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Molly's Family
What makes a family?
The members of Ms. Marston's kindergarten class are cleaning and decorating their room for the upcoming Open School Night. Molly and Tommy work on drawing pictures to put on the walls. Molly draws her family: Mommy, Mama Lu, and her puppy, Sam. But when Tommy looks at her picture, he tells her it's not of a family. "You can't have a mommy and a mama," he says. Molly doesn't know what to think; no one else in her class has two mothers. She isn't sure she wants her picture to be on the wall for Open School Night.
Molly's dilemma, sensitively explored in words and art, shows readers that even if a family is different from others, it can still be happy, loving, and real.
The members of Ms. Marston's kindergarten class are cleaning and decorating their room for the upcoming Open School Night. Molly and Tommy work on drawing pictures to put on the walls. Molly draws her family: Mommy, Mama Lu, and her puppy, Sam. But when Tommy looks at her picture, he tells her it's not of a family. "You can't have a mommy and a mama," he says. Molly doesn't know what to think; no one else in her class has two mothers. She isn't sure she wants her picture to be on the wall for Open School Night.
Molly's dilemma, sensitively explored in words and art, shows readers that even if a family is different from others, it can still be happy, loving, and real.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 7, 2004
2 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Garden
44 books452 followersA versatile writer, Nancy Garden has published books for children as well as for teens, nonfiction as well as fiction. But her novel Annie on My Mind, the story of two high school girls who fall in love with each other, has brought her more attention than she wanted when it was burned in front of the Kansas City School Board building in 1993 and banned from school library shelves in Olathe, Kansas, as well as other school districts. A group of high school students and their parents in Olathe had to sue the school board in federal district court in order to get the book back on the library shelves. Today the book is as controversial as ever, in spite of its being viewed by many as one of the most important books written for teens in the past forty years. In 2003 the American Library Association gave the Margaret A. Edwards Award to Nancy Garden for lifetime achievement.
In Remembrance: Nancy Garden
In Remembrance: Nancy Garden
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
March 7, 2015
I found Molly's Family accidentally while at the library reading through the "Parenting Resources" books (which seems to be a code tag for books that address specific, potentially taboo parenting/family contexts such as LGBTQ families, adoption, foster care, families with members in incarceration, etc. -- though the books on this shelf versus in the main collection seem selected in a rather willy-nilly way). I was utterly delighted to have found this treasure.
Told exactly on the level of my students from the perspective of a peer (Molly), I was pleased, in particular, with the adult dialogue, which is a wonderful model of how to answer the questions children are asking. Through the simple support of Molly's parents and her teacher she is reassured that she is part of a happy, loving, and REAL family, even if she has a Mommy as a birth mother and a Mama as an adopted mother.
We read this text in my classroom in the context of a much broader unit addressing family diversity. My students read books, watched short videos, attended a photography exhibit featuring narratives of families talking about themselves and their experiences, and engaged in individual, small group, and larger group conversations as well as written reflections on what they were learning, thinking, and feeling.
From my perspective, Molly's Family supports the kinds of important conversations that are important to engage with ALL young children, regardless of their personal context. I often hear heterosexual parents say that they will address 'these topics' someday in the future when their kids are older and ready for these 'serious' conversations. I believe children are ready now, regardless of age. They just need to be engaged in developmentally appropriate conversations that address the questions they are asking (not the connotations adults attach to those questions). Even if a child's family doesn't look like Molly's, the families of other children they know might. A key part of all children feeling safe and welcome is helping all children know that there are many, many different kinds of families and ALL are based on love.
Adults often say that these conversations are just too controversial for young and innocent children to handle. My experience is that children read the world presented to them. They notice when adults avoid specific conversations or topics and they developmentally mark that avoidance as an aversion to something bad, dangerous, or wrong. You need to answer their questions with developmentally appropriate answers. If they ask if families can have two mom (or dads), they just want to know if a family can have to moms (or dads). Nothing more. At the age of Molly (and my students) -- Kindergarten -- they just need to know that families are made of people who love and take care of each other. Other reviewers noted that schools should stay out of the business of teaching which lifestyles to accept or celebrate, and while that may be true, I believe that schools still have a responsibility to include everyone. Families parented by same-sex couples exist. They are part of our classrooms and our communities. As a teacher I have a responsibility to present a curriculum that acknowledges the existence of everyone, especially voices usually brushed aside. Those 'brushed aside' stories are the stories of my students. And they deserve -- and NEED -- to see their own experiences reflected back to them. Molly's Family is a beautiful way for me to support that effort.
