The Family Book

by Todd Parr

Paperback, 2010

Status

Available

Call number

306.85

Collections

Family Unit, Children's Books, Shiawassee Location

Publication

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (2010), Edition: Reprint, 32 pages

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.

User reviews

LibraryThing member MeditationesMartini

Oh, I noticed that I had neglected to review this and then I thought, sh*t, my family's gonna fall apart any day now, might as well wait and do it then and exploit all the sadness/regret/recrimination/overpowering sense of failure that will well to the surface. Anyway, my family's almost fallen

apart like six times since then and we just can't seem to get there, or contrariwise to get out of the fall-apart zone, and so I might as well just get to it, especially because this book is coming to serve as a kind of prayer for me; it's full of different kinds of families (big and small, two mums and two dads, two parents and one, living together and living apart, fish and dogs, eating the same things and different things), but all brought together by certain very important things: hugs, spending special days together, feeling sad when they lose someone they love, helping each other be strong. Acceptance of difference and placing a premium on not hurting each other, which I took to be a core value for most everyone but which turns out to look very fragile indeed in the face of the dogged monster of expectation, the kneejerk black-and-white demand that we be a certain kind of family, a traditional family even though at the same time that's not what we either of us wants, and hence a frustrated and miserable family. A prayer, I said: that when our family inevitably falls apart, we'll find a way to spring up from the ashes and go on being a family, no matter how different things look. Emmett loves this book and all the different funny fa-MA-lees that are in it, and seeing that makes me hopeful, for a certain value of hope.

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LibraryThing member ksjeffcoat

This book is designed for younger readers but I think it can be read to any elementary grade level. The book has great illustrations of different kinds of families. The book talks about how families can be different but sends the message that is it important to work with your family and love them.

LibraryThing member GeniusJen

Reviewed by Me for Kids @ TeensReadToo.com

I absolutely love Todd Parr's work, both in his books and his videos. No matter what subject he's writing about, or speaking about, behind it all is the universal theme of diversity and acceptance.

With THE FAMILY BOOK, children and parents learn that

families come in all shapes and sizes. Some families are large, some small. Some all look the same, some look different. Some families have children who are adopted, while some families even have two moms or two dads. Regardless of how your family is made up, all families share some of the same things: they like to hug, they like to celebrate together, and sometimes they're even sad together.

What a great way to teach tolerance! The bright, bold illustrations and easy-to-read pages are perfect for both beginning readers and older children, and the story is even better when read aloud with a parent -- or two!

This is another keeper for your collection!

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LibraryThing member julieah

With fun, unusual, and brightly colored illustrations, The Family Book introduces the idea of family, and what it means for families to be different. Parr uses his illustrations to discuss how families include different members-stepparents, stepchildren, adopted children, and families with two moms

or two dads. He uses both human and animal figures to help represent families who are messy, clean, far apart, or close by. Among all these differences Parr portrays, he also explains the ways different families are alike: all rely on each other for love and support, help each other in times of need, and celebrate happy times together. This book is perfect to have in an early elementary classroom library (preschool-3rd grade). It is a great book to introduce a discussion about the differences in families in their own classroom. Even though families can be very different from each other, all these differences should be accepted by everyone. Parr does a great job of representing the diversity of families in a fun way for young children to understand.

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LibraryThing member mossing

The Family Book has brightly colored illustrations and simple drawings of all different kinds of families. Todd Parr points out many ways in which these families are different, interspersed with the ways all families are the same. The book has a repetitive format- two to four two-page spreads

pointing out differences in families, followed by one two-paged spread pointing out a similarity. The illustrations are simple and cartoonish, brightly and not necessarily realistically colored. On the last page, the author addresses the reader directly, "There are lots of different ways to be a family. Your family is special no matter what kind it is. Love, Todd." Above all, this books message is inclusive, addressing adoption, same-sex parents, step-parents and children, family size, and distance. Recommended for additional purchase. Suitable for ages 4-8.

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LibraryThing member HalleyEllis

summary: The family book is self explanatory and very well explained through the title. This book involves and includes every type of family. The Author describes and explains every situation your family could have.

