How Many Grown-ups Do You Have?: A Book about Unconventional Families by Polina Buchan
Short Summary
How Many Grown-ups Do You Have? by Polina Buchan is a beautiful and inclusive picture book that celebrates the diversity of family life. It’s one of the few books for children that openly includes polyamorous families alongside a wide range of other family types – single parents, same-sex parents, foster families, and more. Through simple storytelling and gentle illustrations, this book helps children understand that every family is unique and valid.
Age Group
Suitable for children aged 5 to 9 years.
Topics Discussed
LGBTQIA+ Families | Queer Families | Polyamory
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Buy a Copy
Buy a copy of How Many Grown-ups Do You Have?: A Book about Unconventional Families by Polina Buchan from Amazon.
What this book is about
This book starts with Kai, a seven-year-old who lives with three grown-ups, and from there, it introduces us to a whole range of different families. Each page features a new child and their unique family setup, including:
- Kids with two dads
- A child living with mum and grandparents
- Kids with a single dad or single mum
- Same-sex couples
- Separated parents who co-parent
- A foster family
- And—rarely seen in children’s books—a polyamorous family with four loving grown-ups
The illustrations are warm and friendly, and each family is introduced without judgement or explanation, just as a matter-of-fact part of life. It’s a great way to teach kids that family isn’t defined by the number of grown-ups, or whether they’re married or live together, but by love and care.
The book ends with a gentle invitation for your child to think about their grown-ups, which is a great way to start conversations about your own family and the many ways families can look.
Books like this matter. When children see their own family reflected in a story, it helps them feel seen and understood. And when kids learn about other families that are different to their own, it builds empathy and respect from a young age.
I hope you find this book review helpful!
Happy talking!
❤️ Cath