Our Class is a Family

by Shannon Olsen, Sandie Sonke (Illustrator)

Teachers do so much more than just teach academics. They build a sense of community within their classrooms, creating a home away from home where they make their students feel safe, included, and loved. With its heartfelt message and colorfully whimsical illustrations, “Our Class is a Family” is a book that will help build and strengthen that class community. Kids learn that their classroom is a place where it’s safe to be themselves, it’s okay to make mistakes, and it’s important to be a friend to others. When hearing this story being read aloud by their teacher, students are sure to feel like they are part of a special family. “Family isn’t always your relatives. It’s the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what.” -Unknown

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens, Family, Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Back To School

27 pages, Paperback

Published May 5, 2020

About the author

Shannon Olsen is the #1 best-selling author of 5 picture books, all geared toward building community and positive relationships at school: Our Class is a Family, both books in the A Letter From Your Teacher series, Our School is a Family, and Collaboration Station.

Her newest book, We're So Happy You're Here: A Warm Welcome for our New Student, will be released in fall 2025.

Her first book made the #1 spot for children’s books on Publisher’s Weekly, and several of her titles have reached the overall Top 20 on the Amazon Charts.

Shannon earned her B.A. in English and M.A. in Teaching from the University of California Irvine, and is a wife and a mom of two girls.

Through her fifteen years of experience as a second grade teacher, she found a strong passion in creating books and materials for the classroom.

Shannon does in-person and virtual Author Visits with elementary school classes, and continues to share teaching ideas and resources through her website and TPT store, Life Between Summers.

Reviews

[LaDonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! I am always searching for books that encourage our young people to appreciate all of those around them. Whether it is a local community worker or the worker at their local fast food restaurant, we should not take the hard work of others fore granted. This is especially true in a classroom. Children are always taught that they should respect faculty and staff members. But, they must also respect their classmates. Shannon Olsen says it best: Our Class is a Family .

With the illustrations of Sandie Sonke and Olsen's rhythmic prose, Our Class is a Family children shows how one's classmates should be considered as family and treated accordingly. There is not one child, boy or girl, who will not see himself or herself in this book. Kindness, respect and love for each other are topics that are stressed, regardless of our differences.

"Family isn't always your relatives. It's the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what".

I cannot wait to share with my students. I hope that you will share it with the young ones in your life.

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for my toddler’s bedtime. This book sends a good message. When we think of family we think of our immediate family at home. But this book reminds us that our children spent a lot of time in school so their classmates and teachers could be their family and if ever they need someone for help, those people in school can offer support just like the family at home. A rhyming read as well.

Read from kindle unlimited.

[Arielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

great gift for the classroom!

Reading this book made me recall my childhood and how much of an impact your preschool classroom has on your life. Not only your class but your teachers and friends and all of the experiences that come with it. This is definitely a great book for teachers to read at the beginning of the school year. 🍎

[Gabrielle Mccoy]

Text-to-Teach

The book Our Class is A Family, teaches children that a family does not always consist of a mom, dad, or siblings. It teaches children a family can be anyone you feel you are close to, and you spend time with. In the book the author explains to the class that they are family, because we all care about each other and spend time together helping each other. I think a good activity to do with the children is to have each child draw a picture of their family and at the end have each child share their picture with class. For this activity I would read the story and tell the children to think to themselves what their family looks like to them. After reading the story I would pass out construction paper and colored pencils and crayons to each table. I would already have a picture of my family drawn, then I would explain what they are to do with the paper. I will also tell them at the end of this activity we will share our family drawings with the class. Then we will place each child's drawing on the wall with a heading that says Our Family.

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a really simplistic, idealized version of the dynamics that really go on in a classroom. It's pretty didactic & the rhyme reads kind of juvenile & loses the rhythm a few times - I wonder if it was written with her students.
I have an issue with books that make it seem that classrooms need to be like families because the kids who don't feel like their classmates treat them well shouldn't have to feel forced into being "family". And I don't really love the message that you have to be a friend to someone for them to be there for you.

