All Kinds of Families
 
 
GRANDPARENTS AS PARENTS
 
The Grandfamily Guidebook : Wisdom and Support for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
by Andrew Adesman
The Grandfamily Guidebook : Wisdom and Support for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
by Andrew Adesman

Provides guidance to the millions of grandparents who raise their grandchildren because addiction, mental health problems, incarceration, or immaturity leave the birth parents unfit. Offers insights from experts and grandparents about the new family dynamics; difficult birth parents; legal, financial, and medical issues; school and social challenges; and self-care.
Sometimes it's Grandmas and Grandpas, Not Mommies and Daddies
by Gayle Byrne
Sometimes it's Grandmas and Grandpas, Not Mommies and Daddies
by Gayle Byrne

A young girl who lives with her grandparents experiences warmth, love, and closeness, even when she wonders why her parents are not raising her. (Ages 2 - 5)
Grandparents as Parents : A Survival Guide for Raising a Second Family
by Sylvie De Toledo
Grandparents as Parents : A Survival Guide for Raising a Second Family
by Sylvie De Toledo

Offers advice to grandparents raising grandchildren on approaching parenthood a second time, including tips for setting boundaries between children and troubled parents, navigating court proceedings, and dealing with financial issues. 
Raising Grandkids : Inside Skipped-Generation Families
by Gary Garrison
Raising Grandkids : Inside Skipped-Generation Families
by Gary Garrison

Collects real-life stories from grandparents charged with caring for grandchildren, exhibiting the joys and fears of those who have to put their own plans on hold to raise their children's children.
Ten Beautiful Things
by Molly Beth Griffin
Ten Beautiful Things
by Molly Beth Griffin

Lily is moving into her grandmother's farm in Iowa, and she is sad about all the changes necessary in her life--but on the long drive her grandmother challenges her to find ten beautiful things that they can share together. (Ages 4 - 8)
A Family is a Family is a Family
by Sara O'Leary
A Family is a Family is a Family
by Sara O'Leary

When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different in many ways but the same in the one way that matters most of all. One child is worried that her family is just too different to explain, but listens as her classmates talk about what makes their families special. One is raised by a grandmother, and another has two dads. One is full of stepsiblings, and another has a new baby. (Ages 3 - 8)
 
ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE
 
Reparenting the Child Who Hurts: A Guide to Healing Developmental Trauma and Attachments
by Caroline Archer
Reparenting the Child Who Hurts: A Guide to Healing Developmental Trauma and Attachments
by Caroline Archer

An accessible guide to help foster and adoptive parents understand the neurobiological issues that affect children who have experienced early trauma. It demystifies the science behind child trauma, explains why conventional parenting won't work for these children and provides grounded advice on what will, addressing common parenting dilemmas.
Can I Tell You About Adoption? : A Guide for Friends, Family and Professionals
by Rosy Salaman
Can I Tell You About Adoption? : A Guide for Friends, Family and Professionals
by Rosy Salaman

Meet Chelsea - a young girl who is adopted. Chelsea invites readers to learn about adoption from her perspective and introduces us to two friends of hers who have been transracially adopted. Chelsea and her friends help children understand what it means to be adopted, the experiences that follow the adoption process, and how they can help. (Ages 7 - 11)
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born
by Jamie Lee Curtis
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born
by Jamie Lee Curtis

An exuberant story about adoption and the importance of a loving family finds a small child asking her parents to tell her again about the night of her birth, demonstrating that it is a cherished tale she knows by heart. (Ages 4 - 8)
The Foster Parenting Manual : A Practical Guide to Creating a Loving, Safe and Stable Home
by John DeGarmo
The Foster Parenting Manual : A Practical Guide to Creating a Loving, Safe and Stable Home
by John DeGarmo

A comprehensive guide offering proven, friendly advice for novice and experienced parents alike. This book describes what you can expect from foster parenting, how to access help and support, how to ensure the best care for your child, and provides insight into the foster care system for new and experienced foster parents and caseworkers.
Just Like a Mama
by Alice Faye Duncan
Just Like a Mama
by Alice Faye Duncan

Carol Olivia Clementine lives with Mama Rose. Mama Rose is everything—tender and sweet. She is also as stern and demanding as any good parent should be. In the midst of their happy home, Carol misses her mother and father. She longs to be with them. But until that time comes around, she learns to surrender to the love that is present. Mama Rose becomes her “home.” And Carol Olivia Clementine concludes that she loves Miss Rose, “just like a mama.” (Ages 4 - 8)
	
Star of the Week : a story of love, adoption, and brownies with sprinkles
by Darlene Friedman
Star of the Week : A Story of Love, Adoption, and Brownies With Sprinkles
by Darlene Friedman

As her turn to be "Star of the Week" in her kindergarten class approaches, Cassidy-Li puts together a poster with pictures of her family, friends, and pets, and wonders about her birthparents in China. (Ages 5 - 9)
	
