25 Books About Families for Preschoolers
Families are an essential part of every child’s life, and reading books about families is an excellent way to help preschoolers understand and appreciate the importance of their own family story. Whether it’s a traditional family with a mom, dad, and siblings, or a non-traditional family with a single parent or same-sex parents, there are many different types of families.
In this book list, we have compiled a list of the 25 best books about families for preschoolers with a variety of family structures. These books celebrate the diversity of families and provide a positive message of inclusivity and acceptance. From heartwarming stories to playful illustrations, these children’s books are sure to captivate both children and parents alike.
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The Best Books about Families for Preschoolers
Families may all look different on the outside but being a family means the same no matter how it looks. In this picture book, Matthew shows us how divorce, step-families, grandparents, adoption, siblings, and pets all make up part of his family.
In a kid-friendly, accessible way, this book explores the ways that people can choose to come together to make a family by showing one perspective on the adoption experience. We Belong Together is about sharing your home and sharing your heart to make a family that belongs together.
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This picture book explores all different types of families and how they are all different, yet similar. Explore different family makeups, traditions and celebrations.
Different kinds of families are special and unique in their own way. This book encourages young readers to ask questions about their own families.
Perfect for young children just beginning to read, The Family Book is designed to encourage early literacy, enhance emotional development, celebrate multiculturalism, promote character growth, and strengthen family relationships.
(There is a bilingual version of this book available too!)
I bought this book for my son on a whim about 12 years ago. I had no idea how much our whole family would actually love it!
This story has been read to my children so much, it's now falling apart. A little silly and a little sweet, this book asks what would a mama do if her child ended up in outrageous situations - including having a stinky face. Best read with silly voices, it's a quick bedtime favorite.
Heather’s favorite number is two. She has two arms, two legs, two pets—and two mommies. When Heather goes to school for the first time, someone asks her about her daddy, but Heather doesn’t have a daddy.
Then something interesting happens. When Heather and her classmates all draw pictures of their family members, not one drawing is the same.
This is a great story to teach family diversity with simple language.
Different families can be big or small but how is everyone related? This can be confusing for children and this story, along with kid-friendly illustrations helps kids understand how they fit into their family tree.
Clear, colorful, detailed artwork and a fill-in family tree in the back help make the parts of the family--from siblings to grandparents to cousins--understandable to very young readers.
At Mommy’s house, Alex has a soft chair. At Daddy’s house, Alex has a rocking chair. In each home, Alex also has a special bedroom and lots of friends to play with. But whether Alex is with Mommy or with Daddy, one thing always stays the same — Alex is loved.
This is a great book that focuses on what is gained rather than what is lost when parents divorce.
“Yes, adoption makes me special, it means that I am loved…” This brightly colored children’s book illustrates how adoption is brought about by love. Written from a child’s point of view, the rhyming verse takes you through an adoption journey from start to finish. It is perfect for anyone, young or old, who has an adoption story of their own.
Many children (including myself when I was a little girl) are being raised by grandparents or other relatives for various reasons. This book, written by a psychotherapist, helps children to explore how cope with having extended family as parents rather than the typical family unit.
This picture book, geared toward 4 to 8 year olds, is written as a playground conversation between two children. The little boy says he heard that the girl has two dads. The young girl says that is right–she has Daddy and Poppa.
This is one of our favorite books for sharing how a family with same sex parents is just like any other family life - with parents who love their child.
The babies are coming! The babies are here! This sweet book is a true story written in rhyme format that tells of a family waiting for and welcoming their three little blessings. This would be the perfect book to read to an older sibling to help prepare for the arrival of triplets.
What is a Mama? A mama is someone who is always there for you. She makes you your favorite food, takes you to the park, and kisses your boo-boos better. Some mamas didn’t hold you in their belly, but they will forever hold you in their hearts.
Mamas come in all different shapes, colors, and ages, but they all have one thing in common. They love you! Enjoy the multiple characters in this children’s story which explores the loving tasks of what makes a mama.
We love the colorful illustrations that show a variety of cultures and races. It also has a place at the end of the book for children to draw pictures of their families too!
