Colorful Infant & Toddler Books About Families

Animal Families

• Books on the theme of family don't have to feature human families. You'll find plenty of picture books about animal families to share with your baby. Keep in mind that not all animals have a mother-father-child structure. DK Publishing's "Animal Families" is loaded with photographs and bold graphics of both human families and those of monkeys, lions and penguins. "Who's in a Family" by Robert Skutch also juxtaposes animal families and a diverse set of human family units, this time with colorful illustrations. "Owl Babies" by Martin Waddell depicts three small owlets as they wait for their mother to return to the nest.

Mommies, Daddies and Grandparents

• "My Mom" by Anthony Browne puts the focus on mothers -- specifically, a mother in flowered robe and fuzzy slippers who nevertheless seems all-powerful to the small child who narrates. In "Daddy Makes the Best Spaghetti" by Anna Grossnickle Hines, Daddy is a little silly -- he dresses up like Batman one moment and pretends he's the family dog the next -- but that's part of his charm. The Global Fund of Children emphasizes the importance of elders in the photo-rich "Our Grandparents: A Global Album."

International Families

• Families don't look the same around the world, and getting a global perspective can never begin too early. Some of the best picture books on families have an international emphasis. "Families" by Ann Morris relies on photos to convey both the diversity and the love of families worldwide. "Families in Many Cultures" by Heather Adamson is another photo-heavy book depicting families around the world.

Nontraditional Families

• Children from nontraditional families -- those with gay parents, adoptive and foster parents, single parents and divorced parents -- used to have a hard time finding children's books that recognized their particular family configuration. These days, however, it's easier to find picture books for very young children that reflect their families however they're formed. Todd Parr's "The Family Book" depicts all sorts of families in the artist's vibrantly colorful signature style. "All Families are Special" by Norma Simon revolves around a school classroom telling about each of their unique families. "Two Homes" by Claire Masurel tells the straightforward story of a child with divorced parents. "Love is a Family" by Roma Downey depicts a single mother raising her child and emphasizes the message that it's not the number of people in it that makes a family, but the love that binds it together.