Celebrate (All) Families! 10 Love-Filled Books About Families of Every Background
By Rachel Ward
There’s nothing more important in a young child’s life than family, and nowadays, no one family looks alike—some families have stepparents, or two moms, or just one parent. But in the world of children’s books, most family structures are still pretty traditional (you know, one mom, one dad, one house). Luckily, there’s an increasing number of sweet and supportive children’s books out there starring families of every ilk. Check out our top finds, featuring all kinds of family structures with one thing in common: an abundance of love!
1. The Family Book by Todd Parr
Age group: Toddlers
The Family Book’s friendly, colorful illustrations highlight all kinds of different families—from two moms and two dads to a single parent and a family with an adopted child—while emphasizing the things they all have in common.
2. Two Homes by Claire Masurel
Age group: Preschool
Four-year-old Alex’s parents have split up, but rather than get sad, he’s looking at the upside. He has two of everything now (two houses, two favorite chairs, two toothbrushes), and he knows that no matter which parent he’s with, they both still love him and he loves them, too!
3. Sometimes It’s Grandmas and Grandpas: Not Mommies and Daddies by Gayle Byrne
Age group: Toddler/Preschool
Raised by her grandparents, a little girl wonders why she doesn’t have a mommy or daddy like she sees in all her picture books. In the end, she realizes all that matters is that she and her grandparents share plenty of good moments together filled with happiness and joy.
4. Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
Age group: Preschool
When Heather goes to school and her class talks about families, she wonders if she’s the only one who has two mommies and no daddy. When everyone draws pictures of their families, she sees that all families are different and that’s okay—the important thing is that they all love each other!
5. I Have a Stepmom by Colleen LeMaire
Age group: Toddler/Preschool
Stepparents tend to get a bad rap, but this book is all about setting the record straight. LeMaire’s story depicts blended families in a positive light, showing how stepparents can bring joy and happiness to their new family—all without reducing any other family member’s role.
6. Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis
Age group: Preschool
In the middle of the night, the telephone rings, triggering a long journey by two adoptive parents to meet their new baby girl. As she grows up, their daughter loves to hear the adventure story of her birth—and the story of their family in the making is charmingly retold here.
7. Two Is Enough by Janna Matthies
Age group: Toddler/Preschool
Kids of single parents may feel like they’re missing out, but this story shows them that there are plenty of fun things to do when there’s only two people in your family—from snowball fights and blowing dandelions to grabbing ice cream and playing cards!
8. The White Swan Express by Jean Davies Okimoto
Age group: Preschool
This story follows four different types of families as they all adopt orphans from China. With its focus on non-traditional family structures and the adoption process, this book is great for introducing children to several different types of families!
9. A Tale of Two Daddies by Vanita Oelschlager
Age group: Preschool
In a playground conversation, a little girl talks about her two dads and their roles in her life. One dad braids her hair and makes her breakfast, while her other dad coaches her soccer team and fixes her knee when she falls—but they both give her plenty of hugs, encouragement, and support.
10. Who’s in a Family? by Robert Skutch
Age group: Preschool
Large families, small families, two moms, one dad, and grandparents, too—this book’s broad and inclusive illustrations cover families across the spectrum to encourage children to celebrate diversity and the things that make their own family unique!
