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Families
In frank, funny, touching, and often surprising interviews, children from fourteen different families talk about how they identify themselves as a family. The range of families profiled in this engaging book reflects the kaleidoscopic diversity of families in America there are mixed-race families and immigrant families; families of gay and lesbian couples and very religious families; families with only children, many children, adopted children, and children with special needs. This book is a celebration of all families, and provides young readers with windows into other lives, as well as mirrors in which they can see their own family relationships reflected.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 18, 2016
I love the diversity in the families that were depicted in this book. I also loved the authenticity in the interviews from the children about their families. This will be a great book to use during a unit about diversity and families uniqueness.
December 31, 2021
Through fifteen interviews with children 4-14 through their authentic voices, Susan Kuklin illustrates the diversity of family life and culture in the US. Kuklin describes this book in her introduction as completely child-directed, including the poses and outfits in the photos. This book includes families with many different cultural and religious backgrounds, and quite a few nontraditional family structures. Some interviews feature a single only child, while many feature all siblings in a family.
It is important for students to have the experience with text in authentic children’s voices because it shows that their voices are valid and that children can contribute to society in significant ways. Seeing children’s voices in writing also encourages more authenticity in students’ own writing. It can be reassuring to see other people write the way you talk and think, and while many adult writers can do this in fiction for children, it is even more significant in this format because they can tell it comes directly from kids just like them.
While I doubt young early readers could read this on their own, it would do well as a read-aloud, especially if there were a writing project involved where kids explored the interview process themselves and talked about their own families. Although this book seems to be out of print, I'm really hoping I can get my hands on a used copy somewhere.
See my full review on my Goodreads account for children's books
It is important for students to have the experience with text in authentic children’s voices because it shows that their voices are valid and that children can contribute to society in significant ways. Seeing children’s voices in writing also encourages more authenticity in students’ own writing. It can be reassuring to see other people write the way you talk and think, and while many adult writers can do this in fiction for children, it is even more significant in this format because they can tell it comes directly from kids just like them.
While I doubt young early readers could read this on their own, it would do well as a read-aloud, especially if there were a writing project involved where kids explored the interview process themselves and talked about their own families. Although this book seems to be out of print, I'm really hoping I can get my hands on a used copy somewhere.
See my full review on my Goodreads account for children's books
November 17, 2009
Families, by Susan Kuklin, explores 15 families in America. Kuklin uses photographs and interviews to delve into the personalities that make up each group. The kids are honest and open. One child says she has fun with her siblings at times while at other times they get on her nerves. Many of the families are inter-racial while some are families with divorced parents. There is a group where there are two dads, and the daughter explains how they tackled the problem of who would go to mom’s day at her summer camp. This book celebrates the diversity in each group while also showing that the common thread is love.
I think this book would be suitable for children in grades k-2. When kids are learning about families they could compare the families in the book to their own. One activity might be to make a venn diagram with their family and one from the book. They would see that the differences might be in the color of their skin or the clothes that they wear, but the similarities are love, safety and security.
I think this book would be suitable for children in grades k-2. When kids are learning about families they could compare the families in the book to their own. One activity might be to make a venn diagram with their family and one from the book. They would see that the differences might be in the color of their skin or the clothes that they wear, but the similarities are love, safety and security.
September 16, 2017
"Families," by Susan Kuklin, is a non-fiction text that takes on a non-traditional format. The book teaches readers about different families through interviews of the child, or children, in that family. The beauty of this book lies in its power to serve as a mirror for students. Within the sixteen families interviewed a child is likely to find some similarities to their own reflected back to them. In selecting families to interview, the author was inclusive. The text portrays a wide range of family structures, languages, religions, cultures, ethnicities, and abilities. I witnessed the impact of the book firsthand when reading it with my niece. She was affirmed as she read about Ella, a girl with two daddys, just like her, and as she read about Kira, who had a pet Crayfish, just like she does. This text is rich with opportunities for child-to-text connections.
