Many GLBT Families are looking for children’s books that are representative of their families. Without a doubt, children’s books are geared towards traditional families that our children may have trouble identifying with. Book Dads is a website created by two gay dads. While the website is not specifically geared towards same-sex families, they have many suggested titles for us in their “diversity” section. Book Dads is a compilation of titles of books that show ALL fathers in a positive light, something the creators found was lacking when picking out books for their son.
If you’re looking for books for your children, consider these titles below:
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By none other than the incomparable Harvey Fierstein, this book doesn’t pull any punches. Elmer is a sissy duckling who is the target of bullying and scorn, and understood only by his Mama. Even Elmer’s own Papa declares that “He’s no son of mine!” But when Papa is shot by hunters and it’s up to Elmer to save him, Papa learns firsthand about his son’s true courageousness. It’s disappointing and perhaps stereotypical that the father in this story is the intolerant parent who cannot accept his “different” son while the mother is accepting and shares a special relationship with him. Yet it’s also sadly true that this is often exactly the case between fathers and sons, and The Sissy Duckling deals with this painful issue directly and honestly. Not an easy read, this book nevertheless imparts an important lesson for both fathers and sons.
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In this short but engaging book, the imperturbable Lou answers his friend’s questions about his two dads, who both are blue. Since the story focuses on his dads’ “blue-ness” rather than their “two-ness”, it presents the idea of different families without focusing on the issue of sexual orientation. Lou’s answers about his dads are confident and matter-of-fact, and this book is a great tool for building self-esteem for kids in two-dad families. Lou’s answers also serve to further showcase the many things that all dads can do, and the book ends with yet another surprise about dads from Lou’s friend Jean. Highly recommended.
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by Bobbie Combs
This alphabet book features two-dad and two-mom families, both in the illustrations and text. The families are shown doing all of the things that families do, and children will find the humorous illustrations very amusing.
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This is the true story of Roy and Silo, two male chinstrap penguins living at the Central Park Zoo who not only pair-bonded, but also hatched and raised a penguin chick named Tango. The book conveys Roy and Silo’s affection for each other as well as their desire to hatch an egg and their devoted parenting. The Author’s Note at the end explains a few more of the details. A touching story made stronger by the fact that it is true.
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This appears to be a straightforward counting book, with one sentence for each number accompanied by wonderful artwork showing happy families in various settings. Yet although not discussed in the text, the pictures depict all types of diverse families, including transracial and two-dad families. A great book for showing diverse families celebrating family life just like all families, and for introducing what may be a sensitive concept to children as a subtext rather than by overt discussion.
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by Andrew R. Aldrich
The African-American child in this story tells about his family was formed when he was adopted by two Caucasian fathers. The story is told in simple phrases and pictures, and has a very upbeat tone. The book also mentions the many women who are involved in the child’s life. For transracial two-dad families, this is the perfect book for talking about their family with their children in a positive and affirming way. But it’s also useful for anyone else who wants to explain such families to their children in a straightforward and manner-of-fact manner.
August 21, 2008 by Book Dads
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by Todd Parr
Books by Todd Parr (creator of the Discovery channel TV show Toddworld) are always about imparting positive messages to children, and this one is no exception. All about the diversity of families, this book mixes the ordinary (“Some families look alike”) and the outrageous (“Some families look like their pets”) to reinforce the message that there are all kinds of families, including families which are transracial, adoptive, stepfamilies, two-dad, and single parent. Most importantly, it stresses not only the differences between families but the similarities as well
Are you a gay owned/operated and/or friendly business in central Texas? Would you like to be featured on the Austin Gay Parenting Examiner webpage and get some free publicity? Would you like your business linked on the resources page? Or if you're listed, would like like to be removed? Do you have an upcoming event you would like advertised to boost participation? If so, pleast email Frederick at examinerfreddy@gmail.com.
For more info: Want more information on books for GLBT families? Check out Book Dads and Kids Books on the web.
Comments
Great post. The visuals in Todd Parr's books in particular are good at getting our kids to interact and discuss the subject matter in a fun way.
Those Todd Parr books are my favorites, so bright, cheerful, and all-inclusive!
I realized the earlier these concepts are introduced, the better. Last year I stopped at the store with my 3 sons. They saw me stop and talk to a woman. When I got back in the van they asked who she was. I said I work with her wife. The 4 year old didn't say anything but the 5 and 8 year old questioned what I meant. I explained that they were married and gave the type of broad explanation usually given with where do babies come from. The 4 year old still accepted it without question, the 5 year old understood after I explained it. The 8 year old took a lot more convincing, lol. He didn't see it negatively like it was bad but he just kept saying it was weird. I had to explain that it was only weird because he his exposure was limited. We took them to fireworks a few towns away that has a HUGE gay population and it was like a street carnival everywhere except with drag queens. On roller skates, lol. Men in chaps, woman kissing and holding hands. The whole 9. The atmosphere reinforced a positive connotation in their minds. They always have fun there and I hope that will build a good foundation for the views they hold later in life.
Sorry for the novel, lol.
great books! if you are looking for a diversity-minded CD or DVD, check out http://dottiesmagicpockets.com/
another israeli family book i found on the net:
http://danmordesign.com/illustration.html
a book with paper dolls. very cool!
wow!!!
that book looks great!
i want to have those paper dolls!
Great post, I have read two of those and they are very helpful though short, i specially liked tango. My favorite writer k R columbus recently wrote a children's book with 4 gay characters and he handled it nicely, he usually writes for an older still gay audience. the book is called Totemic Haven here is where i got his work from...don't know couldn't find him at Borders. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/33558 anyways thanks for the article was very helpful.
What about Heather has two mommies?? A favorite of mine when I was a child
Hi,
I have started writting a small series of childrens books. The first one is titled "loved by two" and is to show children that having two mums is ok! I'm also soon to release the second book in the series call "two dads for you", and am working other titles surrounding children who have been adopted, children raised by grandparents, children with single parents, and of course, children with a mum and dad!
Is there some way that I could list my first book "loved by two" in this list here?
If you want to have a quick look - they're on my website https://www.eyedropperdesigns.com.au/html/books.html
Cheers,
Michelle
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