As an identical twin myself, I always wanted to write a book about twins which I’ve finally done with Twintastic, my new fiction book for tweens & twins. 

All of our lives my twin sister, Amy, and I always had a bond so strong that we were able to tell what the other was thinking, or even feel her pain or happiness. I still quietly laugh to myself when I think about the mischief Amy and I got ourselves into when we were younger, through the daily grind of school, the mean girls, and our first crushes who probably didn’t even know we existed. These memories gave me a few ideas for the manuscript. Then, I thought it would be great for the twin protagonists to have magical powers because who doesn’t love cool, magical powers.

From the time I was a little girl, I was very close to my Grandma who I called Nona. She was the best listener and friend, and family meant everything to her. Nona had a razor-sharp mind so no one could ever get away with anything on her watch, even as she aged. She made a huge impression on me and having her in my life was wonderful. As a result, another character based on Nona came to life. 

Many of the friends I made during my childhood are still my friends today. When we were kids, we’d go bike riding, raspberry picking, have sleepovers, help each other with homework, and engage in the usual tween shenanigans. The times spent with these friends were always full of laughter, even when drama sometimes tried to interfere. We didn’t have cell phones and all the social media of today, but that didn’t matter. Instead, what was most important was having the support, loyalty, and love of friends. Another layer was added to the story.

Being a spiritual person, I love having crystals (for positive energy) and lighting candles (to bring light to my wishes) throughout my house. These elements also ended up in the manuscript. 

All of these life experiences provided the material to create a story. Slowly, my manuscript evolved into Twintastic, with its exploration of a family dynamic, trust, friends, and the consequences of the misuse of power; each of which is so important for tweens to absorb. 

Writing Twintastic was an amazing process. There were days I would sit at the computer first thing in the morning and not leave until evening—when a writer gets into the zone there is no stopping. Other days, I would write for a while and then pace around the house or throw in a load of laundry, and then try again to finish a sentence, paragraph, page, or chapter. Next to my bed, I always kept a pad and pen, and I would carry them with me as well, never knowing when an idea would hit. Even though at times, working on the manuscript would be frustrating and all-consuming, I truly enjoyed the journey. 

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I wish you a Twintastic day!

Please visit me at www.jacquelinekopito.com

TWINTASTIC

Sixth-grade identical twins Alix and Jordyn couldn’t be more different. Jordyn likes fashion and art, while Alix loves reading and science. One day, while cleaning the attic, the twins come across a dusty old diary that once belonged to their Great-grandma Rose. The next thing the twins know, the magical powers once possessed by Rose and her twin sister, Molly, have been passed on to them.  

Suddenly, using only their thoughts, Alix and Jordyn can communicate with each other and move objects. They decide to use their secret powers to help save Ace, their parents’ struggling restaurant. Otherwise, their family could be out on the street. At the same time, they deal with the daily grind of middle school, first crushes, and tennis lessons. Using their powers, they have a bake sale, enter a science contest, and tutor their friends. But will it be enough to rescue the restaurant and save their family from ruin? 

Twintastic is a fiction book for tweens (ages 8-12). Published by Good Times Books (New Delhi, India)

The post Twintastic New Fiction Book for Tweens & Twins appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

Dr. Segal’s seventh book, Deliberately Divided: Inside the Controversial Study of Twins and Triplets Adopted Apart, was released in November 2021. This work provides the first in-depth look at the lives of the intentionally separated twins, their families, the study in which they were unknowingly enrolled and the psychiatrists who orchestrated that research.

Dr. Nancy J. Segal recently shared insights with us about her upcoming book and the controversial study.

The NYC twin study, which began in the early 1960s, is not well known. How did you first hear about it?

I heard about it when I arrived at the U of MN as a post-doc in 1982 and there was discussion of a planned expose of the study by 60 Minutes, CBS—but that never happened.

Who were the main investigators?   

Drs. Viola W. Bernard and Peter B. Neubauer, both prominent psychoanalytic psychiatrists.

What was the actual purpose of the study? 

To see how different parenting styles affected the development of identical twins reared apart—to solve the nature-nurture issue for good.

Can you please describe the twin sample and how it was assembled?