The interview format of the book gives voice to children from each of the families. The dialogue creates an authentic tone across the text. The nuances of sibling relationships, the challenges and benefits of belonging to a nontraditional family, and exploration of identify that begins in childhood, are all captured in the conversations. Each interview also offers an opportunity for a child to learn about a structure, language, religion, culture, or ethnicity that may be different from their own. Adoption, Down Syndrome, Jewish Law, and many other topics are explored and explained in kid-friendly ways. At the same time, each child interviewed reveals more individualized interests, such as catching fish or studying fossils, in a way that has the potential for the reader to connect with a child different from themselves.
Pictures add another layer to the text. Each interview is accompanied with present day photographs of the families, along with pictures that provide a more historical context. Some interviews include pictures of ancestors or deceased relatives, while others include photos of the children as babies. These pictures provide another format through which children can see themselves and learn about others.
This non-traditional text has the potential to expand a child's definition of family. It challenges antiquated notions of family structures, and celebrates the diversity of many types of families. Children will walk away with an understanding that a family is not defined by the gender of each parents, by the number of children, or by the color of members' skin, but instead, it is defined by the love and support the members provide each other. I would recommend this book to any and all parents and teachers. Whether a child comes from a more traditional family structure or not, all children benefit from seeing themselves and learning about others in a way that has the power to foster empathy.
The interview format of the book gives voice to children from each of the families. The dialogue creates an authentic tone across the text. The nuances of sibling relationships, the challenges and benefits of belonging to a nontraditional family, and exploration of identify that begins in childhood, are all captured in the conversations. Each interview also offers an opportunity for a child to learn about a structure, language, religion, culture, or ethnicity that may be different from their own. Adoption, Down Syndrome, Jewish Law, and many other topics are explored and explained in kid-friendly ways. At the same time, each child interviewed reveals more individualized interests, such as catching fish or studying fossils, in a way that has the potential for the reader to connect with a child different from themselves.
Pictures add another layer to the text. Each interview is accompanied with present day photographs of the families, along with pictures that provide a more historical context. Some interviews include pictures of ancestors or deceased relatives, while others include photos of the children as babies. These pictures provide another format through which children can see themselves and learn about others.
This non-traditional text has the potential to expand a child's definition of family. It challenges antiquated notions of family structures, and celebrates the diversity of many types of families. Children will walk away with an understanding that a family is not defined by the gender of each parents, by the number of children, or by the color of members' skin, but instead, it is defined by the love and support the members provide each other. I would recommend this book to any and all parents and teachers. Whether a child comes from a more traditional family structure or not, all children benefit from seeing themselves and learning about others in a way that has the power to foster empathy.
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September 10, 2019"Families" by Susan Kuklin is a nonfiction book that gives mini biographies on families of many backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures. The story talks about how some families have parents that are different races, like Kira and Matias's family who has a mom from Germany and a dad who is African American. Another example is a family with two moms, and they explain how that works. The book explores big, small, single parent, and nuclear families as well.
I enjoyed this book, because it's not often that you see a children's book that has anything other than a nuclear family in in. I think this book is very inclusive and covers all ground when it comes to explaining differences in families to young children, and the pictures of the families and kids are very sweet and welcoming.
I think every teacher should read a book like this in their classroom, because this not only tackles different races, but it shows that not everyone grows up the same. You can talk to your students about how no family is perfect and you should always be nice to others even if they or their family is not like yours. Such a great lesson to be taught about kindness and inclusiveness.
I enjoyed this book, because it's not often that you see a children's book that has anything other than a nuclear family in in. I think this book is very inclusive and covers all ground when it comes to explaining differences in families to young children, and the pictures of the families and kids are very sweet and welcoming.
I think every teacher should read a book like this in their classroom, because this not only tackles different races, but it shows that not everyone grows up the same. You can talk to your students about how no family is perfect and you should always be nice to others even if they or their family is not like yours. Such a great lesson to be taught about kindness and inclusiveness.
December 22, 2018
The children featured in this book come from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. They are interviewed by the author where they describe the members of their families, traditions, activities, their school life, and other topics. Some of the kids have siblings while others are only children but they are basically allowed to say what's really on their mind, creating a natural and candid reading experience. Photos of their family members are featured as well as pictures the kids have picked to describe their family history. The diversity of the families showcased in the book was great and really hone in on the concept that while families may look different, they are all places where the kids feel safe, loved, and supported.
