Not All Families Are The Same // Buddy Boodles


Most kids grow up thinking that families are supposed to be a certain way. Usually that includes a mom and a dad in a nice big house. But the reality is, that is not always the case. Families come in all shapes and sizes. 

I was given the opportunity to read with and review 3 books from Buddy Boodles in regards to families. Before I start the actual review I want to give a few introductions, Boodles is a monkey in each of the books that helps your child get through the different stories and situations. He calls your kids Biggies, which means big kid. And now, onto the fun... 

The first book, We are having a baby, is a great read for any family adding a new baby. I remember when I was pregnant with each of my younger kids and having the kids try to understand what a big sibling was going to be for them. 
Boodles helps answer some of the questions that may come along with being a big sibling. Boodles teaches your Biggie all about the importance of them taking care of their own things, helping out around the house, playing quietly so mommy can get a few minutes of rest, and explain about the frequent doctor visits. Boodles takes you on the adventure of shopping for a new baby. Things like picking out a good carseat, diapers, and toys. Throughout the book your child will learn the different stages through visiting their new sibling in the hospital and how fragile the new baby is. 
The illustrations in We are having a baby are soft but clear. The colors are bright but not overwhelming and this book can easily be for big sisters and big brothers. The words are fairly easy to read, my son is 7 and was able to read the book to me. Very informative but simple. 

Talking Points:
  1. A positive and loving approach to telling a child a sibling is on its way.
  2. Discussion – Becoming a big kid and little helper.
  3. Involvement – By preparing for Baby together the unknown becomes familiar and exciting.

The second, Being adopted is super-duper special!, is not something I personally have dealt with but one of my older cousins adopted twin girls 15 years ago. So I remember from her experiences the trials and tribulations of that.  


"Adoption is admirable. Sometimes the journey can be very hard. For all the forever-families who chose love every day..." 
In this book, Boodles takes your Biggie on the adventures of adoption. Explaining that some babies do not stay with their mommies but with forever mommies and daddies welcome them into their homes and lives. Boodles explains that there is no lack of love but an abundance of love that allows the real mommies to give their babies to other forever families. The book goes through all the important steps like choosing a family, their family being told they are getting a new child, how they will be able to create their own adoption journey story to keep with them. Being adopted is super-duper special also goes into not looking or sounding like your adopted family and that is ok. "Having a forever family means you are safe and forever loved."
Again, with this book the illustrations are soft and clear. The book does an awesome job of explaining adoption to children in a way, and words, they understand. It allows the adopted child to see what their forever families go through before they ever meet. I love that it shows all the steps, and building up to the excitement of learning they are getting a new child. 

Talking Points:
  1. Defines birth-mommy and forever-family.
  2. Creates a forum to discuss how, when and why a child was adopted.
  3. A story built on a foundation of unconditional love and acceptance.

The third, and final book, I got to review is What does a family look like. This book was personally my favorite to review because when I first got married and had my older 3 kids I always had in my head the idea of what was going to happen. When I got divorced I realized that was not always how things were. While it is great to have a sense of family, they are not all the same. Now I have remarried and my ex husband has (more than once) and we now have a huge extended family. My kids have siblings and step siblings and half siblings that are all close and have the opportunity to grow up together. 

"Every family has a unique and individual story." These are very true words. Boodles explains that not all families are just a mom and a dad. Some of his friends live with their grandparents, some adopted, and some with two mommies. He also goes into some children that have a mom and a dad but they live with on different days. Throughout the book you learn that the important thing with families is teamwork and support. Families in any form keep you safe, even when you are upset with each other.
As with the others, the illustrations are very soft and clear. The pictures are accurate and unique to each of the story lines. I love that each book has different children and characters. It makes it easier to relate to. 


Talking Points:
  1. Diversity is normal.
  2. Teaching children to be open-minded, kind and accepting.
  3. A guide to understanding and appreciating each family's uniqueness.

All of the books I reviewed were unique to different situations. They were all very kid friendly and easy to follow along with. For the 3 books and other family products, check out Noodle and Boo

You can order all the books above on Amazon. 
We Are Having a Baby, here
Being Adopted is Super-Duper Special, here
What Does a Family Look Like, here.


I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for my honest review.  The opinions listed below are my own and reflect my personal feelings about the book.

Comments

  1. Love this so much. There are so many family dynamics these days and it's important for kids to know that.

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  2. These look like great books for kids! I'll have to keep them in mind for when my friends start having babies :)

    Nellwyn | www.thecardinalpress.com

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  3. We are having a baby book sounds fantastic! Would be perfect for us

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  4. Sounds like great books for kids! I will definitely share this with my mommy friends who might be looking for these types of stories! Great resource for parents!
    Karen | GlamKaren.com

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  5. I have found out how different families are through my marriage. My husband's family was completely different from mine.

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  6. These are great books for introducing kids to diversity. I work with adolescents and they could use a lesson or 2 in diversity and acceptance.

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  7. What a great idea for a children's book! My son would love these, thanks for sharing!

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  8. I love showing my kids that not every family is the same as ours. These sounds like great books to share those thoughts.

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  9. These books look super helpful to help kids during what is both an exciting and stressful time - a new sibling! I love that they have an adopting version.

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  10. I love this. What a fantastic idea for a children's book! I can relate to the non-conventional family.

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  11. This is a great book to help teach children about these topics! I know my kids could use these lessons!

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  12. Aw I love how it introduces kids to different types of families a great representation of modern society

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  13. These are great books and I think it is great for kids to learn early one that families can be large, small, mixed and have diversity. It is so essential for them later in life. I love the message of acceptance behind it.

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  14. These look like great books for kids! Love it! Great resource for parents!

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  15. I think this is a terrific way to start early teaching our kids about the real and diverse word we live in. Bravo!

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  16. Super collection of children books! It's rare to find children book which teach children to deal with the adoption happen in their family. Love these books!

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  17. what a great way to introduce kids to different family types. I like this idea.

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  18. These books are a great idea for children to understand things better. They should also make books on other domains, like same-sex couples with children on interracial couples. Children are really good in understanding things and finding out about these things while they are little makes them open minded when they grow up.

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  19. These books sound like they are well geared to helping kids understand life situations. A lovely set that would be great to own.

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  20. I have a couple of friends who recently adopted children and these would be great talking points for them so I will definitely have to pass these along to them. Thank you for sharing!

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  21. Thank you for such thorough, thoughtful reviews. These sound like great books that handle sometimes sensitive topics very well. My daughter is expecting her third child, so the second book you mentioned might be great especially for my not quite 2 y.o. granddaughter (my almost 4 y.o. granddaughter actually understands and is excited about welcoming a sibling - as long as it's a brother!)

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  22. Those sounds like really great books and all with great lessons that you can teach your kids. I may look into getting them for my own daughter. Thanks for the detailed review.

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  23. I am sharing these with my mommy groups. We are always looking for ways to help our kids understand diversity.

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  24. Theses books look great, will have to look out for these. x

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  25. One of the biggest lessons that we can teach our children is that family exists wherever love is. These books are awesome!

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  26. I've never heard of books like this - they sound great to get you through different situations. Will have to check them out!

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  27. Understand and Respect are my two favorite words. I guess those all we need embrace diversity, beginning in the family up to the society.

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  28. This book sounds amazing for kids. Though I don't have kids but I will share it with my friends!

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  29. I love that type of books it just helps our children integrate more into society and just let go of all the stereotypes. I love them already, helping the kids to have an open mind is an amazing thing

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