Polacco, Patricia. 2009. IN OUR MOTHERS' HOUSE. New York: Philomel Books. ISBN 9780399250767
2. Plot Summary
Marmee and Meema are married with three children. They are just like every other family in their neighborhood. They work hard and raise their family in happiness and love. But there is one family in their block who does not accept them for who they are. They don't like how there are two mommies in the family. "Why doesn't that lady like us Meema?" I asked my mother" (28). This is a good story about growing up in a wonderful family and the importance of love.
3. Critical Analysis
The setting in the story takes place in a close knit neighborhood. The skin tones of the characters are all different. The moms are both Caucasian and they have adopted three children. The races of the children are Caucasian, African American, and Asian American. Each skin tone, facial features, and hair texture is recognizable to their specific culture. The clothing is normal to an American family. The homes and environment in the story is a normal suburban household and town.
In the text of the story the author never mentions the difference of physical characteristics of the characters nor mentions any specific culture. Any culture male or female can relate to this story. A slight mention of one of the mothers being Italian is mentioned in the text. "Our Italian grandpa, our nonno, was in charge of cooking" (22). The authors talks about some of the Italian food that is made for their family dinners. The cultural markers of Italian Americans is given by the food and the name that the grandpa is called by the children. There a mention that the children have two mothers'. "Our mothers were so different from each other that all of us often wondered how they found each other at all" (7). The book does not contain any stereotypes. The two woman in the story are strong characters that have wonderful jobs. They support and love their family. "Meema was a pediatrician...Marmee was a paramedic who rode in an ambulance" (8). "Then they'd both get tears in their eye when they'd tell me what it was like to hold me in their arms for the first time" (5). Everyone in the story is accepted for who they are. Culture and gender is not important. It is important to grow up happy and loved.
4. Review Excerpts
BOOKLIST says: "Meema explains, “She’s afraid of what she cannot understand: she doesn’t understand us.” The energetic illustrations in pencil and marker, though perhaps not as well-rendered as in some previous works, teem with family activities and neighborhood festivity. Quieter moments radiate the love the mothers feel for their children and for each other. Similar in spirit to the author’s Chicken Sunday, this portrait of a loving family celebrates differences."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Most of the neighbors are supportive, except for one woman who tells Marmee and Meema, "I don't appreciate what you two are." Eventually, the children grow up, marry heterosexual spouses, and return home to visit their aged parents with their own children. Is this an idealized vision of a how a gay couple can be accepted by their family and community? Absolutely. But the story serves as a model of inclusiveness for children who have same-sex parents, as well as for children who may have questions about a "different" family in their neighborhood. A lovely book that can help youngsters better understand their world."
5. Connections
This book is good to parents looking for stories about same gender parents to share with their children.
Other books about same gender parents:
Garden, Nancy. MOLLY'S FAMILY. ISBN 0374350027
Newman, Leslea. DONOVAN'S BIG DAY. ISBN 9781582463322
Newman, Leslea. MOMMY, MAMA, AND ME. ISBN 1582462631
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