First published in 1989, Heather Has
Two Mommies has become a contemporary classic, a much-appreciated book
about a little girl who has two of everything – two arms, two legs, two eyes,
two pets, and two mommies. On her first day of school her moms say she can
bring two special things with her, and Heather chooses her blue blanket for
napping and her favorite red cup for snack time. After play time and nap time
when the children sit in a circle and share what their mommies and daddies do,
teacher Ms. Molly suggests they all draw pictures of their families. Juan,
Miriam, Joshua, Stacy, Emily… everyone enthusiastically draws his or her
family. Guess what. All of their families are different in some way – a mommy
and a stepfather, a mom and a dad, two dads, a grandma and a puppy, one sister,
two brothers… The conclusion is: each family is special, and what matters is
that the people in it love one another. When Heather’s mommies pick her up at
school, they give her two kisses, ending a happy day. Author Lesléa Newman created an enduringly affirming story; Laura Cornell’s
illustrations for this recent edition are equally warm-hearted and vibrant.
Ages 3-7 years.
