Heather Has Two Mommies

Heather Has Two Mommies is written by Leslea Newman and illustrated by Diana Souza. This is a controversial book as the topic of lesbian parents is brought to surface. Heather was born into a family with two moms, Mama Kate and Mama Jane. When Heather goes to her playgroup at Molly's a little boy talks about his mom and dad. This is when Heather realizes that she doesn't have a daddy. Heather becomes sad and is about to cry when one of the other children admit that their family isn't made up of a mom and dad either. The children at the playgroup come from families of all different family structures-two dads; a mom and a sister only; a mom and step-dad at one house with a dad at another house; a family with all adopted children; etc. Molly has the children draw pictures of their families, and the children at the play group learn that a lot of people aren't from the "traditional" family structure and that a family is made of people who love each other.

Although this book is surfaced around a heavy issue, homosexuality, I personally think this is a good book to share with children. Same sex parenting is becoming more common in today's society. In my opinion, children should be introduced to the concept of different family structures at a young age. I think if children discuss homosexuality at a young age, it will be more easily accepted by youth. I think this is a good book, because a diversity of family structures gets introduced to the reader. The reader is made aware that families can consist of all types of structures, and the only thing that matters is that they all love each other.