The Trouble with Babies

by Martha Freeman

Holly, her mom, her new stepfather, William, and his four cats have moved into a new home--this time a real house with a backyard. There is more room for everyone, but there are also lots more... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823416984
• ISBN13: 9780823416981
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: Holiday House
• Length: 121 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.7" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 7 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 4

Customer Reviews

Families come in all shapes and sizes

This is a delightful and warmhearted story about the adventures of a nine year old girl, Holly Spencer, who has just moved with her family to a new neighborhood in San Francisco. It involves three families. There is the narrator, Holly, her mother (Nancy), step-father (William), and four cats who are always getting into trouble. Secondly there is Xavier, his goldfish, and his two dads, Alan and Jim. Finally there is Annie and her baby sister Laura, her mother (Aileen Cohen-Liu), father (not identified) and Aileen's mother, (Mrs. Cohen) who lives with them. Some may be offended by the inclusion of a gay family. One reviewer claims the author devalues motherhood by not explaining about Xavier's mom. Xavier says, "I have two dads, And no mom" (page 52). I do not interpret this to mean that he does not know who his mom is or where she lives or what the "story" is. It is incidental to this tale of 121 pages. And the reader is never sure who the biologic father is. You never learn the background of any of the three families. Children today live in communities which include many types of families. They go to school and interact with kids of different economic, social, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. I believe this story would appeal to them. I found the book entertaining. The characters are realistically described. They form various friendships and relationships. Wisdom and humor abound. Perhaps it is a little idealistic. It is reassuring to see that kids on their own make their own rules and learn to relate to all kinds of differences in people. Holly's response to Xavier's revelation about his parents is, "It's not usual ... But it's not weird". In a recent interview Martha Freeman said, "... I write books at home to earn money and send my three kids to school." It would be a shame if libraries did not purchase this book for fear of complaints. Or that parents would not read this to their children. I have tutored kids from third through sixth grade in an urban public school and can highly recommend "The Trouble with Babies".

Freeman's Book Reflects Today's Families

How refreshing to encounter a story that reflects the many types of families present in society. Too many children's books perpetuate the "Father Knows Best" 1950s nuclear family. In this book, Freeman continues the story of Holly, who first had to adjust to a stepfather and his many cats and now faces a new neighborhood populated with interesting people. Freeman treats all of her characters--from the joke-cracking barrista at the local coffee shop to her friend Xavier's two dads--with honesty and humor. The many illustrations and short chapters helped my kids (4 & 5) stay engaged when I read it to them.