Miriam B. Schiffer - Stella Brings the Family

For my mother, Isabel Baker. M.B.S.
For Danny & Mike. H.C.B. Text copyright 2015 by Miriam B. Schiffer.
Performance copyright 2015 by Chronicle Books LLC. Illustrations copyright 2015 by Holly Clifton-Brown.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data: Schiffer, Miriam B., author.
Stella brings the family / by Miriam B. Schiffer;
illustrations by Holly Clifton-Brown.
pages cm Summary: Stella brings her two fathers to school to celebrate Mothers Day. ISBN: 978-1-4521-1190-2 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-1-4521-3574-8 (epub 2)
ISBN: 978-1-4521-3590-8 (epub 3)
ISBN: 978-1-4521-3575-5 (mobi)
ISBN: 978-1-4521-3576-2 (epib) 1. 2. 2.

Gay parentsJuvenile fiction. 3. FamiliesJuvenile fiction. 4. Mothers DayJuvenile fiction. [1.

Gay fathersFiction. 2. Gay parentsFiction. 3. FamiliesFiction. 4.

Mothers DayFiction.] I. Clifton-Brown, Holly, illustrator. II. Title. PZ7.S34613St 2015
[E]dc23 2013033259 Design by Nadia Izazi.
Typeset in Zemke Hand ITC and Grenadine MVB.
The illustrations in this book were rendered in watercolor. With a hug goodbye... Stella dashed to her cubby and raced to her spot. Mrs. Mrs.

Abbott had a surprise for the class! Were going to have a celebration for Mothers Day, she said, and each of you can invite a special guest. Jonathan and Leon said theyd invite their moms. Carmen was sure her mam would come. But Stella had two dads. Everyone else had a mother. That afternoon, Stella and her clay stared at each other. The next day, Stella worried about the party when she should have been worrying about other things. All week, Stellas appetite was gone. All week, Stellas appetite was gone.

Whats wrong, Stella? Jonathan asked. I have no mother to bring for the Mothers Day celebration. No mother? asked Leon. But who packs your lunch like my mom does for me? Daddy knows just what I like, said Stella. The problem isnt lunch. No mother? asked Howie. No mother? asked Howie.

But who reads you bedtime stories like my mothers do for me? Daddy and Papa read stories to me, said Stella. But who kisses you when you are hurt? Carmen asked. Well, thats a long answer, said Stella. I get lots of kisses when Im hurt. Either from Papa or Daddy or Nonna or Aunt Gloria or Uncle Bruno or Cousin Lucy. Jonathan asked, Why dont you invite them all? What a wonderful idea! Papa and Daddy said. But Stella wasnt so sure. Soon, the children were crafting invitations, decorating, and preparing gifts. Stella worked harder than everyone. The big day arrived! Daddy, Papa, Nonna, Uncle Bruno, Aunt Gloria, and Cousin Lucy went with Stella to school. The big day arrived! Daddy, Papa, Nonna, Uncle Bruno, Aunt Gloria, and Cousin Lucy went with Stella to school.

She had so many guests. Stella hoped it would be okay. The party was better than Stella had imagined. Howie came with his two moms, and Jonathan brought his grandmother while his mom was away. Stella had the biggest crowd of all. Stella thought the day was turning out fine. Stella thought the day was turning out fine.

In fact, it was better than fine. Papa was a big hit. Later that day, Mrs. Abbott was worn out. Stella told her not to worry. Just two. Miriam B. Miriam B.

Schiffer
is a New Yorkbased writer and childrens book consultant. She has an MFA in creative writing from Columbia University and coauthors the childrens book review column The Reading Chair in Young Children, a journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Miriam lives with her husband, Simon, and their twin boys, in Brooklyn. This is her first book for children. Holly Clifton-Brown was brought up in the English countryside where she loved to look at the pictures in books. Nothing has changed.