They studied 5 sets of adopted-apart identical twins and one set of adopted-apart identical triplets—one identical set was ultimately dropped from the study due to different dates of adoption and large birth weight difference. Unwed moms relinquished their babies for adoption at the Louise Wise Services; they were placed apart, even when common placement was requested.

What types of tests were given to the twins and triplets?

Intelligence and personality—they were also photographed and filmed.

The study has been very controversial over the years. Why is that? 

There was no informed consent. The twins were denied the chance to enjoy a celebrated relationship. Adoptive parents were never told that they were raising a single twin.

In the 1960s, there were no formal IRBs (Institutional Review Boards) at universities and other research institutes. Some people say that we should not judge what the researchers did by today’s standards. What is your opinion?

Just because some practices may be within legal limits does not mean they are morally correct. I believe that the study was unethical and immoral.

I understand that the twins’ data files were placed in the Yale University archives, not to be released until 2065. Who is responsible for doing that, and why was this done?

The Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services in NY placed the files at Yale, but who made that decision to do so remains a mystery.

Have the twins been able to get access to their own data?

Some twins have, but it is an arduous process, requiring approval from the Jewish Board. Much of the material has been redacted.

I know that you have written a book that is probably the most comprehensive account for this study and its aftermath. The book is called, Deliberately Divided: Inside the Controversial Study of Twins and Triplets Adopted Apart. It has a release date of November 2021—is it now available?

Yes, it is available on many websites. Reviews are posted on Amazon.com and on my website: drnancysegaltwins.org.

Why did you decide to write it?  

I wrote the book to tell the stories of the twins, to help them get their data, and to be sure this horrific episode in the history of psychology is never repeated.

Tell us a little about what is in the book that is not in the two documentary films that came out about the study, The Twinning Reaction, which you just saw, and also Three Identical Strangers. 

The life stories of twins, the investigators’ backgrounds, the failed publishing attempts, and attempts to derail the film from earning awards are all included in my book.

You studied many pairs of twins reared apart when you were at the University of Minnesota. And you have an ongoing study of young Chinese twins who were separated indirectly because of China’s One-Child Policy. How is what you did and are doing different from what Drs. Neubauer and Bernard did back in the 60s and 70s?

I have the full consent of the twins and their families.

The University of Minnesota study produced some ground-breaking findings regarding the roots of human behavior. In your view, did the Neubauer-Bernard collaboration discover anything that will have a lasting impact?

We do not know what was discovered since the few publications are only case studies and the data have been hidden. But it is unlikely—they also had a very small sample, so any results would hardly be representative.

Finally, do you have any closing comments you would like to make?

I hope that people will buy the book and gain a greater appreciation for the majority of researchers who are ethical and generous and care so deeply about twins.

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More about Dr. Nancy L. Segal

Segal’s 2012 book, Born Together-Reared Apart: The Landmark Minnesota Twin Study, won the 2013 William James Book Award from the American Psychological Association. Her other books include Accidental Brothers; The Story of Twins Exchanged at Birth and the Power of Nature and Nurture (2018), Twin Mythconceptions: False Beliefs, Fables and Facts About Twins (2017), Someone Else’s Twin: The True Story of Babies Switched at Birth (2011), Indivisible by Two: Lives of Extraordinary Twins (2007) and Entwined Lives: Twins and What They Tell Us About Human Behavior (2000).

Her work has been featured in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. A letter referencing twins and alternative lives appeared in “The Mail” column of the New Yorker Magazine, January 25, 2021. She has appeared on national and international television and radio programs, including The Today Show, 20/20, Long Lost Lives, AirTalk (NPR), and Hidden Brain (NPR).

Segal was also a Contributing Research Editor for Twins Magazine (1984-1998). In 2022, she will be filming for a BBC mini-series on Nature and Nurture.

The post Q&A With Twins Expert Dr. Nancy Segal, Author of Deliberately Divided appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

To honor this special day we have compiled our top 10 list of books for and about twins.

For Young Twins

Playtime for Twins by Ellen Weiss (Author) / Sam Williams (Illustrator)

The twins are ready for some fun! Laugh along as these cheerful siblings make some noise, read about rocket ships, seesaw, and more before they wave goodbye to the sun as it sets and head for home. Pitch-perfect rhyming text from author Ellen Weiss and soft, engaging images from bestselling illustrator Sam Williams showcase the twins’ appealing personalities and capture all the joy of playtime!