Told exactly on the level of my students from the perspective of a peer (Molly), I was pleased, in particular, with the adult dialogue, which is a wonderful model of how to answer the questions children are asking. Through the simple support of Molly's parents and her teacher she is reassured that she is part of a happy, loving, and REAL family, even if she has a Mommy as a birth mother and a Mama as an adopted mother.
We read this text in my classroom in the context of a much broader unit addressing family diversity. My students read books, watched short videos, attended a photography exhibit featuring narratives of families talking about themselves and their experiences, and engaged in individual, small group, and larger group conversations as well as written reflections on what they were learning, thinking, and feeling.
From my perspective, Molly's Family supports the kinds of important conversations that are important to engage with ALL young children, regardless of their personal context. I often hear heterosexual parents say that they will address 'these topics' someday in the future when their kids are older and ready for these 'serious' conversations. I believe children are ready now, regardless of age. They just need to be engaged in developmentally appropriate conversations that address the questions they are asking (not the connotations adults attach to those questions). Even if a child's family doesn't look like Molly's, the families of other children they know might. A key part of all children feeling safe and welcome is helping all children know that there are many, many different kinds of families and ALL are based on love.
Adults often say that these conversations are just too controversial for young and innocent children to handle. My experience is that children read the world presented to them. They notice when adults avoid specific conversations or topics and they developmentally mark that avoidance as an aversion to something bad, dangerous, or wrong. You need to answer their questions with developmentally appropriate answers. If they ask if families can have two mom (or dads), they just want to know if a family can have to moms (or dads). Nothing more. At the age of Molly (and my students) -- Kindergarten -- they just need to know that families are made of people who love and take care of each other. Other reviewers noted that schools should stay out of the business of teaching which lifestyles to accept or celebrate, and while that may be true, I believe that schools still have a responsibility to include everyone. Families parented by same-sex couples exist. They are part of our classrooms and our communities. As a teacher I have a responsibility to present a curriculum that acknowledges the existence of everyone, especially voices usually brushed aside. Those 'brushed aside' stories are the stories of my students. And they deserve -- and NEED -- to see their own experiences reflected back to them. Molly's Family is a beautiful way for me to support that effort.
August 18, 2012
Extremely message heavy. While a good message, I was glad to see that, despite this book being on the featured shelf, it’s nearly a decade old. I hope it’s dated because it feels dated to me.
I’d recommend it for kids with “atypical” families and even more so kids who know kids from “atypical” families, bullies, for discussion of same sex relationships and families, for discussion of bullying, and possibly for read aloud time in kindergarten classrooms.
What I didn’t like was the oh so naïve young boy who thinks his family configuration is the only possible one, having 5-6 year olds think of cleaning windows and dusting as a way to make their classroom nicer for open school family night. The drawings idea seemed more realistic and less objectionable on so many levels, and I like that leashed dogs were welcome to attend, although families with kids with animal allergies might be less enamored of this idea. I did like the teacher but wonder why there hasn’t already been a group lesson about differences.
I did enjoy the pictures and their detail.
I hate rating this book too low because I appreciate what it’s trying to say, and I can see its appeal to some kids. But 2 ½ stars from me. I’ll up it because I do like the illustrations.
I’d recommend it for kids with “atypical” families and even more so kids who know kids from “atypical” families, bullies, for discussion of same sex relationships and families, for discussion of bullying, and possibly for read aloud time in kindergarten classrooms.
What I didn’t like was the oh so naïve young boy who thinks his family configuration is the only possible one, having 5-6 year olds think of cleaning windows and dusting as a way to make their classroom nicer for open school family night. The drawings idea seemed more realistic and less objectionable on so many levels, and I like that leashed dogs were welcome to attend, although families with kids with animal allergies might be less enamored of this idea. I did like the teacher but wonder why there hasn’t already been a group lesson about differences.
I did enjoy the pictures and their detail.
I hate rating this book too low because I appreciate what it’s trying to say, and I can see its appeal to some kids. But 2 ½ stars from me. I’ll up it because I do like the illustrations.
July 7, 2016
This was a short children's book about alternative families, with the main character's (Molly) family consisting of her, her two mothers, and her dog. The artwork and story are cute.
