LIBRARY HOT TOPICS

LGBTIQ: CHILDREN

Fiction

10,000 dresses by Marcus Ewert.

New York: Seven Stories Press, 2008. F EWE

“Bailey dreams about magical dresses: dresses made of crystals and rainbows, dresses made of flowers, dresses made of

windows. Unfortunately, when Bailey's awake, no one wants to hear about these beautiful dreams. Then Bailey meets Laurel. In friendship, the two of them begin making dresses together. This gorgeous picture book – a modern fairy tale about becoming the person you feel you are inside – will delight people of all ages.” – Publisher website. Audience: Children aged 0-8 years.

And Tango makes three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. London: Simon and Schuster, 2005. F RIC

“Roy and Silo are just like the other penguin couples at the zoo – they bow to each other, walk together and swim together. But Roy and Silo are a little bit different – they're both boys. Then, one day, when Mr Gramzay the zookeeper finds them trying to hatch a stone, he realises that it maybe time for Roy and Silo to become parents for real.” – Back cover. Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

Be who you are by Jennifer Carr. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse, 2010. F CAR

“Meet Nick, a child who despite being born in a boy’s body has always felt like a girl inside. Follow a journey of self awareness as Nick expresses the need to live

authentically for the first time. Nick’s parents provide a supportive environment where Nick enjoys self expression without worry or judgment; however, everyday life outside of Nick’s home can be far less accepting.” – Back cover. Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

The boy in the dress by David Walliams; illustrated by Quentin Blake. London: HarperCollins Children's Books, 2013 (originally published 2008). F WAL

Dennis “has a passion for soccer - and fashion. When his friend Lisa discovers his stash of

Vogue magazines and convinces him to wear a dress to school, trouble begins.” – Back cover. Audience: Children aged 9 years and up.

Call me Tree by Maya Christina Gonzalez. California: Children’s Book Press, 2014. F GON

The author “empowers young readers to dream and reach … and to be as free and unique as trees.” – Publisher website.

Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

The daddy book by Todd Parr. New York: Little, Brown and Co, 2002. F PAR

This book “celebrates all different kinds of dads. Whether your dad walks you to school

or walks you to the bus, whether he wears suits or two different socks, whether he has a lot of hair or a little, Todd Parr assures readers that … every father is special in his own unique way.” – Publisher website. Audience: Children aged 3-6 years.

The daddy machine by Johnny Valentine. 2

nd ed. Los Angeles, CA:

Alyson Wonderland, 2004. F VAL

Two children who have two mothers dream of what it would be like to have a father and pretend to invent a daddy machine.

Audience: Children aged 6 years and up.

Daddy, Papa, and me by Lesléa Newman. Berkeley, CA: Tricycle Press, 2009. F NEW

This book “show a toddler spending the day with its daddies. From hide-and-seek to

dress-up, then bath time and a kiss goodnight, there's no limit to what a loving family can do together. Share the loving bond between same-sex parents and their children.” – Publisher website. Audience: Children aged 0-8 years.

Daddy's roommate written & illustrated by Michael Willhoite. Boston, MA: Alyson Wonderland, 1990. F WIL

A young boy discusses his divorced father's new living situation, in which the father and his

gay roommate share eating, doing chores, playing, loving, and living. Audience: Children aged 4 years and up.

The duke who outlawed jelly beans and other stories by Johnny Valentine. 2

nd ed. Los Angeles, CA:

Alyson Wonderland, 2004. F VAL

A collection of five fairy tales about children with gay parents.

Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

The family book by Todd Parr. New York: Little, Brown and Co, 2002. F PAR

“The family book celebrates the love we feel for our families and all the different varieties

they come in. Whether you have two moms or two dads, a big family or a small family, a clean family or a messy one, Todd Parr assures readers that … every family is special in its own unique way.” – Publisher. Audience: Children aged 3-6 years.

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LGBTIQ: children

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George by Alex Gino. New York: Scholastic Press, 2015. F GIN

“When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But … [s]he knows she's a girl. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte.

But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part ... because she's a boy. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte – but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.” – Book flap. Audience: Children aged 9-12 years.