[Laura's Book Addiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely inclusive book, great for children starting school or children like my daughter who have been off school for months due to the pandemic and with schools reopening soon after the summer holidays it felt like the perfect time to read this story.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, inclusive pictures and a lovely message. Highly recommended.

Quarantine 2020 book.

[Sierra Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! This book is great to read the first couple days of the new school year. This book talks about it's okay to make mistakes, to be upset, and so much more! “Family isn’t always your relatives. It’s the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what.” -Unknown

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Read This!

This book goes along with my theme for the year- Home Sweet Classroom. I am thrilled to find this and also plan to use the author’s other book, A Letter From Your Teacher.

[Leticia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is very sweet, has great artwork, and is definitely meant to be read by a teacher to a class - that's the intended reader/audience. When reading this to my kids, I had to change some of the words so I would be reading ABOUT classes, but it still worked out and we enjoyed it.

[Stacey DeCotis (Reading in the Middle Grades) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book to read on the first few days of school. I read it to my 5th graders as we joined all in person after being remote/hybrid for a year.

[Skyla Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing, I loved every aspect of it. I loved how it started off by talking about how different people see family because not every family looks the same. this was a great way to start the story because it instantly begins to include and attract multiple different readers. It then goes into explaining how for kids their class is also their family. Kids spend the majority or their days and their time in school and in the classroom; they begin to form bonds and make connections with their classmates. A kids class really is their family and they do so much for each other. There is this one line in the story that I really love, it says, "And as long as you're a friend to others, your peers will be there too." I love this part so much because it is so true; your full fledge family is always there for you, but your class kind of has to learn to be family. So when you are there for your friends they will also be there for you too. Such a great read aloud for a class!! It has some great moments and is great inclusive story.

[Amanda Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book to read at the beginning of the year (or anytime really). I read it via video to my class last year during the lock down. I read it as a beginning of the year book to my class this year. It's a fantastic community building book for your classroom!

[Andrea Espinoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copyright year: 2020
Award: Goodreads Choice Awards
Star rating: 5/5
Genre: A picture book and children's fiction
Themes: Build and strengthen that class community, school, friendship,
Summary: This book talks about the support and strengthening of the community within that class. Children discover that their classroom is a place where they can be themselves, that making mistakes is acceptable, and that it's crucial to be kind to others.
Classroom use:
This is a great classroom book that can be used on the first day of school to make sure students know that their class is a safe space and that everyone is loved. This is a great start to bring in rules and expectations for everyone.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and it’s message. It is important for children to learn to be kind, supportive, to appreciate differences in others, and to build a community with their peers in the present and in their futures. For these reasons I rounded up and rated the book with 5 stars.

I did feel that the message was idealized. Children can feel isolated and they can be recipients of emotional and relational bullying as early as pre-school, kindergarten and 1st grade. Teachers have many students, and they often are not the ones to supervise their students during recess, art, music, PE, etc. They cannot possibly know everything. Many children feel shame following bullying. They are often afraid (or simply do not have the communication skills) to tell their teacher what is happening.

If the book could have addressed what a child can do when they need support, besides the simplistic “we’ll all have tough days sometimes, but your teacher is here for you,” then I feel that it would have been an important step towards making the classroom more like a family… Perhaps a follow- up book?

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw this available on Kindle Unlimited and thought it sounded like a sweet read (how could you not with this picture?) and you can probably guess what kind of book this is. The book talks about the families, and what they can look like, who the members are, etc. The author then talks about school, class and how a class can also be like a family, too.

Yeah, there really isn't a plot or conflict to resolve. Yes, the book is "simplistic" but I think it's probably geared towards really young children who might be in a classroom setting for the very first time and need a primer sort of book that would help them feel a little more comfortable around people that may not look/sound/think/feel/etc. like them.

Would say it's perhaps a little sad right now to read, with so many being unable to return to school for various reasons, but this is absolutely a great pick up to have in your classroom or even for a family whose very small people are going off to school for the very first time.

This was a borrow for me but a good purchase for others and I'd recommend it.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been seeing a lot of teachers raving about this book on social media so I decided to check it out for myself and I loved it! It has a great message of kindness and belonging and seems like the perfect book to read on the first day of school. Also very cool that it was written by a teacher!