Two is for Twins by Wendy Cheyette Lewison (Author) / Hiroe Nakata (Illustrator)

What makes two? All sorts of things. A bicycle’s wheels. A bluebird’s wings. And twins, as you can plainly see, are just as two as two can be. This brightly illustrated board book is a buoyant, bouncy ode to the joys of twindom. Perfect for children who are twins, and just as perfect for children who aren’t!

For School-Age Twins

The Templeton Twins Have an Idea by Ellis Weiner (Author) / Jeremy Holmes (Illustrator)

Suppose there were 12-year-old twins, a boy and girl named John and Abigail Templeton. Let’s say John was pragmatic and played the drums, and Abigail was theoretical and solved cryptic crosswords. Now suppose their father was a brilliant, if sometimes confused, inventor. And suppose that another set of twins—adults—named Dean D. Dean and Dan D. Dean, kidnapped the Templeton twins and their ridiculous dog in order to get their father to turn over one of his genius (sort of) inventions. Yes, kidnapped. 

The Tapper Twins Series by Geoff Rodkey (Author)

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Told as a series of interviews, screenshots, text messages, and social media bursts, The Tapper Twins Run For President tops the antics of the real 2016 elections! Claudia Tapper wants to become President of the United States someday. She’s the sixth-grade class president and has every reason to presume she’ll get reelected. Reese Tapper could not care less about student government—until he learns becoming class president is his best shot at overturning a hated new rule. And thus, the greatest political rivalry in Culvert Prep history is born! In a tangle of evil-genius advisers, meddlesome best-friends, negative campaign attacks. and outrageously funny missteps, Claudia and Reese duke it out to see who will rule the school.

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For Older Twins

Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech (Author)

Ruby Holler is a Carnegie Medal-winning novel, and with its quirky protagonists and exciting journey, captures the imaginations of readers of all ages.  

Brother and sister Dallas and Florida are the “trouble twins.” In their short thirteen years, they’ve passed through countless foster homes, only to return to their dreary orphanage, Boxton Creek Home.

Run by the Trepids, a greedy and strict couple, Boxton Creek seems impossible to escape. When Mr. Trepid informs the twins that they’ll be helping old Tiller and Sairy Morey go on separate adventures, Dallas and Florida are suspicious.

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (Author)

At first, Jude and her twin brother are NoahandJude; inseparable. Noah draws constantly and is falling in love with the charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude wears red-red lipstick, cliff-dives, and does all the talking for both of them.

Years later, they are barely speaking. Something has happened to change the twins in different yet equally devastating ways . . . but then Jude meets an intriguing, irresistible boy and a mysterious new mentor.

The early years are Noah’s to tell; the later years are Jude’s. But they each have only half the story, and if they can only find their way back to one another, they’ll have a chance to remake their world.

Are we missing any?

Share in the comments any of your favorite books for or about twins!

The post Read Across America Day – Best Twin Books appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

Touching on themes such as diversity and individuality – the tiny insects of this story introduce children to important topics with a fun-to-read tale, chronicling the lives of some special tiny bugs.

About the book

Written by Hannah Qizilbash and illustrated by Katie Blakeslee, The Purple Grasshopper follows the journey of a quirky grasshopper who struggles with accepting that she is different. She tries to be like the other grasshoppers at first but quickly learns the power of self-love, and that friendship is abundant.  

The audience of this book are young children and parents who want to introduce the concepts of diversity, inclusion, self-love, and the importance of friendship.

We at Twins Magazine loved how the themes of self-acceptance, inclusion, and friendship were woven into a moving and enjoyable adventure. 

About the author 

We also had the opportunity to interview the book author and mom of twins, Hannah Qizilbash. Here is what she shared with us:

What inspired you to write this book? 

At 3.5 years old, my twins were facing some exclusion due to their curly, biracial hair and having to sit by themselves with their “safe food” due to their celiac disease and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) diagnoses. One day, when the girls asked for a story, I seized the opportunity to address the importance of self-confidence, inclusion, and support, then I created The Purple Grasshopper on the fly.