Heather has two mummies by Lesléa Newman; illustrated by Laura Connell. London: Walker Books, 2015. F NEW

“Heather’s favourite number is two –she has two arms, two legs, two pets and two lovely mummies. But when Heather goes to school for the first time, someone asks her about her daddy – and Heather doesn't have a daddy! … [I]t doesn’t matter who makes up a family, the most important thing is that all the people in it love one another very much.” – Publisher website. Audience: Children aged 0-8 years.

Hurricane child by Kheryn Challender. New York: Scholastic Press, 2018. F CAL

“Born on Water Island in the Virgin Islands during a hurricane, which is considered bad luck, twelve-year-old Caroline falls in love with

another girl - and together they set out in a hurricane to find Caroline's missing mother.” – Book cover. Audience: Children aged 8-12 years.

I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2014. 306.76 HER

“From the time that she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl’s brain in a boy’s body ... This confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who diagnosed Jazz as transgender and explained that she was born this way. Jazz’s story is based on her real-life experience …” – Book jacket. Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

I like myself! by Karen Beaumont. Mascot, NSW: Koala Books, 2004. F BEA

“Follow a little girl and her hilarious dog as they romp, jump, splash, and smile their way

through a day of what really matters: being yourself!” – Publisher website. Audience: Children aged 4-7 years.

In our mothers’ house by Patricia Polacco. New York: Philomel Books, 2009. F POL

“Marmee, Meema, and the kids are just like any other family on the block. But one family doesn’t accept them. Maybe because they

think they are different: How can a family have two moms and no dad? But Marmee and Meema’s house is full of love. And they teach their children that different doesn’t mean wrong.” – Book jacket. Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

Introducing Teddy: a story about being yourself by Jessica Walton. London: Bloomsbury, 2016. F WAL

“Errol and Thomas the teddy play together every day. But when Thomas feels sad one

morning – and not even the swings cheer him up – Errol is worried. Thomas has a secret to share, and it's something that is difficult to say out loud. Will Errol understand that Thomas would rather be called Tilly? And can they still be friends?” – Publisher website. Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

It’s okay to be different by Todd Parr. Boston: Little, Brown and Co, 2001. F PAR

Illustrations and brief text describe all kinds of differences that are “okay”, such as “It’s okay

to be a different colour”, “It’s okay to need some help”, “It’s okay to be adopted” and “It’s okay to have a different nose.” Audience: Children aged 3-6 years.

Ivy Aberdeen’s letter to the world by Ashley Herring Blake. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2018. F BLA

Ivy Aberdeen's house is destroyed in a hurricane and her “notebook filled with secret drawings of girls holding hands has gone

missing. Mysteriously, Ivy's drawings begin got reappear in her locker with notes from someone telling her to open up about her identity. Ivy thinks - and hopes - that this someone might be her classmate, a girl on whom Ivy has begun to develop a crush. Will Ivy find the strength and courage to follow her true feelings?" – Book jacket. Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

Jack (not Jackie) by Erica Silverman; illustrated by Holly Hatam. New York: Little Bee Books, 2018. F SIL

Susan loves her baby sister, Jackie, but as Jackie grows older and behaves more and more like a boy, Susan must adjust to having a brother, Jack, instead. Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

Jacob’s new dress by Sarah and Ian Hoffman. Chicago, ILL: Albert Whitman & Company, 2014. F HOF

“Jacob loves playing dress-up, when he can be anything he wants to be. Some kids at school say he can’t wear ‘girl’ clothes, but Jacob wants to wear a dress to school. Can

he convince his parents to let him wear what he wants? This heartwarming story speaks to the unique challenges faced by boys who don’t identify with traditional gender roles.” – Publisher website. Audience: Children aged 4-7 years.

Julián is a mermaid by Jessica Love. London: Walker Books, 2018. F LOV

“While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three

women spectacularly dressed up … When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he’s seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies … But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes – and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself?” – Publisher website. Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

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LGBTIQ: children

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King & King by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland. Berkeley, CA: Tricycle Press, 2002. F DEH

When the Queen insists that the Prince get married and take over as King, the search for

a suitable mate does not turn out as expected. Audience: Children aged 5-8 years.

King & King & family by Linda de

Haan and Stern Nijland. Berkeley, CA: Tricycle Press, 2004. F DEH

King Lee and King Bertie take a honeymoon trip to the jungle and bring home a surprise.