[Kaylee Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most people picture a family as people who all live in the same house or people who share the same DNA, but it doesn't have to be. Most kids spend more time at school than at home. The book says "Why not make it feel like home?" It's where kids learn together, grow together, and celebrate their differences together. It is a community of people who care about each other and want to grow together. The kids in the classroom make a team and become like family.

I will absolutely be adding this book to my personal classroom library in the future. In my opinion, it is the perfect book for the first day of school. It can give some children a sense of hope and excitement for the future in school. If a student is struggling to find comfort in their family at their home, reading this book can let them know that while they are at school all of those worries can go away and they can find safety in their school with their peers and teachers.

[Jenn Georges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classroom community

I love this book! It has an awesome
message and builds classroom
community! I also
love the illustrations. I would recommend this book gor any k-5 teacher.

[Lynnai · Rating 1 out of 5]

No one Ever Replaces Family or is Equivalent to Family

There are several alternative terms that can easily convey a sense of belonging, community, and support within the classroom without using the word "family." Some options include:

Classroom Community:
This term emphasizes the idea of a group of individuals coming together to support each other, much like a community does.

Classroom Team:
Using the term "team" emphasizes cooperation, working together towards common goals, and supporting each other, similar to how team members do.

Learning Community:
This term focuses on the shared goal of learning and growing together, highlighting the collaborative nature of the classroom.

Supportive Group:
This straightforward term emphasizes the role of providing support and encouragement to one another.

Learning Community Circle:
The idea of a circle suggests inclusivity and equality, where everyone has an important role and space.

Each of these terms can help convey the desired atmosphere of care, inclusion, and mutual respect within a classroom while maintaining a focus on the learning environment and the relationships that develop within it.

For children with autism and ADHD, clarity and consistency in language are crucial to avoid confusion and to help them understand their environment better.

Using precise language, like referring to a classroom as a "community" rather than a "family," can indeed be beneficial. It helps set clear boundaries and expectations, which can be important for children who thrive on structure and clear definitions. In this case emphasizing the classroom as a "community" might help an autistic child better understand the social dynamics of his/her school environment without blurring the lines between his/her biological family and his/her school relationships.

Sharing a parent’s perspective and explaining how language impacts a parent’s child’s understanding can encourage them to use terms that align more closely with a parent’s child’s needs and with the meanings a parent believes are appropriate.

I would think most educators are receptive to feedback from parents, especially when it comes to supporting the unique needs of their students.

[Carly Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have seen this book all over my social media. It seemed to have been a hit for the first day of school this year, and I was really intrigued to know why. After reading it, I definitely can see why every teacher should have this book on hand, and will forever be one of my favorite read alouds. The book starts off explaining that family doesn’t have to be someone you are related to. In fact, you spend most of your time at school, wouldn’t you consider the class/teachers that support and love you, family. It’s important to make your classroom feel like home, which the book spends a few pages going over how this can be done. If you work together as a team using kindness, respect, memories, commonalities, differences, mistakes, tough days, and each other, then it will surely become a family. All of this helps strengthen the bond between you and those you share the classroom with. Behind the 4 walls of your classroom, you should be determined to learn and grow with those you surround yourself with. No matter what the circumstance is, you have each others back, because a classroom is a family. It’s overall an adorable book, and as a teacher is extremely touching. By reading the book right off the bat, it opens the door to friendships, and will support those who’s only home may be the classroom.

Like I said, I think that each and every teacher should have this book on hand. I chose this book for my read aloud because I want to open more eyes to the meaning behind this book, and read it to those who haven’t read it yet. There are lots of fun activities that can go along with this such as art projects, flipbooks, writing prompts, class contracts, and overall classroom community building activities. I would say this is something that can be read almost immediately on the first day of school. It is a great welcoming story, and I would conside it to be extremely beneficial in any K-5 classroom.

