Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Girl with two dads appreciates whole family in sweet tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Stella is perplexed: She has two fathers. Whom could she possibly bring to her classroom's Mother's Day celebration? While she worries, her friends have a lot of questions about what it's like without a mom. Who packs her lunches, reads her bedtime stories, kisses her when she's hurt? Her fathers do, of course, but so do a lot of people in her family. Her friend suggests she bring them all, but Stella isn't sure that's a good idea.
Is It Any Good?
Diverse families are celebrated in this appealing story about a girl with two dads who isn't sure what to do about her classroom's Mother's Day party. She's surrounded by loving adults, but Stella works out a solution herself, with help from her friends. STELLA BRINGS THE FAMILY approaches the problem from Stella's perspective, making it very relatable for young children.
It's an excellent starting point for talking about empathy: Even as Stella resolves her problem with wonderful success, a classmate with two moms realizes he'll have a similar problem with the upcoming Father's Day party. Debut author Miriam B. Schiffer's well-paced story pairs wonderfully with Holly Clifton-Brown's warm, celebratory watercolor illustrations. A beautiful story for families of all kinds.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether their kids' schools have activities that might cause some kids to feel excluded. How can you help everyone enjoy these special occasions?
Kids: Have you or a friend ever felt left out or excluded from an activity everyone else seemed to enjoy?
Stella broadens the idea of Mother's Day to include her family. In your life, who cares for and comforts you like a parent?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Holly Clifton-Brown
- Genre : Family Life
- Topics : Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Chronicle Books
- Publication date : May 5, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 5 - 8
- Number of pages : 36
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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