Stella Brings the Family

by Miriam B Schiffer (Author) Holly Clifton-Brown (Illustrator)

Stella Brings the Family
Reading Level: K − 1st Grade
Stella's class is having a Mother's Day celebration, but what's a girl with two daddies to do? It's not that she doesn't have someone who helps her with her homework, or tucks her in at night. Stella has her Papa and Daddy who take care of her, and a whole gaggle of other loved ones who make her feel special and supported every day. She just doesn't have a mom to invite to the party. Fortunately, Stella finds a unique solution to her party problem in this sweet story about love, acceptance, and the true meaning of family.
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Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

It's time to celebrate Mother's Day in Stella's class. Everyone has a female parent coming, including Howie, who has two mothers. But Stella is the only kid in her class with two fathers. And while her school is clearly progressive and multicultural, her peers are nonetheless perplexed (even Howie asks, "But who reads you bedtime stories like my mothers do for me?"). When Stella realizes that several people--in addition to her fathers--play maternal roles in her life, the problem is solved, although it does add quite a few folks to the guest list. "For Father's Day," Stella promises her exhausted teacher, "she wouldn't bring nearly as many people." First-time author Schiffer and Clifton-Brown (Big Bouffant) make a great team. The writing is warmhearted but sharply observed, while the winsome artwork--which features a cast of roundheaded, eager-eyed children--it's tightly focused and smartly composed. Much like the TV show Modern Family, this story seems as light as a souffle, but actually offers plenty of food for thought. Ages 5-8. Illustrator's agent: Jodie Hodges, United Agents. (May)

Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2--Stella is worried. Everybody else in her elementary-school class has a mom--Howie even has two! She has two dads and no one to invite to the upcoming Mother's Day party. The other kids are concerned, too. Who packs her lunch? Who reads her bedtime stories? And what about when she's hurt? When Stella lists the many family members who help her, her friends see an easy solution to the party conundrum: bring them all. Daddy and Papa agree that it's a great idea, but Stella still has misgivings. All her worries turn out to be for nothing, though--the party's a great success, and she's not alone in not having a mom there. Best of all, Father's Day is next, and she's more than set for that. Schiffer's sweet story realistically portrays a child fretting over a worry that adults may not anticipate and having it solved by a loving community and family. Clifton-Brown's bright, detailed watercolors depict a fun classroom, and Stella and friends' arts and crafts. VERDICT A welcome addition for kids from all kinds of families.--Etta Verma, Library Journal

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"A story featuring diverse modern families. Essential." - Kirkus Reviews
Miriam B Schiffer
Holly Clifton-Brown has a degree in illustration from the University of the West of England and has illustrated many books for children. She lives in London.

Miriam B. Schiffer is a co-author of the children's book review column "The Reading Chair" in Young Children, a journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. This is her first book for children. She lives in Brooklyn.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781452111902
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Chronicle Books
Publication date
May 05, 2015
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV013060 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Parents
Library of Congress categories
Families
Gay fathers
Mother's Day
Gay parents

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