Heather Has Two Mommies

Infobox Book
name = Heather Has Two Mommies
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author = Lesléa Newman
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publisher = Alyson Books
release_date = 1989
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isbn = ISBN 1-55583-543-0
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"Heather Has Two Mommies" is a children's book written by Lesléa Newman with Diana Souza's illustrations, first published in 1989. It is about a child, Heather, raised by lesbian women: her biological mother, Jane, who gave birth to her after artificial insemination, and her biological mother's same-sex partner, Kate. At Heather's playgroup, her family situation is discussed simply and positively, as are those of other children in non-traditional family units. [ [http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/educator/library/record/27.html Annotated Bibliography of Children's Books With Gay and Lesbian Characters Resources for Early Childhood Educators and Parents ] ]

Lesléa Newman related:

As the book presents a positive image of gay people to children, it regularly draws censure from conservative groups, often with religious associations or motivations. The American Library Association ranked it the 11th most frequently banned book in the United States in the 1990s; a similar phenomenon can be seen in the "Sugar Time!" episode of the American television series "Postcards from Buster". In the 1980s, comparable political controversy erupted in the UK over the book "Jenny lives with Eric and Martin".

The book and the controversy over it were parodied in the 2006 Dav Pilkey book "Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People". In it, the parallel-universe Miss Singerbrains (the school librarian) invites the two main characters, George and Harold, to read the banned book "Mommy Has Two Heathers".

ee also

*Homosexuality in children's literature
*Daddy's Roommate - portrays a gay couple in a similar positive light. It became point of discussion in the 2008 US Presidential Election. ["Once Elected, Palin Hired Friends and Lashed Foes" Jo Becker, Peter S. Goodman and Michael Powell. " New York Times' September 14, 2008]

References