Built Together

by Mina Starsiak, Barbara Bongini (Illustrator)

Join lovable Mina Starsiak Hawk from HGTV’s hit show Good Bones as she brings her signature humor and heart to this warm and welcoming story about families of all shapes and sizes. Gather around for this celebration of diversity and acceptance as you are reminded just how wonderful it is to be part of your own unique family. Strong families, like strong houses, have sturdy foundations built on trust, love, and a whole lot of TLC. And like houses, no two families look exactly alike. After reading Built Together, children will Built Together : Drawing on her own stories of starting Two Chicks and a Hammer with her mom, working with her stepfamily, fostering her niece, adopting her rescue dogs, and playing with her son, Mina invites readers young and old to join her in discovering how we are all stronger together. Because, in the end, families are built as well as made.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Construction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published February 2, 2021

Reviews

[Abigail Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very well done children's book showing just what makes a family, and that not every family is connected through blood.

The illustrations were done in a way that holds readers of all ages' attention as they read the book with mini bookworms.

A good book for all families!

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Good Bones on HGTV and follow Mina Starsiak on Instagram. When she posted that she would be coming out with a book I had mixed feelings about it. Many celebrities get into wanting to write a children's book and I feel that it is a special someone who can truly write them. Built Together was definitely a cute story where Starsiak uses her unique family background to create the story. Many families are built differently and to showcase how large and unique their family is will reach to many other families. And there are also other ways that make someone part of your family, not just by blood. I felt some of the building aspects were not needed by the child character. They went into detail about maybe you need this tool and this tool, and it felt more like filling up the pages vs the actual point of the story. It needed to only be a quick glimpse. The tools they use for actually build houses do not build a family, it is the way we come together to support one another. You can tell this wasn't necessarily written by a regular children's author, however, the effort and the story behind it I feel will resonate with what we think of families today.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story for young children with various messages. This nuclear family is made up of mom, dad, young son and three dogs. The young boy narrates this story of discovering what makes a family and how is it built. Families, like houses, are truly all different and no two are alike and this story adds to the family on each page. He talks about blood relatives and others who are just part of the family because they love one another and are there for each other. The analogy of the tools was a bit much in some cases, but on each page, it showed other people working and playing together who were part of his huge, extended family of love. I also loved the message of remembering those who might be alone or hurt. There was also a page about dogs and pet adoption. So many ways to add to a family. My grandson loved this and was able to equate different people to the various pages. This is also a very diverse story and the illustrations show a multi-cultural community full of found family. The text was made up of short sentences and my grandson was able to read this book aloud to his siblings with just minor assistance. A great book for any family, classroom, school and public library full of positive messages. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.

[JV Austen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a complete miss. Second reading made it even worse.
1st - the illustrations are weird, really weird
2nd - why not an Indy illustrator? then Mina could have worked with them for a better fit of illustration to storyline
3rd - oh so poorly written - 1st draft that needed MANY edits
4th - creepy metaphors - too many "tool" type words are euphemisms for sex & ugh...
5th - Jack's voice doesn't come through at all - he is just a tool for his mom's words

Might I suggest instead it could have been a compare/contrast book - when you build a house you use hammers and nails, when you build a family you use love? etc... Thus it would have been less preachy & more educational.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book could have used a more careful editor to make it more cohesive. The first three pages talk about the family--nothing about building, not even one punny verb or something--and then suddenly it's all about not ever seeing the parents build anything using tool X, tool Y, etc. I had to turn the page back and try to figure out if I missed a page that would bridge these two things. Nop. The rest of the book is fine, but that 90-degree departure from the introduction was so confusing that it makes the story not work as a book. Seems like a mistake. Wouldn't recommend.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful message to children and adults alike! Families, like houses, are truly all different and no two are alike. For me, it brought back memories of my own childhood, finding out that I was adopted, and then realizing over the years that although I would never be able to have children of my own, my "family" was bigger than I could ever imagine. Years ago someone told me I was destined to have a different kind of family. Mina Starsiak Hawk's book, Built Together, just reminded me of that and quieted the ache that has been in my heart for many years.

