Families who loved Emily Feather and the Starlit Staircase by Holly Webb often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child feels like the odd one out in your family, especially if you are expecting a new baby or navigating the complexities of adoption. It is a gentle yet powerful tool for children who struggle with the feeling that they don't quite fit in or who worry that a new sibling will have a more legitimate claim to the family's love. The story follows Emily, an ordinary girl in a family of magical fairies. When she learns her mother is pregnant with a biological fairy child, her insecurities about being adopted and non-magical resurface. Through a mystical journey with her brother, Emily explores an alternative life, eventually realizing that belonging is defined by love and choice rather than shared DNA or special powers. This 170-page chapter book is perfect for 7 to 10 year olds who enjoy fantasy but need support processing big feelings about family identity.
