Last week we discussed emotions and how to help children process them. This week we explore one of the roots of those complicated emotions: the family. Everyone, and every child, has a family. However, the makeup of that family just may be different from one family to the next. No longer does the family resemble a traditional heteronormative picture (wife, husband, children). And just the same, as we seek diversity in the classroom, in literature, in movies, we should seek diversity within the family unit.
But what happens when you don't see your family represented anywhere? Lack of representation may lead to feelings of confusion or a sense of not belonging. It's not easy being different, especially if those differences are used against you. While who your parents are shouldn't be a source of mistreatment from others, what some don't understand they seek to call out.
Below are 10 books on various families. These books will help parents find a starting point to open the dialogue on why their family may look different from others. They will also give your child/children the tools to vocalize those differences and understand that different doesn't mean bad. Different is accepted.
The Family Book by Todd Parr
"The Family Book celebrates the love we feel for our families and all the different varieties they come in. Whether you have two moms or two dads, a big family or a small family, a clean family or a messy one, Todd Parr assures readers that no matter what kind of family you have, every family is special in its own unique way.
Parr's message about the importance of embracing our differences is delivered in a playful way. With his trademark bold, bright colors and silly scenes, this book will encourage children to ask questions about their own families. Perfect for young children just beginning to read, The Family Book is designed to encourage early literacy, enhance emotional development, celebrate multiculturalism, promote character growth, and strengthen family relationships."
2. Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match by Monica Brown
"Marisol McDonald has flaming red hair and nut-brown skin. Polka dots and stripes are her favorite combination. She prefers peanut butter and jelly burritos in her lunch box. And don’t even think of asking her to choose one or the other activity at recess—she’ll just be a soccer playing pirate princess, thank you very much. To Marisol McDonald, these seemingly mismatched things make perfect sense together.
Unfortunately, they don’t always make sense to everyone else. Other people wrinkle their nose in confusion at Marisol—can’t she just be one or the other? Try as she might, in a world where everyone tries to put this biracial, Peruvian-Scottish-American girl into a box, Marisol McDonald doesn’t match. And that’s just fine with her."
3. Families, Families, Families! by Suzanne Lang and Max Lang
"If you love each other, then you’re a family . . .
Do you have two dads? Or one step mum? Or what about the world’s biggest grandpa?
Discover a whole host of silly animal families in this hilarious celebration of the love found in families big and small.
Max Lang's award-winning art style and Suzanne Lang's hilarious rhymes will tickle the tail feathers of readers big, small and everything in between."
4. Black is Brown is Tan by Arnold Adoff
"Brown-skinned mama, the color of chocolate milk and pumpkin pie. White-skinned daddy, not the color of milk or snow, but light with pinks and tiny tans. And their two children, the beautiful colors of both.
For an all-American family, full of joy, warmth, and love, this is the way it is for us / this is the way we are
When it was first published in 1973, black is brown is tan featured the first interracial family in children's books. Decades later, Arnold Adoff's and Emily Arnold McCully's picture book continues to offer a joyous and loving celebration of all the colors of the race, now newly embellished with bright watercolor paintings that depict a contemporary family of the twenty-first century.
And the chorus rings true as ever:
black is brown is tan is girl is boy is nose is face is all the colors of the race"'
5. Who's in a Family? by Robert Skutch
"Family is important, but who's in a family? Why, the people who love you the most! This equal opportunity, open-minded picture book has no preconceptions about what makes a family a family. There's even equal time given to some of children's favorite animal families. With warm and inviting jewel-tone illustrations, this is a great book for that long talk with a little person on your lap."
6. The Great Big Book of Families by Mary Hoffman
"This fun and fascinating treasury features all kinds of families and their lives together. Each spread showcases one aspect of home life-from houses and holidays, to schools and pets, to feelings and family trees. Ros Asquith's humorous illustrations perfectly complement a charming text from the acclaimed Mary Hoffman; kids will love poring over these pages again and again. A celebration of the diverse fabric of kith and kin the world over, The Great Big Book of Families is a great big treat for every family to share."
7. And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson
"The heartwarming true story of two penguins who create a nontraditional family is now available in a sturdy board book edition.
At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family was the same. And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo got the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own.
In time for the tenth anniversary of And Tango Makes Three, this Classic Board Book edition is the perfect size for small hands."
8. Sometimes It's Grandmas and Grandpas Not Mommies and Daddies by Gayle Byrne
"Written from a child’s point of view, this touching picture book centers around a nontraditional family of grandparents raising their grandchild.
Sometimes It’s Grandmas and Grandpas shares a child’s experience living with and being cared for by grandparents through the eyes of a cheerful and delightful little girl. Uplifting watercolor illustrations give extra warmth to this caring and loving story, to which a growing number of children can identify―over 4.5 million children in the United States are primarily cared for by a grandparent.
Poignant moments expressing the child’s curiosity and questions give way to comforting and playful exchanges at home with Nonnie and Poppy. Spending the day with this grandparent–led family, we see that it’s not always Mommies or Daddies that care for children, and that’s okay!
Sometimes It’s Grandmas and Grandpas is the winner of the 2012 Book Award for Best Children’s Literature on Aging in the primary reader category from The K-12 Committee of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE). It provides a great resource for children who seek reassurance about their particular experience. This unique book will appeal to any grandparent raising or providing long–term care for a grandchild, as well as any teacher who wants to educate children about nontraditional families. Sometimes It’s Grandmas and Grandpas sensitively addresses a topic that has been nearly absent in the children’s book market, until now."
9. Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
"This fun, inclusive board book celebrates the one thing that makes every family a family . . . and that's LOVE.
Love is baking a special cake. Love is lending a helping hand. Love is reading one more book. In this exuberant board book, many different families are shown in happy activity, from an early-morning wake-up to a kiss before bed. Whether a child has two moms, two dads, one parent, or one of each, this simple preschool read-aloud demonstrates that what's most important in each family's life is the love the family members share."
10. Mommy and Me Don't Match by K Monsma
"'Even though we look different on the outside, our hearts beat the same."
K Monsma shares a glimpse into her heart as she tells a story about a Mother and Daughter discussing the visual differences between them."
Similarly to last time, this is just the start of a very long, long list of available books. If you did not see your family structure represented here, I may consider doing a second follow up post if there is enough interest in it. Comment down below!
Regardless of how your family is made up, teaching your child/children about other families will also help lessen this universal feeling of difference.
And don't forget to do research of your own. Go to your local library or use google. Find books that suit your child's and your family's needs. This list is by no means the end all be all.
NOTE: All the links lead to the book sourced on Amazon. Of course, you can take the name and author of each book and search through other retailers if you wish. In the future, I will make a blog post about some great discount stores to buy books from.
Disclaimer: All images in this post are credited to the owners/ authors. Cherished Chapters owns and claims nothing.
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