Audience: Children aged 5-8 years.

Large fears by Myles E. Johnson; illustrated by Kendrick Daye. 2015. F JOH

Jeremiah Nebula “is a black boy that loves pink things, and he desperately wants to travel to Mars. His voyage leads him to land on stars

that have little Jeremiah confronting all of his fears, and not just the small ones, the really, really large ones. Will Jeremiah Nebula conquer his large fears? Will he ever make it to Mars?” – Goodreads. Audience: Children aged 5-12 years.

Love makes a family by Sophie Beer. Richmond, Vic: Little Hare Books, 2018. F BEE

“Whether you have two mums, two dads, one parent, or one of each, there’s one thing that

makes a family a family… and that’s love. – Publisher. Audience: Children aged 5-12 years.

Molly’s family by Nancy Garden; pictures by Sharon Wooding. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2004. F GAR

While preparing decorations for Open School Night, Molly and her classmates draw

pictures of their families and discover that family means something different to each of them. Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

The mommy book by Todd Parr. New York: Little, Brown and Co, 2002. F PAR

“The mommy book celebrates all different kinds of moms and highlights the many

reasons they are so special. Todd Parr assures readers that no matter what kind of mommy you have, every mother is special in her own unique way.” – Publisher website. Audience: Children aged 3-6 years.

Morris Micklewhite and the tangerine dress by Christine Baldacchino. Toronto, ON: Groundwood Books / House of Anansi Press, 2014. F BAL

“Morris is a little boy who loves using his imagination. He … loves his classroom’s dress-up center – he loves wearing the tangerine dress. But the children in Morris’s class don’t understand. Dresses, they say, are for girls. This is a sweetly told story about the courage and creativity it takes to be different.” – Publisher website. Audience: Children aged 4-7 years.

My family doesn’t look like your family by Tenielle Stoltenkamp; illustrated by Go Suga.Vaucluse, NSW: There There Co., 2019. F STO

“Our aim is for every child to see their own family on the pages of this book and to

know that – even though every family looks and does things differently – we all have a place we belong.” – Book website. Audience: Children aged 4-7 years.

My princess boy by Cheryl Kilodavis. New York: Aladdin, 2010. F KIL

“This little boy loves the color pink, and sparkly things. Sometimes he wears dresses, and sometimes he wears jeans. He’s a

Princess Boy, and his family loves him exactly the way he is. Inspired by her son, and … one mother’s story about unconditional love, and one remarkable family.” – Book jacket. Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

Not all princesses dress in pink by Jane Yolen and Heidi E Y Stemple. New York; Sydney: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2010. F YOL

A fun rhyming book in which princesses engage in a variety of often messy activities. Audience: Children aged 3-8 years.

One dad, two dads, brown dad, blue dads by Johnny Valentine. Los Angeles: Alyson Wonderland, 2004, c1994. F VAL

“[T]wo children discuss a boy's two blue dads. He points out that, aside from their color, they

are the same as other fathers – they work, play, and laugh. His friend wonders how they got that way and offers numerous explanations, but he tells her that they are blue simply because they are.” – School library journal, 1994. Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

Pink is for boys by Robb Pearlman; illustrated by Eda Kaban. New York: Running Press Kids, 2018. F PEA

A celebration of how colors are for everyone and depicts characters engaging in their favourite activity regardless of gender.

Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

A peacock among pigeons by Tyler Curry. Herndon, VA: Mascot, 2015. F CUR

“[A]n LGBT-themed hardback children’s book that tells the tale of learning how to

stand out when you can’t fit in. This children’s story teaches the importance of celebrating our differences and learning to love the feathers you live in.” – Publisher website. Audience: Children aged 4-7 years.

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LGBTIQ: children

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Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival. London: Bloomsbury, 2017. F PER

Norman is very surprised to have wings suddenly – and he has the most fun ever trying them out high in the sky. But then he has to go in for dinner. What will his parents

think? What will everyone else think? Norman feels the safest plan is to cover his wings with a big coat. But hiding the thing that makes you different proves tricky and upsetting. Can Norman ever truly be himself?” – Publisher website. Audience: Children aged 5-9 years.

