Families come in all shapes and sizes, but it can be confusing for children to understand why their family is different from what is commonly perceived as normal.
Education is crucial to helping them understand that diversity is a positive thing, and that being different is nothing to be ashamed of.
Here are our top ten picks for the best books about non traditional families.
1. A Family is a Family is a Family
by Sara O’Leary and Qin Leng
From the Amazon description:
When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different in many ways — but the same in the one way that matters most of all.
Click HERE to learn more.
2. Stella Brings the Family
by Miriam B. Schiffer and Holly Clifton-Brown
From the Amazon description:
Stella’s class is having a Mother’s Day celebration, but what’s a girl with two daddies to do? It’s not that she doesn’t have someone who helps her with her homework, or tucks her in at night. Stella has her Papa and Daddy who take care of her, and a whole gaggle of other loved ones who make her feel special and supported every day. She just doesn’t have a mom to invite to the party. Fortunately, Stella finds a unique solution to her party problem in this sweet story about love, acceptance, and the true meaning of family.
Click HERE to learn more.
3. Just Right Family: An Adoption Story
by Silvia Lopez and Ziyue Chen
From the Amazon description:
Meili, who is six years old and adopted from China, learns that her parents are going to adopt a baby from Haiti. She’s not happy. Why do they need a new baby? Their family is just right as it is. As Meili learns more about her new sibling and the importance of being a big sister, will she realize that a new addition can be just right for their family too?
Click HERE to learn more.
4. The Family Book
by Todd Parr
From the Amazon description:
Represents a variety of families, some big and some small, some with only one parent and some with two moms or dads, some quiet and some noisy, but all alike in some ways and special no matter what.
Click HERE to learn more.
5. And Tango Makes Three
by Justin Richardson, Peter Parnell, and Henry Cole
From the Amazon description:
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.
Click HERE to learn more.
6. Two Homes
by Claire Masurel and Kady MacDonald Denton
From the Amazon description:
At Mommy’s house, Alex has a soft chair. At Daddy’s house, Alex has a rocking chair. In each home, Alex also has a special bedroom and lots of friends to play with. But whether Alex is with Mommy or with Daddy, one thing always stays the same – Alex is loved.
Click HERE to learn more.
7. Why Do Families Change?: Our First Talk About Separation and Divorce
by Jillian Roberts and Cindy Revell
From the Amazon description:
Separation and divorce are difficult on the entire family. Often young children blame themselves or are unsure of their place in the family if these events occur. Child psychologist Dr. Jillian Roberts designed the Just Enough series to empower parents/caregivers to start conversations with young ones about difficult or challenging subject matter.
Click HERE to learn more.
8. One Family
by George Shannon and Blanca Gomez
From the Amazon description:
From veteran picture book author George Shannon and up-and-coming artist Blanca Gomez comes a playful, interactive book that shows how a family can be big or small and comprised of people of a range of genders and races.
Click HERE to learn more.
9. My Family, Your Family (Cloverleaf Books ™ — Alike and Different)
by Lisa Bullard and Renée Kurilla
From the Amazon description:
Makayla is visiting friends in her neighborhood. She sees how each family is different. Some families have lots of children, but others have none. Some friends live with grandparents or have two dads or have parents who are divorced. How is her own family like the others? What makes each one great? This diverse cast allows readers to compare and contrast families in multiple ways.
Click HERE to learn more.
10. All Are Welcome
by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman
From the Amazon description:
Readers will follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where students from all backgrounds learn from and celebrate each other’s traditions. A school that shows the world as we will make it to be
Click HERE to learn more.
See Also:
Top Ten Children’s Books About Diversity
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