A Crazy-Much Love
by Joy Jordan-Lake
A Crazy-Much Love
by Joy Jordan-Lake

"How MUCH is the crazy-much love?" This simple question is answered as two parents recount the journey of adopting their daughter and the many milestone moments that follow. From the child's first bath and first time riding a tricycle, all the way to her boarding that big yellow bus, the crazy-much love grows SO MUCH that it spills out the windows and busts down the doors. A warm, lyrical celebration of the deep love parents hold for their children, and a comforting message for kids about how there can be only one special YOU.
(Ages 4 - 6)
Home For a While
by Lauren H. Kerstein
Home For a While
by Lauren H. Kerstein

Calvin has lived in many houses that never felt like home, but Maggie, his new foster mother, helps him deal with his emotions when he misbehaves, and still offers hugs. (Ages 3 - 8)
Wonderful You : an adoption story
by Lauren McLaughlin
Wonderful You : An Adoption Story
by Lauren McLaughlin

A lyrical and compassionate adoption story tenderly depicts a baby's transition from the care of her birth mother to that of her adoptive parents, helping to create a loving new family. (Ages 3 - 7)
Our subway baby
by Peter Mercurio
Our Subway Baby
by Peter Mercurio

"This is the story of how one baby found his family in the New York City subway." So begins the true story of Kevin and how he found his Daddy Danny and Papa Pete. Written in a direct address to his son, Pete's moving and emotional text tells how his partner, Danny, found a baby tucked away in the corner of a subway station on his way home from work one day. Pete and Danny ended up adopting the baby together. Although neither of them had prepared for the prospect of parenthood, they are reminded, 'Where there is love, anything is possible'" (Ages 4 - 8)
Caring for Your Adopted Child : An Essential Guide for Parents
by Elaine E. Schulte
Caring for Your Adopted Child : An Essential Guide for Parents
by Elaine E. Schulte

With knowledge and compassion, Caring for Your Adopted Child offers the wisdom that adoptive parents need to provide the best possible care for their children. Whether a child joins a family through domestic adoption, international adoption, or foster care, he or she may have needs that require additional consideration. 
This comprehensive resource offers trusted parenting advice from a leading adoption medicine expert and the American Academy of Pediatrics, focusing on the physical and emotional well-being of adopted children.
 
Healing Days : A Guide for Kids Who Have Experienced Trauma
by Ph.D. Straus, Susan Farber
Healing Days : A Guide for Kids Who Have Experienced Trauma
by Ph.D. Straus, Susan Farber

A useful book to read with a parent or therapist, Healing Days emphasizes that children are not to blame for what happened, and that they can get help and look forward to a happy future. Kids will begin to understand their response to the trauma and learn some strategies for feeling safer, more relaxed, and more confident. (Ages 6 - 11)
My New Mom and Me
by Renata Galindo

Worrying about how his adoptive cat mom is so unlike him on the outside, a puppy develops an appreciation for his new family's enjoyment of differences as they participate in the same loving and squabbling activities shared by all loving families. (Ages 3 - 7)
A Mother for Choco
by Keiko Kasza
A Mother for Choco
by Keiko Kasza
 
Choco, a little bird living alone, sets out to find a mother, but he has no luck until he meets the warm-hearted, generous Mrs. Bear and her other children--Piggy, Ally, and Hippy. (Ages 3 - 5)
 
The day we met you
by Phoebe Koehler
The Day We Met You
by Phoebe Koehler

Mom and Dad recount the exciting day when they adopted their baby. (Ages 2 - 5)
Real Sisters Pretend
by Megan Dowd Lambert

Safe in the knowledge that adoption has made them "forever family," stepsisters Mia and Tayja improvise an imaginary adventure with a joyful homecoming to a real home with their two moms. (Ages 4 - 7)
Every year on your birthday
by Rose A. Lewis
Every Year on Your Birthday
by Rose A. Lewis

Each year on the birthday of her adopted Chinese daughter, a mother recalls the moments they have shared, from the first toy to the friends left behind in China, in a heartwarming picture book that captures the richness of both Chinese and American cultures. (Ages 3 - 6)
A Most Unusual Day
by Sydra Mallery
A Most Unusual Day
by Sydra Mallery

Caroline is anxious all day at school, nervous about her newly-adopted sister's arrival from far away. (Ages 4 - 8)
A Family is a Family is a Family
by Sara O'Leary
A Family is a Family is a Family
by Sara O'Leary

As she listens to her classmates describe the various shapes and sizes of their families, a little girl becomes less worried that her foster family is to different to explain. (Ages 4 - 7)
In Our Mothers' House
by Patricia Polacco
In Our Mothers' House
by Patricia Polacco

Three adopted children experience the joys and challenges of being raised in a home with two mothers, who teach the children that different doesn't mean wrong. (Ages 6 - 9)
Home at last
by Vera B Williams
Home at Last
by Vera B Williams

After Lester is adopted from his foster home by Daddy Albert and Daddy Rich, he can't fall asleep in his new bed. What will it take to make Lester feel home at last? (Ages 4 - 8)
Our Gracie Aunt
by Jacqueline Woodson
Our Gracie Aunt
by Jacqueline Woodson