Santiago the dreamer in Land among the stars by Ricky Martin. New York: Celbra Children’s Books, 2013. F MAR

“Santiago's biggest dream is to perform on stage. But when he doesn't get the lead role in the school play, he can't help but doubt himself. Encouraged by his father's inspiring words, Santiago rebuilds his confidence and finds that with passion and dedication, you can achieve amazing things beyond your wildest imagination.” – Book jacket. Audience: Children aged 5-9 years.

Square zair pair by Jase Peeples; illustrated by Christine Knopp. 2016. F PEE

An “LGBT themed children’s … about celebrating the diversity of couples in a community. The story takes place in the magical land of Hanamandoo, a place where

square and round Zairs live. Zairs do all things in pairs, one round with one square. But one day when two square Zairs pair for the first time, the village initially rejects them before learning a lesson in kindness, and acceptance – ultimately realizing different pairs of Zairs make their village stronger.” – Author’s Kickstarter page. Audience: Children aged 6-10 years.

Stella brings the family by Miriam B. Schiffer; illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2015. F SCH

“Stella’s class is having a Mother’s Day celebration, but what’s a girl with two daddies to do? … Fortunately, Stella finds a unique solution to her party problem in this sweet story about love, acceptance, and the true meaning of family.” – Book jacket. Audience: Children aged 5-8 years.

A tale of two daddies by Vanita Oelschlager; illustrated by Kristin Blackwood and Mike Blanc. Akron, OH: Vanita Books, 2010. F OEL

“The boy says he heard that the girl has two dads. The girl says that is right. She has

Poppa and Daddy. True to a child’s curiosity, practical questions follow. ‘Which dad helps when your team needs a coach? / Which dad cooks you eggs and toast?’ To which she answers: ‘Daddy is my soccer coach. / Poppa cooks me eggs and toast.’ It becomes clear that the family bond is unburdened by any cultural discomforts.” – Publisher website. Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

A tale of two mommies by Vanita Oelschlager; illustrated by Mike Blanc. Akron, OH: Vanita Books, 2011. F OEL

“A conversation among three children … [explores] one non-traditional family, a same

sex couple and their son. As the children talk, it’s clear this boy lives in a nurturing environment where the biggest issues are the everyday challenges of growing up.” – Publisher website. Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

This day in June by Gayle E

Pitman. Washington, DC: Magination, 2014. F PIT

This book “welcomes readers to experience a pride celebration and share

in a day when we are all united. Also included is a Reading guide chock-full of facts about LGBT history and culture, [and] a Note to parents and caregivers with information on how to talk to children about sexual orientation and gender identity in age-appropriate ways.” – Back cover. Audience: Children aged 4-8 years.

Two weeks with the Queen by Morris Gleitzman. Anniversary ed. Sydney: Pan Macmillan, 2010, c1989. F GLE

Colin is sent to live with relatives in England when his younger brother develops a rare form of cancer. He tries to contact the Queen for help but, instead, discovers a young man whose friend is dying of AIDS in a London hospital. Through his relationship with them, he comes to terms with the terrible trauma that's turning his life upside down. Audio book also available. 2 discs. (2 h 30 min.) CD 823 LE Audience: Children aged 10-14 ears.

Who’s in a family? by Robert

Skutch. Berkeley, CA: Tricycle Press, 1995. F SKU

This book has “no preconceptions about what makes a family a family. [It] catalogues multicultural contemporary family units,

including those with single parents, lesbian and gay parents, mixed-race couples, grandparents and divorced parents.” – Publisher website. Audience: Children aged 3-7 years.

Worm loves Worm by J J Austrian; illustrated by Mike Curato. New York: Harper Collins, 2016. F AUS

“When a worm meets a special worm and they fall in love … [t]hey get married! But

their friends want to know – who will wear the dress and who will wear the tux? The answer is: It doesn't matter. This irresistible picture book is a celebration of love in all its splendid forms.” – Publisher.website. Audience: Children aged 4-8 years

Wrestle! by Charlotte Mars, Mayua Newell and Gus Skattebol-James; illustrated by Tom Jellett. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin, 2019. F MAR

“When I grow up, I want to be just like my wrestling heroes: big and tough, with really huge muscles. The only problem is, my mums don’t like fighting…” – Back cover. Audience: Children aged 4+ years.