Review by Booklist Review
Same-sex marriage became legal in the state of Minnesota in 2013. Yet there had been a marriage between two men, Michael McConnell and Jack Baker, 42 years earlier in 1971. But how? This is the story, as cleverly told by the two little grooms atop the three-tiered wedding cake. The book begins with the baking of the cake, and it quickly becomes obvious that this will be analogous to the meeting and courtship of McConnell and Baker. But baking a cake takes time, as does the two men's attempt to get a marriage license, illegal at the time. How they manage to do it requires a clever ruse. But marry they do, and 50 years later, they're still together! Their heartwarming story--accessible to young readers--demonstrates that the essential ingredient in a cake and a marriage is love. Cathro's affectionate illustrations--with vintage 1970s' colors and vibes--not only expand the text but also capture its sweet spirit exactly. Useful back matter includes photographs, an author's note, a time line, and a bibliography.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Employing the perspective of the two groom cake toppers of the first legal same-sex American wedding in 1971, Sanders profiles Jack Baker and Michael McConnell, two white men who met in 1966 and strove for years to secure a marriage license. As the tiny cake toppers follow a recipe to bake the cake, they also narrate Baker and McConnell's journey in simple prose, from the couple's rejected first license, to law student Jack's legal name change to gender-neutral "Pat," and eventually to Michael's solo--and successful--second journey to the courthouse for the license. An author's note reveals that Baker and McConnell were "the only legally married gay couple in... Minnesota for nearly forty-two years." Cathro depicts the parallel stories in a vintage-inflected style, complete with '70s pastels and CorningWare-esque cookware, in a whimsical examination of a little-taught entry in queer history. Back matter includes an author's note, a timeline of marriage equality, and a bibliography. Ages 6--9. (May)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 4--An iconic photo from the 1971 wedding of Michael McConnell and Jack Baker shows the men with their cake topped by two grooms. Those plastic figurines narrate this story about how two white men met, fell in love, and overcame obstacles to achieve the first same-sex marriage in the United States. Using the analogy of creating a wedding cake, the small figures gather and combine ingredients, bake the cake, and eventually frost and decorate it. At times the cartoon illustrations seem forced as the tiny grooms dance along the tines of a whisk or stand beneath a sugar shower in a mixing bowl. The illustrations of humans feature 1970s colors, patterns, and fashions, including polyester suits and wedding headbands. Both story lines emphasize the patience and persistence involved in the processes. Fifty years later the couple still lives in Minnesota as both Cathro's illustrations and actual photos highlight. An extensive author's note explains how the men obtained a license and married legally long before the U.S. Supreme Court issued its 2015 ruling on marriage equality. A detailed time line notes various state and federal laws and court decisions along the way. VERDICT This creative presentation of a little-known historic event introduces young readers to the topic of marriage equality. A good choice to foster diversity and inclusion.--Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State Univ. Lib., Mankato
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
The first legal gay marriage in the U.S. was held in…1971. The two groom figurines on the top of the cake at the first legal same-sex wedding celebration narrate the story of Jack and Michael, who met in 1966. The cake-topping grooms compare the creation of the cake they will stand on to the growing relationship of the couple and then to their struggle to get a marriage license, which includes law school, a name change (from Jack to the gender-neutral Pat), and a solo visit to City Hall for the license (for Michael). The cake is finished; the license is granted. Michael and Jack celebrate their wedding…but the battle for equality is far from over. Fifty years on, the couple is even more in love, and finally LGBTQ+ couples can marry in all 50 states. Sanders tells the tale in easy-to-understand language, sweet as the frosting on the cake, and leaves the bulk of the details for the comprehensive backmatter: author's note, marriage equality timeline, photographs of Jack and Michael as young and older men, and a well-rounded bibliography. Cathro's whimsical, retro-feeling illustrations on cream-colored paper show the cake toppers assisting in the creation of the cake as their human counterparts work for the right to marry. Both cake toppers and human grooms present White. (This book was reviewed digitally.) As beautiful as it is informative about this little-known battle in the fight for equality. (Picture book. 6-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
