Customer Reviews

Jenny Lives With Eric and Martin (English and Danish Edition)

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JENNY LIVES WITH ERIC AND MARTIN by Bosche, was one of the first children's picture books to be published which included gay characters. It is the story of a weekend spent by Jenny, her father and her father's partner, Eric. On Friday Jenny and her dad throw a surprise birthday party for Eric. They invite Jenny's mum, who often comes over to visit her and her two fathers. On Saturday morning Jenny looks through a book and has breakfast in bed with her fathers and then they go out into the garden. On Sunday they all clean the house and do the laundry. While both men are pulling Jenny back home in a cart, they run into a woman who wishes that gays would "...stay at home so the rest of us don't have to see you. Ugh!" Jenny is bothered and confused by the woman's comments. Eric explains that being gay is when two men love and live with each other. He goes on to explain the woman's behavior by saying that when people don't understand something or are told it is wrong, they get scared and angry. Using chalk to illustrate, he tells Jenny a story about a woman who disapproves of homosexual love until it is explained to her by her husband, who once loved another man. As Jenny is getting ready for bed she asks if her fathers can have babies. Eric explains that only men and women can have babies.

The portrayal of Jenny's family will be familiar to children who live in a gay-headed household. Jenny's mother seems to have a role in the family that is unlike any of the other books which deal with this subject. There is a relationship between Jenny and her mother and between the mother and Eric and Martin. "Living nearby is Jenny's mum, Karen. She often comes to visit them." The original relationship between Martin and Karen is not made clear in the text.

The black and white photos illustrate how the two men care for Jenny, each other, and their home in a variety of circumstances. The events that occur in the story (for example, holding the birthday party, doing the laundry, cleaning the house together, solving conflicts between parents) are familiar to all children and their families. Jenny's father's attempt to explain homophobia to her was simple, to the point, and successful.

There are several issues about this book which must be addressed. One issue which can provoke powerful, almost visceral reactions from many adults is the photo of Jenny in bed with her two fathers, one of whom, though under blanket or pillow, appears to be in the nude. JENNY LIVES WITH ERIC AND MARTIN was authored in Sweden, translated in England and distributed in this country by Alyson Press. The difference in cultural practices and values may attribute to the seeming nonchalance in displaying such a photo in a children's book. The inclusion of this scene may make some adults uncomfortable, or for those individuals in families or cultures which are more open about their bodies, this book may be a nice addition to other story books about families. This frequently intense reaction is unfortunate because the book itself is one of the best in terms of the naturalness of being gay, being a parent and being a child who has gay parents.

The books long length and detailed text make it more appropriate for children ages six and older.

I have to say that I'm disappointed that this book is out of print. It was my favorite book when I was younger. Being a little girl with two gay dads myself, I really related to Jenny, who had blonde hair just like I did. Since there weren't any other books back then with families that looked like mine, I dragged this one practically everywhere I went. My copy is very old and tattered. I wish this book were available today, especially considering how few books there are that portray gay and lesbian families positively.

I live in the heart of the gay community in Brighton, and although I am not gay myself, I interact with the community on a regular basis. I found this wonderful book in a thrift shop, as I wanted my 6-year-old nephew to understand that the world is made up many different people but I didn't want to confuse him too much. This book is great and its fun to read as well. It tells the story of a little girl called Jenny and her two fathers. They live in Denmark, have regular contact with Jenny's mother who helps Jenny and her father Martin prepare a surprise birthday party for Eric. The story follows Jenny's life with her two fathers, and how various family disputes are sorted out such as Jenny not wanting to go to the launderette and a quarrel between her two fathers. It also gently points out that not all people are accepted in society but does it in such a way that children will not be upset. The book is filled with lovely black and white photos, and nice sized print that makes it easy for children to read or for an adult to read to younger children. It is a great book and it is a shame it is out of print. Well worth getting as it stands on its own as nice children's book that is both enjoyable and fun.