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Learning about Families
Families are dynamic social structures that are integral to a child's life, learning, identity, and
development. This Showcase hightlights books that explore the intricacies of conventional and unconventional families.
Please browse the titles below and click on those that interest you to see cover art and a full book
description. Some of the titles may also include examples of interior art that offer a clearer representation of the actual book. The titles included in the Showcase are selected by their publishers
who provide the art and descriptive information.
These books are available at your local bookstore, which we urge you to patronize. Your local
bookseller can supply these titles and offer professional, informed help in selecting other good books for children. Check the American Booksellers Association's directory of member bookstores for a bookseller near you.
If you do not have convenient access to any local bookstores, you can purchase these CBC Showcase books online from independent bookstores at  .
CBC Showcase is a bimonthly thematic bibliography available only online. Please visit the Showcase Archive to view previous lists, which include Poetry Titles, Math and Counting Books, Folk and Fairy
tales, The African-American Experience, Humorous Books, Holiday Titles, and much more.
Almost Home
, written by Nora Raleigh Baskin. Ages: 10-13. As 12-year old Leah begins to learn more about herself
she also gradually finds out what it means to be home. (Little, Brown and Co. Children's Publishing)
Amber Was Brave, Essie Was Smart
, written and illustrated by Vera B. Williams.
Ages: 7 and up. An unforgettable sister act that garnered six starred reviews, from Caldecott Honor author and illustrator Vera B. Williams. (Greenwillow Books)
Babies: All You Need to Know
, written by Deborah Heiligman, illustrated by Laura Freeman.
Ages: 4 to 8. Kids get a great introduction to human growth and development as they observe a baby's antics through the eyes of an older sister. Part of the Jump Into Science series. (National Geographic Society)
The Barefoot Book of Brother and Sister Tales
, written by Mary Hoffman, illustrated by Emma Shaw-Smith.
Ages: 5-10. Anyone with a brother or a sister will relish this beautifully illustrated collection of tales from all over the world, including Russia, Armenia, Japan and the Sudan. (Barefoot Books)
The Barefoot Book of Father and Son Tales
, written by Josephine Evetts-Secker, illustrated by Helen Cann.
Father and Son Tales share stories, both classical and contemporary, from all over the world including Polynesia, Serbia, Chili, and Greece. (Barefoot Books)
The Barefoot Book of Mother and Son Tales
, written by Josephine Evetts-Secker, illustrated by Helen Cann.
Ages: All. This charming anthology includes mother and son stories from diverse cultures including French, Nepalese, Icelandic, and Maori. (Barefoot Books)
Before You Were Born
, written by Nancy White Carlstrom, illustrated by Linda Saport.
Ages: All. A celebration of the mystery of each child's part in God's plan and the wonder of how families grow and change when a child arrives. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Darcy and Gran Don't Like Babies
, written by Jane Cutler, illustrated by Susannah Ryan. Ages: 3-7.
A wonderful portrayal of a girl's relationship with her grandmother. (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
Dillon Dillon
, written by Kate Banks.
Ages: 8-12. A powerful story full of questions, featuring a character full of hope and courage. (Farrar, Straus and Giroux/Frances Foster Books)
Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too?
, written and illustrated by Eric Carle.
Ages: 3-6. A book that offers a way for families to share the knowledge that love crosses all boundaries and ties all creatures on this earth together. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
Families, written by Ann Morris, illustrated with photographs.
Ages: 4 and up. This look at all kinds of families from all over the world helps young children begin to think about the families they themselves belong to. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
Good-bye, 382 Shin Dang Dong
, written by Frances Park and Ginger Park, illustrated by Yangsook Choi.
Ages: 4 to 8. This lyrical story of a child's worries about moving from Korea and her ultimate resilience evokes the feelings of every child whose family must move. (National Geographic Society)
Hanging Onto Max
, written by Margaret Bechard.
Ages: 12 and up. Sam's girlfriend is pregnant—but Sam is keeping the baby. A poignant and humorous look at an old problem...with a new twist. (Roaring Brook Press, a division of The Millbrook Press, Inc.)
I Was Born to Be a Sister
, written by Akaela S. Michels-Gualtieri, illustrated by Marcy Dunn Ramsey. Ages: 3-7. The young author
discovers a balance between the joys and exasperations of being the big sister. Original song included. (Platypus Media)
Jin Woo, written by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Chris Soentpiet. Ages: 4-8. When David's parents adopt Jin Woo from Korea David
learns that that being a brother can mean being surrounded with more love than ever. (Clarion Books)
Keeping You a Secret
, written by Julie Anne Peters. Ages: 14 and up. A moving, compelling, and witty love story between two
girls. (Little, Brown and Co. Children's Publishing)
Look What I See! Where Can I Be? At Home
, written by Dia L. Michels, photographs by Michael J. N. Bowles. Ages: 0-4. A fresh take on baby's
favorite place! Endearing text and vibrant colors help teach the youngest family members to observe and enjoy their immediate environment. (Platypus Media)
Look What I See! Where Can I Be? In the Neighborhood
, written by Dia L. Michels, photographs by Michael J. N. Bowles.
