From: Robin Smith <robinsmith59>
Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2004 14:53:30 -0500

Nancy Garden, who has written many groundbreaking books about this topic, has a lovely new picture book called Molly's Family. Illustrated by Sharon Wooding, it has a soft, sweetie-pie look. When I sent my review to the local daily paper, I thought to myself, "Let's just see what happens here." I figured that the book would be to controversial for the book editor or whoever is his boss. I was pleased to be mistaken. The review ran with nary a comment.
    I was more pleased when teacher friends told my how glad they were to have a book that would show this family of a little girl and her two mothers, Mommy and Mama Lu. It seems that teachers wish to talk about all kids of families, even if their classrooms are filled with heterosexual parents. Molly draws a picture of her family in preparation for the upcomoing Open School Night. When a classmate states flatly, in the way of many kindergarteners, "That's not a family...where's your daddy?" Molly is upset and the teacher gets her to explain the disagreement . I love the teacher's reaction and I love that Nancy Garden gives her words to many teachers-- (looking at the picture) "SO, it looks to me as if you can have a mommy and a mama." 'Nuff said.

    A summer, 2002, title The Trouble with Babies by Martha Freeman, might have been a predictor of books to come. Here we meet minor character Xavier with his two dads.

 " 'I have two dads. And no mom. Alan and Jim are partners.'
 " 'Oh, now I get it,' I said. 'You mean they're gay.'" Not the smoothest dialogue, but a nice addition to a early chapter book set in San Francisco.

Robin Smith Nashville, TN
Received on Sat 05 Jun 2004 02:53:30 PM CDT