Introducing a story to celebrate all forms of Love ~ featured in MaiStoryBook Library Collection:

“A Family Is a Family Is a Family” by Sara O’Leary, Illustrated by Qin Leng

Book Synopsis and Review

What is a family, and what makes it special?? When a teacher asks her class full of little ones these very same questions ~ they are immediately enthusiastic to share their own family stories. However, one little girl isn’t so eager to share~ after all, she thinks, her family isn’t like any one else’s…it’s different… But, one by one, as each child shares just what makes their own family special, the little girl comes to realize that what makes her family different is what makes it most special.

Our beautiful world is made up of so many families, each one unique, different, and special. In this read aloud, we learn from a classroom of little ones about how all families are different in many special ways. But we’ll also learn , despite all the differences, a family is a family is a family~and even though they all may be different, made of different people and of all different sizes~  all families are made out of the very same thing that matters the most ~  every family is made of Love.

Vocabulary List

• Grandparents (p. 10) The mom and dad of your own mom and dad
• Online (p. 11) on the computer or Internet
• Alike (p. 14) the same as something/someone else
• Foster mother (p. 27) a mother who takes care of you that isn’t your birth mother
• Imaginary (p. 27) not real, made up

Themes/Main Ideas

• Families come in all different shapes, sizes, and configurations. A family is a family no matter who is or isn’t in it. Talk about the different families you read about in the story.
• Families are made of love. Anyone who loves each other can become a family.

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

Example of a shared-reading, interactive Read Aloud of “A Family Is a Family Is a Family” – how to subtly introduce the vocabulary list words within the text, ask guided questions, and spark conversation!

*~Check it Out~*

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*Family Home Portrait* Craft

Pride Month~ A month to celebrate all the ways love manifests on our beautiful Earth. Just as *A family is a family is a family* ~ *Love is love is love* ~ meaning, there’s no exclusivity in love- there are no rules or boundaries that say who can love who or who love is for. Love is love, and a family is made up of people who love each other~ since love is fluid, we are surrounded by families of all different sizes, shapes, and configurations. As a future teacher~ one of the best ways to get to know students is to get to know about their families~ who are those people who love them and whom they love +(plus) for a child to be able to share that special part of their lives is bound to make them feel valued and appreciated. What better way to create a close, positive, classroom community than to have students share the communities and families they grow up in. This week’s craft gives little ones an opportunity to share and value their own families. Prepare for an afternoon of crafts, colors, family, and love.

Materials

• 5 popsicle craft sticks
• Piece of white paper
• Scissors
• Super Glue/ Hot Glue Gun
• Crayons
• Markers
• Pipe cleaner (any color)

Directions

• Use the markers to decorate and color the popsicle sticks.
• Glue the 5 popsicle craft sticks together into a house shape following the picture examples down below.

• Use the frame to trace a square piece of white paper to fit in the square part of the house frame.
• Glue the paper to the back of the craft sticks so that it fills the frame.
• Use the crayons to draw a picture of your family. Label the members if you’d like.

• Twist the pipe cleaner in a loop around the roof part of the house frame to create a loop-hook to hang the family home portrait from.

Enjoy your *Family Home Portrait* Craft

• Show your portrait craft to family and friends and share with them about who is in your family and why they are special.
• Reread the story with your Family Home Portrait as a reading buddy, pointing out any similarities or differences between your family and the ones in the story.
• Hang your craft up to remind you and your family of the love you all share for each other.

*~Overall, have fun creating and sharing  your  *Family Home Portrait* Craft,  and I hope you and your little ones have a lovely time cherishing your family!  – tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary  – or post on FaceBook to share your photos of your own *Family Home Portrait* Crafts, and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear from you!~*

*Check Back on Next Friday for our New Reading Adventure*

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*