FEDERICO AND ALL HIS FAMILIES

In this Spanish import, Federico the cat spends his days going from one home to another, always welcome by his many families.  

In the morning, Federico has breakfast with Anne and Sam and their two moms. “He loves yogurt.” As the day progresses, he “cleans his whiskers” at the home of a white mom and dad (dad has trendy blue hair) and their three children—a black child, an Asian child, and a white, redheaded child. Then, he accompanies a dad and daughter to catch the school bus. Later, Federico rocks the crib of baby Paula as her two dads—one white, one black—look on. Later yet, Federico visits Tadeo, who “lives with his grandparents.” There, he “loves playing with the balls of wool while grandma Margaret knits.” At night, Federico listens in as “Nick, his mom and their cat Frida read a book.” By focusing on Federico and his activities, and presenting the families in a simple and matter-of-fact way, the book neatly avoids being preachy. The humorous and expressive illustrations carry as much weight as the text, for it is in the illustrations that readers see the racial composition of the different families, while also inviting readers to reach their own conclusions, for example: Are some single-parent families? Adopted families? The original Spanish text, Federico y sus familias, publishes simultaneously.

Sweet and inclusive, perfect for any family.