This article was authored by Publisher Spotlight intern Sophie Morris.
Family is one of the most important structures in a young child’s life, but family often looks different for every child. One way to teach kids about the beauty of families is through the beauty of picture books. With the reassurance and humor they provide, picture books are perfect for leading conversations with little ones about why some families look different and how all are held together by love.
What Makes a Family, written by Eric Ruiz Roxas, illustrated by Aldy C. Agurre, and published by Lantana, offers a charming look at a pair of siblings and the families they encounter on Undas, the Filipino Day of the Dead. Siblings Pedrito and Pipay visit the cemetery on Undas, where they encounter various families who have gathered to honor their deceased loved ones. The brother and sister learn that families come in all shapes, sizes and personalities. Each family finds a way to honor their family members in a way that feels right to them. It is not a day of mourning, but one of celebration. Some families sit around and play games, some families engage in quiet prayer, and other families have a feast. As the siblings make their way through the cemetery, they learn families aren’t defined by size, distance, or gender. Instead, they learn that what makes a family is love. These gorgeous illustrations and the moving writing are perfect for kids ages 5 to 9.
Published by Floris Books, All Our Families Are Awesome, written by Charlotte Bellieére, illustrated by Ian de Haes, and translated from German to English by Katy Lockwood-Holmes, is about the way families often look different from each other. Some children have a mom and a dad. Some children have two moms, or a mom and no dad. There are kids who live with their grandparents. Some kids are taken care of by their nanny and some kids are adopted. Through this playful book at the many shapes families can take, one thing is clear: all our families are awesome. Aimed for ages 4 to 7.
From Cuento de Luz, the “Family Love” series, also available in Spanish as Amor de Familia, is a tender exploration of family relationships, from fathers to cousins to siblings. Beautifully illustrated and written with care, love overflows from the pages. This series perfectly encapsulates the special bond and unconditional love shared between family members.
Titles in the series, written by Ariel Andrés Almada and illustrated by Sonja Wimmer, include Familia, Hijo, Hija, Abuelos, Hermanos, Papá, Mamá, and Primos. All titles are also available in English from translator Jon Brokenbrow: Family, Son, Dad, Mom, Little One, Grandparents, Cousins, and Brothers and Sisters. This touching series is perfect for children from ages 4 to 8.
Diverse family units are everywhere, but it can be a difficult task for a child to imagine being brought up in a different way. By stepping into the shoes of someone their age through picture books, approaching unfamiliar topics is less intimidating. These picture books are a perfect example of the many sizes and shapes a family can take, and how love is present in all of them.