have together. The illustrations are remarkable. I wish I had a sister, so I could have had fun filled adventures together. This book teaches girls how life with a sister will make life exciting, fun and fulfilling, when you have someone to look up too, play with, have moral support through good times and bad times. Read this beautiful adventure of sisters.
December 31, 2019
A delightfully written memoir with a forward by Laura Bush.
focused on shared and individual memories of the two sisters from youth into adulthood. Dealing with the trials and tribulations of siblings- especially those who grew up in the public eye. And of course the special bonds of the girls as twins.
Raised in a family of much love and support , but always aware of the fact the world was watching them.
focused on shared and individual memories of the two sisters from youth into adulthood. Dealing with the trials and tribulations of siblings- especially those who grew up in the public eye. And of course the special bonds of the girls as twins.
Raised in a family of much love and support , but always aware of the fact the world was watching them.
April 29, 2021
Very transparent book by Jenna and Barbara Bush into their childhood, college and young adult years. Was inspiring to your how close they are as sisters but also how much love and respect to have for their parents and grandparents on both sides. Stories of the times they would be in the White House were funny and interesting and living lives with secret service following you was also interesting. Easy read or audio listen.
February 15, 2023
A big sister prays for a baby sister to be born. When she arrives, she's not as fun as big sister thought she'd be because she has to grow up first. But when she does, they share a bond of imaginative adventures that continues to grow to be a lifelong friendship.
I'm particularly biased towards sweet sister books because I have two daughters who are the best of sisters to each other. This is a good one for biological and friends who are just like sisters.
I'm particularly biased towards sweet sister books because I have two daughters who are the best of sisters to each other. This is a good one for biological and friends who are just like sisters.
January 8, 2020
I absolutely adored this book. It is so poetically and beautifully written with really beautiful illustrations full of diverse sisters in the background. I don't have a sister but even so the book made me tear up a little bit. If my niece ever becomes a big sister or if I eventually have two girls this will definitely be a book I get for them.
February 9, 2021
This was such a beautiful written story about a young girl, who desperately wanted a sister. She quickly learned to adopt to the changes in her life, when she realizes that her little sister is only a baby, first.
She is overly enthusiastic, as she excitedly plans to do things with her new friend. Highly recommended....👨👩👧👧❤💞🌷
She is overly enthusiastic, as she excitedly plans to do things with her new friend. Highly recommended....👨👩👧👧❤💞🌷
February 7, 2023
Autobiography of the Bush twins. Makes you recognize that they're a lot like us and have similar fears, experiences, and loves. After reading this book I'd really like to meet their father, who was love to them. So different from the political persona, as well as them, especially since I'm a fraternal twin.
February 8, 2023
A little girl wishes and prays for a sister to spend special moments with, and when her sister comes she is thrilled, but has to wait for her to grow up enough to have those special moments together.
A celebration of the special bond sisters have. This is gorgeously illustrated, and a sweet read.
A celebration of the special bond sisters have. This is gorgeously illustrated, and a sweet read.
November 18, 2019
This book made me tear up, thinking of the precious bond between my siblings and me, and between my own kids. So sweet! Bought a signed copy to give my kids for Christmas and I can’t wait to give it to them!!
November 28, 2019
A beautiful children’s book about the great love and friendship between sisters. These two girls go on adventures together and know that they can accomplish anything in life. Sisters First!!!!! Lovely illustrations too!!!! Loved this book!!!!!!
December 21, 2019
What a wonderful read. I was able to borrow a CD version, in the Bush girls own voices, (And Laura), read well.
Such a family. Delightful and journey they had! They have wonderful memories from their Grands, and experiences that none of us can grasp. The girls shared their lives so well.
Such a family. Delightful and journey they had! They have wonderful memories from their Grands, and experiences that none of us can grasp. The girls shared their lives so well.
January 5, 2020
My big sister is the best in the world so I always fall for a good sister message. The writing was sweet and flowed better than I was expecting it to (I have low expectations for celebrity books, typically). I can see kiddo sisters enjoying this one.
February 26, 2020
As a sister and a mom to sisters, this book really is a special one. The illustrations throughout complement the story. Sisters young and old will likely find this children’s book as a new favorite.
Thanks to my mom for gifting copies to my sister and I for Christmas 2019!
Thanks to my mom for gifting copies to my sister and I for Christmas 2019!
December 9, 2020
This is my favorite children’s book! I bought this book to read to my younger sister and loved it! The illustrations are stunning and the writing is beautiful. Needless to say my little sister and I love this! I recommend to anyone who has a younger sibling or anyone in general!
November 12, 2019
Audiobook. Enjoyed listening to the escapades of the twins. I do have a difficult time listening to books which are not in chronological order. Other than that, it was good, sweet and caring.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews