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A review by beths0103
Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman
3.0
This is a re-release of the famous picture book first published in 1989, this time with new illustrations. In 1989, a story like Heather Has Two Mommies was groundbreaking and controversial. While still somewhat controversial, to see an LGBT book in the children's section of the library is not that uncommon any longer. Leslea Newman helped pave the way for that to be possible.
I love the message that all families are unique and special in their own way and so Heather's family's uniqueness should be celebrated along with everyone else's, but it felt like something was missing from the narrative. It was all too happy and saccharine for my tastes, and while a dose of excess sweetness is likely needed for kids in Heather's situation in order to see themselves as normal, I would criticize the naivete of it all even if it weren't an LGBT book. For what it is and the need it fills, it's a good book. For the kind of picture books I consider compelling and worth sharing.... I'm not convinced.
Having said that, I had the opportunity to hear Leslea Newman talk about the re-release of Heather Has Two Mommies at a Candlewick event at ALA Midwinter and she is an incredibly engaging speaker with a beautiful heart.
I love the message that all families are unique and special in their own way and so Heather's family's uniqueness should be celebrated along with everyone else's, but it felt like something was missing from the narrative. It was all too happy and saccharine for my tastes, and while a dose of excess sweetness is likely needed for kids in Heather's situation in order to see themselves as normal, I would criticize the naivete of it all even if it weren't an LGBT book. For what it is and the need it fills, it's a good book. For the kind of picture books I consider compelling and worth sharing.... I'm not convinced.
Having said that, I had the opportunity to hear Leslea Newman talk about the re-release of Heather Has Two Mommies at a Candlewick event at ALA Midwinter and she is an incredibly engaging speaker with a beautiful heart.