3 Children's Books About Single-Parent Families
In today’s article, we’ll be focusing on the concept of single-parent families. The idea of family is no longer limited to a man, a woman, and however many children they have in common.
In the 21st-century society we live in, family diversity is a fact of life. Today, all kinds of families exist. In fact, families no longer need to consist of at least 3 members. Rather, 2 is enough to constitute a family.
Below, we’ll present a list of three children’s books that deal with family diversity. Each title we mention below handles the issue in a way that is completely understandable for the youngest of readers.
3 Children’s books about single-parent families
1. Guess How Much I Love You, one of the tenderest books about single-parent families
This book by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram, talks about one of the sweetest concepts: Love. In this case, the love between a rabbit and its mother. Both compete with one another to demonstrate who loves the other more. No matter how much the little bunny tries, the dimensions of the mother’s love always prevail.
So, the bunny comes up with a stupendous idea… What if I take my love for my mother to the moon? Can my mom’s love make it all the way up there? This sweet and tender animal story is perfect for children over the age of three. In fact, it’s already a children’s literature classic.
A beautifully illustrated book, it shows us that no matter how many people there are in your family, love is what unites you. Whether you’re a single mother or not, this book will be sure to touch your heart as well as your child’s.
“Being a single parent is twice the work, twice the stress, and twice the tears but it’s also twice the hugs, twice the love and twice the pride.”
– Unknown –
2. Little Chick and Mommy Cat
This fantastic book by Marta Zafrilla features two main characters: A small chick and its mother, a grey cat. The pages of this story help children to comprehend and appreciate two fundamental issues: Family diversity and adoption. In this case, the issues take place within the animal world.
However, these animals – the mother cat and her baby chick – are given human characteristics. The story shows how the little chick’s classmates can’t understand the unique family that the chick and the cat form.
The illustrations in this book are sweet and tender, as are its characters. This simple and profound piece of children’s literature is perfect for single-parent families, adoptive families, or any parents who wish to give their children more understanding.
4. The Father Who Had 10 Children
This is a very fun book with illustrations that children and adults are sure to enjoy. Here, French author Benedicte Guettier spins the tale of a single father who encounters all sorts of trouble and mischief with his ten children. That’s right, TEN children!
Can you imagine what it would be like to live in a family with 10 children? The pages of this book and its simple text will offer you and your children the opportunity to explore the adventures of this family.
The purpose of the story is to entertain children and make them laugh. However, its pages hide a lesson that we should all keep in mind. Even though the family has only one parent with ten children, this dad does what it takes – and more. He doesn’t need anyone else, because the love he has for each of his kids is enough.
All three of the books mentioned in today’s article are perfect for single-parent families. However, they’re also ideal for helping any child understand that every family is unique, special and, most of all, valuable. It doesn’t matter how many members make up a family or how that family came to be. What matters most is the love they share.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Blanco, C. (2017). Mi familia es de otro mundo. Uranitos.
- Bratney, S. (2018). Adivina cuánto te quiero. Editorial Kokinos.
- Cantó, V. (2021). La cigüeña risueña. La Pequeña Varsovia.
- Chandro, J. C. (2012). Te quiero un montón. Editorial Bruño.
- De Sousa, Y. (2018). Mamá adivina. Ekaré
- Guettier, B. (2002). El Papá que tenía 10 hijos. Casterman.
- Landeros, I. A. C., Cerino, N. J. T., & Trejo, N. M. C. (2022). La representación del rol materno en la literatura infantil dirigida a niñas y niños en edad preescolar. Educando para educar, (43), 69-82. https://www.beceneslp.edu.mx/ojs2/index.php/epe/article/view/140
- López Navarro, V. (2023). Situaciones de aprendizaje coeducativas a través de la literatura infantil. [Trabajo de Fin de Grado, Universidad de Alicante]. Repositorio Institucional. https://rua.ua.es/dspace/handle/10045/135309#vpreview
- Tordesillas Frías, P. (2021). La diversidad familiar y su representación en la literatura infantil actual. [Trabajo de Fin de Grado, Universidad de Valladolid]. Repositorio Documental. https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/47689
- Pardi, F. (2016). Tengo una mamá y punto. Picarona.
- Taboada, B. (2020). A veces mamá tiene truenos en la cabeza. Editorial Algar.
- VV.AA (2010). Mi papá y yo: un álbum para hacer con tu papá y conocerle mejor. SomosLibros.
- Zafrilla, M. (2012). Hijito pollito. Cuento de Luz S.L.
