To continue our celebration of Out on the Shelves this month, we’re highlighting some of the books in our Children’s Picture Book Collection that feature rainbow families.
The books we’ve put together here feature families of all shapes and sizes. Within this list you’ll find books that highlight the relationships between different family members, and many relatable family situations. There are books that discuss different kinds of families, stories that show the awkwardness in welcoming someone you love back home after they’ve been away, stories that show a day at the beach or a family wedding or the arrival of a new baby or the special time spent with grandparents, and even one that shows the frustration felt when your parents just won’t stop talking to the neighbour when you’re on the way to the park.
We’re running several exciting events across our libraries for Out on the Shelves, so check out our previous blog post to learn more about them, and there’s still time to sign up for our Read the Rainbow challenge – why not read one of these books as part of the challenge?
Uncle Bobby’s wedding / Brannen, Sarah S.
“When Chloe’s favorite uncle announces that he’s getting married, everyone except Chloe is excited. What if Uncle Bobby no longer has time for picnics, swimming, or flying kites? If he gets married, will everything change? Can Uncle Bobby and his boyfriend Jamie show Chloe that, when it comes to family, the more the merrier? In this inspiring, love-filled story, Chloe learns just what family means.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Daddy & Dada / Brockington, Ryan
“A little girl explains how families, including hers, come in many shapes and sizes–some with a mom and a dad, some with two dads, some with two moms, and more.” (Catalogue)
Tōku whānau rerehua = My beautiful family / Cooper, Rauhina
“Tōku Whānau Rerehua tells of a young girl’s experience learning that all families come in all types, and all can be beautiful.” (Catalogue)
Families : a lift-the-flap book about families / Forshaw, Louise
“There are lots of different kinds of families. Learn all about them in this fun lift-the-flap book.” (Catalogue)
My parents won’t stop talking / Hunsinger, Emma
“A little girl has big plans for her day at the park, but when her two Mums stop to talk to some chatty neighbors she is convinced that her whole day will be completely ruined.” (Catalogue)
Things in the sea are touching me / Keegan, Linda Jane
“This light-hearted rhyming story follows the experience of a little girl’s day at the beach with her two mums, as she unexpectedly encounters a range of sea life – with a fun twist at the end! We all know that breath-catching feeling of something brushing past our shins as we wade out to the waves, or stepping on something slimy in the sea … this story uses humour to tackle the fear.” (Catalogue)
Mama and mummy and me in the middle / LaCour, Nina
“For one little girl, there’s no place she’d rather be than sitting between Mama and Mummy. So when Mummy goes away on a work trip, it’s tricky to find a good place at the table. Mama fills the days with activities, and they all talk on the phone, but she still misses Mummy. When Mummy finally comes home, it takes a minute to shake off the empty feeling she felt all week before leaning in for a kiss.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
When Aidan became a brother / Lukoff, Kyle
“Aidan, a transgender boy, experiences complicated emotions as he and his parents prepare for the arrival of a new baby.” (Catalogue)
My rainbow / Neal, Trinity
“A dedicated mom puts love into action as she creates the perfect rainbow-colored wig for her transgender daughter, based on the real-life experience of mother-daughter advocate duo Trinity and DeShanna Neal.” (Catalogue)
My daddies / Peter, Gareth
“A perfect picture-book for introducing children to different kinds of family. Set off on a series of incredible adventures with an adorable family as the stories they read burst into colourful life. Battle dragons, dodge deadly dinosaurs, zoom to the moon and explore the world in a hot air balloon, before winding down in a wonderfully cosy bedtime ending.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
And Tango makes three / Richardson, Justin
“At New York City’s Central Park Zoo, two male penguins fall in love and start a family by taking turns sitting on an abandoned egg until it hatches.” (Catalogue)
A plan for Pops / Smith, Heather
“In this illustrated picture book, a child helps their grandparents deal with a difficult change in abilities.”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)