Johnson and his sister, Beebee, seem to be all alone in the world. Their mama has gone away many times before, but something tells them that this time she won't be coming back. Then a social worker comes and takes them to meet their Aunt Gracie. Beebee barely remembers her, and Mama never even told Johnson about her. They wonder where she's been all this time--and why she would want to take care of them. Warily, though, the children begin to trust Aunt Gracie. And in the process, they come to a better understanding of what it means to be a family.. (Ages 5 - 9)
Little Chick and Mommy Cat
by Marta Zafrilla
Little Chick and Mommy Cat
by Marta Zafrilla

An imaginative tale that explores themes of diversity, adoption and alternative family life follows the experiences of a little chick who shares a happy relationship with his loving mommy, a cat with soft fur, tickling whiskers and a long beautiful tail.
(Ages 3 - 6)
What's life like in foster care?
by Dwayne Hicks
What's Life Like in Foster Care?
by Dwayne Hicks

This book shows readers what they might expect when entering foster care. The age-appropriate text provides guidance for dealing with the many emotions that come with a major life event such as meeting a new foster family. The book also touches on what to expect if a foster family situation doesn't work out.. (Ages 7 - 10)
My Adoptive Family
by Julie Murray
My Adoptive Family
by Julie Murray

Families come in all shapes and sizes. Readers will learn all about adoptive families through everyday and relatable situations. They may just find out that an adoptive family isn't so different from their own! (Ages 4 - 8)
We belong together : a book about adoption and families
by Todd Parr
We Belong Together : A Book About Adoption and Families
by Todd Parr

The joy of adoption and bringing families together is presented in a charming title with simple verse and bold illustrations. In a kid-friendly, accessible way, this book explores the ways that people can choose to come together to make a family by showing one perspective on the adoption experience.
(Ages 2 - 6)
I'm Adopted!
by Shelley Rotner
I'm Adopted!
by Shelley Rotner

Why was I adopted? What was it like where I was born? How did you find me? Children have many questions about adoption. With a perceptive text and dynamic photographs, the creators of this book demystify adoption for young children and celebrate the joy that comes with adding to a family.
(Ages 4 - 7)
Adoptive Families
by Sarah L. Schuette
Adoptive Families
by Sarah L. Schuette

Simple text and photographs present adoptive families, including how family members interact with one another. (Ages 4 - 7)
Foster families
by Sarah L. Schuette
Foster Families
by Sarah L. Schuette

Simple text and photographs present foster families, including how family members interact with one another. (Ages 4 - 7)
A Different Home : A New Foster Child's Story
by John DeGarmo
A Different Home : A New Foster Child's Story
by John DeGarmo

Jessie tells us her story of being placed in foster care and the worries she had. The new home is not like her old home, but she begins to see that this different home is kind of nice. (Ages 4 - 10)
 
SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES
 
Knock Knock : My Dad's Dream For Me
by Daniel Beaty
Knock Knock : My Dad's Dream For Me
by Daniel Beaty

A boy wakes up one morning to find his father gone. At first, he feels lost. But his father has left him a letter filled with advice to guide him through the times he cannot be there. This powerful and inspiring book shows the love that an absent parent can leave behind, and the strength that children find in themselves as they grow up and follow their dreams. (Ages 4 - 8)
Walk With Me
by Jairo Buitrago
Walk With Me
by Jairo Buitrago

A little girl imagines a lion taking the place of her father who no longer lives with her family, an animal that keeps her safe on her travels from school to home. (Ages 4 - 8)
Living With Mom, Living With Dad
by Holly Duhig
Living With Mom, Living With Dad
by Holly Duhig

Through accessible and relatable text, readers are exposed to what it's like to live with a single parent. Topics such as single parenting, separation, and divorce must be handled with care, and this volume addresses these issues with sensitivity and compassion. Readers expand their knowledge of social issues and are made aware of how to handle possible changes in a family dynamic. For readers looking for advice on living with a single parent or looking to better understand different family situations. (Ages 7 - 10)
When Mama Gets Home
by Marisabina Russo
When Mama Gets Home
by Marisabina Russo

Preparing for their mother's arrival home from a busy work day, a young girl and her older sister ready their home by setting the table, peeling vegetables, and preparing to tell her about their own days. (Ages 3 - 6)
Mama, I'll Give You the World
by Roni Schotter
Mama, I'll Give You the World
by Roni Schotter

At Walter's World of Beauty, Luisa's secret plans are underway to create a very special birthday celebration for her hard-working, single mother who is employed there as a stylist. (Ages 4 - 8)
My Family's Changing : A First Look at Family Break Up
by Pat Thomas
My Family's Changing : A First Look at Family Break Up
by Pat Thomas

Explains divorce in simple terms and addresses the normal fears, worries, and questions that children have when families break up. (Ages 5 - 9)
What Happens When My Parents Get Divorced?
by Marisa Orgullo
What Happens When My Parents Get Divorced?
by Marisa Orgullo

