As a parent of young children, I’m learning two things very quickly: representation matters on all counts and books can give us a view into a world we may never otherwise experience. As I see with my own children, these two things are integral to their lives as they continue to grow up.
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Not only do children need diverse books in order to relate on a personal level, but they also need them in order to understand more about the changing society around them. Through books, my kids can learn about the intricacies of another’s country, culture, emotions, and perspective.
These 22 children’s books about different kinds of families celebrate the uniqueness of various family situations in a way that is accessible and relatable for young children. Not only will they be able to see themselves in the book if they are a part of a non-traditional family, but they will learn about the variety of families and all the kinds of love that can be shared within a family unit.
We consider these books to be for every kind of child – raising an open-minded and accepting child starts with, first, exposing them to varieties of lifestyles and, then, helping them understand that different people live in different ways.
The Family Book celebrates all kinds of special and unique families, whether you have two moms or two dads, a big family or a small family, a clean family or a messy one.
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. This diverse cast allows readers to compare and contrast families in multiple ways.
This book features families all over the world – from holidays, schools, pets, family trees and more.
All Bears Need Love addresses the comments, questions, and curiosities that often accompany multicultural adoption.
One Family is an interactive book that shows how a family can be big or small and comprised of people of a range of genders and races.
Mike has to answer LOTS of questions about being mixed. This book follows Mike through a day in his life as his parents answer his questions.
This photo book shares a look at all the different kinds of families – some with one parent, extended families, etc.
Living apart from a parent can be a hard adjustment for kids. And, if that parent remarries and has stepchildren, things can get really confusing. Told from a young boy's point of view, this book addresses many feelings and questions that children may have while adjusting to remarriage and a blended family after their parents' divorce.
Two Homes focuses on a child of divorced parents. At Mommy’s house, Alex has a soft chair. At Daddy’s house, Alex has a rocking chair. But whether Alex is with Mommy or with Daddy, one thing always stays the same - Alex is loved.
Sometimes It’s Grandmas and Grandpas shares a child’s experience living with and being cared for by grandparents through the eyes of a little girl.
The author shares her international adoption story in a very easy to understand way that will resonate with little kids.
Marmee, Meema, and the kids are just like any other family on the block. In their house, they cook dinner together, laugh together, and dance together. But some of the other families don't accept them because they say they are different.
Written by Jamie Lee Curtis, Tell Me Again details an adoption story and also speaks to the universal childhood desire to know more about the excitement, awe, love, and sleeplessness that a new baby brings to a family.
I Wished for You follows a conversation between a little bear named Barley and his Mama as they curl up in their favorite cuddle spot and talk about how they became a family. Barley asks Mama the kinds of questions many adopted children have, and Mama lovingly answers them all.
Based in the Central Park Zoo, this story is about two penguins who were a little bit different from the others but their desire for a family was the same. A zookeeper helps welcome a baby penguin of their very own.
While her parents go through a divorce, a young girl turns to the one constant in her life, her dog Fred. This book uses kid-friendly language and bright illustrations.
A mother elephant explains how she used a donor egg to her child. This book features charming illustrations and simple words to help parents explain in vitro fertilization and donor eggs to children.
Stella's class is having a Mother's Day celebration, but what's a girl with two daddies to do? Stella has her Papa and Daddy who take care of her, and a whole gaggle of other loved ones. She just doesn't have a mom to invite to the party. Fortunately, Stella finds a unique solution to her party problem.
Roma Downey shares a story of a young girl being raised by her mother. She longs for a large noisy family like that of her friend.
From playing in the snow to a rainy-day ride, to double-scoop treats and crash-landing in leaves, two can be the perfect number for creating life's memories. And two can definitely be enough for a warm family, full of the love, support, and comfort that every child needs.
A lion cub notices he doesn't have a father and wonders why. His mom explains that while there is no "daddy" in his family, there is a donor lion who made his life possible.
