Well if someone says something mean to you then you shouldn’t believe what they say because they\’re bullies and they\’re not right,” said Kyiah. This book is censored because it refers to same sex parents. The book talks about how some families can have two moms or two dads. I think this should not be censored. This book is about students understanding what different families can look like. By not teaching students this, you do not allow them to understand not every family has to nor does look just like their own family. Also, singling out this book as censored because it refers to same sex parental families is demeaning. Whether you censor the book or not, children will still come from homes with parents of the same sex. If we do not allow students to hear at a young age that families can look differently, we do not give them the opportunity to understand just because someones family is different than ours does not mean they should be treated as any less than our own family. I am familiar with the artwork and themes of Todd Parr's books, and immediately enjoyed "The Family Book" with no exception. The color pallet and shapes do blind the reader due to their boldness, but it is without doubt one of the reasons children and adults of all ages return for more! My family origami house – older students can help fold this paper house, but you can have them prepped for younger preschoolers. I love this project and think it’s a great way to talk about families with your students.

Combined with these differences are the ways they are all alike: they hug each other, are sad when they lose someone they love, and enjoy celebrating together. The Family Book also serves as a teaching tool about bullying. This circle time lesson for The Family Book combines counting, learning about how each family is unique, and of course, Todd Parr’s excellent book.In a whimsical, engaging way, the daily lives of all kinds of families are depicted, celebrating their differences and their similarities; and supporting acceptance of them all. Since the book was provided by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), the district has moved to ban everything the organization has provided or sponsored, which includes some very popular and successful anti-bullying programs used nationwide. Cox says that the curriculum will not be changed, only the materials that will be used to teach the students; but the district’s policy from this point on states, according to Cox, that under no circumstances will topics involving alternative lifestyles be discussed at the elementary level. This reassuring idea is played out in a fun, vivid way that gives you plenty to giggle about. The pop-art illustrations show both human and animal family life. There are adoptive families, step families, families with two mums or two dads, noisy dog families and a single bird parent looking after its nest. Parr even shows you families without children, which is a sweet and modern touch. There are 'families [who] look like their pets' (cue two adults who look just like their pet poodle) and 'families [who] like to be quiet' (see the woman curled up on the sofa with her cat). It's a book to make you all laugh, as well as aid emotional development and allay any fears.

Brookhart said that the censoring of these materials, which have been proven effective in schools nationwide in combating bullying, would hurt the progress they have made at the local level. Shape House– this shape lesson and art project is a beautiful way to talk about homes and families. Banned & Challenged Books (2020-09-09). "Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books: 2010-2019". Office for Intellectual Freedom. American Library Association . Retrieved 2021-05-04. Erie, IL School Board Bans Pro-LGBT Families Book". Matthew Shepard Foundation. June 2012 . Retrieved 2 May 2013. But as every parent knows, hate is not something you are born with, it is something that is learned. If these parents are so bent out of shape over a single reference to a lifestyle that is a fact of life, then it’s safe to say that their children will grow up as ignorant and as intolerant as they are.DC School District Restores Gay-Themed Titles to Summer Reading Lists". SLJ . Retrieved 2 May 2013.

House numbers ( FREE printable) – This math activity asks children to count the homes on the card and then clip the correct digit. The joyful art features both human and animal characters- such as pigs portraying both clean and dirty families. Some families include stepmoms, stepdads, stepsisters, or stepbrothers; some adopt children; other families have two moms or two dads, while some children have only one parent. Todd Parr's The Family Book is a great way to share the differences of families to children. The book goes through a number of different family dynamics, from adopted children to same sex parents. There are colorful illustrations that engage early readers to the more advanced.

Family Name Hunt– this is perfect for a remote school. It’s an easy activity to send home for students to do at home, and my students loved it. How can you teach tolerance and the bringing of a community together as one, but make it quite clear that certain types of people are not welcome in that community?

Modern children's books help families explore diversity". CNN. 8 March 2012 . Retrieved 2 May 2013. Todd Parr has written over 30 children’s books, and he is the winner of two National Parenting Publication Awards, as well as three Oppenheim Gold Awards; but his The Family Book (preschool-grade 2; 2004) has stirred up some controversy. Family Portrait –I love this simple family portrait craft because no matter how old your child or students are, they can participate. Controversial Decision in Erie Gathering National Attention". WQAD 8. 5 June 2012 . Retrieved 2 May 2013. Tags: banned bullying censorship education Erie gay Illinois lesbian Parenting schools The Family Book Todd Parr•Brookhart, along with more than a hundred other parents have signed a petition protesting the ban, a decision which impacts campaigns like No-Name Calling Week, and other materials co-authored by the National Association of Elementary-School Principals. But Superintendent Cox claims he was only listening to the voice of his community. Unfortunately, yet again, the heated mob-mentality of a few, fueled by emotion rather than reason, has dictated policy for the many. The Family Book by Todd Parr is a book that gives its readers a broad definition of family; it doesn’t say that your family has to look a certain way or be the same as your neighbors. As a teacher, I really appreciate the matter of fact way it embraced diversity. It mentions some families having two moms or two dads in the same vein as all the other similarities and differences like living in a house vs. an apartment or having a large or small family. Kids see that families are not all like theirs, and it’s important to validate the truth while recognizing that while families may not all look alike, all families are made with love. Great book, fantastic illustrations, and children love it.