Note: I will be discussing both of these books within the same review, because the writer for both books is the same, and one of the illustrators is also the same for both books. I would also review both books similarly anyway.
Title: A Tale of Two Mommies
Writer: Vanita Oelschlager
Illustrator: Mike Blanc
Type: Fiction
Genre: Children’s
Publisher: Vanita Books
Date Published: Sept. 1 2011
Format: E-book
Page Count: N/A
Source: NetGalley
E-copy of the book kindly provided, in exchange for an honest review.
Summary: A Tale of Two Mommies is a beach conversation among three children. One boy asks another boy about having two mommies. A young girl listening in asks some questions too. A Tale of Two Mommies is intended for 4-8 year olds. This book lets us look inside one non-traditional family, a same sex couple and their son. As the children talk, it’s clear this boy lives in a nurturing environment where the biggest issues are the everyday challenges of growing up.
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Title: A Tale of Two Daddies
Writer: Vanita Oelschlager
Illustrators: Kristin Blackwood and Mike Blanc
Type: Fiction
Genre: Children’s
Publisher: Vanita Books
Date Published: April 1 2010
Format: E-book
Page Count: N/A
Source: NetGalley
E-copy of the book kindly provided, in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
A Tale of Two Daddies is a playground conversation between two children. The boy says he heard that the girl has two dads. The girl says that is right–she has Daddy and Poppa. Intended for 4 to 8-year olds, this book introduces a type of family increasingly visible in modern society. Neither favoring nor condemning, it reflects a child’s practical and innocent look at the adults who nurture and love her. It becomes clear that the family bond is unburdened by any cultural discomforts.
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★★★★★
I was very pleased to find that books like these are being written for children! The earlier we are taught not to discriminate, and to be accepting of all, the better. These books prove to me that our society has advanced (at least a little), and that there is hope for a better world.
The children in the story show no indication that there is anything wrong with having two mommies or two daddies, and this is a very important first step.
The sentences were short, and composed of words which would be easy to read and understand by children. The illustrations were also simple, but professionally done. The colours were easy on the eyes, and did not distract from the words on the page.
Words and illustrations work together in these books to teach children a really important life lesson.
I will not only recommend these books, but I will also promote them and buy them for my own children.