Ages: 0-4. Baby's first book about that first look! Baby awakens each day in a different part of her community - doctor's office, post office, park, market. (Platypus Media)
Loon Summer
, written by Barbara Santucci, illustrated by Andrea Shine. Ages: 5 and up.
Adjusting to the recent separation of her parents, Rainie grows in her understanding of the unconditional love her parents will always have for her. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Mariana and the Merchild
, written by Carolyn Pitcher, illustrated by Jackie Morris. Ages: 4 and up. A poetically retold South
American folk tale of how the magic of an adopted Merchild changes the life of a lonely old woman. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
The Memory String
, written by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ted Rand.
Ages: 4-8. Laura discovers that her memory string of buttons that helps her remember her mother will also help her record new memories and deal with loss. (Clarion Books)
Mildred and Sam
, written and illustrated in full color by Sharleen Collicott.
Ages: 3-7. A new classic in the tradition of Frog and Toad that will strike a chord with new mothers and older siblings everywhere. (Laura Geringer Books, HarperCollins Publishers)
Missing, written by Catherine MacPhail.
Ages: 10 and up. The heartbreaking and suspenseful mystery of a lost brother that will keep you guessing to the very end. (Bloomsbury Children's Books)
Pictures of Hollis Woods
, written by Patricia Reilly Giff . Ages: 10 and up. Hollis Woods has been in so many foster homes she
can hardly remember them all. She even runs away from the Regans, the one family who offers her a home. (Delacorte Press)
Refugee Boy
, written by Benjamin Zephaniah.
Ages: 12 and up. The daily news is brought to life in this tale of an African boy left alone in England to escape war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. (Bloomsbury Children's Books)
The Same Stuff as Stars
, written by Katherine Paterson.
Ages: 10-13. A moving story of throwaway children, reminding us of the resilience of childhood and the spirit that, in spite of loss, struggles to new beginnings. (Clarion Books)
The Secret of Sabrina Fludde
, written by Pauline Fisk.
Ages: 10 and up. Myth woven into fantasy, this novel features Abren, a lonely and poignant figure searching for truth and her place in the world. (Bloomsbury Children's Books)
Snake Charmer
, written by Ann Whitehead Nagda. Ages: 5-8. A little boy in India longs to become a snake charmer like
his father. (Henry Holt and Company)
Someone's Come to Our House
, written by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter.
Ages: 2 to 8. "An unseen narrator practically sings the verses of this celebratory book.... The result captures the jubilation and awe surrounding a family birth."
—Publishers Weekly (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Summer Bath, Winter Bath
, written by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Elsa Warnick.
Ages: 4 to 10. A poetic glimpse into the daily life of children in the early 1900s - their games, their chores, and their family relationships. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Take Two, They're Small
, written by Elizabeth Levy, illustrated by Mark Elliott. Ages: 7-10.
There's nothing funny about sibling rivalry—or is there? Elizabeth Levy enters the world of home, school, and sisterhood with sympathy and humor. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
Up On Cloud Nine
, written by Anne Fine. Ages: 10 and up. Ian's best friend, Stolly, is up on cloud nine. He's is in the
hospital, unconscious and hooked up to machines. The question Ian is trying to answer is: How did Stolly end up there? (Delacorte Press)
We Wanted You
, written by Liz Rosenberg, illustrated by Peter Catalanotto. Ages: 5-9 years old.
A "poetic text and Catalanotto's glowing illustrations distinguish this book on adoption.... [T]his one is a lovely choice." —School Library Journal "A welcome addition to the canon..." —Publishers Weekly. (Roaring
Brook Press, a division of The Millbrook Press, Inc.)
When My Name Was Keoko
, written by Linda Sue Park.
Ages: 10-14. A story about a brother and sister in Korea during Japanese occupation who must find a way for their family and culture to persevere. (Clarion Books)
The White Swan Express: A Story About Adoption
, written by Jean Davies Okimoto and Elaine M. Aoki, illustrated by Meilo So.
Ages: 5-8. This story of people who travel to unite with their daughters describes the adoption process and the anxiety, suspense, and delight of becoming a family. (Clarion Books)
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