I would recommend this book for any kid, whether they're elementary school aged or younger. My niece (aged one and a half) likes to look at pictures of other kids in books and even though she's still too little to understand the concept behind this book, it was still something we both liked.
I would recommend this book for any kid, whether they're elementary school aged or younger. My niece (aged one and a half) likes to look at pictures of other kids in books and even though she's still too little to understand the concept behind this book, it was still something we both liked.
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April 11, 2024This one is cool because it’s just a collection of interviews of student-aged people about their families. This would be fine as an independent reading option, but maybe we could do a lesson for older students about different kinds of storytelling, or how they might cite an interview from this book. We could even have students take turns conducting interviews to each other afterward about a topic of their choosing. Could be family, but it could be something else instead. The more I think about it, the more I think it would be good for junior high aged kids. We could find other interview books as well. This also would subtly introduce LGBTQ+ family structures, without necessarily drawing attention to them and making it the whole focus of the lesson.
June 7, 2017
In this nonfiction book, children from 15 different families talk about their family life and what makes their families special. This book has all types of families: big and small, several different ethnicities and races, including quite a few bi-racial families, a couple of gay couples, a divorced family and a number of families of different religions. Each family has a two page spread featuring family photos, portaits and quotes from the children about their families. It is a truly lovely book showing that families can be made up in a variety of ways. This would be a great tool to teach about diversity or just to share and talk about your own family.
June 10, 2018
Loved this book and the photos and interviews of different families, especially that it was child-led.
Minor quibbles: the only thing I'd change would be to add captions to photos so it's more clear who's who, and to add in the children's ages. Would also be nice to have more geographic diversity: most of the kids & families are from the New York City area.
Minor quibbles: the only thing I'd change would be to add captions to photos so it's more clear who's who, and to add in the children's ages. Would also be nice to have more geographic diversity: most of the kids & families are from the New York City area.
April 22, 2019
Essential elementary title.
September 7, 2019
I love this because it shows that families from kids' perspectives. Diverse and inclusive, but not in a forced way. Theses are just families, who fight and love and get on each other nerves and go to school and eat dinner and work different jobs and look like each other and don;t look like each other. The photos are starting to look a little dated now that the book is older, but the stories feel like they could have been written today.
July 5, 2025
One of the better books I've read on the topic. See if your library has this 'photo-history' and check it out soon to make sure it doesn't get weeded for lack of interest.
December 31, 2021
Through fifteen interviews with children 4-14 through their authentic voices, Susan Kuklin illustrates the diversity of family life and culture in the US. Kuklin describes this book in her introduction as completely child-directed, including the poses and outfits in the photos. This book includes families with many different cultural and religious backgrounds, and quite a few nontraditional family structures. Some interviews feature a single only child, while many feature all siblings in a family.
It is important for students to have the experience with text in authentic children’s voices because it shows that their voices are valid and that children can contribute to society in significant ways. Seeing children’s voices in writing also encourages more authenticity in students’ own writing. It can be reassuring to see other people write the way you talk and think, and while many adult writers can do this in fiction for children, it is even more significant in this format because you can tell it comes directly from kids just like them.
While the text complexity of this novel does not lend itself well for first-grade students (which are the standards I related this book to) to read on their own, it would make a good read aloud, especially over the span of a few days or even weeks. I could read aloud 1-2 interviews a day, and as students learn the format, introduce a project where students themselves will go through the interview process to tell stories about their own families and their places in them.
This could either be done in student pairs, or I could take time to interview each student during rotation times. Considering the level of writing and knowledge I would expect my students to have on the interview process, likely the latter, but I would still brainstorm interview questions with students together as a class and make this project as student-led as it can be, including finding a way for student involvement in the photographs in the same way Kuklin uses these in her books. The end result for this could be a class book on families that looks similar to Kuklin’s book. This would help students not only in social studies standards relating to family and community connections, but also in the writing process itself.
It is important for students to have the experience with text in authentic children’s voices because it shows that their voices are valid and that children can contribute to society in significant ways. Seeing children’s voices in writing also encourages more authenticity in students’ own writing. It can be reassuring to see other people write the way you talk and think, and while many adult writers can do this in fiction for children, it is even more significant in this format because you can tell it comes directly from kids just like them.
