My Big Fantastic Family - by Adam Guillain & Charlotte Guillain (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

This funny and reassuring celebration of non nuclear families will help children to understand that they will always be loved-even if parents separate or divorce.

When Dad says that he's moving out, Lily May feels all upside down inside. But now Dad comes on Sundays, and they ride their bikes really fast and make secret dens together. Lily May plays more just with Mom now, to -and when Mom's new partner Peter comes over, they play pirate ships! Sometimes, there are tricky moment -Lily May hates it when Mum has to work late-but a birthday party with Lily May's big fantastic family helps her realize just how many people love her.

Beautifully written in rhyme by the award winning authors of the bestselling George's Amazing Adventures series, this uplifting story with a diverse cast of characters embraces all the positive aspects of becoming part of a blended family after a divorce or separation.

Review Quotes

Lily-May's parents have separated, which brings complex emotions.
Lily-May lives with Mom but still sees Dad regularly. Mom has a new partner named Peter, who has two boys of his own. These big changes make for a lot of feelings, including sadness, longing for the way things used to be, fear, excitement, and joy. Lily-May ultimately realizes that these changes are rewarding: They mean new playmates and grandparents, extra quality time with Mom and Dad, and a brand-new pet cat. This story is really about what comes after parents separate. Writing in first person, the Guillains make it clear that Lily-May isn't at fault for the separation and show both parents at big events. In the end, Lily-May comes away with an important lesson: Home is "anywhere I'm with my big fantastic family." Lily-May has dark bobbed hair and tan skin and is almost always accompanied by a beloved stuffed toy, Blue Bear. Mom has darker brown skin and straight dark hair; Dad has pale skin and curly dark hair, while Peter and his children are pale-skinned and red-haired. A sweet layout of snapshot photos shows Lily-May with various configurations of family members, a nice visual representation of this beautiful, blended family.

An honest, encouraging story of a loving, evolving family. (Picture book. 3-6)

--Kirkus Reviews

The Guillains' heartwarming story about divorce and a blended family will be a welcome addition
to picture books on that topic. Rhyming couplets convey the experience of a girl whose mom and
dad have divorced. Understandably upset at the split, she spends quality time with both of her
loving parents and appears, for the most part, accepting of their separate lives. "I say goodbye
more often now, but when it's time to go, I know goodbye will only last until our next hello."
Colorful artwork reveals the young girl picnicking with her mother, riding bikes with her father,
and growing closer to her new stepfather and his two boys who visit on weekends. The girl's bed
is decorated with a string of photos picturing everyone in her blended family, plus her father's
new kitten. Though the story includes a few realistically sad moments, the majority of the tale
shows the positives that can come from being part of a blended family.

--MaryAnn Owen, Booklist

The Guillains' heartwarming story about divorce and a blended family will be a welcome addition to picture books on that topic... Though the story includes a few realistically sad moments, the majority of the tale shows the positives that can come from being part of a blended family.--Maryann Owen, Booklist

An honest, encouraging story of a loving, evolving family.--Kirkus

About the Author

Charlotte and Adam Guillain met in Zanzibar while working with Voluntary Services Overseas. Charlotte's house was near the sea-perfect for swimming with dolphins and hanging out with bush babies. Adam lived in a rainforest, where he spent his time playing the guitar and cooking. Since then, Adam and Charlotte have made up lots of songs and stories together.

Ali Pye had wanted to be an illustrator ever since she was little, and used to draw stories and stick the pages together to make little books. But it took her a few years and a stint as a copy editor before she started drawing professionally. She graduated from Kingston with an MA in Illustration in 2010 and is now a full-time illustrator.