May 11, 2014
Garden's only picture book, the beautifully illustrated Molly's Family has a similar storyline to Holly's Secret. Each centers around a young girl (Molly is in kindergarten, Holly is in middle school) with two moms who wants to hide her non-traditional family from her classmates after her family make-up is ridiculed. In the end, both children accept that they need not hide or be ashamed of having two mothers.
In an interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith, Garden explained that her inspiration came from the problems experienced by the children raised by some of her gay and lesbian friends: "Despite the fact that more and more children are now being born into and adopted by gay and lesbian couples, there are still very few books about and for those children. Although we like to think children raised by gay and lesbian couples don't have any problems stemming from their "different" families, in truth, they are as subject to misunderstanding, teasing and bigotry as are other minority children. When close friends of ours adopted a baby and, a year and a half later, another, I wanted to write a book that might help those two kids and their friends understand and value their special family as they grew up."
In an interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith, Garden explained that her inspiration came from the problems experienced by the children raised by some of her gay and lesbian friends: "Despite the fact that more and more children are now being born into and adopted by gay and lesbian couples, there are still very few books about and for those children. Although we like to think children raised by gay and lesbian couples don't have any problems stemming from their "different" families, in truth, they are as subject to misunderstanding, teasing and bigotry as are other minority children. When close friends of ours adopted a baby and, a year and a half later, another, I wanted to write a book that might help those two kids and their friends understand and value their special family as they grew up."
February 24, 2010
Opening School Night is the perfect stage for introducing families to the classroom. As Mrs. Marston’s classroom prepares for this special night, the children decorate with pictures representing their families. Molly draws her family; Mommy, Mama Lu and her puppy, Sam. One of her classmates proceeds to tell Molly that her family cannot have two mommies. This gives Molly opportunity to talk with her teacher and of course her parents. Molly realizes that even though her family may be different in some ways, they are similar in sharing love and happiness.
This book gently shares diversity in families in such a tender way. The teacher and parents together are supporting the child and the group of children when questions are raised about differences in families. Molly’s Family is a great choice for pre-school through second grade.
This book gently shares diversity in families in such a tender way. The teacher and parents together are supporting the child and the group of children when questions are raised about differences in families. Molly’s Family is a great choice for pre-school through second grade.
August 6, 2009
Its about time childrens books include me!
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March 5, 2025History of a new kind of family model, cute
two mothers, and a puppy
tommy why can’t you mind your own business !
two mothers, and a puppy
tommy why can’t you mind your own business !
June 29, 2015
“Molly’s Family,” by Nancy Garden, explains that many children have different family dynamics, and that they are all equally important. This book tells the story about a little girl named Molly whose parents are both female. When Molly draws a picture of her family for Open School night of Ms. Marston’s class, a little boy declares that having two mommies is not real. She is extremely hurt by his response, and decides to confront her Mommy and Mama for answers. Through a comfortable conversation, she learns that her family began from an adoptive and biological process, but most importantly the required ingredient of love. Molly begins to appreciate her non-traditional family structure, and is eager to display her family art on the classroom wall.
This book confronts and accurately depicts the confusion children have when discussing their family situations with others. Ultimately, this book is a great way to discuss non-traditional families within a classroom setting. The book clearly legitimizes that all families are equal and promotes acceptance of others in the classroom. It is imperative that children are exposed to a variety of family dynamics that can be addressed through an individualized text set. This book may address same sex parents, but I would also use this story to address non-traditional families such as mix-raced, grandparents, and single parents.
Most importantly, my text set on the family dynamics in a contemporary society properly exposes children to a variety of family frameworks for children of the primary age bracket. Children need to be conscious of others by gaining the proper knowledge of family differences. The main goal is for children to be accepting of others and display kindness for all types of people. Additionally, I can use this text to introduce my students to their fellow classmates families. As part of Ms. Marston’s curriculum, I would ask my students to draw pictures of their families. This activity allows open conversation for the students to understand that every child is associated with their own personal family dynamic. It is important that children are exposed at young age to this subject matter, and have them understand that families are made up of love, not race or gender.
This book confronts and accurately depicts the confusion children have when discussing their family situations with others. Ultimately, this book is a great way to discuss non-traditional families within a classroom setting. The book clearly legitimizes that all families are equal and promotes acceptance of others in the classroom. It is imperative that children are exposed to a variety of family dynamics that can be addressed through an individualized text set. This book may address same sex parents, but I would also use this story to address non-traditional families such as mix-raced, grandparents, and single parents.