While the text complexity of this novel does not lend itself well for first-grade students (which are the standards I related this book to) to read on their own, it would make a good read aloud, especially over the span of a few days or even weeks. I could read aloud 1-2 interviews a day, and as students learn the format, introduce a project where students themselves will go through the interview process to tell stories about their own families and their places in them.
This could either be done in student pairs, or I could take time to interview each student during rotation times. Considering the level of writing and knowledge I would expect my students to have on the interview process, likely the latter, but I would still brainstorm interview questions with students together as a class and make this project as student-led as it can be, including finding a way for student involvement in the photographs in the same way Kuklin uses these in her books. The end result for this could be a class book on families that looks similar to Kuklin’s book. This would help students not only in social studies standards relating to family and community connections, but also in the writing process itself.
July 9, 2012
Main Characters: 15 families
Point of View: First Person (from the children)
Setting: Varies depending on the families’ home.
Genre: Informational / Multicultural
Lexile Level: 560 L
Organization: This his book consists of interviews with the children from 15 different families, “including mixed-race, immigrant, gay, lesbian, and divorced, as well as single parents and families for whom religion is a focal point.” The interviews focus on the children’s feelings about being part of their family. As a whole, the interviews provide young readers either a window into their own lives or a mirror of the readers’ identities through glimpses of themselves as perceived and expressed by the children.
Unique Features: In particular, this book—told in the children’s own words, and created in collaboration with them—is a celebration of families of all kinds. Adults do not interfere. As a result, children voice themselves as individuals, while sharing their lives – the way they are. Through a group family picture, an individual picture of the children, an album photo, and text in the children’s word – which omit interview questions - , Kuklin allows different families to portray themselves in their uniqueness.
Main Ideas:
Family, Childhood, and Education
Recommended: I would recommend “Families” because, as mentioned before, interviews provide young readers either a window into their own lives or a mirror of the readers’ identities through glimpses of themselves. By reading, examining, and discussing the book’s content, children, most likely, will share their home life. From a young age, I consider crucial for all students to understand the importance of respecting differences in and out of school settings. Through discussing and incorporating activities as writing a story describing their family, students can realize that even individuals who share a similar racial and ethnic background have different situations.
Personal Reaction: Reading “Families” was educative, enjoyable, and meaningful. I did not only learn about 15 families, but I also reasoned that respecting our differences and learning from them is part of obtaining inclusiveness and pluralism in society. Although our future students might be from the same racial and ethnic background, it is time for them to value and recognize differences even amongst each other. When students begin to realize different situations and lifestyles, they will not only become conscious of our differentiated society, but also define their identity in relation to it. If reading books as "Families" and integrating other activities allows children to value, respect, and recognize differences, something irreversible has been accomplished.
Satisfying Concluding Statement: The mean that can hold us together: differences.
Point of View: First Person (from the children)
Setting: Varies depending on the families’ home.
Genre: Informational / Multicultural
Lexile Level: 560 L
Organization: This his book consists of interviews with the children from 15 different families, “including mixed-race, immigrant, gay, lesbian, and divorced, as well as single parents and families for whom religion is a focal point.” The interviews focus on the children’s feelings about being part of their family. As a whole, the interviews provide young readers either a window into their own lives or a mirror of the readers’ identities through glimpses of themselves as perceived and expressed by the children.
Unique Features: In particular, this book—told in the children’s own words, and created in collaboration with them—is a celebration of families of all kinds. Adults do not interfere. As a result, children voice themselves as individuals, while sharing their lives – the way they are. Through a group family picture, an individual picture of the children, an album photo, and text in the children’s word – which omit interview questions - , Kuklin allows different families to portray themselves in their uniqueness.
Main Ideas:
Family, Childhood, and Education
Recommended: I would recommend “Families” because, as mentioned before, interviews provide young readers either a window into their own lives or a mirror of the readers’ identities through glimpses of themselves. By reading, examining, and discussing the book’s content, children, most likely, will share their home life. From a young age, I consider crucial for all students to understand the importance of respecting differences in and out of school settings. Through discussing and incorporating activities as writing a story describing their family, students can realize that even individuals who share a similar racial and ethnic background have different situations.
