The First Family - Hardcover

Twinn, Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0859539369 ISBN 13: 9780859539364

Publisher: Childs Play Intl Ltd, 1994

Synopsis

Highly illustrated and set in an anthropological setting, this book asks what makes a family and where love comes from. The story is a search for the origins of family, focusing on the needs of the child, and is intended to help the reader think more deeply about relationships and commitments.

About this title

From the Publisher:

In the catalogue description, Michael Twinn expresses the philosophy behind the creation of all Child's Play materials: "Families are for children. Children need parents. Parents exist for children. The family is where the new individual learns about responsibilities and rules and togetherness and love." The words describe clearly why he created The First Family. It is an indispensable tool for the nurturing of decent human beings. Here is why:
- Children are exposed to the existence of a primitive society through Annie Kubler's intriguing 'cave drawing' style. Exploring the history of humanity, comparing modern life to primitive life from many different angles will open the minds of children to the variety of cultures which exist throughout the world even today. (see also: The Cat Who Walked by Himself)
- The clearly delineated roles of the man and of the woman will undoubtedly raise many questions about sexual stereotypes (our modern version is in When I Grow Up).
- The delicate treatment of the courtship between the man and the woman, the conception, the pregnancy and the birth of the child offer unlimited opportunities for children to question and for adults and children to explore and share their thoughts and their feelings (round out this parenting tool-kit with I Know a Secret and The Birds and the Bees).
- The constant presence of animals, birds and insects in most of the scenes suggests the ways in which we are connected to them, how we are similar, how we are different.
- The recurring questions in the text and in the illustrations regarding the nature of the family lead us to many more questions about the nurturing of children, a family, community and global responsibility.
- "...in every land and in every nation, children are loved." The illustration which accompanies this text is a celebration of variety in the human condition. There are children of different skin colours, abilities and body shapes and sizes. There are children of all ages from an unborn baby to a teenager. There are sick and injured children. They are all smiling. They all deserve respect, care & love.

About this edition

• Publisher: Childs Play Intl Ltd
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0859539369
• ISBN 13: 9780859539364
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 24
• Illustrator: Kubler Annie