Most importantly, my text set on the family dynamics in a contemporary society properly exposes children to a variety of family frameworks for children of the primary age bracket. Children need to be conscious of others by gaining the proper knowledge of family differences. The main goal is for children to be accepting of others and display kindness for all types of people. Additionally, I can use this text to introduce my students to their fellow classmates families. As part of Ms. Marston’s curriculum, I would ask my students to draw pictures of their families. This activity allows open conversation for the students to understand that every child is associated with their own personal family dynamic. It is important that children are exposed at young age to this subject matter, and have them understand that families are made up of love, not race or gender.
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October 19, 2016“Molly’s Family” is about children discussing their different families. They all draw pictures of their family, and after some mild conflict about how families are “supposed” to be, everyone agrees that families can come in many different shapes and forms.
This book is important, I believe, to include because it has some mild conflict. Many of the books that I found had no conflict, but unfortunately that is not always the case in real life. It prepares children that people still may critique or mock a different kind of family, and making students aware of that fact is very important.
The text is interesting to children and offers them a variety of things to consider. It is age appropriate and includes a nice plot. The story includes a problem and a solution, includes realistic characters, and uses language that is on level with the estimated readers. The illustrations are accurate and relate to the text. They also hold the children's interest and enhance the story.
The characters in the book represents a variety of cultural groups and the readers are exposed to multiple different types of values. There are no negative stereotypes of any represented group and the lifestyles of the characters are authentic. The characters use speech expected of an elementary school aged student, not necessarily pertaining to any specific culture. The author was a part of a group being represented. The "good" and "bad" characters were of a variety of backgrounds, and there is diversity in the cultural groups represented.
This book is important, I believe, to include because it has some mild conflict. Many of the books that I found had no conflict, but unfortunately that is not always the case in real life. It prepares children that people still may critique or mock a different kind of family, and making students aware of that fact is very important.
The text is interesting to children and offers them a variety of things to consider. It is age appropriate and includes a nice plot. The story includes a problem and a solution, includes realistic characters, and uses language that is on level with the estimated readers. The illustrations are accurate and relate to the text. They also hold the children's interest and enhance the story.
The characters in the book represents a variety of cultural groups and the readers are exposed to multiple different types of values. There are no negative stereotypes of any represented group and the lifestyles of the characters are authentic. The characters use speech expected of an elementary school aged student, not necessarily pertaining to any specific culture. The author was a part of a group being represented. The "good" and "bad" characters were of a variety of backgrounds, and there is diversity in the cultural groups represented.
October 25, 2017
I think this book does a great job educating students with showing them that it is okay to have a different family combination than the standard "mom and dad" that most kids like to come out and say. It is very important to have children's books like this one because some same sex parents do not come around the schools very often because they feel uncomfortable, or the student feels uncertain because his/her family is two people of the same sex! This story shows a class getting ready for a family night at school and each student drew pictures of their family, and a girl got insulted because "she cannot have two moms." Many students are unfamiliar with this! It is great to show the teacher comforting Molly that has two mom's, that way she can feel comfortable and not be scared to bring her parents to the family night at school! The illustrations do a great job at showing the details in her family drawing of her and her two moms. I would have to say the book does not sure a diversity of different races in the students, but it does do a great job in promoting students to not be scared of having a family with two moms, two dads, or anything in that area!! We should accept out students for who they are and welcome each family with open arms! I think the text is a little lengthy and could start to make the children reading it a little confused, I personally think it could be a little more simple. But overall, the point way made across very well. The story includes and problem and a nice solution for all kids to learn from! :)
October 26, 2012
I love this story and it is a direct example of my culture topic and a very well written book. This fiction picture book tells the story of a young girl named Molly who never questioned having two mothers until her classmate told her that the picture she drew of her two is not a family and that a real family has a mother and a father. A confused young girl just wants to know if she has a "real family” and realizes in the end that she does. I'm not sure that I could use this particular book to teach literacy but I do think that this would be a good book to read to my students to show them that families come in all different sorts of varieties. This book may hit home for those students who do not have the typical family. I can use this story to have my students tell a story and draw pictures of their family. Garden, being a partner in a same sex couple, wrote some of her books on same sex coupling in a positive way. Garden does a good job effectively showing the confusion most children go through when faced with societies "norms." For example, Molly did not want to bring her picture back to school because she was afraid of what people may say. Garden knows that these are real life feeling and she tells her story well. This story relates to my topic because it is the perfect example of a diverse family. Not every family is going to have a mother and a father but that doesn't mean that they are not a family.
