FA LA LA FAMILY

Pentatonix vocalist Scott Hoying and his husband, Mark, a marketing professional and music manager, dive deep into the emotions of the winter holiday season.

Christmas celebrations can mean many things, from lights and wreaths to presents and more. In this warm tale, everything circles back to the phrase “family is love.” Spotting calendar pages in the art, readers will eagerly find themselves counting down the days till December 25 as diverse families gather and observe various traditions. Lew’s bright digital illustrations are filled with crackling fireplaces, illuminated trees, crisp snowy days, and lots of hugs and food. On one spread, snapshots and Christmas cards present the word family in various languages (“Pamilya!” “Familia!” “Usapho!” “Ohana!”). On other pages, musical notes swirl as harmonies fill the air—the most prominent one being the “fa la la” refrain of the text, of course. The authors offer a notably inclusive depiction of the holiday: Family can be “your mom and you. / Maybe it’s a dad or two. / Maybe it’s a furry friend. / Family is love, whoever you are!” Amid the hustle and bustle, two fathers, one who presents white, the other who appears East Asian—likely stand-ins for the authors—and their baby appear throughout. Sheet music and lyrics for the titular song are included in the back, along with a QR code that links to a recording of Scott and Mark performing the tune.

Cozy and filled with love.