Families — Meredith Tax

Realities such as divorce, stepfamilies, adoption, single parenting, and gay and lesbian parenting are explored through the curious, affectionate, and nonjudgemental eyes of six-year-old Angie as she introduces readers to her multicultural groups of friends, who are loved and cared for within many different types of families.

Meredith Tax's funny, engaging text reveals what families have in common while encouraging an acceptance of difference. Marilyn Hafner's appealing illustrations convey the warmth and individuality of the characters. In the end, the book's message is a simple and heart-felt one: as Angie says, "Families are who you live with and who you love."

As one of the earliest books on "nontraditional" families, Families has been revered by a generation of parents, teachers, and children, and also attacked by censors. It remains a simple testament to the importance of acceptance, respect, and love.