October 18, 2013
Molly's Family is an interesting story about a young girl who draws a picture of her family for Open School Night. When the kids are comparing their families to each other, Molly gets picked on for having two mothers. She decides that she doesn't want her picture to be displayed for everyone to see in shame. She eventually learns that it is ok to have same sex parents and she allows her picture to be seen with the other students' pictures.
Nancy Garden does not identify with the LGBT community but she felt the need to write about this subject because more and more children are being raised by same sex parents. It is important that we shed light on how bigotry and teasing stems from the misunderstandings of same sex relationships. She wrote this book to help clear the misunderstandings and help children understand and value their own families no matter what they look like.
The characters include Molly, her mothers, her classmates, and the student who teases her is named Tommy.
I would like to read this for my students especially for the kids that have same sex parents. I want them to understand that there is no problem with different structured families and that they should take pride in who their loved ones are no matter their sexual orientation. this could also help the students who are unfamiliar with same sex xouples to understand that they should not pick on others who have same sex parents.
Nancy Garden does not identify with the LGBT community but she felt the need to write about this subject because more and more children are being raised by same sex parents. It is important that we shed light on how bigotry and teasing stems from the misunderstandings of same sex relationships. She wrote this book to help clear the misunderstandings and help children understand and value their own families no matter what they look like.
The characters include Molly, her mothers, her classmates, and the student who teases her is named Tommy.
I would like to read this for my students especially for the kids that have same sex parents. I want them to understand that there is no problem with different structured families and that they should take pride in who their loved ones are no matter their sexual orientation. this could also help the students who are unfamiliar with same sex xouples to understand that they should not pick on others who have same sex parents.
October 19, 2016
This book is in a school setting. Molly, the child, goes to school, and students find out that she has two mommies and she doesn’t have a daddy. She struggles with being accepted by her peers. She is told that you could only have one mom or one dad, that you couldn’t have two. After this, the teacher explains to the students that you can have two moms or two dads. Molly is still very upset with her friends and is embarrassed about her picture and won’t hang it up for everyone to see. After going home and taking to her moms, she comes back to school and has the courage to hang her picture for everyone to see.
I really like this book. It is a realistic fiction book. It relates to my topic because Molly is trying to talk about her family and she is being judged and told that she isn’t allowed to have two mommies. The students have never heard of this. After the teacher explains and gives the students knowledge about this, they are more accepting and understanding about Molly’s family. I think it will be very interesting to elementary school children because it is about Molly's life also because Molly figures out how to be comfortable with her family and stand up to other students. The good thing about this book is that it raises questions for the students about Molly's family, but never is there negative stereotypes. Students can also relate to this book, because of such realistic characters and settings.
I really like this book. It is a realistic fiction book. It relates to my topic because Molly is trying to talk about her family and she is being judged and told that she isn’t allowed to have two mommies. The students have never heard of this. After the teacher explains and gives the students knowledge about this, they are more accepting and understanding about Molly’s family. I think it will be very interesting to elementary school children because it is about Molly's life also because Molly figures out how to be comfortable with her family and stand up to other students. The good thing about this book is that it raises questions for the students about Molly's family, but never is there negative stereotypes. Students can also relate to this book, because of such realistic characters and settings.
April 17, 2012
As Ms. Marston and her class prepare for their Open School Night to be held at the end of the week, the children are ask to help clean and decorate the room in preparation for the arrival of their families. Molly and Tommy volunteer to draw pictures of their families to hang on the classroom walls, and when Molly's picture depicts her, two mothers, and a puppy, her classmate rebukes this illustration with the claim that "You can't have a mommy and a mama." Molly is hurt by this invalidation of her family, and seeks answers from her Mommy and Mama when she takes little comfort in the support of her teacher and furthermore discovers that no one else in the classroom has two mothers as she does. This dilemma is resolved as her mothers explain to her how their family came to be out of the union of an adoptive and biological mother, and most of all, out of love. As Molly comes to appreciate her unique family structure, she is once more eager to display her picture on the classroom wall. This story seeks to redress the underrepresentation of children with same-sex parents, and accurately depicts the tension and confusion that these children experience when their families are questioned. Ultimately, the book legitimizes families of all forms and promotes acceptance of others in their familial situations.
