Katy, a White first-grader who has a lisp, is often misunderstood by her classmates and teacher, but is excited about inviting her grandfathers to school on Grandparents’ Day. When Katy draws a picture and tells her teacher that it is of her grampa and grampa, her teacher tries to convince her that she really meant to say “grandpa and grandma.” Katy is upset and decides she doesn’t want them to come to class with her after all. Her big sister explains to the teacher that their grampas are “married to EACH OTHER,” and the teacher apologizes and says that both men are welcome to visit. On the day of the big event, Katy summons her courage and tells the other students, “These are my grampas and know what? They’re married … TO EACH OTHER.” Her grampas praise her great job and say they’ll take her out for ice cream. A little wordy for a book with a first-grade protagonist, but an earnest and heartfelt story that many should like for its depiction of same-sex grandfathers.
Like so many other picture books with same-sex relatives, though, it emphasizes a child getting upset when someone misunderstands about her family (in this case compounded by the teacher’s assumption that Katy’s lisp is the problem), even if the situation later resolves happily. For children to whom this really happens, such books can offer comfort, and some may appreciate the explicit ALL CAPS reference in Katy that the grandfathers are married to each other. Other readers may prefer stories in which the characters’ family structure doesn’t have to be explained.
