All Families Are Different [Paperback]

Sol Gordon (Author), Vivien Cohen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Ages 7 years and over. Is there such a thing as a 'normal' family? Is one family better than another? Of course the answer to these questions is no, but children are often led to believe otherwise. Young people need to understand and appreciate that when it comes to families, they are all different! One of the world's most influential and loved authors of educational children's books, Dr Sol Gordon has created an uplifting book for young people age four and older who are curious about just what it means to be part of a family. Some children, he explains, live with both parents, while others live with one or with step- or foster parents. Nowadays, we also find children being reared by aunts, uncles, or grandparents, as well as same-sex couples.The variety of possibilities is rich in its diversity. Separations, divorce, abuse, neglect, and sibling rivalries are an unfortunate part of life, but, Gordon emphasizes, they are not the child's fault. While the many illustrations show a variety of family situations to stimulate awareness and acceptance, the text places importance on children knowing they are loved by their family members - whomever they may be - and that no one's family is perfect. But children can play a very special and important role in making their home a happier one: 'It's up to you to be the best person you can be and doing well in school will help you to be a better adult, or parent, when you grow up', Gordon says.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This wonderful book is for any child, in any family..." -- Northwest Baby & Child, June 2001

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 50 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573927651
• ISBN-13: 978-1573927659
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #572,999 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

166 of 182 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars All Families Are Different, January 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: All Families Are Different (Paperback)

I would have given it more stars if it weren't for the focus on families with both a mom and a dad. Being a lesbian who is raising her 3 children without a dad present, I appreciated the one picture showing 2 moms, however, the rest of the book, instead of using the word "family", or "parents", continued to use the words "mom and dad". This was disappointing since it seemed to exclude single parents and families like mine.

39 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gentle and attractive introduction to diversity, April 28, 2000

By 

Harvey S. Cohen (Middletown, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: All Families Are Different (Paperback)

This beautifully illustrated children's book introduces some simple but important ideas. It's not about the family that a child will one day have; it is about the one from which the child comes. Children don't pick their families; they have to make the best of what they've got.

Youngsters from non-normative families may see themselves for the first time in this book. Youngsters with friends from non-normative families may even learn a little sensitivity.