Unfortunately, divorce is a common event for many families these days. Children may often feel caught in the middle, but it's important for them to understand that they are loved and not the reason their parents are separating. This book offers readers a look at different situations they might encounter during a divorce, from a parent moving out to spending time in two different homes.
(Ages 7 - 10)
 
BLENDED FAMILIES
 
Stepparents
by Holly Duhig
Stepparents
by Holly Duhig

When parents get divorced or lose a spouse, eventually, they may get remarried, and the people they marry can become stepparents. (Ages 7 - 9)
What's Life Like in a Blended Family?
by Grace Houser
What's Life Like in a Blended Family?
by Grace Houser

Being a member of a blended family is more common today than it was in the past. More children are members of a blended family, and many of them have important questions. This guidance volume helps readers understand the difficulties and joys involved with living in a blended family. (Ages 7 - 10)
The Step-Tween Survival Guide : How to Deal With Life In a Stepfamily
by Lisa Cohn

Lets step-tweens--pre-teens living with a stepfamily--know they are not alone, helps them identify and express their feelings, and teaches them how to effectively communicate their wants and needs. (Ages 9 - 12)
Cat Dog Dog : The Story of a Blended Family
by Nelly Buchet
Cat Dog Dog : The Story of a Blended Family
by Nelly Buchet

A story of a blended family-- from the pets' point of view! Cat and Dog live with their human in a suburban house with a big backyard. Sure, they fight like.... well, cats and dogs, but they're used to one another. Dog-- a different dog-- lives a happy only child life in the city with his dad. He has the bed to himself, he never has to share his toys, and that's the way he likes it. So what happens when the Dog's dad and Cat and Dog's mom move in together? (Ages 5 - 8)
Florence and Her Fantastic Family Tree
by Judy Gilliam
Florence and Her Fantastic Family Tree
by Judy Gilliam
 
Florence and Her Fantastic Family Tree is a celebration of family in all its forms when a family tree assignment gets a bit more complicated with Florence's large blended family. (Ages 5 - 8)
 
Hannah’s Two Homes
by Melodie Tegay
Hannah’s Two Homes
by Melodie Tegay

This story represents the thoughts of five-year- old Hannah, who splits her life between her Mom’s and Dad’s residences and her two sets of half brothers and half sisters. In the book, Hannah is sharing what she might be thinking if her emotions were “given a voice.”  (Ages 3 - 8)
Love Like Sky
by Leslie C Youngblood
Love Like Sky
by Leslie C Youngblood

Eleven-year-old Georgie is still adjusting to leaving Atlanta for a small town, having a stepfather, and being unable to get close to her stepsister when her six-year-old sister, Peaches, suddenly becomes very ill. (Ages 8 - 12)
My Mother Got Married (And Other Disasters) : And Other Disasters
by Barbara Park
My Mother Got Married (And Other Disasters)
by Barbara Park
 
Twelve-year-old Charles experiences many difficulties in adjusting to a new stepfather, stepsister, and stepbrother. 
His life has become a three-ring circus. Why did his mom have to get remarried anyway? He wants things back the way they used to be—right now! (Ages 9 - 12)
 
 
Stepfamily
by Jane Lacey
Stepfamily
by Jane Lacey

When a child's parent remarries, that child gains a new parent, and often, new siblings. This can be a wonderful thing, but it can also come with its own unique set of challenges. This informative volume is designed to help readers navigate and learn from these challenges. (Ages 8 - 12)
Jessica's Two Families : Helping Children Learn to Cope With Blended Households
by Lynne Hugo
Jessica's Two Families : Helping Children Learn to Cope With Blended Households
by Lynne Hugo

Like so many children from divorced families, Jessica finds herself dealing with the pressures and anger that come when both her mother and father remarry and she has two whole new families to live with, each with different rules. She feels angry because nothing is like how it was before. Her new step-parents set down rules that feel unfair, and her new step-siblings don't seem to want her around.  Jessica feels lonely because her mother spends time with her new husband, Mike, and her father is busy with two additional children to raise.
(Ages 4 - 8)
 
SAME SEX PARENTS
 
Daddy & Dada
by Ryan Brockington
Daddy & Dada
by Ryan Brockington

A heartwarming and affirming picture book celebrating all kinds of families introduces a youngster in a family with two fathers who sing songs, read stories and love each other with open hearts. (Ages 4 - 8)
Twas the Night Before Pride
by Joanna Mcclintick
Twas the Night Before Pride
by Joanna Mcclintick

This joyful picture-book homage to a day of community and inclusion—and to the joys of anticipation—is also a comprehensive history. With bright, buoyant illustrations and lyrical, age-appropriate rhyme modeled on “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” it tackles difficult content such as the Stonewall Riots and the AIDS marches. On the night before Pride, families everywhere are preparing to partake. As one family packs snacks and makes signs, an older sibling shares the importance of the march with the newest member of the family. Reflecting on the day, the siblings agree that the best thing about Pride is getting to be yourself. (Ages 4 - 8)
Heather Has Two Mommies
by Lesléa Newman
Heather Has Two Mommies
by Lesléa Newman

