There are thousands of wonderful children’s books about families in the world. We have many of them on our bookshelf at home. It’s a popular topic because family is a universal thing.
With this list however my goal was to share children’s books that either cover a broad spectrum of what families look like or offer an in depth look at a type of family we might not find as easily on the pages of children’s books.
This list of books was originally created for our A Read A Day challenge. Click –> A READ A DAY <– to learn more about this fun, free program.
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16 Books to Love about All Kinds of Families
Below are a collection of amazing books to read aloud to a group, share with your child, or have on your shelves. We have read and loved each and every one.
1. Daddy Hugs
by Karen Katz
I love Karen Katz books for infants and toddlers. Whoever makes up your family – Karen Katz has a great board book for your child. This is a sweet board book about a Daddy’s love. I think really great daddy books are in short supply and this is a perfect one for Daddy’s to read to their littles.
2. Everywhere Babies
by Susan Meyers
illustrated by Marla Frazee
I love this book for so many reasons but one of the big ones is for the diverse way that it displays childhood, parenting and families. While the book is not specifically about families I love how it shows all different diverse families caring for, engaging with, and loving their little ones.
3. This is How We Do It
by Matt Lamothe
This book follows one day in the lives of seven kids from around the world. I love the global view of the world in this book and I love that it does a great job of showing how all the families are different and yet how some things are universal.
4. Happy Like Soccer
by Maribeth Boelts
illustrated by Lauren Castillo
Nothing makes the little girl in this story happier than soccer, but it also makes her sad because while her teammates have their families there cheering for them her auntie is working every Saturday and can’t come. This is such a sweet story about a less traditional family but one full of so much love.
5. Gaston
by Kelly DiPucchio
illustrated by Christian Robinson
I love this book for so many reasons, but one of them is for the way it discusses families. Two dogs get accidentally swapped at birth and when the mistake is discovered years later both families and dogs have to decide how to move forward. I love how this book explains that families aren’t about how they appearances, but about love and feeling at home.
also read: Families Preschool Story Time
6. Stella Brings the Family
by Miriam B. Schiffer
illustrations by Holly Clifton-Brown
Who does a little girl with two dads bring to school for Mother’s Day? This story is so sweet and does an excellent job addressing how a child might feel when they’re faced with not quite fitting in. A warm, wonderful story.
7. Julian is a Mermaid
by Jessica Love
Oh I love this. It is going to be on all the “best of 2018” children’s book lists and for good reason. The illustrations are magical, but what I really love about it is the way Julian’s grandma just unconditionally accepts the mess and the creativity and the unexpected choice her grandson makes. A book about real love and being who you are. Fantastic.
8. We Are Family
by Patricia Hegarty
illustrated by Ryan Wheatcroft
I liked the cheerful but diverse image of family depicted on these pages. The rhyming text is pleasant to read aloud and the illustrations represent a wide variety of family kinds. I think the one downside for me is that it is a completely positive view of family and while it would apply to most kids, there are some lines that might not apply to kids in certain situations. A great one to share with your kids, but I might hesitate before sharing it with a group depending on who I was working with at the time.
9. Just Like My Brother
by Gianna Marino
This is a really sweet sibling story. A playful hide-and-seek plot make this story relate-able while sharing a great message for younger siblings. The African setting and animals are a fun bonus and the brief, patterned text makes it a pleasure to read aloud.
10. Sisters & Brothers: Sibling Relationships in the Animal World
by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page
Perhaps an unlikely book for this list, but if you have a kid who loves animals as much as my daughter – this is for you. A unique look at sibling relationships in the animal world. Steve Jenkins and Robin Page are such a dream pair in the nonfiction world and this one is full of their interesting well researched facts and gorgeous illustrations. The text is a little lengthy so I recommend this one for 5 and up.
You May Also Like:
Picture Books about Siblings
11. Two Old Potatoes and Me
by John Coy
Two Old Potatoes and Me is the story of a father and daughter who plant potatoes together and wait for them to grow. John Coy has written several lovely books about dad’s, but this is my favorite. A gentle book about a relationship, divorce, and growth.
12. A Chair for My Mama
by Vera B. Williams
This childhood favorite and Caldecott Honor Book is like a big hug. It is the story of a daughter, her mom and her grandma. It is about the simple things that make a house a home. It is about community. And mostly it is about the love of a family.
13. Heather Has Two Mommies
by Leslea Newman
illustrated by Laura Cornell
This is an updated version of this story originally published in 1989. This book shocked the world when it was originally released and that’s so hard to fathom now. It is a warm story full of love for all kinds of families.
14. A Family is a Family is a Family
written by Sara O’Leary
illustrated by QinLeng
I had tears in my eyes half way through this book. I love the celebration of all kinds of families. I love the authentic voices the author wrote for the children. I love the little things that each child picks to share about their family. A beautiful, heart warming book about the unique and wonderful things that make any family a family. PS. For this specific list I also love that this one includes foster families which is rare in the picture book world.
Read Also: Book Inspired Activities for Preschoolers about Families
15. A Crocodile in the Family
by Kitty Black and Daron Parton
When a bird family adopts a crocodile, the neighbors are skeptical. Why would they do such a thing? The reason is the best part.
16. Let Me Fix You a Plate: A Tale of Two Kitchens
by Elizabeth Lilly
LET ME FIX YOU A PLATE is about a family visits their two families in the summer. There are parallels – grandmothers wanting to fill their bellies with their traditional family foods, time together with family – but the food on the tables of these two diverse families is quite different. A quirky and charming story about family that is highly relatable.
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