Hi, I’m back! Hubby and I have been on a whirlwind trip taking in ten countries in just over thirty days. More about that later. Right now I’m getting back into writing, catching up with my critique partners and I’m so glad to see PPBF is back too. So let’s get to it…
Heather Has Two Mommies
Written by: Leslea Newman
Illustrated by: Laura Cornell
Published by: Candlewick Press 2015
Ages: 3 – 7 years
Theme: families, two’s,
Opening Lines: Heather lives in a little house with a big apple tree in the front yard and lots of tall grass in the backyard. Heather’s favorite number is two. She has two arms, two legs, two eyes, two ears, two hands, and two feet.
Synopsis: (from the flap) Heather’s favorite number is two. Apart from two legs, two arms etc… she has two pets, and two mommies. When Heather goes to school for the first time, someone asks her about her daddy. Am I the only one here who doesn’t have a daddy? Heather wonders. This delightful edition of Leslea Newman’s modern classic featuring inviting, vivid illustrations by Laura Cornell will reassure a whole new generation of young readers that “the most important thing about a family is that all the people in it love each other.”
Why I like this: This is a lovely fresh look at a classic story first published back in 1989. (I was surprised to see that Google classed it as the first Lesbian themed book ever written for children.) The text is simple yet powerful and children learn that there is great diversity in what makes a family. I loved the teachers foresight in showing children that no matter what makes your family, the main thing they need to remember is the love within the family. A great story for all ages and will certainly make for great discussion in the classroom and at home.
Resources/Findings: Here is a reading of the book….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHPELRbTINk
Great back story about how the book came about by Leslea Newman….. http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-ca-jc-heather-has-two-mommies-20170511-story.html
All you need to know about Leslea Newman…. http://www.lesleakids.com/aboutleslea.html
I’m always pleased to be able to bring you some more special books that have come my way and be able to share them with you and join other great writers over at Susanna’s Blog, where there are literally hundreds of book reviews to view. So pop over and visit the lovely author, Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with books reviewed by many authors
Writer and Dreamer at work 
Welcome back. Your trip looked amazing!! What a great book to start off the season. Same gender parents are much more common now than when it was written but still a good reminder that not every family is the same, and that´s OK.
Thank you Darlene. I am putting together a few posts about my trip to post here so I can show off some more pics, soon. So happy to see you enjoyed your holiday to Vancouver and meeting up with all the family. We actually met up with a lovely Canadian couple from Vancouver and have promised to keep in touch and meet up again in Vancouver. Maybe 2019.
Yes this book I believe was on the ban list back when it was published and it took awhile for it to be published as no one wanted to touch it. Just shows how the times are a changing. So love it.
It is so important to share books about families that are different but still share so much in common. Kids encounter their friends who live with a grandparent, same gender parents, single parents and so on every day! I love inclusive stories.
Wow! What an incredible vacation with so many memories. Loved your photos! Welcome back!
Hi Pat. So nice to be back with such lovely friends as yourself. Yes we enjoyed our holiday and have many wonderful memories. Glad you liked the photos. Look out for more posts and pics here.
This is a very important book and I loved the theme. Kids do come across all sorts of families these days but it is even better when we openly talk about it. Love is what counts. 🙂