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 has many stepsiblings, and another has a new baby in the family. As her classmates describe who they live with and who loves them — family of every shape, size and every kind of relation — the child realizes that as long as her family is full of caring people, it is special. A warm and whimsical look at many types of families, written by award-winning author Sara O’Leary, with quirky and sweet illustrations by Qin Leng. Reviews: The broad diversity of family constellations is refreshing . . . A-plus fabulous. — Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW, July 2016 This book is highly recommended — not just for teachers in the classroom, but parents (and grandparents) in the home. — Montreal Gazette, August 2016 Leng's drawings of domestic life are, like O'Leary's writing, winsome but never sentimental. Together they offer a straightforward, optimistic view of everyday modern life. — Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW, July 2016 A sweet and tender tale that shows that families are composed of love regardless of how they may be configured. — School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW, October 2016 Audacious and obvious both ... this Canadian import undoubtedly belongs on bookshelves everywhere. — BookDragon, October 2016 Cheerful watercolor illustrations capture the fun and whimsy of this whole cast and make this book a delightful, unsubtle celebration of difference and variety. — Booklist, October 2016 About the Author and the Illustrator: Sara O’Leary is a writer of fiction for both adults and children. She is the author of the award-winning series of Henry books — When You Were Small, Where You Came From and When I Was Small — and This Is Sadie, all illustrated by Julie Morstad, and You Are One, illustrated by Karen Klassen. A graduate of the UBC Creative Writing Program, she has taught screenwriting and writing for children at Concordia University in Montreal. Qin Leng lives and works as a designer and illustrator in Toronto. She graduated from the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema and has received many awards for her animated short films and artwork. Throughout her career, Qin has illustrated picture books, magazines and book covers with publishers around the world. Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin, written by Chieri Uegaki, was a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award, and received the APALA Award for best picture book. Her most recent books include Happy Birthday, Alice Babette, written by Monica Kulling, and A Family Is a Family Is a Family, written by Sara O’Leary. |