Personal Reaction: I have a divorced family and I enjoyed reading this book,

because it includes every type of family so no one is left out.

Classroom extension: drawing pictures of your own family.

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LibraryThing member AmyLu

The family uses cartoon drawings to tell and illustrate about different types of families: one parent, two moms or dads, step parents and siblings, adoption, etc… This book is not cultural specific, some illustrations are different types of people, others are animals.

LibraryThing member cmbeck

Families are different in so many ways. The love we feel for our families is unique and this book lets children see that.

Ages 2 and up
Barnes and Noble.com

LibraryThing member CelenaM511

I love how this book covers all different types of families. I have a feeling this book may be challenged in elementary school libraries.

LibraryThing member LindseyGreenlaw

The unique way families love eachother
2+
Barns and noble

LibraryThing member Nicolec78

This book describes all the different types of families and situations they face. It talks about the difference and uniqueness of each family no matter what it is made up of, single parent homes, split homes, blended families, same sex parents, multicultural families, siblings, no siblings, step

parents whatever the case may be. This book makes them all unique but all equal and important. It helps to show children that they are not alone, or strange or weird.

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LibraryThing member missi333

This is a great book that teaches children what it really means to be a family.

LibraryThing member JeniseRedding

This books talks about all different kinds of families. It also talks about some similarities between families. I like this book because it has a wide range of diverse families. I believe that every student would be able to connect to some family in this book. It is colorful and includes animal

families as well as human families. I would read this book with preschool aged children. I would use this in a unit when we talk about our families. It promotes acceptance for all family types and different cultures too.

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LibraryThing member kbartholomew1

The Family Book by Todd Park is self-explanatory. The book discusses the types of families there are, as well as their dynamics. The illustrations are simply drawn and colorful, however they convey the message of what families are about. Families come in different sizes and colors, they can live

close or far, some families look alike and others do not. The author dramatized the pictures to show just how different families can be.The most important thing is that your family is special, no matter the circumstances.

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LibraryThing member jolenaryan

cute story of different types of families.

curricular connections; social skill development

LibraryThing member EmilyDrennan

I really enjoyed reading The Family Book. This book was very simple, well illustrated, and provided information about different types of family. This book listed every possible type of family that a child could have. I think this book should be read to every classroom. This book touches on every

possibly family and every child in the classroom would feel included. I have cousins who are adopted, cousins with two dads, cousins with one parent, and this book addresses each and every one of them. I think this book is simple enough for all children to understand and it will make each child feel accepted. After reading this book, each child could draw a picture of their family.

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LibraryThing member mirikayla

I'm on board with everything Todd Parr does.

LibraryThing member rschwed

From Amazon: There are so many different types of families, and THE FAMILY BOOK celebrates them all in a funny, silly, and reassuring way. Parr includes adopted families, step-families, one-parent families, and families with two parents of the same sex, as well as the traditional nuclear family.

His quirky humor and bright, childlike illustrations will make children feel good about their families. Parents and teachers can use this book to encourage children to talk about their families and the different kinds of families that exist.

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LibraryThing member acbt

Colorful illustrations indicating that families come in many kinds.

LibraryThing member megblack

Summary-

The title is pretty self explanatory. This book is all about families. It covers all sorts of family types and they situations they may face.

Personal Reaction-

I like this book because it shows all different family types. I grew up in a split home and I had several siblings on both sides.

I always felt like I was weird and my family wasn't normal. This book will help children feel more normal.

Extensions:

1) Draw a family tree
2) Discuss different family types that are in the class

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LibraryThing member J_Odiorne

There are many ways to be a family but every family is special no matter what kind it is. This book covers them all in bright colors and simple text. A perfect introduction to the wide range of diversity in families.

Critical Analysis: This book can be a mirror, window or sliding door and supports

children's social and emotional development. It also helps support the social and moral developmental long term goals assisting children to learn about others who differ from themselves and to value this diversity, make inferences about the feelings and intentions of others, and view situations from more than one perspective

Favorite Quote: "All families can help each other be strong!"

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