October 31, 2012
Molly's family by Nancy Garden is a narrative about a little girl named Molly whose parents are of the same sex. Molly realizes that her family is different than her peers families when one of her classmates declared her family was "not real" because she had two moms. After school that day Molly decides to take the picture that she drew of her family home with her. Before Molly goes to bed she asks her "mommy" and her "mama" if her family is real? her parents reassure her that her family is real and Molly builds up enough confidence to take her picture back to school the next day. I would definitely use this book in my classroom when discussing gay or lesbian families. Garden does a great job of giving a very realistic scenario. I can totally see myself instructing my students to draw a picture if their families during the beginning of the school year. This kind of activity allows for the teacher and the students to get to know eachother. I strongly believe that children need to be exposed to a variety of different families from an early age. If this is done early enough the children's mind will subconsciously become more accepting of other's differences. The author, Nacy Garden, is a lesbian herself and chose to write this book In order to help those families who might be going through a similar situation as Molly.
February 24, 2009
Summary: When Molly's kindergarten class gets ready for Open School Night, Molly discovers that her classmates don't understand how she can have a Mommy and a Mama Lu.
Response: This is a perfect example of a book that has merit from a multicultural perspective if not from a literary perspective. Written in picture book form, geared towards very young children, and told in straightforward and kind tones, this book presents the concept of families with two mothers as well as presenting other less-traditional families. While the book is told in narrative form, its strength lies in the window and mirror Molly provides; for children who don't know any two-mom families, this book expresses their curiosity and doubt, being honest to the self-centered nature of children this age (if a family doesn't look like mine, it must not be possible). If a child lives in a two-mom family, he or she may have experience with trying to "explain" their family to other children, and the book describes Molly's trying to figure out how to explain something she just knows to be true - that of course she can have a Mommy and Mama Lu. The teacher serves to guide the children through their discussion and the book ultimately celebrates all families.
CONTEMPORARY REALISTIC FICTION
Response: This is a perfect example of a book that has merit from a multicultural perspective if not from a literary perspective. Written in picture book form, geared towards very young children, and told in straightforward and kind tones, this book presents the concept of families with two mothers as well as presenting other less-traditional families. While the book is told in narrative form, its strength lies in the window and mirror Molly provides; for children who don't know any two-mom families, this book expresses their curiosity and doubt, being honest to the self-centered nature of children this age (if a family doesn't look like mine, it must not be possible). If a child lives in a two-mom family, he or she may have experience with trying to "explain" their family to other children, and the book describes Molly's trying to figure out how to explain something she just knows to be true - that of course she can have a Mommy and Mama Lu. The teacher serves to guide the children through their discussion and the book ultimately celebrates all families.
CONTEMPORARY REALISTIC FICTION
June 9, 2010
SPOILER alert!!
My 6 yr old unwittingly checked this book out of the school library. It's about a little girl with lesbian parents who gets teased because no one believes that she has two mothers.
I don't think any kid should get teased because of their family situation, so in that sense the message was good. But I thought it was really inappropriate to have this book on the general check out shelf of the school library, putting parents in an awkward position of having to read their child's choice of books out loud (sometimes without knowing what the book is about beforehand- hence my spoiler alert here.)Then have to come up with some kind of reason for very young children WHY the little girl has two mothers. We'll get to that discussion in the future but not when my kids are in Kindergarten, please. I think it's a good book to have on hand in the library behind the desk if a child finds themselves in this situation. But it's too controversial a topic to have innocently sitting on the school library shelf.
We SHOULD be accepting of people. Children have to learn about all this eventually, but schools should stay out of the business of teaching which lifestyles are to be accepted and celebrated. That's the parents' job.
My 6 yr old unwittingly checked this book out of the school library. It's about a little girl with lesbian parents who gets teased because no one believes that she has two mothers.
I don't think any kid should get teased because of their family situation, so in that sense the message was good. But I thought it was really inappropriate to have this book on the general check out shelf of the school library, putting parents in an awkward position of having to read their child's choice of books out loud (sometimes without knowing what the book is about beforehand- hence my spoiler alert here.)Then have to come up with some kind of reason for very young children WHY the little girl has two mothers. We'll get to that discussion in the future but not when my kids are in Kindergarten, please. I think it's a good book to have on hand in the library behind the desk if a child finds themselves in this situation. But it's too controversial a topic to have innocently sitting on the school library shelf.
We SHOULD be accepting of people. Children have to learn about all this eventually, but schools should stay out of the business of teaching which lifestyles are to be accepted and celebrated. That's the parents' job.
