Whether we realize it or not, our sibling relationships are often the longest relationships we have in our lives. However, sibling conflict is incredibly common and can even be detrimental to children as they grow up, possibly contributing to antisocial behavior, peer difficulties, sleep issues, and emotional and behavioral dysfunction (Bank L., et al, 2004, Dirks M. A., et al, 2015, Breitenstein R. S., et al, 2018).

While an authoritative parenting style and healthy family system overall can help to mitigate some of these effects, parents need to recognize that sibling conflict offers a valuable opportunity for children to practice social and emotional skills that will benefit them, both now and in the future (Liu C, Rahman MNA, 2022). Author Raymond Antrobus explores sibling conflict in his latest picture book, Terrible Horses, a touching story in which a little boy finds that drawing helps him to creatively work through his big feelings about his sister.

Raymond shared more about his book, and his own experience navigating sibling conflict in our discussion.

What inspired you to write a children's book about sibling conflict? Do you have siblings, personally? If so, how has your relationship with your sibling unfolded over time?

I was thinking more broadly about conflict resolution and how it can be modeled to young readers. I'm a little brother to an older sister and I think of that as an identity. My sister and I had to overcome a lot of conflict between us as children to........

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