Book Review
A short overview of this book
The Family Tree by Sean Dixon is a lovely book about an adopted child who explores the different ways to be a family.
This is what the Publisher has to say…
A family tree assignment leads an adopted girl to discover the different ways to be a family.
When her teacher gives her class a simple family tree assignment, Ada is stumped. How can she make her family fit into this simple template?
Ada is adopted. She can see where to put her parents on the tree, but what about her birth mom? Ada has a biological sister, but her sister has different adoptive parents — where do they go on the tree?
But with the help of her friends and family, Ada figures it out. She creates her family tree . . . and so much more.
Loosely based on the author’s own experience, this moving story explores the different ways families are created and how the modern family is more diverse and welcoming than ever before.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 4 to 8 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of The Family Tree by Sean Dixon at Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hakanson, your friendly Sex Ed Rescue expert. Today, I want to talk about a fantastic book that can make talking to your kids about sex a whole lot easier. But before we dive in, let me just say that I believe books are an amazing tool for sex education.
So, my awesome local librarian, M, recommended this gem to me. It’s called The Family Tree by Sean Dickson and illustrated by Lily… Oops, sorry, there’s a sticker covering the illustrator’s name. But don’t worry, it’s Lily Snowden Fine.
Now, let’s get into what this book is all about. You know how kids often have to do a family tree activity at school? Well, what if your child is adopted, or there was a surrogate involved, or maybe they have two dads and there were other people involved in their creation? How do you explain that in a way that they can understand?
Well, The Family Tree is a lovely book that shows a different perspective and normalizes the fact that families can be made in lots of different ways. It follows a kid who comes home from school feeling a bit lost about how to do their family tree. So, they start talking to different people in their life.
First, they visit their foster parent, then their sibling in another place, and they even talk to other important people in their life. Each person adds a little something to the family tree. And by the end, they have this beautiful tree that represents their unique family.
The book emphasizes diversity and helps kids understand that even if they feel like a minority, they’re not alone. Families come in all shapes and sizes, and what matters most is love and care. The Family Tree is a great tool for normalizing diversity in families and showing kids that there’s no one right way to create a family.
So, if you’re looking for a book that celebrates different family structures and encourages acceptance, this is definitely one to check out. It’s a heartwarming read that reminds us all that love is what truly makes a family.
Remember, you’ve got this! And if you ever need more support or recommendations, Sex Ed Rescue is here for you.
