An Exercise in Futility

At my son's preschool the theme going on is "families". It is a nice way for all the kids to get to know one another. Each kid has brought in a picture of their family and then they say who everyone is and with whom they live. As our preschool has all kinds of families. Younger, older, adopted, non-adopted, mixed race, hetero, and gay. As the librarian for the school I usually hunt down some books that coordinate with the theme de jour. (I think we are doing apples/Autumn next. Not surprising eh?)

Anyways so one of the great things is that there are a lot more books aimed at children that have two Moms or two Dads. There wasn't much out there for some time, but now there are some interesting offerings. You don't even have to be a family with gay parents to appreciate some of these books. But I am sure that it is nice to see some representation in the stacks.

Tango makes Three is about the famous penguin couple at the Central Park Zoo who adopted their own egg and raised their own little penguin. Yes even penguins have the issue of babies who need adopting due to neglect. Apparently the penguin couple started off with a rock and then the zoo keepers were curious to see how they might do with a real egg and now the happy family still live at the zoo. The illustrations are very sweet and OMG penguins.

The Family Book by Todd Parr is more of an introduction to the idea that all kinds of groupings of people can make up a family. Be it a Mom and a Dad, Two Daddies, Two Mommies or even single parents. (because the single parents need to be seen too) It has kind of wild colors and the illustrations are simple. The kids really enjoyed this book a lot. It's funny and the text is pretty simple.

Our Mothers' House is by Patricia Polacco (who is a favorite children's writer/illustrator of mine). It's the story of a family who raises their brood of adopted kids. (assorted races too) They live in Berkley, natch. It follows their life and traditions (and even when they encounter someone who doesn't think much of them) and how the kids grow up and have their own families.

If you have really little ones who are still into board books there is Mommy, Mama, and Me or Daddy, Papa, and Me. Both books follow the usual patterns of what goes on in any family.

Finally there is Uncle Bobby's Wedding. It is all about a little girl who is kind of sad her Uncle is marrying because she thinks he won't have time for her anymore but she learns that her Uncle and his new husband will still have time for her. It is cute.

There are a lot more books but this is a good beginning set for anyone looking for books for themselves or family/friends.
Now get out there and read!

( A long-winded explanation of how I arrived at a book I enjoyed. It involves a journey through two other books. )

Yesterday in the post two fun things arrived. The latest issue of Gourmet magazine AND a package filled with jaffa cakes from mockduck. Oh thankyouhankyouthankyou. We are happy bunnies at Chez Anglo-America. Senor Onion knows exactly jaffa cakes are just by looking at the packaging and he was begging for them immediately. When I had a cupboard open and he saw the boxes he began to weep and moan because I wouldn't let him have any. He also tried to steal other people's cakes. I owe you big.