© 2025 New Hampshire Public Radio

Persons with disabilities who need assistance accessing NHPR's FCC public files, please contact us at publicfile@nhpr.org.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Win big during NHPR's Summer Raffle! Purchase your tickets today!

'Heather Has Two Mommies' Turns 25

It’s been 25 years since Leslea Newman wrote “Heather Has Two Mommies,” an illustrated story that follows a little girl named Heather (who has two arms, two legs, two pets and two mommies), as she heads off to her first day of school.

That simple book sparked a not-so-simple backlash. It was the ninth most frequently banned book in the 1990s, and a Texas pastor checked it out of a local library and refused to return it.

Then there was North Carolina Senator Bob Smith, who read from the book on the Senate floor in attempt to pass an amendment to stop federal aid to school districts that “carried programs that promoted homosexuality,” an amendment referred to as the “no promo homo amendment.”

Despite the protests, the book was hit, especially among young children who were largely smitten by Heather and the book’s message that everyone’s family, regardless of whether it includes two mothers, grandparents, single parents or two dads, is perfectly normal.

So, 25 years later, with 37 states allowing gay marriage and more moving in that direction, is the book still relevant? Author Lesléa Newman joins Here & Now’s Robin Young to answer that question, and talk about the just-released 25th anniversary edition of the book, which includes new illustrations and story updates.

Guest

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

A page from "Heather Has Two Mommies" (click to enlarge).
/
A page from "Heather Has Two Mommies" (click to enlarge).
A page from "Heather Has Two Mommies" (click to enlarge).
/
A page from "Heather Has Two Mommies" (click to enlarge).

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.