The Family Book [Hardcover]

Todd Parr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2004 | Grade Level: P and up

In his typically silly and reassuring style, Parr celebrates the many different types of families in this picture book. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-As he did in The Mommy Book and The Daddy Book (both Little, Brown, 2002), Parr introduces children to an array of families. Whimsical illustrations featuring neon colors and figures outlined in black show big ones and small ones, and families that look alike and relatives who look just like their pets. The art features both human and animal figures; thus, pigs depict both a family that likes to be clean, and one that likes to be messy. Some families include stepmoms, stepdads, stepsisters, or stepbrothers; some adopt children. Other families have two moms or two dads, while some children have only one parent. Interspersed with the differences among families are the ways they are alike: all like to hug each other, are sad when they lose someone they love, enjoy celebrating special days together, and can help each other to be strong. This concept book celebrating the diversity of family groups is distinguished by its sense of fun.
Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Todd Parr has created numerous popular books for children, as well as designs for numerous products including children's games, furniture, clothing, bedding, and school supplies.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316155632
• ISBN-13: 978-0316155632
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #477,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I like the fog
I like sea lions
I like to paint
My favorite color is Blue
My favorite food is macaroni and cheese


I spent my childhood in a small town in Wyoming. It was a great place to grow up but I knew the world was out there waiting for me.

In high school, art was a passion of mine, but I failed art class. Because of that failure, I lacked the self-confidence to pursue it further. But it wasn't all my teachers fault.

I worked at many things before finally coming back to my original dream of painting, but again I faced rejection. Despite the rejection, I continued on with my work because I knew being an artist was what I wanted to do with my life.

After not having success with galleries, I was able to show my work at one of Wolfgang Puck's restaurants, Postrio, in San Francisco, where I have lived for the past 13 years. With a little luck and persistence, this exhibit led to many other things, like creating merchandise for Macys, and then on to my own line of clothing for kids.

I first got into children's publishing in 1998. I was able to take the messages that are part of my art and put them in a simple reading about acceptance, differences and empowerment for kids to feel better about themselves in a simple, fun way.

I have a lot of fun creating my books and I'm proud to know they are helping someone feel better about themselves in a silly, fun way.

Here are some of the fun, cool things that have happened to me and my books:

My work was displayed in the windows of FAO Schwarz in NYC and San Francisco, with interior displays of some of my product, including my first four books.

Todd Parr Shops within Toys R Us Japan were launched at all 101 stores with products exclusively available in Japan.

My Books have won several awards and have been featured on The Rosie O'Donnell show. Currently I have written and illustrated 28 books with two more for 2007 and 2008.

In 2004, I appeared in a Panasonic commercial and print ad.

I have partnered with Target, Reach Out and Read, People Magazine and several other organizations to promote reading.

In November 2005, my children's preschool show, ToddWorld premiered on TLC and Discovery Kids. The show has since been nominated for an Emmy and has won several other awards including the iParenting Media Award and the 2005 Humanitas Award for the episode entitled "Who's Your Best Friend"?. The Bronze medal in the New York Film Festival and an award for "Pizza on Earth" in the Chicago International Children's Film Festival. ToddWorld is now airing in almost every country around the world with a second season is in the works.

With the support of my family, especially my Dad and Grandma, I have been very successful but I do have another passion. I'd like to own my own restaurant!

As my Grandma used to say:
"You're a little lost now but I know you'll find your way".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

145 of 152 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As one who is part of a "different" family..., November 22, 2004

By 

A reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Family Book (Hardcover)

I love this book and all of the other Todd Parr books that I have bought for my son. As the gay dad of a son who has both a dady and a papa, I am very happy to see that books like this exist. And I am saddened by the reviewer who does not recommend this book because they don't want to have to explain gay parenting to a two year old "before they have to explain sex." Why in the world whoud you have to explain either to a preschool aged child!?!? Children at that age take reality at face value--as reality. I tell my son that there are families with one parent, a mom or dad, two parents (explaining that most kids do not have two mommies or daddies--because that is indeed the reality of the world) and that some kids are raised by their grandparents or an aunt or another relative. These ARE the realities of the world and just because you don't "agree" with something that already exists or just because some families are in the minority doesn't seem a justification for denying reality to your kids. Again, I applaud Todd Parr for the books he writes and the parents who read them to their children.

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for all families, June 1, 2004

By 

Robyn R. Bailey (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Family Book (Hardcover)

The fact is that different families exist.We need to teach our children that is okay that there are many different families and no one family is better than another. So many kids are taught from such an earlier age to judge. I think books like this one do a good job of teaching that not everyone has to be part of a cookie cutter life. If everyone would just accept those around them instead of finding the difference or the fault the world would be a more peaceful place to live.

72 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful, caring tribute to today's diverse families, September 23, 2003

By 

R. Smith "Zonkerette" (Near Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Family Book (Hardcover)

Todd Parr is an absolute gem! He knows so well how to create fun and appealing books for children that promote self-acceptance and an appreciation of the diversity of modern society. In The Family Book, Todd shows us how families can be different from each other in some ways, but how all families are similar as well. "Some families are the same color/ Some families are different colors....All families like to HUG each other!" "Some families have two moms or two dads/ Some families have one parent instead of two....All families like to celebrate special days together!"

I highly recommend this book for all families, schools and communities that are trying to prepare children to understand, appreciate and embrace the differences that they will encounter in their lives. In particular, biracial, adoptive and alternative families will find this book a very special addition to their home libraries. Thank you, Todd Parr, for sending a message of love to the world in your books!