I love the fact that Mina's son is telling the story, and leads us to the conclusion that no one ever has to go it alone. So heartwarming! Beautifully illustrated with vibrant colors, the people shown in the pictures are the perfect accompaniment to the story.

This book is a must have for everyone's library. Pick it up again and again when you need to be reminded that families are stronger together when built with love, trust and kindness. Way to go Mina...this book is definitely built to last for generations to come!

[Viviane Elbee]

A little boy wonders how his family was built, and he wonders if it involved different tools and materials like the ones used to build houses - hammers, circular saws, paint and brushes, tile and grout, brick and mortar? But his parents tell him that families are built with love, kindness and caring - being there for others and letting them be there for you.
The book's illustrations are very appealing, and kids who love building and fixing things with tools will get a kick out of all the tools and materials that are showcased in the book.
This is more of a message-based book about the good qualities that some families have, and if you're looking for such a message wrapped up with home renovation / repair vibes, this book might be for you.

[DianeLikesToRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for all families. It shows us what makes a family, and not all families are connected by blood. I think this is a good read for all children, either in school or at home. Many children will see themselves or a friend or classmate represented in this book.
The pictures are also lovely and will appeal to all readers.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zonderkidz through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fittingly, this sweet picture book (written by Good Bones’ host Mina Starsiak Hawk) uses the metaphor of building a house to describe building a family. Blood isn’t necessarily what binds us. Anyone who provides us with a firm foundation of love, care, and respect counts as family. The cute and colorful illustrations (by Barbara Bongini) of people of diverse ages and ethnic background reinforces this inclusive message.

[Kim Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I have a big family (not as big as her), but it's always hard to explain to my kids just how big our family is. I read this to my daughter and she loved it as much as I did! She is such a social butterfly and always talks about her friends like they are family so I love how the story included that family isn't just blood.

Thank you netgally for the ARC!

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the several home renovation shows I've watched, Good Bones has been one of my favorites. Mina and her mom Karen are really fun to watch and they have a great relationship. Before I saw the author's name on this book I though, "Those look like the Good Bones people!"

This was a cute book with Mina's first son, Jack, wondering how families are "built."

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Built together tells a story about how to make your own unique family. I love the metaphor of building a house to build a family. It goes right a long with the Mina Starsiak's brand. I enjoyed the brig and crisp illustrations and the diversity shown throughout the book.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the story of how a family is built. The Good Bones author makes it so easy for young children to understand how different families are made. The artwork is so pretty. Hope she writes another book.

[Rachel | The Tea Cup Half Full · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable children’s book by Mina Starsiak Hawk, star of #HGTV #GoodBones, to help explain how families are created! (Hint: It’s not just by blood.) Built Together is a unique telling of how families are built and not just made.

[Chelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I get the point the author was trying to make, but the story didn’t make a lot of sense. I had to reread it to see if I missed something. It jumped from talking about family members to using tools to make a family? It was just weird. A more careful edit was needed.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book that shows that family is more than just blood and what family can mean for others. It’s a great book that I cannot wait to share with my family and my students!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute picture book about families. A nice tie in with Mina’s career-do you build families with hammers and nails??

Clear crisp illustrations.

[Ellison · Rating 3 out of 5]

youngster aspires to figure out how an extended family is assembled. colorful images,

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I learned we don’t have to be blood to be family and some of my family does not have my blood. I liked when there were doggies, I love dogs” - Luke

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Zonderkidz-Books and NetGalley for the advance digital reading copy of this book.

This was such a sweet story about building a family and the tools you need to use. This book not only teaches us that family is not just blood relatives but it is also a learning opportunity for all of the tools listed. I love that their family includes multiple grandparents, step family members, friends and pets.

This would make a great gift when there has been a divorce/separation and now there will be a new marriage and new family members.

[Katheryne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Built Together is a fun children's book that fosters inclusivity and promotes the love of family and friends. Just as the author builds houses on her hit HGTV show, families are built one kind choice and new friend at a time. Families aren't just relatives, but friends as well. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy to review.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy learns from his parents how to build a family.