Module 15: Daddy's Roommate by Michael Willhoit

Summary

This book is straightforward and told from the child’s point of view. The child talks about his parent’s divorce and someone new moving in with his father. He talks about his dad’s new roommate and the normal things that his dad and his roommate do together; working, eating and sleeping. He also talks about the normal things that they do together; going to the zoo, going shopping or to the movies. The book uses simple language to describe this and the pictures go along well with the text. The pictures are not fancy, but they do get the point across.

My Impressions

I think this is a pretty good simple book and is an excellent book for the age group that it is intended. The author does a good job of making the child and parent’s lives as normal as possible. The book does not add any complications to the plot, such as what other kids might say, but that can come at a later time in a child’s life.

I am not a big fan of this style of illustration. It almost seems too simple, but may have been appropriate for the time it was written. The colors seem washed out and that makes the story seem to fade as well. I wish that this book would come out with some updated illustrations.

I know that this book is often challenged and I do not feel it should be. There is nothing inappropriate in this book. I think that every Librarian should be backed up by his or her collection development policy if any questions should arise.

Reviews

This a book to consider for purchase because of the treatment of the subject rather than for the quality of writing or art. It will be useful for children in similar situations or for helping those from heterosexual families understand differences. A similar picture book, Leslie Newman's Heather Has Two Mommies (In Other Words, 1989) presents a lesbian family. --Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
School Library Journal

Willhoite's cartoony pictures work well here; the colorful characters with their contemporary wardrobes and familiar surroundings lend the tale a stabilizing air of warmth and familiarity. Ages 2-5. (Dec.)

Publisher’s Weekly

Usage in a Library Setting

This could be used during Banned Book Week as a display. This may make people who were previously unaware of the book responsive. It could be used with books such as Heather Has Two Mommies and And Tango Makes Three.
I know that at my previous library, these books were kept on Reserve because they were often vandalized. I think this has probably changed in the past few years and this is no longer necessary.