Papa, Daddy, and Riley

May 25, 2020
When Riley’s fathers drop her off on the first day of school, lots of different families are present (a grandmother, a foster mom), but when the students head into the classroom, a kid called Olive wants to know which of Riley’s parents “is the real dad.” Riley spends the day confused, considering the significant experiences she shares with each of her parents: Riley’s brown-skinned Daddy calls her dragon and loves to bake and swim with her; her white-skinned Papa calls her princess and enjoys singing and painting alongside her. Crayon and wash textures feature in Holzwarth’s warm illustrations, in which moody shadows and backgrounds convey underlying emotions. Though the text can feel a little on the nose (“I don’t want to have to choose!” says Riley), the message—that what makes a family is love—is sound. Ages 4–8.

April 1, 2020
A little girl with two dads confronts homophobia. When Riley's parents drop her off at school, she calls, "I love you, Papa and Daddy," as she waves goodbye. This prompts a classmate named Olive to challenge her. "One mom and one dad make a baby, and that makes a family," Olive avers. "So which one is the real dad?" Holzwarth's informal, friendly painting shows Riley looking hurt and confused, and as the day goes on, she thinks about her "belly mommy who gave birth" to her and about how she shares qualities with both of her dads, with black hair like Daddy's and freckles like Papa's. (Illustrations depict Riley, Daddy, and Riley's belly mommy as people of color with brown skin and dark, wavy hair while redheaded Papa presents white.) When she goes home, Riley's parents notice she is upset, and she shares what happened at school. Daddy and Papa comfort her and affirm that their family constellation is just one of many diverse possibilities, and a cluster of vignettes depicts a range of configurations. "But what makes a family a family, if every family is so different?" she asks. "LOVE" is the immediate answer, underscored by an illustration of the trio in a group hug, surrounded by bright, blooming flowers. Sweet if not groundbreaking--and more to the point, sadly, still needed. (Picture book. 5-7)

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Starred review from March 15, 2020
Preschool-G *Starred Review* A must-have for children's picture-book collections, this is a delightful celebration of what makes a family. Riley, a young girl of color, is heading to her first day of school with her interracial fathers and takes note of all of the other families dropping off their children, too. When classmate Olive tells her that one mom and one dad make a baby, and that makes a family, Riley wonders, If a family only has one dad, did I have to pick one? She spends the rest of her day comparing herself and her various attributes to her dads, trying to decide which one she resembles more. At pickup, her fathers notice that she is upset, and they have a heartwarming conversation about what makes a family a family, if every family is so different. The answer, of course, is love. Holzwarth beautifully renders the characters in a variety of hues, making the diversity showcased throughout one of the book's defining features and adding to the emotional punch of the story. All of the families look different, but the love they share makes them the same. Absolutely recommended for all children's collections and sure to be a storytime winner.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)