My Mommies Built a Treehouse

A brown-skinned, dark-haired child and their moms--one with the same complexion as the child, the other white--set out to build the ultimate treehouse in this warm and inviting rhyming picture book by Gareth Peter (Adventures with My Daddies) and Izzy Evans (Free Range Freddy).

In My Mommies Built a Treehouse, the trio first locates the ideal tree, then draws blueprints, and shops for supplies. Over the course of several days, the protagonist experiences several setbacks, including accidentally snapping timber in half and spilling paint on Mommy's head. Peter creates suspense by effectively using the power of page turns to reveal results. For example, when the treehouse is complete, the child climbs the ladder carefully, "gripping on so tight./ My legs begin to wobble, then..." and a page turn reveals a welcome relief: "WOW! What an awesome sight." The child successfully makes it to the top and revels in the accomplishment. The book simultaneously highlights the child's need for support ("I think I've spoiled the day,/ But Mom says, 'It's an accident,'/ and wipes my tears away") and celebrates their agency ("It's strong and sturdy like our house,/ but here I'll make the rules").

Evans's energetic digital illustrations bring wonder and humor to the narrative by highlighting elements not specifically mentioned in the text, like the family cat getting into mischief and animal families thriving alongside yet just out of sight of the main characters. The family works in tandem while using their individual strengths to achieve the child's goal in this heartwarming story. --Kieran Slattery, freelance reviewer, teacher, co-creator of Gender Inclusive Classrooms

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