In This Family

by Shelly Anand, Meenal Patel (Illustrator)

A multicultural family welcomes a new member in this warm and lyrical picture book that celebrates family love.

In this family
We are a blend, a combination
of cornbread and roti,
of the Green Bay Packers and Bhangra…

This family has ancestors hailing from the Land of Five Rivers, the Emerald Isle, the Swiss Alps, and the Silk Road. When it’s time to greet the newest arrival, four generations around the globe—Mummy and Papa, bhaiyya, grandparents, and even Parnani—show her that while some might call their family mixed (biracial, adhi Indian, adhi white), there is nothing half and half about them. They are whole.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Cultural, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published May 14, 2024

Reviews

[Chanda Scobee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book for a Family Culture Night, where I hosted a table for the library, featuring different diverse books through culture, race, family, practices and beliefs, and so much more, even including neurodivergence, mixed identities, refugees, immigrants, and more. This book features a diverse family who celebrates "Diwali and Christmas, Lohri and Holi, and Halloween," who listens to "Willie Nelson and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Stevie Wonder and Mercedes Sosa, Kishore Kumar and Prince," etc. It's a fun story of a blended family that embraces the differences of everyone within them. It's affirming and positive, with varying shades of skin portrayal and appearances, even differences in clothes.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In This Family changes points of view as the narrative circulates around various family members: all the text addressed to the youngest child. The family is large and diverse in make up: in age, sex, gender, skin tone, geography, and passions... The specificity, the details are nice; a kind of portraiture that makes a family and not just a general notion of what a family could or might be. The circulation of the narrative and its necessary detail make the story longer. Fortunately, the illustrations provide texture and energy--and there is no reason to not take one's time with this story.

In This Family is a fantastic opportunity for multicultural families AND non-.

[Jackiewolfson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this gorgeous book. The message is lovely and relatable, even if your family isn’t blended in the same way. The illustrations kept my 3 year olds attention and I can see this becoming a new favorite.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, meaningful book for all kids! It celebrates family, multiculturalism, identity, inclusion, Indian and Midwestern culture, and more. The illustrations are magical; so thoughtful, calming, and sweet. This is a great book for every family, whether it provides a window or a mirror.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about a boy explaining his family to his new baby sibling. Mummy's family is from India and papa's family is from Wisconsin, USA. Their family is cornbread and roti, the Green Bay Packers and Bhangra...

Loved it!

[Miss Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about a boy explaining his family to his new baby sibling. Mummy's family is from India and papa's family is from Wisconsin, USA. Their family is cornbread and roti, the Green Bay Packers and Bhangra...

Loved it!

[Kathy Piselli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the line "We don't live together anymore, but that just means more places to visit!" And I'd like to know what Anand's Wisconsin connection is (she lists names from her own family at the end). The illustrations swirl across each page in muted browns, reds and blues.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

biracial family story that is so well done, beautiful illustrations, explains that not half and half, but a blend of all kinds of history, food, traditions, religions, etc.

[Ameera Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story with such a great meaning that everyone should have on their bookshelves.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celebrate all sorts of families from all over the world. Well done.

[GS Dachslove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Describes lots of different family and how they celebrate and live.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needed focus on multi-ethnic families, but the delivery is just OK.

[Sarah BT]

This is a beautiful ode to multiracial families and how people can come together to create a family as unique as they are.

[SamSamSam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was lovely, but I was confused about who was speaking sometimes.

[Lillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked the messaging - but the kids didn't get it/didn't have patience for it

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Le cote multiculturel a largué mon anglais mais l'idée est compréhensive et sympathique.

[Karen Hatlestad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about being Multicultural!!!

[Ms. Madalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just too long for storytime.