Review: Mummy and Mumma Get Married

When Phoebe’s favourite football player gets married, she starts to think about all the people she knows who have been married recently. She then wonders why her parents, Mummy and Mumma, aren’t married.

When she asks, her mothers tell her that they can’t get married until ‘You-Know-Who comes to the party’. With her faithful cat Biscuit by her side, Phoebe decides to plan a wonderful wedding surprise for her mothers, sure that You-Know-Who, whoever that might be, won’t be able to resist coming along to the celebration.

Mummy and Mumma get Married is a picture book designed to present a positive message about diversity. Not only are Phoebe’s parents the same gender, many of the friends included in the story represent couples that might be considered non-traditional in some way.

While the topics of same sex marriage and same gender parents are central to this story, this is also a book that celebrates community and family. The story is very positive and inclusive, not just because it promotes diversity in relationships and family structure, but also through the very strong sense of love and connection that exists between Phoebe and her mothers, and Phoebe’s family and their local community. When Phoebe plans a wedding for her mothers, she includes people from her neighbourhood to create a day that is filled with happiness and laughter, regardless of whether You-Know-Who arrives.

Parents will note the political references in both the text and illustrations (including some characters that bear a striking resemblance to significant Australian politicians), however these references should go over the heads of younger children. For older, more aware children, the book might prompt conversations about the social issues referenced within the story. There are extensive teachers’ notes available to facilitate using Mummy and Mumma Get Married to prompt discussions at home and in the classroom with children of various ages.

You can also read about the inspiration for Mummy and Mumma Get Married in a guest post by co-author Roz Hopkins.

Mummy and Mumma Get Married is a story that will appeal not only to families with same sex parents looking for a story that reflects their family structure, but also to families in general who want to encourage their children to appreciate diversity within our community.

Title: Mummy and Mumma Get Married
Author: Roz Hopkins, Natalie Winter
Illustrator: Cara King
Publisher: Captain Honey, $24.95 RRP
Publication Date: January 2016
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780994211620
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book