Daddy's Wedding (Alyson Wonderland) - Hardcover

Willhoite, Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1555833500 ISBN 13: 9781555833503

Publisher: Alyson Books, 2000

Synopsis

Nick tells about the wedding of his daddy to Frank, including the gathering of family and friends, the ceremony, the food, and the antics of Clancy.

About this title

From Kirkus Reviews:

In the sequel to Daddy's Roommate (1990, not reviewed), ten- year-old Nick is the ``best man'' at the commitment ceremony of his gay father and his partner, Frank. Nick's mother, stepfather, and grandparents are delighted by the celebration, which takes place in a backyard and is officiated by a female minister. She asks the men to present their own version of vows before the multiracial attendees, who include other same-sex couples. The only dramatic conflict comes when the dog eats part of the wedding cake, an incident treated with equanimity and humor. In a book clearly intended to show such ceremonies as normal occasions, there is no suggestion that anyone might feel awkwardness. It is not so much bibliotherapy as a positive reinforcement of families, whatever their make up or configuration. A practical title for the parenting shelves, perhaps, rather than for general picture book collections, this book is less a literary effort than a work to reassure those in similar situations. (Picture book. 4-10) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From Booklist:

Ages 4^-8. "Can men get married to each other?" Nick asks his dad. In this sequel to Daddy's Roommate (1991), the answer is a resounding "yes!" with a commitment ceremony and celebration in the backyard and Nick acting as best man at his father's wedding. Children's books have developed beyond this kind of heavy didacticism and exclamatory art. The wedding does look like fun, but the only moment of real narrative here is when the dog eats part of the wedding cake. There's a condescending literalness to this picture book, which is as amateurish as the most strident fundamentalist Christian "fiction." Every detail is message driven: Nick's mother is happily remarried, and he loves his stepfather; the guests include a lesbian couple; the minister is a large woman; Nick is off to baseball camp. The subject of same-sex marriage deserves better than this. Consider for purchase where material on the subject is needed, but let's hope something better comes along soon. Hazel Rochman

About this edition

• Publisher: Alyson Books
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 1555833500
• ISBN 13: 9781555833503
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32