May 15th is International Day of Families, a day established by the United Nations in 1993 to recognize and celebrate families around the world. For elementary classrooms, it’s also a wonderful opportunity to help students see and appreciate the many … Continue reading →
May 15th is International Day of Families, a day established by the United Nations in 1993 to recognize and celebrate families around the world. For elementary classrooms, it’s also a wonderful opportunity to help students see and appreciate the many different ways families can look, live, celebrate, and care for one another. Picture books are such a natural way to explore family diversity with children. Through stories, students can see both the uniqueness of different families and the many things families everywhere have in common—love, traditions, support, connection, and belonging.
This week’s Top Ten Tuesday features some favourite newer picture books celebrating families in all their wonderful forms.
The Forever Family – Sue Banner
A gentle, beautifully told story that explores adoption with such warmth and care. The illustrations are soft and calming, and the message of love, belonging, and chosen family is heartfelt. LOVE this book. ( Banner House Publishing, 2022)
Bread Days – Hannah Chung
This book surprised me, in a good way. I thought it was only going to be about a family baking toghether but it turns out to be a book about family and the grief of losing a loved one. This book could be used to launch a class discussion about family or cultural recipes and loved ones. Very touching – I especially liked the author’s note. (Astra Young Readers, 2025)
When Love Is More Than Words – Jocelyn Chung
A young girl shares how her family loves each other and the many ways they show her their affection without using words: sharing food they have grown in their garden, planting flowers in their honor, spending time together, cooking together, making music together, taking care of each other when one is sick. Such a beautiful inter-generational
celebration of family love. (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2024)
A Room with a View – Joanna Ho
When Oliver’s mum decides it is time to go camping – Oliver is NOT impressed. He’s not a fan of “bazillion-mile, brain-melting car rides, sleeping someplace with bears, bugs, and bats, or the sticky, icky food! Blech!” But after a hike and a swim and s’mores– Oliver just might be changing his mind. Such a beautiful story of nature and family that reminds us that the best views are the ones we share with those we love. (HarperCollins, Released on May 16th, 2026!)
In Every House on Every Street – Jess Hitchman
A delightful inclusive book in celebration of different houses and families. Readers meet different families living in different houses and see what they get up to in their day-to-day lives. Beautiful illustrations and such a lovely story about family and love. (Tiger Tales, 2019)
You and Me Together: Moms, Dads, and Kids Around the World – Barbara Kerley
This is a wonderful book of pictures of parents and children spending time together all over the world that I have used countless times with students of all ages. The text is short but, combined with the photos, really helps to convey the simple joys of just being together and doing the everyday things together. The photographs are gorgeous and help to show different cultures all over the world, and also the love between children and their families. Excellent back notes and a world map help track where the photos were taken. (National Geographic Children’s Books, 2005)
Mistaco – Eliza Kinkz
A hilarious story about a Latino father supports his daughter on a day when everything seems to be going wrong. He encourages her to share her mistakes aloud so he can put them in a taco and eat them. Soon, the rest of the family joins in, turning a tough day into a heartwarming tradition that brings everyone closer together. (Kokila, 2025)
A Family Like Ours – Frank Murphy
This is a beautifully illustrated story that describes family but I love how this book highlights how there is no one way to describe how a family should be. Whether families are big or small, are found or ones you are born into, are temporary or life-long, they are all important. SUCH a great book! (Sleeping Bear Press, 2023)
Meena’s Saturday – Kusum Mepani
Meena loves Saturdays — the day when family and friends fill the house to share a meal. However, as a girl, she is expected to help cook and serve food to the men. This Saturday, that will change. This is a courageous story about tradition, togetherness, and the gender roles that quietly persist until someone is brave enough to challenge them. Excellent book for discussions about gender roles. (Puffin, 2025)
Under One Roof – Miranda Paul
Such a sweet story that invites readers into different homes to see the many ways families wind down for the night. Whether cozy at home, traveling far away or missing someone they love, each family is under the same sky. (Clarion Books, 2026)
What Makes a Family? – Molly Potter
This book gently explains to children how unique each and every family is. Such a wonderful anchor book for a unit on families. Everything is explained so well and easily accessible for younger students but great for older ones as well. (Bloomsbury Education, 2024)
When I’m a Moshom – David A Robertson
I was so excited to see this new companion to David A. Robertson’s award-winning On the Trapline. In this beautiful story, a young boy imagines the kind of grandfather he hopes to become one day, inspired by all the things his own Moshom has taught him. Along the way, readers are gently introduced to Cree language and culture in a way that feels natural and deeply meaningful. Such a touching celebration of grandparents, family, and traditions passed from one generation to the next. ( Tundra Books, May 2026)
Dad – Christian Robinson
Christian Robinson honours all kinds of fathers in this new tender, joyful picture book. With simple, powerful text and his signature vibrant artwork, readers explore many ways dads care for their little ones, whether they’re near, far, silly, strong, or simply present. If you are looking for a new book for Father’s Day – this is it! (Balzer + Bray, May 2026)
Here Come the Aunties – Cynthia Leitich Smith
Such a joyful celebration of Aunties told with warm writing and vibrant illustrations. The story highlights the love, comfort, and wisdom that aunties bring into a child’s life. (Heartdrum, February 2026)
Family Feast! – Carole Boston Weatherford
Extended family members travel from every direction to gather for a feast. With bright illustrations and rhyming text, this joyful story celebrates a family’s connection, the love of soul food, and the warmth of coming together around the table. (Crown Books for Young Readers, 2025)
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you found one or two new titles you are excited to share as you celebrate International Families Day on Friday! Happy Reading, everyone!
