Toyomi Igus, illustrated by Daryl Wells,
Two Mrs. Gibsons
Children’s Book Press, 1996.

Ages 4-8

Through the voice of a young girl, Two Mrs. Gibsons introduces us to Viola Gibson and Kazumi Gibson, two women who seem very different from one another.

The simple text and illustrations encapsulate much of the contrasting nature of their personalities and lives (one is loud, the other is quiet; one has chocolate-colored skin, the other is the color of vanilla; one was born in Tennessee, in the United Sates, the other in Japan). But who exactly are Viola Gibson and Kazumi Gibson, and how do they relate to the narrator? That, we only get to know - officially, at least - at the end.

Daryl Wells’ acrylic paintings successfully convey the warmth of the narrator’s relationship with the two women. Upon reading the biographical notes on the back page, we realize that the girl in the story is the author herself. She says: “This is a story about the most important women in my life. Whenever I start to think that the many problems people have with one another will never be resolved, I remember my two Mrs. Gibsons, who showed me that love can overcome all differences and transcend all boundaries.”

Igus’ fond recollections of “Mommy” and “Nanny,” during the time her family lived at her paternal grandmother’s house, make for a simple story of growing up in a biracial family, showered by love and surrounded by respect: as sweet and as uncomplicated as that.

By reading this beautiful book, the reader is placed first hand into the life of a very lucky girl, who graciously invites us in to see wisdom and love at work.

Aline Pereira
June 2009