Sunday, February 20, 2011

Dad David, Baba Chris and me

Dad David, Baba Chris and me 
by Ed Merchant; British Association for Adoption & Fostering. 
Language: English 
London : BAAF, 2010. 
p. cm.
ISBN: 9781905664894; 1905664893
From the Publisher: This brightly illustrated book for children aged 5-10 years old tells Ben’s story about his ordinary life. Ben was adopted by his gay parents – Dad David and Baba Chris – when he was four years old, and they live happily together in an ordinary house, on an ordinary street and do ordinary things.

When Ben starts junior school his ordinary life is turned upside down. Some children begin to tease him because he lives with two dads. They try to hurt and upset him by calling him “gay”. Now Ben is worried that he is not so ordinary any more and he is anxious about being different.

Baba Chris and Ben’s school teacher Miss Patel help Ben to understand that children live in all kinds of families and that what matters most is that children are loved and cared for.

Dad David, Baba Chris and ME also addresses the sensitive issue of whether children’s sexuality will be affected by being raised by same-sex parents. Ben asks his two dads if he will be gay just like them, but Baba Chris tells him that he will know how he feels when he is older. Dad David says that Ben will most likely find a girlfriend, and both his dads reassure Ben that whatever he does and however he feels it will be quite alright and quite ordinary. But it will be special for Ben.

Dad David, Baba Chris and ME helps to explain the diversity and “difference” of family groups, and encourages an understanding and appreciation of same-sex parents. The book will be particularly useful for social workers, child care professionals, carers and adoptive parents when exploring the complexities of modern family life with young children. 
Available: http://www.baaf.org.uk/bookshop/book_dadavidbaba.

Want toast

Want toast 
by Anna Wilson 
illus. by Vanda Carter 
Language: English 
London : Onlywomen, 2010.
p. cm.
ISBN: 9780956105301; 0956105300
Summary: A picture book about definitely independent child seeking, and ultimately getting, the attention of her female parents.
Publisher's Annotation: Picture book, Want Toast tells the story of a very young, very adventurous girl. But although Ruth knows what she wants, the delights of waking up at first hint of daylight prove hard to share with her mummies. And soon she learns there's more to learn. This is a joyous tale of discovery wherein Ruth plans her next steps. 
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Want-Toast-Anna-Wilson/dp/0956105300/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354633468&sr=1-1&keywords=9780956105301

Donovan's big day

Donovan's big day 
by Lesléa Newman 
illus. by Mike Dutton 
Language: English 
Berkeley, CA : Tricycle Press, ©2011. 
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 28 cm.
ISBN: 9781582463322; 1582463328
Summary: From the moment Donovan wakes in the morning, he painstakingly prepares for his special role in the wedding ceremony of his two mothers.
Annotation: Donovan's two moms are getting married, and he can't wait for the celebration to begin. After all, as ringbearer, he has a very important job to do. Any boy or girl with same-sex parents-or who knows a same-sex couple-will appreciate this picture book about love, family, and marriage. The story captures the joy and excitement of a wedding day while the illustrations show the happy occasion from a child's point of view. 
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Donovans-Big-Day-Leslea-Newman/dp/1582463328/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354633712&sr=1-1&keywords=9781582463322 Major reviews: School Library Journal, Booklist, Publisher's Weekly

Frank and Hank Get Hitched

Frank and Hank get hitched 
by R A Carpenter 
Language: English 
[U.S.?] : R.A. Carpenter, ©2008. 
[42] p. : col. ill. ; 20 x 25 cm. 
Summary: A girl's Uncle Frank falls in love with Hank, and they go to Canada to get married. The girl gets to be the flower girl.