This book takes one element of The Great Big Book of Families – the arrival of new members into a family – and explores all the different ways a baby or child can become part of a family. The book includes natural birth within a nuclear family, adoption, fostering, same sex families and many other aspects of bringing babies or children into a family. The approach will follow the Great Big Book series, with twelve double spreads each exploring one theme, and including lots of humour, jokes and fun along the way. This is a unique information book, with an important and positive message – every family is different and every family is equally valid and special, no matter how or when the children arrive.
Review
“Describes all combinations of families in different circumstances, offering lots of points for discussion. Asquith’s exuberant illustrations add life to this entertaining book.” (Marilyn Brocklehurst The Bookseller)
“…this is a really important, accessible book tackling a complex topic with humoour and sensitivity.” (The Children’s Bookseller Guide)
5 Star Review – “‘The perfectly judged text is complemented by Ros Asquith’s expressive and detailed cartoon illustrations. This is a serious and important topic but, as in their other books, this team use humour to suit a young readership.” (Books for Keeps)
‘explore the many different ways that a baby or child becomes part of a family. Learn about IVF, foster care and ore in this warm-hearted sensible story from the team behind the Great Big Book of Families.’ (Angels & Urchins)
‘As in The Great Big Book of Feelings, Welcome to the Family manages to convey the complexity of the modern family with humour and sensitivity.’ (Nursery World)
‘This is ideal for dipping in and out of, for provoking conversations and fostering positive attitudes towards difference.’ (Early Years Educator)
‘Asquith’s joyful illustrations are effortlessly inclusive, showing families of varied and mixed races and children with additional needs… A fabulous book for children to explore independently, or to open up discussion about different types. Get a copy as soon as you can!’ (The School Librarian)
“a wondefully inclusive look at all the ways children can become part of a family. A really important and accessible information book for younger children.” (The Bookseller)
About the Author
MARY HOFFMAN is the internationally acclaimed author of nearly 100 books for children, ranging from picture books to teenage fiction. Her first title for Frances Lincoln, Amazing Grace, (ISBN 978-1-84507-749-5) has become a picture book classic which, with its sequels in the series, has sold 1.5 million copies worldwide. Mary’s other picture books for Frances Lincoln include The Colour of Home(ISBN 978-1-71121-991-5) with Karin Littlewood and An Angel Just Like Me (ISBN 978-1-84507-874-4)with Cornelius van Wright, as well as the hugely successful Great Big Book of Families and Great Big Book of Feelings with Ros Asquith. Mary Hoffman lives in Oxfordshire. For more information about her books, visit her website: www.maryhoffman.co.uk
 
ROS ASQUITH has been a Guardian cartoonist for 20 years and has written over 60 books for children and teenagers. As well as the Great Big Books with Mary Hoffman, Ros wrote and illustrated the picture book It’s Not Fairy (ISBN 84780-462-4) for Frances Lincoln. She is also the author of the Teenage Worrier series and Letters from an Alien Schoolboy, shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. Ros Asquith lives in north London. For more information about her books, visit her website: www.rosasquith.co.uk