This is a children's book about different types of families. 

The Missing Piece

Chalkboard

Wherever YOU end up, YOU were the missing piece! ¡Donde sea que TÚ termines, TÚ eras la pieza que faltaba!

Step-brother Half-brother

Step-sister Half-sister

The universe decided to find your home. El universo decidió encontrar tu hogar.

Families share love. Las familias comparten amor.

Single Dad Papá soltero

Would you have a brother or a sister? ¿Tendrías un hermano o una hermana?

Dedication: This book is dedicated to Emily, Sadie, Benjamin, and Baby Lucas. You opened your arms and accepted us as your own. Dedicación: Este libro está dedicado a Emily, Sadie, Benjamin y Baby Lucas. Abriste tus brazos y nos aceptaste como tuyos.

When you were born, the stars twinkled with joy. Cuando naciste, las estrellas brillaban de alegría.

Step-Mom madrastra Step-Dad Padrastro

Would you have two dads? ¿Tendrías dos papás?

Note to Parents and Teachers: 	Reading The Missing Piece is a great way to open conversation with your child or students. When we talk to each other, we open our minds to new versions of families. Utilize circle time or story time to discuss new ideas. Encourage children to share-out about their own family. 		 	When a topic has been introduced by a child, do not be judgmental. Instead, appreciate that they are sharing with others. Help them use appropriate vocabulary and affirm that our differences are what make us spectacular!

The Missing Piece La pieza que falta

Older Mom or Dad Papá o Mamá mayor

Younger Mom or Dad Mamá o Papá joven

Adopted: When a child is welcomed into a home and becomes part of a family due to many different circumstances. Co-parents: People who work together to care for a child or children. Family: A group of people who create memories and care for each other. Half-Brother/Sister: A brother or sister who share the same birth mother or birth father. Step-Family: A family created from members of a significant other's family. Step-Brother/Sister: The brother or sister gained from another birth mom or dad's relationship. Two Moms: Two females who love each other and raise a child or children together. Two Dads: Two males who love each other and raise a child or children together.

Would you have co-parents? ¿Tendrías co-padres?

You are a miracle. Eres un milagro.

Would you be adopted? ¿Serías adoptado?

We waited days and nights for your arrival. Nosotros esperamos días y noches para tu llegada.

Would you have... Tendrías...

Would you have two moms? ¿Tendrías dos mamás?

References: 	Gielen, U. P., &amp; Roopnarine, J. L. (2016, January 11). Childhood and Adolescence: Cross-Cultural Perspectives and Applications (2nd ed.). Praeger. 	Greenfield, M., Trumbull, E., Keller, H., Rothstein-Fisch, C., Suzuki, L. K., &amp; Quiroz, B. (2006). Cultural conceptions of learning and development (Ch. 29). In P. A. Alexander, &amp; P. H. Winne (Eds.), Handbook of educational psychology (2nd ed.) (pp.675-692). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum 	Iruka, I. U., Durden, T., &amp; Kennel, P. (2015, March). Changing Faces: Parenting, Culture, and Child Learning and Development. Zero to Three. <a href="https://www.zerotothree.org/">https://www.zerotothree.org/</a> 	Pérez, M. S., &amp; Saavedra, C. M. (2017). A Call for Onto-Epistemological Diversity in Early Childhood Education and Care: Centering Global South Conceptualizations of Childhood/s. Review of Research in Education, 41(1), 1–29. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732x16688621">https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732x16688621</a> 	Wassell, B. A., Coleman, N., Chen, X., &amp; Browne, S. (2021, April 2). Families, Resources, and Community: Illuminating the Structures of Culturally Relevant Education in an Urban Early Childhood Center. Education and Urban Society, 54(5), 538–559. https://doi.org/10.1177/00131245211004573

What kind of family would you have? ¿Qué tipo de familia tendrías?

Many different families exist. Existen muchas familias diferentes.