What one thing you would tell potential readers about the importance of your story? 

The most important takeaway here is that accepting your uniqueness is immensely powerful and freeing. When my kids began to repeatedly reference “being my own self like the grasshopper,” I realized that self-acceptance and inclusion can be taught, even at a young age.

What do you want readers to take away from your story? 

I want to help children understand the value of accepting differences, appreciating strengths, and being proud of who they are; while also understanding the importance of support. This book can also help parents introduce these complicated concepts at an early age.

Who is your main character and why are they important to you? 

The Purple Grasshopper is the main character and she is so incredibly important because she personifies that voice of doubt, and that feeling of uncertainty that most people have felt at some point. In addition to that, she is unique so she struggles with wanting to fit in, even though deep down it does not feel right. I believe that the journey to discovering and accepting our own identities is something that resonates with everyone.

Is there anything else you want to share about your book? 

I would like to invite your audience to join me on the journey to spread this powerful message by supporting The Purple Grasshopper on Kickstarter. 

Final thoughts on The Purple Grasshopper

The Purple Grasshopper is an important book that can help parents introduce topics like individuality, diversity, and acceptance to even the youngest children. We at Twins Magazine are excited to be able to share this book with all of our readers.

The post Book Review: The Purple Grasshopper  appeared first on TWINS Magazine.

While my wife was still carrying our twins, I began to sing a lullaby to them every night. On the night they were born, after I helped the nurses wash and weigh my twin angels, as soon as the chaos settled, I held both of my twins while my wife slept. I began singing my daughters that same lullaby. They both instantly perked up and looked at me as if to say, “Hey, I know that song! I know that voice!”

It was two days before Christmas and even the mouse was asleep, so I spent half the night singing Christmas Carols to the most appreciative audience I have ever had.

It is never too early to sing, read aloud or tell stories to your twins!

0-2 years

When your twins are newborns, admittedly, they may not sit still for Shakespeare or even all of Good Night Moon. But it is important that you read aloud to them. Lap time is vital. They learn that a book is a warm excuse for cuddling with their parents and giggling.

Brain research affirms what linguists have long known: In these first few years, babies’ brains are still growing. This growth is linked to language acquisition. They learn the sounds and rhythms of speech. Infants may not respond with whole words, but their brains are hard-wired for language. Reading to them, singing to them, and playing rhythmic games with their toes will help them learn language skills.

When my girls were small we did not really read the book; we talked about the pictures, I told a brief version of the story and we made funny animal sounds. I would ask questions about the pictures and we made up stories. It was a time to share.

The emphasis was on fun. They were also learning that books go left to right, these black marks make words, and words carry meaning, and stories have a beginning, middle, and end. They were learning what scholars call reading readiness skills.

It did not matter that we did not always get through the entire book. They were learning that books can bring great joy. At this stage, it is important that they be given plenty of cloth and vinyl books for them to play with and chew. Cardboard books in the toy box imply that books are toys, but are not as good as soft books for babies. My girls also liked textured books with fuzzy pictures and things to touch. When babies are ready they will sit still for an entire story.

2-5 years

Between the ages of 2 and 5, children can learn as many as 2,000 words a year. That is an average of five to six new words each and every day. Aware of this fact, I was always intrigued when a word I read to my twin daughters was used in their conversation within a few hours.

But if you do not read to them on a daily basis this will not happen. Any reading teacher can pick out which kids were read to and which were not. The greatest gift we can give our children is the gift of literacy.

More than simply reading the story in a droll voice, storytellers must feel free to sing, add accents, make sound effects, create the dramatic moment. If it feels like school, reading becomes a chore. Ask open-ended questions during and after reading the book. Share your opinions about the story and ask for their response to the text and pictures. Encourage thoughtful reading.

My two-year-old girls loved to ‘read’ to me. They would crawl into my lap and open a book, turn the pages and make up a story mimicking some of the sound effects and big voices I used. Though they were not technically reading, they were proud of this effort and exhibited all of the skills needed to become good readers.

We also loved wordless picture books. We looked at the pictures and made up a different story every time. They especially liked finger play and story songs. The Itsy-Bitsy Spider and The Alphabet Song were favorites.

