Tim and Ed by Ursula Dubosarsky & Andrew Joyner

Penguin Australia, 2014. ISBN: 9780670074631
Highly recommended for young readers from around 5 years up! Same ears, same eyes. Same feet, same head' Meet Tim and Ed - they are the same - but different.
These two adorable identical koala twins are so alike - and yet, like most twins, each have their own personality as well.  They do everything together and most of the time, their Dad seems to cope very well (although it appears he is bringing up this lively pair on his own).
After a particularly strenuous day with his bouncing offspring, Dad calls in reinforcements and Aunty Pim invites Ed for a sleepover. Just Ed?  Tim is just a little put out by this development - expressively illustrated by Andrew Joyner - but is consoled by the attraction of a night with just himself and Dad. So while Ed and Aunty Pim have fun together at her place, Dad and Tim do likewise - in different ways.
Though definitely a little strange to not have his mirror-image playmate with him, Tim soon adjusts to this unfamiliar situation - and is more than reconciled when the morning brings back Aunty Pim and Ed, along with the promise of '. . . Next time Tim can come instead!'
As usual, the deft writing of Ursula Dubosarsky gives young readers a humorous take on a sometimes daunting topic - small children's growing independence, successfully removing the worries that some of them have when faced by such a situation.
Tim and Ed manage beautifully - I wonder how Dad felt? Perhaps a follow up could look at separation anxiety in parents?
A very stylish cover, delightful endpapers, a romping fabulous text (especially for read-alouds!) and joyous illustrations.
Sue Warren