Daddy's Wedding

Ragina Shearer
5653 Multicultural Children’s and Young Adult Literature
Book Review – Inclusive Literature

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Willhoite, Michael. 1996. DADDY’S WEDDING. Illustrated by Michael Willhoite. Los Angeles, California. ISBN 1-55583-350-0.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
The story is about a ten year old boy joining in the happy celebration of his dad to another man. “Can men get married to each other? I asked.” The answer is yes, “…it is like a celebration…”, his mom is also invited and accepts happily. His mom and step dad are guest at the outdoor wedding, “Mommy and Steven sat together in the front row.” The other guests are of mixed races, another same sex couple and his happy grandparents. The book is portraying this marriage as a happy normal event. The only conflict occurs with the pet dog and that too is easily solved.

The story ends with the happy departure for the honeymoon and the boy’s departure for baseball camp, where he claims to have had fun.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
This colorful, realistically illustrated book is intended for young readers, but could be used as a read aloud in private sessions with upper elementary as well. The illustrations depict well groomed and well dressed men and women from multiple races. The outdoor lawns are nicely manicured and the decorations for the festivity are appropriate. The overall feeling of the illustrations is a happy and cheerful one.

The boy’s father and mate speak to the boy before the wedding showing the importance of communication as they include him in the wedding. “…we want to invite you to a special occasion next month…would you do me the honor of being my best man?” Communication is still seen as flowing smoothly as the ex-wife and her new husband join happily in the festivities both in a backyard barbeque and the wedding. Generation gaps are covered when the grandparents arrive at the wedding showing their happiness and approval. “My grandpa and grandma were already there.” And the illustration shows the grandparents beaming with joy to arms open wide to hug their grandson.


4. REVIEW EXCERPT (S)
BOOKLIST: “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.”
KIRKUS REVIEW: “In a book clearly intended to show such ceremonies as normal occasions, there is no suggestion that anyone might feel awkwardness.”

5. CONNECTIONS
This book could be used in a private session with children who have gay or lesbian parents.

Other books by Michael Willhoite:
Wilhoite, Michael. FAMILIES. ISBN 10: 1-55583-192-3.
Wilhoite, Michael. DADDY’S ROOMMATE. ISBN 10: 1-55583-178-8.
Wilhoite, Michael. ENTERTAINER. ISBN10: 1-55583-202-4.