My Family Tree and Me

Reviewed by: Patricia Temple - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 8, 2015

Review

Reading front to middle and then back to middle, the reader is introduced to four generations of the little red haired boy narrator's family. Starting with his father's side we first meet his great-great grandparents illustrated with sepia tones and in vaguely european setting. As the pages turn, the next generation is shown as adults with wives or husbands, each picture incorporating a bit more color. Beginning with the final page and moving toward the middle of the book, the young narrator's mother's ancestral line is presented in the same style culminating in a multigenerational, all inclusive centerfold family portrait. This portrait is full of color and includes literally everyone an their dog. This book is a good introduction to how family relationships work regarding Aunts, Uncles and cousins. None of the extended family is divorced so there is no discussion of star parents, half siblings and the like. Still a good beginning concept book that is suited to one on one reading. The illustrations are lovely and valuable for picking out similar physical characteristics among the family groups.

Overall Book Score: very good