October 26, 2012
Molly's Family, is a narrative that tells about a young girl, Molly, and her same-sex parents. Molly never realized that her family was different until a classmate pointed it out when they were drawing pictures of their families. The student stated that her family was not, "real." Molly was confused because she knew that she had a "Mommy" and a "Mama." Molly takes the story home to her parents, and they reaffirm to her that her family is real, as well as the teacher. This would be a great book to ready to students, because there are not a lot of books in the classroom or libraries that tell about same-sex parents. Students would not be so shocked to find out this information if they are not exposed to it in some shape or form. Nancy Garden, did a great job in showing a scenario or situation that many parents and teachers might happen to them. Students draw their families all the time in school, and this would be a very "teachable" moment to say that all families are different no matter if you have a mom and dad, two dads, or two moms. Garden also relates to this story because she is a lesbian, and she wants to shed light on this situation and inform people all over the world.
August 6, 2015
I really wanted to like this, and I liked parts, but it kind of missed the mark for me. I don't like that the teacher runs through other options of who Mama might be before saying that indeed, a child can have two moms. It also just feels like, well, I guess if she has two then someone can have two, rather than sending the message from the get go, that it's possible and it's ok! The last thing that really bugged me (and I know I'm about to sound nitpicky... but...) there's a part where it's brought up that families are different- like Molly has two moms and this other kid has a dog. Okay, my dog is totally my child and she is definitely a member of te family, however, I would not think my dog (as long as she is on a leash) has the same standing in the classroom as someone's mom. (Which is basically how it's presented.) Having a dog is not a "kind of family" to accept in the same way that two moms is a "kind of family". (I'm not liking how that's even coming across... But yes. Comparing a dog to a second mom... Not a fan.
November 9, 2011
”Molly’s Family”! The story in this book is about a class community that’s having a parent-night, and about a girl with two mommies, and how the other children in the classroom react when they find out, some are more open than others. This was a book that really got me thinking about things; like how to handle situations that might come up in your classroom, and how to talk and handle situations with the parents.
I really liked this book, and I think it is proper to use with children as early as possible, and to talk about family structures and how different families are and can be built. I would say this is a part of learning about cultures and different structures and ways of living. Be open-minded and help the children understand that everyone has the right to be a little different, that’s what makes us so unique.
I really liked this book, and I think it is proper to use with children as early as possible, and to talk about family structures and how different families are and can be built. I would say this is a part of learning about cultures and different structures and ways of living. Be open-minded and help the children understand that everyone has the right to be a little different, that’s what makes us so unique.
March 6, 2015
This book explains that many children have different family situations but no matter what, they are all important. This book specifically talks about a little girl, Molly, which has two moms. When Molly draws a picture of her family, a little boy tells Molly that there is no such thing as having two mommies. Other family pictures in the class show families such as a mom and dad, a grandma and a mom or just a mom and a sister. Molly’s family and teacher tell her that she has two moms and that is her family and to be proud of her family because they love her. Molly realizes that every family is different and so does the rest of the class. This book is very realistic and can show the importance of family. The pictures are great and add emphasis to the text. Throughout the story, Molly’s class is very diverse.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction
September 25, 2010
Age: Preschool to 2nd grade
Media:black ink, side of colored pencils?
Illustrator Style: Realistic to capture reality of plot, lighter drawing to give warmth and seriousness to story
While Molly’s class is preparing for Open School Night, she draws a picture of her family: Mommy, Mama Lu, and her puppy. Another child disbelieves her picture, adding a reality that most same-sex couple children may encounter. At first, Molly is ashamed of her difference but comes to see that all families are different in some way.
The ending, or climax, is a bit cast aside for the thematic importance which is unfortunate because all kids at this age love a complete storyline.
Media:black ink, side of colored pencils?
Illustrator Style: Realistic to capture reality of plot, lighter drawing to give warmth and seriousness to story
While Molly’s class is preparing for Open School Night, she draws a picture of her family: Mommy, Mama Lu, and her puppy. Another child disbelieves her picture, adding a reality that most same-sex couple children may encounter. At first, Molly is ashamed of her difference but comes to see that all families are different in some way.
The ending, or climax, is a bit cast aside for the thematic importance which is unfortunate because all kids at this age love a complete storyline.
November 18, 2012
I really liked the way this book is about a girl who has two moms and how to introduce it to a child's classroom. It's a great way to talk about non-traditional families. If you happen to have a child with two parents of the same sex then this book is a great book. I would also use this book to bring up other non-traditional families such as mixed race, or two dads, or grandparents who are raising them. This allows for student's to learn about other kinds of families and that even though they may be different from theirs a family is a family and what makes a family is love not race, or gender.
