Daddy, Papa, and Me

What is the purpose of your average everyday board book? It's not really a crazy question. In the history of printed literature, board books are relative newcomers. I mean, books for babies and toddlers? A radical notion! Yet parents who start reading to their kids early find that their children are better readers later on down the road. As a result, sometimes board books are simplified adaptations of already existing picture books, and sometimes they are written with the intention of beginning and ending their lives as board books (though if you're Sandra Boynton, sometimes you'll see the rare board book to picture book crossover). Topics cover everything from animal sounds to colors, peek-a-boo, letters, numbers, and families. Always with the families. Small children like to see children like themselves in books just as parents like to see their family situations reflected in the literature their kids read. The problem is that there really isn't a lot to pick and choose from if you're a modern gay or lesbian couple. On the picture book side of things you can sometimes find a sweet story in the midst of all the pabulum ("Mini Mia and her Darling Uncle" perhaps), but it's relatively rare. And on the board book side of things? Essentially you can either find translated/bilingual editions of Moreno Velo and Termenón Delgado's charming "Manu" series, but that's almost entirely it. Now Tricycle Press is taking a chance and producing some quality baby board book fare for the busy single sex family. What is the purpose of your average everyday board book? To teach children about the world, of course. Credit to author Leslea Newman and illustrator Carol Thompson for producing not one but two titles ("Mommy, Mama, and Me" and "Daddy, Papa, and Me") for new families. In "Mommy, Mama, and Me" a small child (Boy? Girl? Unclear) discusses the activities that make up a day with Mommy and Mama. Gentle rhymes describe everything from "Mommy lets me help her cook" to "Mama helps me read a book." No matter what this family does, however, they do it together until at the end of the day, "Now I'm tucked in nice and tight. Mommy and Mama kiss me goodnight." Similarly the book "Daddy, Papa, and Me" covers similar ground. Only in that book a slightly older toddler runs, plays, and eventually tuckers out an exhausted Daddy and Papa. Accompanied by bright and lively illustrations, these board books are keepers from page one onward. The art itself is a mixture of mixed media and what looks to be watercolors. There was a time (and I like to think that it's past) when if an author or illustrator chose to write a story with a family in it that wasn't white, people would start tsking and murmuring under their breath that no white family would ever consider purchasing books about anything but similarly white families. The fact that black, Asian, Hispanic, and other ethnic groups readily purchased stories about all kinds of families that weren't th

Author Leslea Newman, and the world, have come a long way since her book, Heather Has Two Mommies, came out, and that's a relief. Not only is Daddy, Papa, and Me the single board book of its kind to date, it's really fine -- attractive, enjoyable, thoughtful and perfect for all young children to enjoy, whatever their own families' makeup. A happy, busy toddler and two parents, daddy and papa, relish an affectionate, child-centered day together. Neatly rhyming simple text accompanies friendly colorful illustrations depicting such homemade fun as pretending with costume props, flying paper airplanes, vrooming a toy car while piggyback riding, painting, baking a big pie (with wonderful child created pie dough decorations on top ), strumming a guitar, drumming on a toy drum and a cooking pot, mending a stuffed toy, throwing a ball, making tea and enjoying a tea party together. The parents spell each other, taking turns with some of the activities, but finally do appear to appreciate the pretend rest their little one arranges for them. Reading this is satisfying and makes a person feel good.

A great little boardbook, softly celebrating same-sex marriages. Without fanfare or apology, this quick-moving twenty-pager shows two cheerful daddies and one happy little toddler (of indeterminate gender) playing games, making music and baking cakes all day long -- until the poor daddies get so tired, the baby has to tuck them in. It's a cute book, especially with illustrations by Carol Thompson (who's a big favorite of mine). Just the right present for just the right new family. Ditto for the two-mommies version, "Mommy, Mama, And Me." (Joe Sixpack, ReadThatAgain children's book reviews)