Mom and Mum Are Getting Married

Elizabeth Levin is chair of the Psychology Department at Laurentian
University.

This attractive storybook for small children is warmly illustrated,
although one of the mothers is rather asexual in appearance and could be
mistaken for a male in some of the scenes. Even open-minded parents
might not yet be ready to discuss same-sex marriage with their younger
children, so the important question is whether this story works for
those who are looking for a story about same-sex marriage.

The plot begins with Rosie’s Mom announcing that she and Mum are
getting married. Nana and Pop come over to help plan the wedding, which
in reality is going to be a big cottage party. Rosie really wants to be
a flower girl, but the wedding is not going to be at all formal so she
decides that she and her younger brother Jack can carry the rings.
Finally, the guests arrive. Rosie and Jack carry the rings along with
petals in their baskets. Mom and Mum kiss and it is the best day ever.

This book leaves the reader with more questions than answers. Was there
ever a dad? Was the extended family always so supportive? What was the
ceremony really like? The underlying story is rather weak, but for some
this book will provide a much-needed acknowledgment of their own
situation. Recommended with reservations.