This story deals with this issue at a child's eye level and opens the door for discussion and validation of a child's feelings. Lots of Mommies are unusual but turn out to be wonderful for a little girl just starting kindergarten. Enchanting for younger children, discussion starter on roles for older youth. Megan's mother's special friend leaves and Megan is affected by the separation just as a child is affected by divorce. It is an absolutely delightful book with five stories of dragons, castles, and wonderfully self-reliant children who are able to take actions that make their world a better place.
Gender roles are non-traditional and families are varied.
The Daddies have all different skills and jobs but finally there is too big a crowd. Line drawings and short text make this fantasy a good discussion starter, especially if you discuss the idea of a machine being able to make Daddies and how they might feel about that. Valentine and his illustrator Lynette Schmidt have done it again with this set of three stories to delight the child in all of us. The message is clear and the text short and simple. A positive message for little ones to hear, whether parenting figures are gay or non-gay.