Makayla is visiting friends in her neighborhood. She sees how each kind of family is different. Some families have lots of children, but others have none. Some friends live with grandparents or have two dads or have parents who are divorced. How is her own family like the others? What makes each one great? This diverse cast allows readers to compare and contrast families in multiple ways.
This picture book explains that every family is unique and special. Who you live with isn't the most important thing, rather what you do together. A foundation of kindness, sharing and caring builds a strong and loving family. We love all the diversity shown in the Your Buddy Boodles series of children's books.
This heartwarming book celebrates the love between a parent and child, from the moment the child is born and even before. The beautiful illustrations and lyrical text will captivate both children and parents alike, making it a perfect read-aloud for bedtime or any time.
Parents will appreciate the message of unconditional love, while children will enjoy the playful rhymes and colorful pictures. This tender story of love is a touching and uplifting book that both parents and children will cherish.
When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, one child is worried that her family is just too different to explain.
As her classmates describe who they live with and who loves them — families of every shape, size and every kind of relation — the child realizes that as long as her family is full of caring people, her family is special.
Mike has awesome hair. He has LOTS of energy! His parents love him. And Mike is a PERFECT blend of the two of them. Still, Mike has to answer LOTS of questions about being mixed. And he does, with LOTS of energy and joy in this charming story about a day in the life of a mixed-race child.
(Taye Diggs also has a book called Chocolate Me!)
Stella’s class is having a Mother’s Day celebration, but what’s a girl with two daddies to do? It’s not that she doesn’t have someone who helps her with her homework, or tucks her in at night.
Stella has her Papa and Daddy who take care of her, and a whole gaggle of other loved ones who make her feel special and supported every day. She just doesn’t have a mom to invite to the party.
Fortunately, Stella finds a unique solution to her party problem in this sweet story about love, acceptance, and the true meaning of family.
Marmee, Meema, and the kids are just like any other family on the block. In their beautiful house, they cook dinner together, they laugh together, and they dance together. But some of the other families don't accept them. They say they are different.
How can a family have two moms and no dad? But Marmee and Meema's house is full of love. And they teach their children that different doesn't mean wrong. And no matter how many moms or dads they have, they are everything a family is meant to be.
(Patricia Polacco is one of our FAVORITE authors ever!! Her books are must-reads!)
For every little person who is going to be a big brother or big sister, this wonderful journey begins with the happy news that baby is on the way and ends with a sweet bundle of joy. This book is perfect for helping boys and girls prepare emotionally for the arrival of a new sibling.
Families blend together for a variety of reasons. Regardless of why it happens, creating a blended family is a process of transition that takes time, patience, humor, compassion, and a whole lot of conversation.
This delightful book celebrates the diversity of families by showing that there are many different ways to be a family. The book features colorful illustrations of families of all shapes and sizes, from a family of two to a family of ten, and everything in between. The simple text and charming illustrations make it easy for young children to understand and appreciate the concept of family diversity.
Parents will appreciate the positive message of inclusivity and diversity, while children will enjoy the playful illustrations and counting along with the different family members.
This book lovingly explains what “being adopted” means and why having a forever family is so wonderful. Another heart-warming story from Christine Burger, this book would be perfect for a child who is adopted or even for helping your preschooler understand what adoption means.
Sometimes I live with my mom. Sometimes I live with my dad. But Fred stays with me. Told from the point of view of a young child whose parents are divorced, Fred Stays with Me follows a girl and her dog, Fred, from one parent’s house to the other’s, giving her a sense of continuity and stability.
Check out all of our favorite book lists here!
More book lists you may like:
Christmas Chapter Books for Kids and Families
Multicultural Picture Books For Kids
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Did we miss a book you love? We are always excited to add new recommendations to our list of books. Tell us about your favorite book about families in the comments!
MEET THE AUTHOR
Amanda
As a mom of 4 kids (and the oldest of 4 kids herself), Amanda has over 30 years of parenting experience. A former special education teacher, Amanda has a Master’s degree in Special Education and a second M. Ed. in Educational Leadership.
When she’s not working, Amanda enjoys DIY projects, exercising, photography, and long walks through Target.
You can find Amanda on all social media at @parentingnestblog and @amandaseghetti