[Leanna Bellevue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title (italicize): Our Class is a Family
Author: Shannon Olsen
Illustrator: Sandie Sonke
Genre: Children's Literature, Fiction
Theme(s): Diversity
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text): “When you think of a family, you might picture one in a house.”
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words):
In the book, Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen the narrator brings us inside a classroom of students that come from multiple different backgrounds. Throughout this story the students help and support each other even though they are not the same. This novel supports diversity within the classroom and being kind to others.
Response to Two Professional Reviews (3-4 sentences in your own words):
According to Barnesandnobles.com this book is great to read to students. It demonstrates how teachers build a sense of community within their classrooms. In another review written by Thebookshelfcorner.wordpress.com it is described that this book helps students build a sense of family within their classroom.
Tell Me Framework (4 sentences in your own words):
Like(s): I enjoyed how the book represented various different cultures within the classroom.
Dislike(s): I thought that the book was a little boring. I wish that there was more kindness and support shown through out the story.
Patterns(s): A pattern that I noticed in this story was all different types of students helping/supporting one another.
Puzzle(s): I was not puzzled by anything.
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words):
This book would be amazing for a read aloud. It recognizes all different types of backgrounds not just one. It also recognizes children who are facing disabilities. Having students listen to this story will make them recognize that there are various different types of people around the world.

[Ashley Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our Class is a Family” by Shannon Olsen is about how a classroom can also be a family. It starts off with what a family would look like when someone is told to picture what they see as a family. They discuss different kinds of families and the different people who may be considered a family to others. Then, they dive deeper into a classroom setting, since that is where the reader’s time is mostly spent, aside from home. They discuss friendship values and qualities that make up what it can also mean to be a family. The story creates different situations about hardships those students may face, then adds a friend next to them to help them out and make them feel better. The illustrations also include students with a disability and of different races as well, so it shows inclusivity. This is a great book on friendship because of the different scenarios that come up and a student may relate to at least one of them. The qualities in the friends who are by someone’s side are congratulating each other on their grades, comforting each other during sad times, and understanding our differences and still being able to bond. In Moebius’ “Introduction to PictureBook Codes,” the passage describes how “a series of circular enclosures is more likely to be secure and content” within the picture books. This can be seen with a two page spread in the book where the two pages together show a look inside the classroom, walls in each end of the page to show we are viewing inside the classroom. Within the walls, there are four circular scenes, each showing a pair of friends doing a fun activity together.

[NBPB Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

In our homes, we refer to our mom, dad, siblings, pets, grandparents, cousins, and others as family. Our friends have become a significant part of our lives since we spend most of our day at school. We refer to them as family, too. We share our thoughts and feelings with them, including our likes and dislikes, successes and failures. Our friends are always supportive and non-judgmental, making them an essential part of our lives. Therefore, we consider our classmates as family, too.

We picked this book for its title. The book explores our strong connection with our classmates, which is comparable to that of family. It delves into the reasons behind this beautiful bond. To complement the storyline, the book is adorned with vibrant illustrations that enhance its appeal.

Our love and connection with others extends beyond just our family, as we also share a bond with our school friends that is just as meaningful. This bond is lasting, unconditional, and worthy of being referred to as a family. This powerful message is beautifully conveyed in the book Our Class is a Family, written by Shannon Olsen and illustrated by Sandie Sonke.
For the full review and ratings, visit NBPB Reviews

[Clarisa Rebolledo]

“Our Class is a Family” is a beautifully written book about how a family doesn’t have to be blood-related. In other words, the author is trying to get their point across that the people you spend time with and love, including your school community, are also considered your family. This book was very colorful and had a lot of diversity. Many students were of different races, which is a beautiful sight. Every new illustration was also about a new school activity. For example, one page shows students sitting together with a drawing in front of them, and another one shows students reading together. This book really shows what a school community is supposed to look like. It’s a great book to show to students because they can learn what a community in a school looks like, and it helps them build trust with their own school. As I mentioned before, this book is a very colorful book. The article “Introduction to Picturebook Codes” mentioned, “Apart from the traditional associations of certain colors with certain moods or feelings, and apart from the association of bright colors with exhilaration and discovery, and of dark colors with disappointment and confusion, we need to be sensitive to color as a linkage among different objects.” Every single page in this book has bright colors. Some even have invisible frames around the students which means the page is white while the students are colorful but that just signifies that the colorful things are important.