Bedtime and nap time stories are a great daily ritual that helps twins relax and get to sleep but don’t stop there. Rowdy stories and acting out the adventure can bring literature to life. Creating silly plays with dress-up clothes and original songs stimulates more reading while laying a foundation for creative writing. Original puppet show productions allow your twins to work together to interpret the text of a classic story.

Beyond the book, at this stage, it is important that children have diverse real-life experiences. (My favorite mantra about computer games: Reality is always better than virtual reality!) If your twins have been to the zoo, flown a kite, ridden a train, climbed a tree, been to the theatre, and tasted cotton candy at the fair, these experiences will in turn inform what they read. New flavors and textures, new experiences strengthen vocabulary and prepare your children for creating their own stories.

As an extreme example, our family went to Costa Rica on vacation when our twins were five. More than vocabulary enhancement, an experience like this gives your twins a rich resource to draw on for the rest of their lives. Now, when we read a story about monkeys, one of my daughters will interrupt and tell her story about a wild spider monkey that crawled down from the tree, across her shoulder, and stole a piece of papaya that she was about to put in her mouth. We also kept a journal, I with poetry and they with pictures. On the plane trip down and back they would draw a series of pictures and I would write down their words. This evolved into a young authors’ project for their kindergarten class when we returned. A holiday trip to grandma’s house is the perfect excuse for this kind of picture writing. These pictures can be copied and sent to grandma as a thank-you card.

6-10 years and beyond

A growing body of research affirms one fact: Kids who love to read are kids who were read to when they were young. But you are never too old to read aloud or be read to. As my daughters’ attention spans grew, we chose longer books. We read more than 50 of The Boxcar Children out loud.

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As they got older, they took turns reading. Recently we read the sixth Harry Potter novel aloud as a family. Research also says children understand and learn from listening to a story two or three years or grade levels above their reading level. At the same time, improved listening leads directly to improved reading.

If a child has never heard a word, it is not in their sight vocabulary. My wife and I still read poetry and newspaper articles aloud to each other, modeling our love of language.

More important than reading aloud to your twins is that they see you reading. Actions speak louder than words. When you and your spouse practice what you preach, you model that reading is fun and important. And your children get it. Reading is a lifelong habit and the earlier you start, the better.

The Reluctant Reader

When I hear a teacher or parent ask a child: “Do you like to read?” I always correct them. That is not the right question! It should be “What do you like to read?” or better yet, “What do you like to do? Read about that!”

One of my daughters will read a novel a day during the summer. Frequent trips to the library are not frequent enough. Our other daughter is not as eager to spend long days wrapped in the world of fiction.

She loves snakes. She has a small non-fiction library on snake care and the natural history of reptiles. She also loves country music and would rather listen to CDs on her headphones than read. We bought her a subscription to a music magazine. Now she devours it cover to cover within a few days of its arrival. And because we value one-on-one time with our twins, I will occasionally choose a book that interests her and just the two of us will take turns reading it aloud.

Even with identical twins, kids become ready to read at their own pace. Encourage both twins to read. Read to them and with them as a lifelong habit. Read together and individually to your twins.

Give them the time and encouragement to develop at their own pace. If the differences in how well they read or what they like to read are made into an issue, then it becomes a more difficult struggle, especially for parents of twins. As twins grow older, they look for ways to differentiate from their sibling. It would be easy to push them apart and inadvertently create the false idea that one is a reader and the other is not.

With our twins, we know that one loves novels and the other loves non-fiction, though honestly, we encourage them both to read broadly. And knowing that my teenage daughters proofread these articles, (both have published articles of their own!), I will give my wife and myself a pat on the back: These ideas have worked for us. From learning the alphabet song to appearing in school plays, our twins both share our love for literature and language.

About the Author

Brian “Fox” Ellis is a professional storyteller, curriculum consultant and author of the new children’s picture book THE WEB at Dragonfly Pond (DAWN Publications, 2005). He is father to Laurel and Lily, now adolescents. www.foxtalesint.com

The post Raising Twin Readers: From the ABCs to Shakespeare appeared first on TWINS Magazine.