My Family Tree and Me
What’s inside...
This one-of-a-kind picture book provides a beautifully simple introduction to the concept of family ancestry. It uses two stories in one to explore a small boy's family tree: the boy tells the family story of his father's side starting from the front of the book, and that of his mother's side starting from the back of the book. Four previous generations are introduced for each, from his great-great-grandparents to his parents. The grand finale in the center of the book reveals the boy's entire extended family, shown in one drawing with all the members from both sides identified by their relationship to him. Of particular interest is the cultural diversity of the boy's family, which includes European and Asian ancestors, and readers can visually interpret the family members' physical characteristics as they get passed on through the generations. Award-winning illustrator Dušan Petričić's classic artwork contains thoughtfully selected details with a touch of play and humor. And, since most of the story is told in the art, this is a wonderful tool for enhancing children's visual literacy as they spend time making connections and looking for clues. This book makes a great springboard for lessons on describing and sharing family histories and naming family relationships. Applicable in-class activities could include having children build their own family trees or imagine and draw portraits of their ancestors featuring period and cultural details. This title also lends itself to discussions on multiculturalism in families and in the larger community.
Age
3-7
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Child (Unnamed)
Discussion points
How does our family tree look like and who are some of the people on it?
What are some traditions we have in our family? Do you think other families have the same ones?
If you could meet anyone from our family's past, who would it be and what would you ask them?
How do you think our family's history and traditions help shape who you are today?
What is something new you learned about our family from reading this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage children to draw their own family tree using characters and elements from the book. Share stories from your family's history that connect with those in the book. Help them relate personally to the narrative by pointing out similar family traits or events. Pose the questions during shared reading time and give them time to express their thoughts and feelings. Document or create a scrapbook that includes their thoughts about the family tree they've explored and learned about in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding family heritage
Explanation: The book uses a dual narrative to show the family lineage from both the mother's and the father's sides, tracing back generations.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by showing interest in their own family histories, asking parents and grandparents about their ancestors, and understanding the diverse backgrounds from which they come.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of diversity and multiculturalism
Explanation: As the family tree branches out, the illustrations depict family members from diverse ethnic backgrounds, promoting cultural diversity.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to respect and celebrate differences in cultures and ethnicities among their friends and in the community.
Example Lesson: Value of family connections
Explanation: The book illustrates how each family member is connected, highlighting relationships and bonds.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value their relationships with family members and can strive to strengthen these bonds through communication and shared activities.
Example Lesson: Significance of storytelling
Explanation: The book's historical accounts of family members serve as stories within the larger narrative.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to listen to and share family stories, enhancing their communication skills and fostering a sense of belonging.
Example Lesson: Understanding the passage of time
Explanation: The depiction of different generations helps children visualize the concept of past, present, and future.
Real-World Application: Kids can relate this to their lives by understanding their place in the timeline, leading to a deeper appreciation of their current experiences and future possibilities.