Personal Reaction: Reading “Families” was educative, enjoyable, and meaningful. I did not only learn about 15 families, but I also reasoned that respecting our differences and learning from them is part of obtaining inclusiveness and pluralism in society. Although our future students might be from the same racial and ethnic background, it is time for them to value and recognize differences even amongst each other. When students begin to realize different situations and lifestyles, they will not only become conscious of our differentiated society, but also define their identity in relation to it. If reading books as "Families" and integrating other activities allows children to value, respect, and recognize differences, something irreversible has been accomplished.
Satisfying Concluding Statement: The mean that can hold us together: differences.
February 16, 2017
Susan Kuklin decided to interview children from fifteen different families to hear first hand how they define family and what makes their family unique in her non-ficton book entitled Families. The diversity in this book of families is unbelievable as these kids share intimate moments about their experiences in their family. Some of the families interviewd consisted of same sex parents, divorced parents, biracial familes, families with special needs persons, families with adopted children, small families, large families, and even families whose customs and religious beliefs play a huge role in their family ties. Families is a great book that cause for a lot of discussions and thought provoking questions. In this book, readers also get the opportunity to see how other families besides their own operate being that these families are so different and culture is prevalent in this book. The book also contained pictures filled with all fifteen families so that readers can truly get a feel of who these people are based off their stories. I believe this book would be great to read/work with students as a whole instead of students reading this book on their own, simply because I don't think younger kids would pick this book up on their own. The content was nice being that it was interview style but I think kids find colorful books with characters more appealing.
October 22, 2013
Why this book?: Adds breadth to the classroom library, as many different types of families are represented.
Genre: Informational
Theme/Keywords: Families, diversity, children as authors
Characteristics of quality: Includes many diverse families and recognizes strengths in each.
Special features: Written by children about their families
Gender of primary character: N/A
Race/ethnicity of primary character: N/A
Cultural considerations: Many different cultures, family structures, and abilities are represented in this book
Language considerations: The family stories are written in English, even if the children are bilingual. Some words in children's first languages are included and translated into English.
Open Ended Question: How do these children's families/cultures help make them who they are?
Genre: Informational
Theme/Keywords: Families, diversity, children as authors
Characteristics of quality: Includes many diverse families and recognizes strengths in each.
Special features: Written by children about their families
Gender of primary character: N/A
Race/ethnicity of primary character: N/A
Cultural considerations: Many different cultures, family structures, and abilities are represented in this book
Language considerations: The family stories are written in English, even if the children are bilingual. Some words in children's first languages are included and translated into English.
Open Ended Question: How do these children's families/cultures help make them who they are?
January 12, 2010
Kuklin interviewed sixteen families, using the kids’ point of view for each entry. From only children to single parent families, from single race to mixed race families, almost every conceivable type of family is given a two page spread in this book. An author’s note at the front of the book tells us why each entry is a little choppy and tells us little about each family’s history—she let the kids tell her about their family and included what they deemed important. A picture of the entire family is included on each entry, along with a historical family picture and a close up of the kids being interviewed. Overall it is an interesting book, and pairs perfectly with Celebrating Families by Rosmarie Hausherr.
March 4, 2011
Published: 2006, Hyperion Books
Age: K-12
This engaging book shows photos of 15 different families with interviews of the children in each family. Each double page shows a family of either a mixed race, or with gay, divorced, or single parents, families that are immigrants, that are of various religions, some that have special needs, or families with adopted children. The children comment about whatever they want, such as an aspect of their life or how they deal with their siblings, parents, or being in their family. A wide range of diversities are included in the book, so children in any situation could find a family they could relate to. It would be a useful source when discussing a unit on families, relationships, and diversity, including what is the definition of a family.
Age: K-12
This engaging book shows photos of 15 different families with interviews of the children in each family. Each double page shows a family of either a mixed race, or with gay, divorced, or single parents, families that are immigrants, that are of various religions, some that have special needs, or families with adopted children. The children comment about whatever they want, such as an aspect of their life or how they deal with their siblings, parents, or being in their family. A wide range of diversities are included in the book, so children in any situation could find a family they could relate to. It would be a useful source when discussing a unit on families, relationships, and diversity, including what is the definition of a family.
