The Family Book

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The Family Book
First edition
AuthorTodd Parr
IllustratorTodd Parr
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SubjectFamilies
GenreChildren's literature
PublisherLittle, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date
2003
Media typePrint
ISBN0316155632

The Family Book is a 2003 children's picture book written and illustrated by Todd Parr that details the daily lives of all kinds of families.[1] Each unique family structure is depicted with vivid illustrations that complement the book’s themes of family diversity and inclusivity.[2] The book has been adopted in various educational settings as a teaching tool to normalize the acceptance of various family forms.[3] The Family Book has been challenged repeatedly and has sparked controversy in certain regions due to its inclusion of same-sex marriages as a family structure in the book.[4][5]

Content summary[edit]

The Family Book depicts the diversity of family structures in a format digestible to young readers. Todd Parr utilizes simple, repetitive textual phrases and vibrant illustrations throughout the text. Each page of the book begins with the phrase “Some families are…,” followed by examples of different family compositions. Occasionally, the book deviates from its pattern, beginning some pages with “All families are…,” accompanied by qualities common to all family types. The book features families of diverse sizes and ethnicities, including those with step-siblings, multi-generational households, varied taste preferences, single parents, and parents of the same gender. While families may differ in makeup and lifestyle, the book emphasizes how families are alike in important ways, specifically in their love and care for one another. The book concludes with an affirming message that every family is special in its own way.[6][7]

Reception[edit]

The book won a 2004 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award, an accolade given to new products, including literature, that enhance children’s lives.[8][9] Parr's representation of different family units, specifically its reference to same sex families, has been particularly commended.[10][11] The Family Book was placed on the summer reading list for the District of Columbia Public School system.[12] This book has also been integrated into various teaching curriculums, educating students of the variety of family structures to exist.[13][14]

Censorship[edit]

The Family Book, along with several other LGBT-themed books,[15] was removed from the Erie, Illinois school system after some parents complained about one line in the book that states, “some families have two moms or two dads”.[16][17][18] As of 2023, five different Florida school districts have banned The Family Book.[19]

In 2020, the book landed the 67th spot on the American Library Association's list of the most banned and challenged books in the United States from 2010 to 2019.[20] For the 2021-2022 school year, The Family Book ranked as the 8th most-banned picture book in the United States.[21]

Other books by Todd Parr[edit]

The Family Book is part of a larger collection by Todd Parr that aims to expose children to complex social themes in an accessible manner.[22] At the end of The Family Book, a list of similarly-related books written by Todd Parr are listed.

It’s Okay to Be Different - This book celebrates individuality and self-acceptance, highlighting how individual differences make people special.[23]

The Peace Book - A book that defines peace through various simple examples, encouraging children to think about how they can contribute to a peaceful world.[24]

We Belong Together - This story focuses on adoption and the idea that families are brought together by love, not just biology.[25]

The Mommy Book - A colorful depiction of different types of mothers and what makes each of them unique and special.[26]

The Daddy Book - This book celebrates the different forms of fatherhood.[27]

The Grandma Book - A tribute to all grandmothers, illustrating the various roles and forms of love a grandma can offer.[28]

The Grandpa Book - This book depicts the many ways grandpas can be special and influential in a child’s life.[29]

Reading Makes You Feel Good - A celebration of reading and the various ways it enriches our lives.[30]

The Feelings Book - This book explores the expansive range of emotions children can experience and encourages them to express their feelings openly.[31]

The Feel Good Book - This book is a reminder of the simple joys of life that make us feel good.[32]