When Heather goes to playgroup, at first she feels bad because she has two mothers and no father, but then she learns that there are lots of different kinds of families and the most important thing is that all the people love each other. (Ages 3 - 7)
A Tale of Two Daddies
by Vanita Oelschlager
A Tale of Two Daddies
by Vanita Oelschlager

A young girl describes how her two daddies help her through her day, including her poppa cooking eggs and toast, her daddy fixing her knee when she is hurt, and both fathers being there for her when she needs love. (Ages 3 - 6)
A Tale of Two Mommies
by Vanita Oelschlager

A young boy describes how his two mothers take care of him, from fishing, to coaching t-ball, to comforting him when he is upset. (Ages 3 - 6)
My Maddy
by Gayle E Pitman
My Maddy
by Gayle E Pitman

A child celebrates her Maddy, who is neither mommy nor daddy but a little bit of both, like so many things in nature. (Ages 4 - 9)
Uncle Bobby's Wedding
by Sarah S Brannen
Uncle Bobby's Wedding
by Sarah S Brannen

Fearing that her favorite uncle’s upcoming marriage to his boyfriend will make him less available, little Chloe enjoys a magically reassuring family visit, in a story produced in cooperation with GLAAD.
(Ages 4 - 8)
Love is love
by Michael Genhart
Love is Love
by Michael Genhart

Teased for having two fathers, a boy views his friend's traditional family as similar to his own and realizes he can counter the ridicule by taking pride in his fathers and the love that makes them a family. Includes information and resources for both children and adults. (Ages 4 - 8)
My Two Dads and Me
by Michael Joosten
My Two Dads and Me
by Michael Joosten

An adorable board book for the babies and toddlers of gay fathers, featuring a variety of diverse, loving families with two dads.
Donovan's Big Day
by Lesléa Newman
Donovan's Big Day
by Lesléa Newman

From the moment Donovan wakes in the morning, he painstakingly prepares for his special role in the wedding ceremony of his two mothers.
(Ages 4 - 7)
And Tango Makes Three
by Justin Richardson
And Tango Makes Three
by Justin Richardson

At New York City's Central Park Zoo, two male penguins fall in love and start a family by taking turns sitting on an abandoned egg until it hatches. (Ages 3 - 8)
Stella Brings the Family
by Miriam B Schiffer
Stella Brings the Family
by Miriam B Schiffer

Stella brings her two fathers to school to celebrate Mother's Day. (Ages 4 - 8)
Home at last
by Vera B Williams
Home at Last
by Vera B Williams

Unable to fall asleep in his new bed after being adopted by Daddy Albert and Daddy Rich, young Lester crawls into his parents' bed every night, challenging the family dog to help him adjust.
(Ages 4 - 8)
Second Dad Summer
by Benjamin Klas
Second Dad Summer
by Benjamin Klas

Jeremiah just wants a normal summer with his dad, but it's clear that isn't happening. His dad just moved to an apartment near downtown Minneapolis to live with his new boyfriend, Michael. Michael wears shorts too short, serves weird organic foods, and is constantly nagging Jeremiah to watch out for potholes and to stay hydrated. Worst of all Michael rides the Uni-cycle. Okay, it's a bicycle decorated to look like a unicorn! This is going to be a long summer! (Ages 9 - 13)
 
RACIALLY MIXED FAMILIES
 
Raising Multiracial Children : Tools for Nurturing Identity in a Racialized World
by Farzana Nayani
Raising Multiracial Children : Tools for Nurturing Identity in a Racialized World
by Farzana Nayani

Raising Multiracial Children gives caregivers the tools for exploring race with their children, offering practical guidance on how to initiate conversations; consciously foster racial identity development; discuss issues like microaggressions, intersectionality, and privilege; and intentionally cultivate a sense of belonging. It provides an overview of key issues and current topics relevant to raising multiracial children and offers strategies and developmentally appropriate milestones from infancy through adulthood. 
Maisie's Scrapbook
by Samuel Narh
Maisie's Scrapbook
by Samuel Narh

Maisie's scrapbook shows the differences between her West African dada and her white mama as well as the love her family shares. (Ages 4 - 8)
Whoever You Are
by Mem Fox
Whoever You Are
by Mem Fox

Despite the differences between people around the world, there are similarities that join humanity together, such as pain, joy, and love. (Ages 3 - 7)
Multiracial Families
by Hilary W Poole
Multiracial Families
by Hilary W Poole

Explores the benefits and challenges multiracial families face in today's society. (Ages 9 - 12)
Gondra's Treasure
by Linda Sue Park
Gondra's Treasure
by Linda Sue Park

