Families

Alison Mews is co-ordinator of the Centre for Instructional Services at
Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Six of 14 titles in the Talk-about-books series—My Mom, My Dad,
Brothers, Sisters, My Grandpa, and My Grandma—originally published
individually in board-book format are reissued in this single large
volume. In simple descriptive texts and clear color photographs, each
family member is shown interacting in a variety of social situations. To
create a uniform look, the pages of each “chapter” have the same
bright background framing the pictures. The text is aimed at very young
children, and the photos portray a wonderful mix of interracial
families. The adults are shown in both traditional and nontraditional
roles, and each of the six chapters depicts a sharing of books between a
child and the family member being highlighted. It is interesting to note
that both a grandpa and a brother are in wheelchairs. This book could be
useful for encouraging acceptance of individual differences and for
promoting discussions among young children about their own experiences
with family members.

For home use, the small board-book format would be a better choice.
However, the enlarged size of the pictures and its single price make
this volume an appropriate purchase for primary schools and daycares.
Recommended.