From Scott Hoying of acclaimed a cappella group Pentatonix and his husband, Mark Hoying, comes this cheery rhyming book about how “Christmas is for families! Families of all kinds.” Family and Christmas spirit are intertwined, the book conveys, no matter what a family looks like. The bright and cheery illustrations show families with two dads and two moms; a single mom, and a mom and dad, as well as a variety of extended family members, friends who are family, and even a bevy of family dogs showing that “Family is love.”
The family structures, sizes, and racial/ethnic identities may vary, but there’s less diversity about the way they observe the holiday; most of their celebrations reflect a mainstream, secular, American approach with a decorated tree and an expectation of Santa. That’s not a criticism, just a note so that potential readers can evaluate whether the story suits them. Regardless of how one celebrates the holiday, however, the message that “Family’s the greatest gift of all” will likely resonate.
Backmatter includes sheet music and a QR code so readers can sing along with the Hoynings.