February 17, 2017
I will basically read anything by Nancy Garden -- Annie on My Mind was my first LGBTQA book -- and I always love her stuff. This was no exception! Molly is upset before Open School Night because the kids in her classroom tell her she can't have both a Mommy and a Mama when she draws a picture of her family. Molly's mothers explain to her that there are all kinds of families and, reassured by that, Molly takes her family portrait back to school to proudly hang it up next to the other kids' pictures.
This is a good, solid story that explains that it's okay to have two mommies, and that it's love that makes a family, no matter who is in it.
This is a good, solid story that explains that it's okay to have two mommies, and that it's love that makes a family, no matter who is in it.
November 6, 2011
Ms. Marston's kindergarten class is getting ready for Open School Night. Molly decides to draw a picture of her family to hang up in the classroom. Molly draws herself, her puppy Sam, her Mommy and her Mama Lu. Tommy laughs at her picture and tells her she can't have a Mommy and a Mama. This makes Molly sad, so she talks to Mommy and Mama Lu about it. In the end, Molly and her classmates learn that there are all kinds of families. This book is written for grades K-2. It would work well in a unit on families.
April 16, 2012
TEXT SET
This book is interesting because it brings up the issue of feeling different and how to deal with others not accepting you if you come from a same-sex parent family. In this book, Molly is creating a picture of her family to display on Open School Night. When she draws two moms, a classmate tells her that a family can’t have two moms. It confuses and embarrasses Molly, leaving her unsure about displaying her drawing. The book shows the sensitivity that might come up as a result of a diverse damily, but teaches the reader that even if a family is different, it is still real.
This book is interesting because it brings up the issue of feeling different and how to deal with others not accepting you if you come from a same-sex parent family. In this book, Molly is creating a picture of her family to display on Open School Night. When she draws two moms, a classmate tells her that a family can’t have two moms. It confuses and embarrasses Molly, leaving her unsure about displaying her drawing. The book shows the sensitivity that might come up as a result of a diverse damily, but teaches the reader that even if a family is different, it is still real.
March 31, 2013
Subgroup: Family; Same sex parents
Genre: realistic fiction
Synopsis: Molly is in kindergarten and she draws a picture of her family for her schools parents night. When the kids in her class tell her that she can't have two mommies. Molly and her classmates quickly learn that you can have two mommies, just like you can have two daddies, or a mommy and a daddy, just a mommy, just a daddy, maybe even live with your grandparents. The students learn that not everyone's family is the same.
8.) Garden, N. (2004). Molly's Family. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux.
Genre: realistic fiction
Synopsis: Molly is in kindergarten and she draws a picture of her family for her schools parents night. When the kids in her class tell her that she can't have two mommies. Molly and her classmates quickly learn that you can have two mommies, just like you can have two daddies, or a mommy and a daddy, just a mommy, just a daddy, maybe even live with your grandparents. The students learn that not everyone's family is the same.
8.) Garden, N. (2004). Molly's Family. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux.
October 19, 2016
Molly's Family is a great story about a little girl who's family may not be what one would always expect, for she has two same sex parents instead of a mommy and a daddy. I felt this story was great for my text set because it is set in a kindergarten classroom, so students can relate the main character, Molly, to some of their classmates or even themselves. This story fits well in my text set because it represents a different family structure also. The illustrations are very well done and detailed, and the writing is simple but filled with substance and wonder for kids to enjoy.
December 16, 2012
Theme: Gay and Lesbian family issues
While preparing decorations for Open School Night, Molly and several of her classmates draw pictures of their families and discover that family means something different to each of them. I expected the book to be preachy, but it tackled the sensitive subject of homosexuality in the family very well. The author focused more on content to form a well constructed plot with appropriate style of writing for the subject and reader audience.
While preparing decorations for Open School Night, Molly and several of her classmates draw pictures of their families and discover that family means something different to each of them. I expected the book to be preachy, but it tackled the sensitive subject of homosexuality in the family very well. The author focused more on content to form a well constructed plot with appropriate style of writing for the subject and reader audience.
June 18, 2014
A little girl is embarrassed to share the picture she drew of her family because a classmate told her families can't have two moms. Speaking through the teacher, farmer takes this challenge head on. If you have two moms, than it is possible. All kinds of families exist that don't quite fit the mold, from single to same-sex parents.
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