Milly, Molly and Different Dads

When Sophie arrives at school one morning wet and miserable, Miss Blythe gives her a cuddle and asks if she can explain what is wrong. Sophie tells the class that her dad has left home, and Miss Blythe suggests they should talk about their fathers. The class has a diverse bunch of dads – one has a dad in hospital, another has two dads, one has a dad in the army who is away a lot, and another has a dad who is blind. There is a deaf dad and a dad in a wheelchair – and many others. The point is made by Miss Blythe that all families are different and that fathers are different too. The Milly and Molly series from New Zealand exists to ‘promote the acceptance of diversity’, and this small format paperback will be a good starting point for discussing different families. The illustrations are cheerful and upbeat, and the ‘lesson’ amiable if a tad didactic.