Each of my daughters received a copy of a Birth Order book one Christmas. The Great Aunt that had the great idea is also a mom to three children and thought, rightfully so, that with three daughters these might come in handy.

Dr. Kevin Leman, author of The Birth Order Book, Making Your Children Mind Without Losing Yours, has written a series of books for children related to the topic of birth order, illustrated by his son Kevin Leman II.

My Youngest, There's No One Like You, My Middle Child, There's No One Like You, My Firstborn, There's No One Like You and My Adopted Child, There’s No One Like You are a series of four books addressing some of the unique aspects that parents recognize in each of their children based on the order in which they came. The Birth Order books probably say as much at parents at each stage of parenthood as it does about children.

I can’t think of anyone that doesn’t recognize birth order as significant in the life a child, either growing up or as adults. I’m just now recognizing the complexities of a middle child who one moment professes how she wants to be big like her older sister and ten minutes later cries out with a desire to be more like her baby sister. Every moment to her seems to be a moment of being told “You can’t do this you’re too little” or “You can’t do that you’re too big.”

Sometimes every explanation about her worth as the younger sister or the older sister falls on deaf ears. While most of the time I don’t feel that any of my children are favored one over the other, that doesn’t mean that they don’t feel that way. Dr. Kevin Leman’s books come to the rescue.

The Birth Order book series is very child friendly and illustrations by Kevin Leman II make them a fun read. The book is written in a way that you can share your own stories throughout the tale. Change up one of mama bears memories with your own to see if you child is listening.

There is an introduction in the front of each book to Mama and Papa Bear (you), and it gives you great insight into the workings of your firstborn, middle or youngest child. It also lists types of professions each birth order type are typically. Believe it or not I recognized a lot of the traits in each of my daughters and was surprised that there was no surprise.

For more information on The Birth Order Books and other work on marriage and family visit Dr. Kevin Leman’s website.

Also check out this handy chart on typical characteristics by birth order.