Daddy’s Roommate – Michael Willhoite

This picture book is about a young boy whose parents get divorced and his father moves in with another man. The child does not really understand and his mother tells him that his father is gay. The author of this book, Michael Willhoite, a prolific author of children’s books dealing with the topic of GLBT, also wrote “Daddy’s Wedding”, and “Belinda’s Bouquet”. This is one of the first picture books to feature a gay dad and even after nearly two decades in publication, it is still among one of the most challenged books in the United States according to American Library Association. Personally, I found it to be an excellent piece of children’s diverse literature because it approaches the topic in a positive manner and the simplistic language and illustrations will engage younger children. Many of our course readings have argued that children need to have characters in literature that they can relate to and this book has that. This book presents the idea of gay parenting in a positive and accepting manner. The mother even explains that “being gay is just one more kind of love”. She does not try to him his sexuality and it upfront and honest with her son. “Books with gay and lesbian characters represent an aspect of the real world” (Schnall) and Daddy’s Roommate portrays being gay just another way of life. Gay parenting is a reality in this country and books such as this make it easier for parents to introduce GLBT issues.