The I’m Not Scared Book -  This book addresses common fears among children and offers reassurance and ways to overcome them.[33]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Review: The Family Book". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  2. ^ Santosa, Jesica; Sukyadi, Didi; Hermawan, Budi (November 24, 2020). "The Representation of Family Diversity in The Family Book: A Verbal and Visual Analysis" (PDF). Rangsit Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. ISSN 2286-976X.
  3. ^ Knoblauch, Dee (November 14, 2016). "Building the Foundation of Acceptance Book by Book: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender-Themed Books for Grades K–5 Multicultural Libraries". Multicultural Perspectives. 18 (4): 209–213. doi:10.1080/15210960.2016.1228325. S2CID 151580056.
  4. ^ Banned & Challenged Books (2020-09-09). "Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books: 2010-2019". Office for Intellectual Freedom. American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  5. ^ Tolin, Lisa (February 14, 2023). "The Most Banned Picture Books of the 2021-2022 School Year". PEN America: The Freedom to Write.
  6. ^ Santosa, Jesica; Sukyadi, Didi; Hermawan, Budi (November 24, 2020). "The Representation of Family Diversity in The Family Book: A Verbal and Visual Analysis" (PDF). Rangsit Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. ISSN 2286-976X.
  7. ^ Knoblauch, Dee (November 14, 2016). "Building the Foundation of Acceptance Book by Book: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender-Themed Books for Grades K–5 Multicultural Libraries". Multicultural Perspectives. 18 (4): 209–213. doi:10.1080/15210960.2016.1228325. S2CID 151580056.
  8. ^ "2004 Award". Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  9. ^ "Awards: Oppenheim Toy Portfolio". Oppenheim Toy Portfolio.
  10. ^ "My Family Is Just Like Yours, but Different". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  11. ^ "Modern children's books help families explore diversity". CNN. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  12. ^ "DC School District Restores Gay-Themed Titles to Summer Reading Lists". SLJ. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  13. ^ Knoblauch, Dee (November 14, 2016). "Building the Foundation of Acceptance Book by Book: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender-Themed Books for Grades K–5 Multicultural Libraries". Multicultural Perspectives. 18 (4): 209–213. doi:10.1080/15210960.2016.1228325. S2CID 151580056.
  14. ^ "Embracing Family Diversity: Draw Your Family Todd Parr-Style" (PDF). Welcoming Schools. Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
  15. ^ "Erie, IL School Board Bans Pro-LGBT Families Book". Matthew Shepard Foundation. June 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  16. ^ "ILLINOIS SCHOOL BOARD BANS FAMILY DIVERSITY BOOK". ThinkProgress.org. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  17. ^ "Fifty Shades of Grey joins list of challenged books". CBC. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  18. ^ "Controversial Decision in Erie Gathering National Attention". WQAD 8. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  19. ^ DeLuca, Alex; Finkel, Tom (October 17, 2023). "Updated List: Every Known Florida School District Book Ban, July 2021 Through June 2023". Miami New Times.
  20. ^ Banned & Challenged Books (2020-09-09). "Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books: 2010-2019". Office for Intellectual Freedom. American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  21. ^ Tolin, Lisa (February 14, 2023). "The Most Banned Picture Books of the 2021-2022 School Year". PEN America: The Freedom to Write.
  22. ^ Alter, Ethan (October 4, 2023). "3 questions for children's author Todd Parr whose 'Family Book' is frequently banned: 'I'm not going to run and hide'". Yahoo!entertainment.
  23. ^ Parr, Todd (2001). It's Okay to Be Different. Little, Brown & Co. ISBN 9780316043472.
  24. ^ Parr, Todd (2004). The Peace Book. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780316510776.
  25. ^ Parr, Todd (2007). We Belong Together. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780316016681.
  26. ^ Parr, Todd (2010). The Mommy Book. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780316070447.
  27. ^ Parr, Todd (2010). The Daddy Book. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780316070393.
  28. ^ Parr, Todd (2011). The Grandma Book. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780316070416.
  29. ^ Parr, Todd (2008). The Grandpa Book. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780316070430.
  30. ^ Parr, Todd (2009). Reading Makes You Feel Good. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780316043489.
  31. ^ Parr, Todd (2009). The Feelings Book. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780316541831.
  32. ^ Parr, Todd (2009). The Feel Good Book. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780316043458.
  33. ^ Parr, Todd (2017). The I'M NOT SCARED Book. 2017. ISBN 9780316431989.


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