Who's Who in My Family?

by Loreen Leedy

Introduces family trees and genealogy in a look at family relationships that tells how every family is special in its own way

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Loreen Leedy is the author and illustrator of over 40 picture books with math, science, language arts, and other curriculum content. Her books showcase information in a kid-friendly format, often with characters and entertaining stories.

Honors and awards for her books include: ALA Notable Book, Science Books and Films finalist, Reading Rainbow feature book, Chicago Library Best of the Best, many Scholastic Book Fair selections, Florida Book Award, Parent's Choice Award, many Junior Library Guild selections, and Outstanding Science Trade Book by the National Science Teachers Association.

Loreen has spoken at hundreds of schools and many conferences such as the International Reading Association, the American Library Association, the Mazza Summer Conference, and the UVU Engaged Reading Forum.

She lives in central Florida with her husband Andy, who is a scientist and a cat named Knickers who has an easily triggered purrometer. They love to travel, read, and watch movies.

Reviews

[Kathryn Sublett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Students in third grade could use this book as a tool for learning pronouns. I used this book with a small group of students to give them a pronoun refresher before the CRCT. I read the first few pages and asked the students to raise their hand when they saw a pronoun. Next, I asked each student to read a page to the group and point out all of the pronouns. The students loved reading to the group! The other students searched for pronouns the reader might have missed. Engagement was at a high level, all of the students were sitting in a huddle watching and listening as each student read. To differentiate this lesson and challenge students, cover up the pronouns and let the students figure them out.

[Vo Khon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Showing how to make a family tree
And introduction some detail about each of them
Now, I know which is first cousin and second cousin mean and how to write relationship between stepfather and his ex-wife.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as prep for doing a family tree with my preschooler. It was a good overview of different relationships and was our first time discussing things like adoption, divorce, and half-siblings, and how different families can look different.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Framed as a story, but not one with much plot.

This is a book about family trees, family relationships, and words to describe those relationships.

[Joe Chell]

Book Title: Who’s Who in My Family?
Author/Illustrator: Loreen Leedy
Reading Level: LG
Book Level: 2.5

Book Summary: The animals in Ms. Fox’s class explain each of their family trees. Each student comes from a different family structure. One is from a traditional family, one has been adopted into a family, and others are from blended families.

Bookshelf Genre: Picture book

Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits (explain one or two content integration ideas):

Ideas - This book has a clear theme of family dynamics and how every family is unique and special in their own way. Leedy has ensured this theme is evidential on every page of the book and uses the animal’s stories as a lighthearted relatable way for students to understand and be respectful of others and their families.

Voice - Leedy creates a certain tone within the book to help children approach the theme. The book is relatable to children, due to it taking place in a classroom setting with animals instead of humans. It helps children understand that what they say matters and increases their awareness of those around them. The book asks similar questions to what an elementary student would ask, and highlights a number of inquisitive points for children to think about.

This book could be used in the classroom as a way for students to learn about their classmates, and develop an understanding of how to ask respectful and inquisitive questions.

[Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly simple explanation of a family tree and relatives.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has cute animal characters who share their unique family trees with the class. Ms. Fox asks Sandy, a cat, to share her family tree. She tells about her parents, Fluffy Lou and Edward T. Fuzz. She introduces her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, great aunts, great uncles, and great grandparents. Next, a raccoon tells about how he was adopted. Frog tells how his parents got divorced and introduces his step-dad. Rabbit tells about his stepbrothers and stepsisters. Squirrel has a half brother and half sister. At the end, the children ask the teacher questions like “what is a second cousin?” A glossary lists all the family terms and what they mean. Each family is unique and this book did a good job of teaching that.

[Kalynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great book for the focus on the family tree. Students will love the animal characters, and both teachers and students will appreciate how this book is inclusive of diverse families. I appreciated how the author gave attention to genetics through the family tree pictures, which could lead to a great classroom conversation.

[Amanda Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great way to teach students about different types of families. It could also be used to teach pronouns in 2nd grade or to review in higher grades.

[Amy Knighton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helpful in teaching children relationships within families.