We Are Family

Every child should be able to see themselves in the pages of the books they read. And every book should show children that they are part of the world around them. In a post, right at the very beginning of starting this blog, I wrote a message to BookBairn:

"You should know that not all families are the same. I want you know that our family, though far from perfect, is just one of many types of families out there. But that in our family you are surrounded by love. And that love comes from all sorts of people in all different sorts of ways."

And we recently discovered the most beautiful book that brings this message to life. 'We Are Family' by Patricia Hegarty with illustrations by Ryan Wheatcroft shares the stories of many families and their unique dynamics. Featuring illustrations of families of all shapes, colours and sizes, 'We Are Family' shows the many different families that exist in our society. Not so much a story book, more an illustrated poem about love, family and diversity it is a beautiful reflection of modern society.

Some of the lines will entrance the adults reading it, and send messages to children that will guide them for a lifetime. It follows a 'daily routine' from the morning rush, to the school run, through sickness and health, from holiday fun, to family tragedy, to bedtime. Each page (even the endpapers) shares and celebrates the similarities and differences of families. And what better way to end a bedtime story than with the lines: "After goodnight kisses, with our families all round, We drift off to dreamland, loved and safe and sound."

The illustrations are equally as captivating and children will pour of the ten families, recognising the characters from page to page. From single parent families, gay parent families, black families, white families, asian families, mixed race families, disabled families - diversity is reflected in each image. Each family approach is different and each one is celebrated. When we first got this book in the post, BookBairn admired the pages over and over, flipping through the vivid illustrations seeing the world, as it really is, around her.

What more could we want for our children than to see reflected and celebrated the wonderfully diverse and beautiful world around us?

Another message to my BookBairn - In our family, in our world, you are represented. You have a voice. You are not invisible. Nor is any child. You all must be represented. You all must have a voice. You all must be visible. Share your voice. Speak for others who cannot share their own voice. Share your love.