Member Reviews

Two kids are having a conversation about their two dads. One child is asking the other which dad does what. The book is filled with the types of questions that kids ask when they see different families. Everything done is super sweet and perfect to open up the dialogue about what having two dads is like. This is a much-needed book about families! There is also a title called A Tale of Two Mommies that is the same format. I am so excited to see these published.

5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

We followed the conversation between her children, in which one of them has two parents and then the other asks questions about which one helps her with the most diverse things.
I found it interesting, but I found the questions strange, because it is as if each task was associated with a parent. And even with a father and mother, the division is not the same. A mom can coach a football team and a dad can bake a cake, so I think I find the questions strange.

Was this review helpful?

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via NetGally.

This is an adorable book with captivating illustrations about a conversation between two children on the playground. The characters are a little girl who has two daddies, and her little boy playmate who asks questions about her daddies. The story format is two questions, two answers, repeat. Every question is "which dad does this?"

I think this is a wonderful book for normalizing families with two daddies, and it shows kids who don't live in a family structured like this that it's okay to be curious. What it doesn't do is show the child who is in this family structure that not all the questions will be kind or easy, or how to answer those questions.

Was this review helpful?

Ah, what a sweet and adorable book! This is the perfect book for explaining that some kids have two daddies, and that they can fulfill all the parenting needs a child has. I liked the rhyming questions, that the answers didn't skew to 'masculine' or 'feminine' roles for either dad, and that for some questions the answer was both daddies or neither or the little girl herself. A really well done kid's book to introduce this topic in a simple, matter-of-fact and loving way.

Was this review helpful?

My comments are pretty much the same as the Mommies one, only I found that story more visually interesting than this one.

This is a cute little story about a boy with two moms and his relationship with them. It should be great for children to help normalise gay relationships. The rhymes were good, but there’s nothing about it that stands out as different.

Was this review helpful?

A beautiful little book that might help explain to young children, that having two dads is just the same as having a mom and a dad. The only critique I can give is the age recommendation on goodreads, where an age group of 4 to 8 is given. I would suggest to change that from 3 to 5, as the art and writing definitely target a very young audience.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free review copy.

Was this review helpful?

***Advance Review Copy provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I don't really have much to say about this except that it's kind of cute and should be read to children to help them understand same-sex relationships from a young age.

Was this review helpful?

Such a good book to speak to kids who are trying to understand why some of their friends have two dads or even two moms. Though kids now are brought up with more of an understanding of different families these days this books just affirms the fact that two dads can love just as much h as a dad and a mom etc. I also love the rhyming. Had a great rhythm that my kids loved along with the cute innocent friendship between the boy and the girl.

Was this review helpful?

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* I previously read the "a tale of two mommies" book and really loved It so glad to see this one is just s great! these books are great and important for little kids for sure!

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely adored this!

Children’s books are perfect to illustrate the most complicated things, or at least that’s what I think so since we adults are pretty much complicate everything.
A Tale of Two Daddies is a short book that show us the perks of having two dads. Poppa and Daddy are the way this little girl calls them and from the very beginning we see how both of these men take care of her, just like any parent would.

I love seeing different types of families, especially when you can feel the love pouring out of the pages. A family should provide love and respect, but also, it should teach you how to be a nice person to others too. Kindness is very much needed any time, any place. And kids nowadays have the opportunity to learn about diversity and make this world a better place.

Was this review helpful?

WOW. Such a wonderful story with fabulous arts. The book is written in rhymes so it will be an easy read for your kiddo to understand why someone may have two dads while the others has a mommy and daddy.

The artwork is its highlight. It brings me a lot of memories about children playground. You should read out loud for your kiddo to open up their minds about diversity and acceptance of being gay.

Two thumbs up!

Was this review helpful?

A Tale of Two Daddies is a cute way to introduce kids to same-sex parents as something normal, and it did such a great job. The story follows a little girl and curious friend who asks her questions about which of her parents help her with certain things. The art is charming and the ending is absolutely delightful. I'll definitely be getting this one for my friends' kids!

Was this review helpful?

This is one of those stories that sits with you. Not because it was sad or hard to read, but because how easily children are accepting. A big point of the story is the fact that boy never once makes a joke about her having two dads. He was just curious like any young child would be. Never once did he make her feel uncomfortable.

We need more books like these.

Was this review helpful?

