REVIEW: Family Forest by Kim Kane and Illustrated by Lucia Masciullo

Published: 1st June 2010

Publisher: Hardie Grant Books

Pages: 32

Format: Paperback picture book (purchased)

RRP: $16.99

5/5 Stars

While some kids have a family tree, we have a family forest! Do you have half-sisters, big brothers, step-parents? The modern family comes in all shapes and sizes. This gentle and witty picture book looks at one such family.

Family Forest is an ingenious little picture book explaining the somewhat complex nature of non-nuclear/blended families.

Using humour and some amazing illustrations by Lucia Masciullo, Family Forest seeks to explain and clarify what all the different terms in a blended family mean and to illustrate that these non-traditional/nuclear confirming families are not only perfectly normal, but are happy and whole in their own way.

Kim Lane utilises simple and easy to understand language to explain the concept of what a half-sister/big-brother/step-mum/partner is through everyday terms and easy to comprehend objects.

Eliza is my HALF-sister.

No! She has a right leg!

And a right arm too!

By combining use of humour in Lane’s narrative and Masciullo’s hilarious and witty illustrations, the importance of family and the family forest narrative is not only fun and unique, but it’s brought to life in the most incredible, fun filled way.

Masciullo’s full page illustrations are a bit quirky and loveable, meaning that the reader can find something new on the page with almost every read and I absolutely loved the reworking of the family tree angle to a family forest. Not only is it an amazing concept, but visually is works so well!

Family Forest is the perfect book for anyone trying to explain their family dynamics and relations to a young child. It’s quirky in design and visual appeal and is sure to be a book that young children reach for time and time again just because they can.

 

To purchase a copy of Family Forest, visit the following online retailers:

Hardie Grant Egmont | Booktopia | Amazon US | Dymocks | Angus & Robertson’s Bookworld