The Family Book

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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.

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? Erie, IL School Board Bans Pro-LGBT Families Book". Matthew Shepard Foundation. June 2012 . Retrieved 2 May 2013. Tags: banned bullying censorship education Erie gay Illinois lesbian Parenting schools The Family Book Todd Parr•

More Family Activities For Preschool

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. It’s probably a bit of a misrepresentation to say that it’s just a few parents who have a concern when in fact, at the end of the day, it was a school board representing the views, values and philosophies of a community that really made the decision,” said Cox. “I think our community has very clearly said if those topics come up with 6-year-olds or 7-year-olds that they would rather have those topics discussed at home. We’re still going to teach tolerance, we’re still going to teach diversity.”

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. 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. 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! Controversial Decision in Erie Gathering National Attention". WQAD 8. 5 June 2012 . Retrieved 2 May 2013.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 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.

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. I would not read this to children, even though the message is sweet (understanding of differences and the positive attributes of families), because of issues with racism.Family Photo Quilt– This is awesome in a classroom when students can see each other’s families on the finished quilt. 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.