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Families are dynamic social structures that are integral to a child's life, learning, identity, and development. This Showcase highlights nonfiction and fiction titles at all levels that explore the intricacies of conventional and unconventional families.
These books are available at your local bookstore. Check the ABA's directory of member bookstores for a bookseller near you. You may also purchase these books at BookSense.com.
Note: Showcase titles are selected by the books' publishers, who provide cover art, interior art, and descriptive information.
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Behind the Mask
written and illustrated by Yangsook Choi. Ages 4-8.
(Frances Foster Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
This skillful tale unites Korean and American folk traditions, bringing together past and present in a celebration of Halloween as a boy finds a link to his grandfather, behind the mask. |
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A Chick Called Saturday
by Joyce Dunbar, illustrated by Brita Granstrom. Ages 4 and up.
(Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Mother Hen had seven chicks—Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wendnesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. All the little chicks listen to mother hen, except Saturday. |
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Circles of Hope
by Karen Lynn Williams, illustrated by Linda Saport. Ages 4 and up.
(Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Young Facile wants to plant a tree in honor of his new baby sister, but he faces many obstacles. The first seed he plants is eaten by a goat, the second seed is washed away in a storm, and another seed is burnt by a scrub fire. Will Facile ever be able to plant a tree that will grow strong for baby Lucía? |
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Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie
by Jordan Sonnenblick. Ages 12 & up.
(Scholastic Press)
"Sonnenblick shows that even in the midst of tragedy, life goes on, love can flower, and the one thing you can always change is yourself." —Booklist, starred review |
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Dumplings are Delicious
by Deb Capone, illustrated by Stan Jaskiel. Ages 3 to 8.
(As Simple as That)
This story creatively uses a universal food that is enjoyed by people all over the world to help introduce complex topics like diversity and respect in an entertaining and child-friendly manner. |
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Even More/Todavia mas
by Barbara Quick, illustrated by Liz Mc Grath. K-3.
(Raven Tree Press)
A tender testament to the mother/child bond. A tale of enduring love through good and bad times. Bilingual English/Spanish. |
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Families are Forever
by Deb Capone and Craig Shemin, illustrated by John McCoy. Ages 3 to 8.
(As Simple as That)
This award-winning story will help foster self-esteem in children and teach them to accept, respect, and celebrate the diversity that surrounds their world. |
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Family Reunion
by Mary Quattlebaum, illustrated by Andrea Shine. Ages 7 and up.
(Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
A finalist for the Texas Institute of Letters Children's Book Award, Family Reunion is a quiet reflection on family and what it looks and feels like when they spend a week together. |
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Get Real
by Betty Hicks. Ages 10-14.
(Roaring Brook Press)
What makes a parent "real," anyway? Finding yourself and finding your family in a tender, funny book about how kids are like their parents—adopted or not. |
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Guji Guji
written and illustrated by Chih-Yuan Chen. Ages 4-8.
(Kane/Miller Book Publishers)
An engaging story about identity, loyalty, and what it really means to be a family. |
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A Humble Life
Plain Poems
by Linda Oatman High, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. Ages 6 and up.
(Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
In this collection of poems, author Linda Oatman High invites young readers to experience a year in the lives of Plain People people in the Amish and Mennonite communities of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. |
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I Was Born To Be a Brother
by Zaydek G. Michels-Gualtieri, illustrated by Dan Liegey. Ages 3-6.
(Platypus Media)
The charming narrator of this story takes a refreshingly clear-eyed look at life with a baby and the responsibilities that brings. |
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I Was Born To Be a Sister
by Akaela S. Michels-Gualtieri, illustrated by Marcy Dunn Ramsey. Ages 3-6.
(Platypus Media)
For children who have a new sister or brother, this special story conveys the balance between increasing independence and family harmony. |
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Look What I See! Where Can I Be? In The Neighborhood
by Dia L. Michels. Ages 0-4.
(Platypus Media)
Baby's first book about that first look! In charming photographs and simple words, young children share a guessing game with a wide-eyed baby. |
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Loon Summer
by Barbara Santucci, illustrated by Andrea Shine. Ages 6 and up.
(Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Rainie knows that this summer will be different. As she and her dad do the things they've always done at the cottage, Rainie is painfully aware of her mom's absence. |
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Our House
10th Anniversary Edition
by Pam Conrad, illustrated by Brian Selznick. Ages 9-12.
(Scholastic Press)
Our House was hailed in starred reviews as "remarkable," "rich," and "comic and poignant." This anniversary edition has been reillustrated with stirring black-and-white drawings. |
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Remember Me?/Te acuerdas de mi?
by Sue Glass, illustrated by W Yunker. K-3.
(Raven Tree Press)
A young girl is confused when Grandpa doesn't remember her anymore. Alzheimer's viewed through the eyes of a child. Bilingual in English and Spanish. |
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Something Invisible
by Siobhan Parkinson. Ages 11-14.
(Roaring Brook Press)
A warm, quirky story of family, friendship, loyalty, and loss from an award-winning Irish author making her American debut. |
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Tooth Fairy Tales
by Deb Capone, illustrated by Stan Jaskiel. Ages 3 to 8.
(As Simple as That)
This story creatively introduces a commonly-celebrated childhood rite by kids all over the world to help introduce complex topics like diversity and respect in an entertaining and child-friendly manner. |
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Tyrell
by Coe Booth. Ages 12 & up.
(Push/Scholastic Inc.)
Author Coe Booth was formally a crisis intervention social worker, helping kids and teens in the most desperate family situations imaginable. This is their story. |
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