A little dragon with traits inherited from both her Asian dragon father and European dragon mother happily celebrates her mixed heritage while explaining what makes her family special, from bedtime stories to wings that will one day help her fly. (Ages 4 - 8)
I Am Mixed
by Garcelle Beauvais
I Am Mixed
by Garcelle Beauvais

Jay and Nia are the children of two worlds, and as they'll discover, they can enjoy the best of both. From Mommy's jazz beats to Daddy's classical piano, we will dance with the twins through a book that explores what it is to be of mixed ancestry, proving that a child is more than the sum of their parents. (Ages 4 - 8)
Mixed Me!
by Taye Diggs
Mixed Me!
by Taye Diggs

Told in rhyming text, Mike is a mixed-race boy, completely comfortable with his identity and his parents--and his wild, curly hair. (Ages 4 - 8)
The Moon Within
by Aida Salazar
The Moon Within
by Aida Salazar

Eleven-year-old (nearly twelve) Celi Rivera, who is a mix of Black-Puerto Rican-Indigenous Mexican is secretive about her approaching period, and the changes that are happening to her body; she is horrified that her mother wants to hold a traditional public moon ceremony to celebrate the occasion; she must choose loyalty to her life-long best friend who is contemplating an even more profound change of life or the boy she likes. (Ages 8 - 12)
	
Clean Getaway
by Nic Stone
Clean Getaway
by Nic Stone

An 11-year-old boy confronts the realities of race relations past and present and the mysterious agenda of his unconventional grandmother during an unplanned spring break road trip through the once-segregated American South.The adventure quickly turns to uncertainty: G'ma keeps changing the license plate, dodging Scoob's questions, and refusing to check Dad's voice mails. And the farther they go, the more Scoob realizes that the world hasn't always been a welcoming place for kids like him, and things aren't always what they seem (Ages 8 - 12)
Marvelous Maravilloso : Me and My Beautiful Family
by Carrie Lara
Marvelous Maravilloso : Me and My Beautiful Family
by Carrie Lara

Marvelous Maravilloso Me and My Beautiful Family is a story from the point of view of a young interracial child about what color means within the dynamics of race, ethnicity, and culture. This sweet simple story blends the colors of the world and the color of the people her life and shares the experience of her culture in a complex multicultural world. (Ages 3 - 6)
Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match : Marisol Mcdonald No Combina
by Monica Brown
Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match : Marisol Mcdonald No Combina
by Monica Brown

Marisol McDonald, a biracial, nonconformist, soccer-playing pirate-princess with brown skin and red hair, celebrates her uniqueness. (Ages 4 - 7)
 
FAMILIES WITH A SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD
 
All My Stripes : A Story for Children With Autism
by Shaina Rudolph
All My Stripes : A Story for Children With Autism
by Shaina Rudolph

Zane rushes home to tell his mother about problems he faced during his school day, and she reminds him that while others may only see his "autism stripe," he has stripes for honesty, caring, and much more. (Ages 4 - 8)
Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome
by Clarabelle van Niekerk
Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome
by Clarabelle van Niekerk

When Sam, a young boy who has trouble making friends at school, wanders away from home to the fair alone, his parents take him to the doctor where he is diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome.
(Ages 4 - 8)
Waiting for Benjamin : A Story About Autism
by Alexandra Altman
Waiting for Benjamin : A Story About Autism
by Alexandra Altman

Older brother Alexander experiences feelings of disappointment, anger, embarrassment, and jealousy when his younger brother is diagnosed with autism, but as time passes and each boy grows, Alexander discovers that Benjamin isn't just his brother --he is also his friend. (Ages 4 - 8)
Susan Laughs
by Jeanne Willis
Susan Laughs
by Jeanne Willis

Being in a wheelchair doesn't slow this youngster down as she spends a busy day playing with her friends, riding a horse, and swimming with her father, showing that disabled children enjoy many of the same activities as everyone else.
(Ages 3 - 6)
Just Because
by Rebecca Elliott
Just Because
by Rebecca Elliott

A younger brother describes all the fun he has with the big sister he loves so much just because. He is enthusiastic about just how loving and special she is, and delights in telling us about all the fun things they do together. Only as his tale unfolds does the reader begin to realize that his sister has special needs and by then the reader just accepts, as he does, all the wonderful things about her. 
(Ages 4 - 10)
My Brother Charlie
by Holly Robinson Peete
My Brother Charlie
by Holly Robinson Peete

A young girl proudly describes her relationship with her autistic brother, evaluating the ways in which he is like other children, the withdrawing behaviors that mark his disorder and the many qualities that make him unique, from his piano talent to his special way with animals. (Ages 6 - 10)
My Sister, Alicia May
by Nancy Tupper Ling
My Sister, Alicia May
by Nancy Tupper Ling

Older sister Rachel tells the story of her relationship with Alicia, her younger sister who is very different and very special because she has Down syndrome. (Ages 6 - 10)
Not So Different : What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability
by Shane Burcaw
Not So Different : What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability
by Shane Burcaw

