What is family? is a sweet book that teaches children family is home with fun illustrations of beloved Sesame Street characters. The book does start with “from the day you were born, your family is there” and although throughout the book, it talks about different types of families, ultimately teaching that family is love, that opening line might be hurtful for children who have not experienced that supportive family from the day they are born.

Everyone has loved Sesame Street at one point in time, and this one is a great book about what a family is and what it means to be family.

Great book explaining how families are unique and special, but I didn't like the illustrations for some reason.

The idea of this book is wonderful. Family is made up of those you live with, grandparents, siblings and friends, people you care about. Each family is unique, different sizes, different members and different nationalities. Even when you can't be together, you are still family. (especially important while going through this period of isolation). Overall, a book that fits well with the Sesame Street ideas. What we didn't like were the illustrations. My grandson said they weren't finished and they were scribbled. My granddaughter wanted to know if she could colour on it when we buy this book. The answer was no, we don't write or colour on books. Not one I would buy for that reason

*thank you to Netgalley, Craig Manning and SOURCEBOOKS Jabberwocky for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*


5 stars.

This, like so many Sesame Street books, keeps that traditional and classic Sesame Street feel that most of us grew up with and loved. This book fitted right into that place perfectly. It's beautifully told and is a really one for just simply acknowledging and reminding ourselves, what family means and who family might be for you. I'll admit that the way the illustrations are done, that little me would have seen this as a kind of colouring book. I see that as a positive. I think that they look amazing and I'm a fan. I am definitely going to be purchasing this book. I highly recommend.

I was able to read What is Family? by Craig Manning for free from Netgalley for providing me with an advanced ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great bead time story. It has great illustrations from sesame street and explanation of what family really is. Explanation that family size doesn't really matter, what really matters is the time spent together.

I really like the idea presented in this book that family is made up of parents, siblings, grandparents, and friends. Some of your family is related to you by blood from birth, and some of your family consists of those you choose to make part of your family. Families come in all shapes and sizes, and each one is unique. The important thing is you care for each other and spent quality time together, even when you're miles apart. Your family are those you hold dear in your heart.

The illustrations are quite simple on the pages that have the text of the story on them. I almost want to color them in myself, like a coloring book. But they are perfect for those pages. And then where the illustrations are showing the various families found on Sesame Street, they are vibrant and full of color and happiness. I just do not really care for the illustration style being used where the characters seem scribbled in. It almost reminds me of drawing them on a scratch board or something. It probably bothers me most because these are not the illustrations of my beloved characters that I have seen since the 1970s. It's definitely a personal preference and others will love them as they are.

So overall, I think this is a good book to share with kids. There is a part of me that wishes that families with same-sex parents were also included, as that is another kind of family that is common today. But I really do appreciate how the book tells us that your dear friends can also be an extension of your family. We don't talk enough about that extended support system that so many of us depend on these days.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sesame Street does it again! Adorable illustrations, the message is sweet and very well written. My son and I read it together, finished it and he asked me to read it again! It brought me back to my childhood, all about love, family and friendship.

I love these Sesame Street books! Just like Love and Dream before it this has sweet text with a great message and lovely illustrations that any young Sesame Street fan will love.

Sweet rhyming text and clean pictures make this a nice read for a child and a caregiver. Inclusive wording makes this appropriate for single parent families, blended families, adoptive/foster families, same-sex parents, and every other variation. The illustrations are cleanly done in purple lines, with splashes of color highlighting each family group.

Nice, but nothing exceptional. A good choice for non-traditional families struggling to find something that applies to them, or for big fans of Sesame Street.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sesame Street books always hit right in my heartstrings. This is a rhyming book describing different families featuring adorable illustrations of the Sesame Street monsters. This book is diverse (as diverse as you can be with make-believe creatures) and is generally inclusive of the different versions of what a family can look like. I would recommend this for preschool and below and as a read-aloud with family members. I feel it is slightly too young for my students at the school library but I love it nonetheless.

Rhyming text with the Sesame Street gang about different families and the importance of love and caring whether it is grandparents or siblings or parents.

This book covers familiar territory, and doesn't really add anything to it. The familiar characters might draw in some readers, but there are other, better books that highlight all the different kinds of families.

So fortunate to have been able to read and review this as rukhimonster and #rukhsandbooks.

As usual, Sesame Street presents us with another great story and teaching tool.

Friendly, inclusive, and oh so lovely.

I highly recommend this book, for children and adults alike. A staple for all libraries big and small.

Thank you Netgalley, Sesame Street, and Sourcebooks for this ARC.

My two year old is obsessed with this book. The rhyme scheme is fun and simple. The illustrations are sweet. The families are diverse. It’s a beautiful take on family perfect for the little ones!

"It's your parents and grandparents, siblings and friends, and the love that you feel as every day ends." A lovely little book about how love makes a family, and it showed a lovely diversity of what family can mean to people. Featuring familiar friends and illustration style, this was a sweet, comforting little book about how love makes a family.

Really enjoyed reading this book to my daughter. The pictures are bright and colorful. The words are beautifully written. Thanks for the review copy.

Written by Craig Manning with pictures by Ernie Kwiat, What is Family on Sesame Street? is a touching explanation of what makes a family.

The book is filled with familiar and beloved characters from the famous street. Each page discusses the make-up of different families. It encourages kids to be thankful for their families and reminds them how important it is to spend time together.

What is Family on Sesame Street? also covers the importance of love and acceptance. Whether it is a new family member or friend, everyone should be accepted, welcomed, and loved.

Craig Manning's rhythmic writing captures readers' attention. It is perfect for beginner readers and the concepts are easy for kids to understand. Ernie Kwiat's pictures bring Big Bird, Bert, Ernie and other friendly Sesame Street residents to life. Overall, the book is an educational and entertaining read.

"A HOME is love, hope, and family, and that's everything" is the last line in the book. It sums up everything kids need to know about home and family. A family is made up of those you love, even if you're not related. With love and kindness, your entire neighborhood could be part of your family. This is a lesson that all kids need to learn. A wonderful book that needs to be a part of your collection!

I received a free digital copy through NetGalley. This is marketed towards fans of Sesame Street. It's a very inclusive explanation of what a family is but the book itself is not very original.

My son loves Sesame Street. Whenever I can get him a new book with the gang and I love it as much as he does it is a win. This book is beautiful. Sweet poetic lines about what family looks like. Very simplistic illustrations with one color aside from the monsters was fun and soft pairing well with the words.