The Family Book – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Family Book

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2010

87%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Todd Parr's colorful celebration of every kind of family—two moms, two dads, one parent, big, small, adoptive—delivered with zero judgment and maximum warmth.

The Family Book

book

2010

87%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Todd Parr's colorful celebration of every kind of family—two moms, two dads, one parent, big, small, adoptive—delivered with zero judgment and maximum warmth.

4.8

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4.8

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Screenwise Verdict

This is Todd Parr doing what he does best: taking potentially complex topics (in this case, family diversity) and making them accessible, affirming, and colorful for the youngest readers. It's not groundbreaking literature, but it doesn't need to be—it's a gentle, necessary tool for normalizing all kinds of families.

The 4.8 Amazon rating reflects its reliability as a classroom and home staple. Parents and teachers love it because it opens doors for conversations about adoption, LGBTQ+ families, single parents, and blended families without making a big deal out of it. It just is.

The main limitation? It's not particularly imaginative or narratively engaging. It's more of a picture book manifesto than a story. But for its intended purpose—helping 2-6 year olds understand that families come in all shapes and sizes—it absolutely delivers.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 2-7, especially preschoolers navigating their understanding of family structures. Older elementary kids (8+) will likely find it too simple unless you're using it as a springboard for deeper conversations about diversity and inclusion.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Todd Parr's signature warm, inclusive approach celebrates all family structures without judgment—two moms, two dads, single parents, blended families, adoptive families. The tone is affirming and reassuring ('All families can help each other be strong!'), modeling acceptance and kindness in simple, age-appropriate language. No chaos, no mean characters, just pure celebration of diversity.

Imaginative

Parr's bold, colorful illustrations are instantly recognizable and visually engaging for young kids, but the book itself is more affirming than imaginative. It's a straightforward celebration of family diversity rather than a story that invites creative play or exploration. The simple declarative structure ('Some families...') is accessible but doesn't spark much curiosity or world-building.

Safe

Completely safe for all ages. No scary content, no surprise themes, no mature elements whatsoever. The only thing some families might find challenging is the inclusive representation of LGBTQ+ families and diverse family structures, but in 2025 this is standard and healthy content for children's books. Amazon's customer reading age (2-4 years) confirms its gentleness.

Enriching

Excellent for building empathy and normalizing family diversity. Kids see their own families reflected or learn about different family structures in a matter-of-fact way. The message—that every family is special and valid—is developmentally important for preschoolers forming their understanding of the world. Strong social-emotional learning value, though limited vocabulary/concept complexity given the target age.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Normalizes diverse family structures (LGBTQ+ families, single parents, adoptive families, blended families) in simple, affirming language perfect for littles
Todd Parr's bold, bright illustrations are instantly engaging and accessible for toddlers and preschoolers
Helps kids see their own family reflected or understand that their friends' families might look different—and that's beautiful
Short, declarative sentences make it easy for emerging readers or read-aloud sessions
Strong social-emotional learning tool for building empathy and acceptance early

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What to Watch For

Some families with more traditional values might find the inclusive representation of LGBTQ+ families challenging, but in 2025 this is standard, healthy children's content
Very simple and straightforward—older elementary kids might find it too basic unless you're using it as a conversation starter about diversity
Not a narrative story, so if your kid needs plot and characters to stay engaged, this might feel more like a reference book

Conversation Starters

"What makes our family special? What are some things we do together that make us strong?"
"Do you have friends whose families look different from ours? What's cool about their family?"
"Why do you think some families have two moms or two dads? (Hint: because love is love, kiddo)"
"What would you tell someone who said their family wasn't 'normal'?"

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