Jennifer Has Two Daddies

Jean Free is a past judge of the Vicky Metcalf and Ruth Schwartz awards
for children’s

literature.

One week Jennifer lives with Mummy and Michael, her stepfather, and the next week she goes to her daddy’s apartment. She copes well with having two daddies, even though they are very different characters. Her parents are not friendly, and Jennifer learns not to talk to them about what happens at each other’s home.

When her father goes away for three weeks, Jennifer is scared. She behaves badly with Michael and finally phones her father to come home. At last, she learns to accept the fact that her father will not be home for three weeks; but they will be together then, and in the meantime she can be content with Michael and Mummy.

This is Priscilla Galloway’s second book for children, following the popular When You Were Little and I Was Big (Annick, 1984). It is relevant to our changing family groups and would help young children become more secure if their parents were separated or away on brief trips.

Jennifer Has Two Daddies is beautifully illustrated by Ana Auml in her first picture book. Her soft, pastel paintings are humorous, detailed, and interesting.

Jennifer Has Two Daddies would be a welcome addition to the family relationships section of school or public libraries, or for parents to purchase for a young child. Highly recommended for boys and girls aged three to seven.