Shane Burcaw was born with a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy, which hinders his muscles’ growth. As a result, his body hasn’t grown bigger and stronger as he’s gotten older—it’s gotten smaller and weaker instead. This hasn’t stopped him from doing the things he enjoys (like eating pizza and playing sports and video games) with the people he loves, but it does mean that he routinely relies on his friends and family for help with everything from brushing his teeth to rolling over in bed. (Ages 6 - 9)
Fasten Your Seatbelt : A Crash Course on Down Syndrome For Brothers and Sisters
by Brian Skotko
Fasten Your Seatbelt : A Crash Course on Down Syndrome For Brothers and Sisters
by Brian Skotko

Introduces the illness, how it is detected and diagnosed, current treatments, and the daily lives of individuals affected by Down syndrome, with coping advice for siblings. (Ages 9 and up)
Perfect
by Nicola Davies
Perfect
by Nicola Davies

A young boy struggles to cope with his disappointment when his new baby sister is different than what he expected. (Ages 4 and up)
The Black Book of Colors
by Menena Cottin
The Black Book of Colors
by Menena Cottin

Living with the use of one's eyes can make imagining blindness difficult, but this innovative title invites readers to imagine living without sight through remarkable illustrations done with raised lines and descriptions of colors based on imagery. Braille letters accompany the illustrations and a full Braille alphabet offers sighted readers help reading along with their fingers. This title gives young readers the ability to experience the world in a new way. (Ages 5 - 12)
This Kid Can Fly : It's About Ability (Not Disability)
by Aaron Philip
This Kid Can Fly : It's About Ability (Not Disability)
by Aaron Philip

An uplifting memoir by the 14-year-old creator of the Tumblr blog "Aaronverse" traces his remarkable experiences that demonstrate how his abilities and achievements have defined him more than the challenges of his cerebral palsy. (Ages 8 - 12)
All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome
by Kathy Hoopmann
All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome
by Kathy Hoopmann

This book takes a playful look at Asperger Syndrome, drawing inspiration from the feline world. Touching, humorous and insightful, this book evokes the difficulties and joys of raising a child who is different and leaves the reader with a sense of the dignity, individuality, and potential of people with AS. (Ages 7 and up)
 
INCARCERATED PARENTS
 
Far Apart, Close in Heart : Being a Family When a Loved One is Incarcerated
by Becky Birtha
Far Apart, Close in Heart : Being a Family When a Loved One is Incarcerated
by Becky Birtha

Children from all walks of life experience various emotions when their parent is in jail or prison, but they learn there are ways to communicate their feelings that will help improve their situation and remind them they are not alone. (Ages 4 - 8)
The Night Dad Went to Jail : What to Expect When Someone You Love Goes to Jail
by Melissa Higgins
The Night Dad Went to Jail : What to Expect When Someone You Love Goes to Jail
by Melissa Higgins

When someone you love goes to jail, you might feel lost, scared, and even mad. This colorfully illustrated book lets children know that they are not alone in this situation. It offers age appropriate explanations to help with difficult conversations. Told from the experience of a rabbit, this picture book is intended to make a parent's incarceration a little less frightening. (Ages 3 - 7)
What Happens When My Parent is in Jail?
by Frank Felice
What Happens When My Parent is in Jail?
by Frank Felice

Discusses why people go to jail, describing the things prisoners can do while in prison, how it changes life at home, and how to deal with the feelings that occur. (Ages 7 - 10)
Milo Imagines the World
by Matt de la Peña
Milo Imagines the World
by Matt de la Peña
 
While Milo and his sister travel to a detention center to visit their incarcerated mother, he observes strangers on the subway and draws what he imagines their lives to be. (Ages 4 - 8)
Missing Daddy
by Mariame Kaba
Missing Daddy
by Mariame Kaba

A little girl who misses her father because he's away in prison shares how his absence affects different parts of her life. Her greatest excitement is the days when she gets to visit her beloved father. With gorgeous illustrations, this book depicts a little girl's love for her father from whom she is separated because of incarceration. (Ages 4 - 9)
Hazelnut Days
by Emmanuel Bourdier
Hazelnut Days
by Emmanuel Bourdier
 
It's visiting day, and Dad smells like peppermint - yuck! If only he would wear that nice, breezy cologne that smells like hazelnut... So begins one boy's brief weekly visit with his father in prison. Here's a man who gets angry, but beneath that peppermint surface is much to admire, if only you take the time to look. This richly imagined picture book explores the inner life of a boy who struggles to love a father who can be difficult to love at times. Though they may only have brief visits together, it's clear they love each other. This story bravely explores the all-too-hidden world of incarcerated parents. (Ages 4 - 8)
 
HOMELESSNESS
 
Lizzie Flying Solo
by Nanci Turner Steveson
Lizzie Flying Solo
by Nanci Turner Steveson

Hoping to get through school unnoticed while enduring life in a transitional housing shelter after her father is arrested for a white-collar crime, Lizzie St. Clair bonds with a frightened pony at a local stable while struggling to accept help from new friends. (Ages 8 - 12)
The Lunch Thief
by Anne C. Bromley
The Lunch Thief
by Anne C. Bromley