March 10, 2011
Published in 2006 by Hyperion
Interest Level: 4th-7th Grade
This book is an informational text about different children and different types of families. The types and diversity of families is varied and representative of many types of families. I think that the use of interview answers from the children of each family is a great way to represent authentic voices of children and their perspectives of family. There are families of all diversities included, such as those of all ethnicities, mixed-ethnicity families, and same-sex couples. These various accounts, vivid family pictures, and many diversities make for a great informational book that students could relate to. If only there were more books that represented family diversities in such a thoughtful and interesting way.
Interest Level: 4th-7th Grade
This book is an informational text about different children and different types of families. The types and diversity of families is varied and representative of many types of families. I think that the use of interview answers from the children of each family is a great way to represent authentic voices of children and their perspectives of family. There are families of all diversities included, such as those of all ethnicities, mixed-ethnicity families, and same-sex couples. These various accounts, vivid family pictures, and many diversities make for a great informational book that students could relate to. If only there were more books that represented family diversities in such a thoughtful and interesting way.
March 6, 2015
"Families" is a nonfiction book that gives information about a variety of family structures. Every family mentioned in this book the children told how they felt about the situation they were in. Having each mini story have a picture of that family that was being talked about made it much more personal. As readers we got to see what each family structure looked like and everything based off the illustrations. Diversity is the main key in "Families" because there were different religions, cultures, sex roles, and etc mentioned throughout this book. By doing so there was no room for any stereotypes to be form since the book touched on so many different families. When children read this book they can find their family structure in some way because there are so many mentioned.
October 30, 2012
Susan Kuklin is an author and a photographer which explains why there are only photographs and no drawings in this book. I enjoyed this book because it contained a variety of families within it. The book included; mixed race families, immigrant families, families of gays and lesbians, large families, small families, etc... Families is non fiction and could be a a great tool to use in many different classroom situations in regards to families. It could also be used from Pre-K to about the fourth grade. Conversations about different ethnicity as well as family makeup could be derived from reading this book.
November 10, 2014
This is a lovely looking book. In it the author presents a number of families--from same sex, to multi-generational, mixed-race, and orthodox families. My only real complaint is that there are no captions under family photos to identify the members of the family. Much of the text that accompanies each family photo is written in script form, but the reader can't always determine who is who actually speaking--the younger or the older sister or brother. I wish a Native American/Aboriginal family and a Hindu family had been represented. There is over-representation of Jewish and Muslim families.
October 25, 2012
Families’ is a book with testimonies from different types of family dynamics such as lesbian, gay, African American, Asian, etc. The lesbian couple has a son and daughter who talk about their daily routine with their mothers. They talk about how much fun they have and how much they love their mothers. The gay couple who are African American and Caucasian adopted an African American child. She talks about what people ask her when she is seen with her fathers and how their family is just as normal as anyone else’s.
January 25, 2012
There are a variety of families photographed in this book, with interviews of the kids. Twins, multiracial, divorce, adoption, two dads, two moms, Jewish, Muslim, Down's Syndrome, etc.
It was a little difficult answering my child's questions. Naturally,the book is not meant to answer those difficult questions, such as "What is divorce?" "What is adoption?" So you have to be prepared with your answers beforehand.
It was a little difficult answering my child's questions. Naturally,the book is not meant to answer those difficult questions, such as "What is divorce?" "What is adoption?" So you have to be prepared with your answers beforehand.
June 18, 2014
Kuklin presents a photo essay of many types of families in various colors and configurations. The portraits of each family feel intimate and relaxed, never forced or preachy. Every student could benefit from exposure to this book; they will see families similar to their own and learn that there are many other types of families as well.
October 3, 2010
Loved this book and the multitude of families, traditional, bi-racial, same-sex, multicultural, etc. that were shown. The photographs were amazing and most of the writing was taken directly from the children being interviewed. This gave the text an more honest-unbiased feel.
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October 31, 2015The author interviewed children from different kinds of families and recorded what they wanted to say about their parents, siblings, and their families. A must-have book in my collection of books on the topic of family with real-life pictures of these families.
May 17, 2010
Lovely and heartwarming
July 13, 2011
Portraits of many kinds of families, told by the children.
May 5, 2012
An incredibly sweet look at diverse families.
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