This book is about two friends at the playground. A boy is asking the questions to a girl who has two daddies. He is trying to understand what it means to have two daddies. He is most likely used to different gendered parents who have stereotypical roles. Although, the children do not call each other by name, it is clear that they are friends. As is it is common with same sex parents, they are called two different affectionate names, in this book-Daddy and Poppa. It is clear that both adults perform parenting roles, and are sensitive to her needs and feelings. The most important thing is that she knows that she is loved by both of them. There are too many questions that are asked while the two children are actively engaged the playground. However, I would recommend this book to children between four and eight. The language is child-like and provides comfort for the child who this book is being read to. The illustrations are humorous and help to keep the story flowing.

Was this review helpful?

A Tale of Two Mommies and a Tale of Two Daddies are two short picture books aimed at children between the ages of 4 and 8 with the purpose of helping them navigate the world of families and diversity.
Written by Vanita Oelschlager and illustrated by Mike Blanc and Kristin Blackwood, they immediately caught my attention as I’m always on the lookout for books that my daughter, who also has same-sex parents, will be able to relate to when she’s old enough.
Let me start by saying that I will happily share these two books with her once she becomes more interested in looking at them rather than chewing them! The illustrations are cute and fun and I liked that the conversation unfolding throughout the pages happens at child-level, with all the curiosity and candidness that only children can muster.
From an adult perspective, you could argue that both books can perpetuate gender stereotypes that we should strive to suppress. Not all mums like baking and not all dads can fix bicycles so it’s not the end of the world if a child doesn’t have a mum or a dad to do those things. Cakes will still be eaten and bicycles will still be fixed.
Having said this, these books work on a simpler level. I mean, they’re books for children rather than essays on same-sex parenthood. They’re not trying to beat stereotypes, they’re just trying to entertain children. Their message goes beyond gender roles. It all comes down to love. Regardless of your family composition, you, as a child, are loved. That’s it.

Was this review helpful?

Children's books are not usually part of my reading repertoire, but when I saw the subject matter of both "A Tale of Two Mommies" and "A Tale of Two Daddies," I simply had to pick them up.

Growing up, LGBT-themed children's books were absolutely out of the question -and still are in my area. That's why these books are so timely, essential and groundbreaking. And having worked with kids as an ESL tutor, I find it astonishing (and sometimes scary) just how much TV shows and books teach and shape the young minds.

I truly loved these little books. Their strongest suit is by far the heartwarming illustrations. Starting with the covers, the fact that we see a joyful child playing with his or her same sex parents paints a very positive picture of an LGBT family, especially since we are not influenced the parents' faces in any way. However, I believe that "A Tale of Two Daddies" would benefit from introducing some racial diversity to its characters, ideally one of the dads.

As the stories begin, only "A Tale of Two Daddies" has an introductory page in which a friend asks about the protagonist's same sex parents. Since the kids are smiling and playing, it's a nice and casual introduction which depicts the normality of LGBT parenthood. This is not the case in "A Tale of Two Mommies" where the story dives straight into scenes of children asking the protagonist which mommy helps him with certain daily activities. This is of course presented in a playful and happy way in both books, but it works out a lot better in "A Tale of Two Daddies" for the following reasons:
- only one other child asks the questions about the parents instead of two which is the case in "A Tale of Two Mommies," as this comes out a bit intimidating, like an interview;
- the names Daddy and Poppa and different enough while Momma and Mommy get too confusing, especially when the kids use terms "mom" and "mommy" interchangeably as well;
- race. While I would have preferred there to be more diversity, at least racial homogeneity doesn't come out as oddly as the "A Tale of Two Mommies" where it looks a bit like the protagonist, a black boy, is questioned by two white friends.

These may be problems which readers would probably overlook, but this being such a significant undertaking in children's literature, I believe they should certainly be addressed. Regardless, these little books are wonderful and I would definitely read them with my kids as a future mom in a heterosexual marriage.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A Tale of Two Daddies by Vanita Oelschlager is so cute! It's full of childhood innocence and curiosity as a young boy asks questions about a girl's two fathers. The questions are so honest and simple, wanting to know about which parent helps in which situation. The answers really showcase the girl's love for her parents. This is a sweet simple story with adorable illustrations and would be appropriate even for very young children.

Thank you to NetGalley and VanitaBooks, LLC for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

So cute!! I loved this little book so much, and it's very important would buy for my little brother!!

Was this review helpful?

A fun picture book about a little girl having a conversation with a friend about her two dads. The illustrations are colorful and charmingly simple, and the rhyming pattern makes it fun to read. I love that this book shows that same-sex parents are normal and natural, and also shows kids that it's okay to be curious and ask questions. My only complaint is that in some places the rhyming feels a but clunky, and I felt that the end came abruptly and needed one more verse. However, overall, I would recommend this book as a great read for anyone with young children.

Was this review helpful?

Lots of other books out there that will explain same sex parenting better. Additional choice for both home and school libraries.

Was this review helpful?