Rafael is angry that a new student is stealing lunches, but he takes time to learn what the real problem is before acting. (Ages 8 - 12)
Home
by Tonya Lippert
Home
by Tonya Lippert

Two children learn from their experiences of homelessness and uncertain housing that despite their living circumstances there are aspects of their lives that remain constant. (Ages 4 - 8)
Still A Family
by Brenda Reeves Sturgis
Still A Family
by Brenda Reeves Sturgis

Due to a common shelter policy, a little girl's dad must live in a men's shelter, separated from her and her mom. Despite these circumstances, the family still finds time to be together. They meet at the park to play hide-and-seek, slide on slides, and pet puppies. While the young girl wishes for better days when her family is together again under a roof of their very own, she continues to remind herself that they're still a family even in times of separation. (Ages 4 - 8)
Homelessness and Families
by Hilary W Poole
Homelessness and Families
by Hilary W Poole

Explores the issue of homeless families, discussing the history of homelessness and the impact of homelessness on parents and children.
(Ages 8 - 12)
What to Do When Your Family Loses Its Home
by Rachel Lynette
What to Do When Your Family Loses Its Home
by Rachel Lynette

Moving is stressful anytime, but when a family is forced to move because they cannot afford to pay their mortgage-it is a whole different experience. Kid-friendly text helps young readers make sense of it all. Tough topics such as having to move into a shelter are dealt with in a sensitive and encouraging manner. This book also gives some ideas of what to expect when a family moves in with relatives while they get back on their feet. (Ages 7 - 10)
Hold Fast
by Blue Balliett
Hold Fast
by Blue Balliett

When Early's father disappears, she, her mother, and her brother are forced to flee their Chicago apartment and join the ranks of the homeless--and it is up to Early to hold her family together and solve the mystery surrounding her father.
(Ages 8 - 12)
Fly Away Home
by Eve Bunting
Fly Away Home
by Eve Bunting

A homeless boy who lives in an airport with his father, moving from terminal to terminal and trying not to be noticed, is given hope when he sees a trapped bird find its freedom. (Ages 5 - 8)
Crenshaw
by Katherine Applegate
Crenshaw
by Katherine Applegate

Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again. Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything? 
(Ages 8 - 12)
Dear Librarian
by Lydia M. Sigwarth
Dear Librarian
by Lydia M. Sigwarth

When Lydia was five years old, she and her family had to leave their home. They hopped from Grandma's house to Aunt Linda's house to Cousin Alice's house, but no place was permanent. Then one day, everything changed. Lydia's mom took her to a new place — not a house, but a big building with stone columns, and tall, tall steps - the library.
In the library, Lydia found her special spot across from the sunny window, at a round desk. For behind that desk was her new friend, the librarian. Together, Lydia and the librarian discovered a world beyond their walls, one that sparkled with spectacular joy. 
(Ages 4 - 8)
No Fixed Address
by Susin Nielsen-Fernlund
No Fixed Address
by Susin Nielsen-Fernlund

Twelve-year-old Felix's appearance on a television game show reveals that he and his mother have been homeless for a while, but also restores some of his faith in other people. (Ages 10 and up)
Stay
by Bobbie Pyron
Stay
by Bobbie Pyron

When Piper and her family move into a homeless shelter in a new city, she misses her former life while also finding new friendships at Hope House, including a street dog named Baby, that Piper must protect from being taken away for good when Baby’s person goes missing. (Ages 9 - 12)
Why Are Some People Homeless?
by Emma Jones
Why Are Some People Homeless?
by Emma Jones

Presents information about homelessness, including perceptions of homeless people, how homelessness affects children, and how people can help the homeless. (Ages 7 - 10)
A Place To Stay : A Shelter Story
by Erin Gunti
A Place To Stay : A Shelter Story
by Erin Gunti

This simple, touching picture book shows readers a women's shelter through the eyes of a young girl, who, with her mother's help, uses her imagination to overcome her anxiety and adjust. Includes factual endnotes detailing various reasons people experience homelessness and the resources available to help. (Ages 4 - 8)
Saturday at the Food Pantry
by Diane O'neill
Saturday at the Food Pantry
by Diane O'neill

Molly and her mom don't always have enough food, so one Saturday they visit their local food pantry. Molly's happy to get food to eat until she sees her classmate Caitlin, who's embarrassed to be at the food pantry. Can Molly help Caitlin realize that everyone needs help sometimes? (Ages 4 - 7)
Shelter
by Christie Matheson
Shelter
by Christie Matheson

While ten-year-old Maya attends an elite private school on scholarship her classmates are unaware that she and her family are living in a homeless shelter, but on one poignant day Maya discovers having a house is not the only way to have a home. (Ages 8 - 12)
LM

Last updated 5/21.
 
 
 
Longwood Public Library800 Middle Country RoadMiddle Island, New York 11953longwoodlibrary.org