[Maleah Tellado]

This story shows the reader what family is all about. It discusses how family can be much more than those who are biologically related to you such as a parent or grandparent. It can also be people that you love and spend lots of time with, such as your teacher and classmates. We are shown how school can be a safe place, and that when you’re at school you are surrounded by those who will support you. We are taught that family is so much more than blood. With my focus being on family, this story was a unique add as it focuses on the concept of family, and what family truly means. This story represented a lot of what is discussed in Perry Nodelman’s text, “Decoding the images; How picture books work”. An idea that Nodelman discusses is how the images we see on the page depict what the words are saying. The pictures give us a better understanding on what is being said in the text. For example, in this picture book they discuss how the classroom is a place to show kindness and respect to each other. This kindness is shown through a child with a broken pencil, and her classmate offers her their own sharp pencil. Or, when celebrating differences is discussed there are two students of different ethnicities shown with one painting, and the other playing soccer.

[Ezekiel Basilio · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our Class is a Family” is a book about family and school, and how the concept of a family can apply to classrooms as well.

The concept of family often gets referred to with the idea of a nuclear family, in which it would consist of a mother, father, and two children. This book explores deeper into that concept and breaks away from the mold with how families can be different from others; for instance how a child can just have grandma, or step-parents. But it really gives into the concept of a chosen family with a heavy emphasis on that family being a classroom.

In an article called “Mirrors Windows and Sliding Glass Doors” by Rudine Sims Bishop, she talked about representation and having books be a window to reality. I think this book really reflects that idea, as sometimes children don’t have the same privileges of being able to create a family. I think that by introducing the concept of a classroom as a family helps to cement the idea that families don’t necessarily need to be blood-related, but people that can be considered close and familiar. I really like how chosen families are portrayed and how it creates new perspectives for children.

[Katherine Labayan]

"Our Class is a Family" by Shannon Olsen is about building a family in the classroom. They are highlighting every individual's differences and similarities in order to spread kindness and acceptance. Moebius' code of color is very prominent in this book. They colors used are vibrant to show happiness and excitement, but they also are associated with different feelings. For example, the color pink is used as a comforting color. It is the color of the roof top of the house as well as the teacher's dress. It shows a safe and familiar space. The color pink also shows up on the couch as well as the children's clothes. In the book it says, "When you think of a family, you picture one in a house: A mom, a dad, a couple kids, plus their dogs and a pet mouse. Perhaps you think of Grandma or a stepmom and stepdad. It could be those 14 cousins or that twin who makes you mad. But family doesn't have to be who you're related to." On the page with the rainbow, the colors and positioning of the characters show comfortability and mutual joy. The quote provided shows how people can love each other even if they are not the same or share the same blood.

[Cecelia Costello · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen, Illustrated by Sandie Sonke
I really enjoyed this book because it shows that your class can also be considered a family regardless of how you view family. The book begins by naming all the ways you might traditionally think of a family. As it goes on, it points out all the great aspects a child can receive from their classmates. In addition, it shows how you all can grow together, and your teacher will be there to support you. Another great characteristic of this book is the drawings and all the color that is on the pages. I like how the pages are white with colored pictures on top because it makes the illustrations more vivid. I think it is also unique and special how the book rhymes. I would share this book with a group of kindergarteners because it may help them better adjust to being away from their family during the day. It can be tough to leave mom and dad for a full day of school so this way the students can see that their classmates are just like family as well.

[Amanda]

Have you ever been in a class where the people fill it are more than just friends? This book shows how a class can be just like a family where you fight, argue, and at the end of the day you are all still a family. When considering the roles for children literature, the role I would choose for this text is a catalyst for building a community of readers. I chose this role because it gives teachers a chance to engage in thoughtful dialog about important topics (Roles of Children’s Literature, Serafini and Moses). This book can be used in the classroom to show students that a family isn’t just the family at home but can be anyone even the people they go to school with. This teaches students to be kind to other and letting them know they aren’t alone. For example, on page 18-19 it says, “we’ll all have tough days sometimes, but your teacher is here for you. And as long as you’re a friend to others, your peers will be there too.” If you are interested in this book, I suggest this book for PreK-first grade.