We still gather every night for storytime. My kids, now ten and eight, eagerly climb into bed after their showers and teeth-brushing, reminding me how quickly they’re growing up. I know that soon they may decide to skip this ritual, and I’ll look back, wondering why I hesitated to read that extra chapter when they nestled next to me. But for now, we cherish our reading time.
After my husband passed away, I turned to children’s literature about grief, searching for ways to articulate their feelings and reassure them that our situation, while daunting, was not as unique as it felt. Books have a wonderful way of fostering empathy and reminding us that we’re not alone in our experiences, even when we feel isolated. We’ve revisited those grief-themed stories countless times, but now we’re ready to explore narratives where sorrow isn’t the main focus.
We dive into picture books, chapter books, and even those hefty novels like Harry Potter, choosing whatever sparks their interest that week. However, the majority of what we read still revolves around the traditional family dynamic—a mom, a dad, and two children. This often leads to an unspoken moment of silence when a father figure appears, a brief jolt as we collectively remember what we’ve lost.
As we enter our third year as a family of three, the sharpness of our grief has dulled, but that familiar pang still lingers. I find myself wishing that the next book we randomly pick might reflect a family structure that feels more relatable and less painful.
I can’t be the only parent who opens a book hoping to find a story that resonates without causing heartache. In today’s world, family configurations extend far beyond the traditional narrative of a cisgender mother and father raising biological children. It’s 2020, and families come in many forms—yet many stories remain stuck in a bygone era.
Now that we’ve moved past the grief stories, we want tales filled with magic, adventure, and friendship—stories that just happen to feature a family structure more akin to ours. When I searched for “books for children with a single mom,” the results predominantly focused on single parenthood, which, while relevant, didn’t align with my needs.
As I adjusted my search terms, hoping to find books that mirror our lives without centering on our differences, I found fewer options. The same was true for LGBTQ+ family narratives. Perhaps it’s my search skills, or perhaps there’s a real need for more diverse stories that showcase families embarking on fantastical adventures, regardless of their structure.
Curated List of Books Featuring Various Family Compositions
With that in mind, here’s a curated list of books featuring various family compositions that could resonate with single-parent families and LGBTQ+ families alike:
Picture Books:
- Love Is A Family by Roma Downey, illustrated by Justine Gasquet
A young girl worries about being the odd family out during Family Fun Night at school, only to discover families come in all shapes and sizes. - Mommy, Mama, and Me and Daddy, Papa, and Me by Leslea Newman, illustrated by Carol Thompson
A toddler enjoys daily activities with their loving parents in this heartwarming depiction of diverse families. - Keesha and Her Two Moms Go Swimming by Monica Bey-Clarke and Cheril N. Clarke
Keesha learns valuable lessons on kindness and sharing while enjoying a day at the pool with her two moms.
For Younger Readers:
- Amber Brown Is Not A Crayon by Paula Danziger
Amber navigates her parents’ divorce and the challenges of friendship as her best friend moves away. - Just Under The Clouds by Melissa Sarno
This story follows Cora, a middle-schooler struggling with homelessness while trying to keep her family together after their father’s death. - Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
A timeless tale about Leigh, who writes to his favorite author to cope with his parents’ divorce and the changes in his life.
For Older Readers:
- A Dog Called Homeless by Sarah Lean
Cally sees her deceased mother, and with the help of a mysterious dog, she tries to reconnect her family. - To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
This popular novel follows Lara, raised by her single dad, as her secret letters create unexpected complications in her life. - Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee
Lenny and her brother Davey navigate the complexities of family and grief, as they try to hold onto their imaginative world amidst adversity. - Being Fishkill by Ruth Lehrer
Fishkill learns to survive after her troubled upbringing and forms a new family with a friend and her mother, only to face new challenges.
For more insights into family structures and parenting, check out this article that dives into important discussions. It’s essential to recognize the variety of family dynamics today. For those on a journey to parenthood, Make A Mom offers excellent resources, and the NHS provides invaluable information on home insemination and related topics.
In summary, while it can be tough to find stories that reflect the diverse realities of family life, there are books out there that celebrate different family structures and adventures. Books can help us feel less alone and open up conversations about the unique journeys we’re on together.
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