Stella Brings the Family

by Miriam B. Schiffer, Holly Clifton-Brown (Illustrator)

Overview

Stella's class is having a Mother's Day celebration, but what's a girl with two daddies to do? It's not that she doesn't have someone who helps her with her homework, or tucks her in at night. Stella has her Papa and Daddy who take care of her, and a whole gaggle of other loved ones who make her feel special and supported every day. She just doesn't have a mom to invite to the party. Fortunately, Stella finds a unique solution to her party problem in this sweet story about love, acceptance, and the true meaning of family. Plus, this is the fixed format version, which will look almost identical to the print version. Additionally for devices that support audio, this ebook includes a read-along setting.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452135908
Publisher:	Chronicle Books LLC
Publication date:	05/05/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	36
File size:	13 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Miriam B. Schiffer is a co-author of the children's book review column "The Reading Chair" in Young Children, a journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. This is her first book for children. She lives in Brooklyn.
Holly Clifton-Brown has a degree in illustration from the University of the West of England and has illustrated many books for children. She lives in London.

Editorial Reviews

…Stella's solution…makes for a raucous happy ending.

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo

"A story featuring diverse modern families. Essential."-Kirkus Reviews"

It takes a village in this book, which reminds us of how far we've come since Leslea Newman's groundbreaking Heather Has Two Mommies was first published in 1989."—Lilith Magazine

Stella Brings the Family is the kind of book any teacher or parent will want to have by their side when talking about diverse families, love, and acceptance with children. —Stacey Shubitz, literacty consultant and blogger at Two Writing Teachers"

Will make you feel warm and fuzzy, and celebrate families of all shapes, types and sizes."—Red Tricycle"

Told with both a light touch and an astute eye toward a child's perspective and heartfelt concerns."—School Library Journal"

The 'Heather' of the two-dad set... a raucous happy ending."—The New York Times"

Sharply observed... offers plenty of food for thought."—Publishers Weekly, starred review"

An important and encouraging read for all kids."—Cool Mom Picks, Best Children's Books of The Year"

A welcome addition for kids from all kinds of families."—School Library Journal"

A tender story about the variety of people that make children feel loved and supported."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

From the Publisher

Stella’s class at Elmwood Elementary School is planning to throw a celebration for Mother’s Day! All of the children are very excited, except for Stella, who feels anxious and worried. Stella does not have a mother; instead she has two fathers and is extremely concerned about inviting someone to the celebration. Stella is so worried that she cannot focus on making her clay sculpture or playing soccer. Stella’s friends notice her unease and ask her questions and give suggestions. The other children recommend that Stella invite her dads to the Mother’s Day celebration since they do all of the things that their mothers do, like read bedtime stories and pack lunch. Stella agrees to invite her fathers. The celebration arrives and the whole class, including Stella’s fathers, has a blast! This story is a great inclusive tale to help young children understand the many different family structures that make up our classrooms. It would have been nice for Stella’s teacher to give suggestions and provide support for Stella in the book as well. Stella’s bond with her fathers and her classmates is inspirational for young children. This story would be great to read with all ages in order to recognize that all families love and care for each other! Reviewer: Kristen Klotz; Ages 3 to 6.

Children's Literature - Kristen Klotz

2015-03-17
At school, everyone is excited about the upcoming Mother's Day celebration except for Stella. She is not sure what she will do since she has two dads and no mom. Stella is easy to spot on the page with her curly red hair but also because she looks so worried. She is not sure what she is going to do for the party. When her classmates ask her what is the matter and she tells them she has no mom to bring, they begin asking more questions. "Who packs your lunch like my mom does for me?" "Who reads you bedtime stories like my mothers do for me?" "Who kisses you when you are hurt?" Stella has Daddy and Papa and other relatives who do all of those things. As the students decorate and craft invitations, "Stella worked harder than everyone." The day of the event arrives, and Stella shows up with her fathers, uncle, aunt, cousin, and Nonna. And it all turns out well. One student brings his two moms, and another child invites his grandmother since his mother is away. Debut picture-book author Schiffer creates a story featuring diverse modern families that children will recognize from their own direct experiences or from their classrooms or communities. She keeps the text closely focused on Stella's feelings, and Clifton-Brown chooses finely detailed watercolors to illustrate Stella's initial troubles and eventual happiness. Essential. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews