GLAAD and Bonnier Publishing USA Partner to Increase and Elevate LGBTQ Kids’ Books

I’ve long written about the need for a greater number of quality, LGBTQ-inclusive children’s books, so I am thrilled to pass along the news that GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, and Bonnier Publishing USA are creating a partnership dedicated to “integrating and elevating positive LGBTQ representation in children’s literature.” The first product of the partnership, a charming fairy tale, is out now!

Prince & Knight, by Daniel Haack and illustrated by Stevie Lewis, tells of a prince in line for the throne, who, with his parents, searches for a bride to help him rule. While they are off searching, a dragon threatens their land. The prince races home to save the kingdom, which he does with the help of a brave young man who is a knight. They defeat the dragon and fall in love in the process. When they meet up with the king and queen, the parents are “overwhelmed with joy” at the match. Cue the royal wedding and the happily ever after.

If the story feels familiar, it should. Its name and plot echo that of King & King, by Linda de Haan and Stern Mijland, first published in the Netherlands in 2000, and in the U.S. in 2002. King & King told of a prince whose parents seek a bride for him, only for him to fall in love with a prospective suitor’s brother instead. In many ways, though, Prince & Knight is the better book. Its illustrations have a charming, Disney-like quality to them, as opposed to the frenetic and off-kilter ones in King & King. Haack’s prince also has more agency over his future—he and his parents cooperatively seek his spouse, whereas de Haan and Mijland’s prince is yelled at and scolded by his mother about finding a bride. And while the entire plot of King & King focuses on the search for a spouse, Prince & Knight throws in the excitement of the dragon. This will likely make the story more appealing to young children for whom the idea of marriage and romance may feel far off.

I’ll have more analysis of these and other LGBTQ-inclusive fairy tales tomorrow in a special roundup, so stay tuned. For now, let’s celebrate the major step of an LGBTQ advocacy organization and a large publisher working together not only to publish more LGBTQ-inclusive kids’ books, but to make sure they get noticed by the families that are hungry for them (and by all the other families that should read them, too).

Prince & Knight will be followed this October by Erica Silverman’s Jack (Not Jackie), illustrated by Holly Hatam, in which big sister Susan learns and accepts that her younger sibling identifies as “Jack” rather than “Jackie.” This looks like it will be a great addition to children’s books about transgender and gender expansive children, as there are currently few featuring transgender boys. Bonnier’s Little Bee Books imprint will publish both titles, with additional ones announced in the coming months. They promise to release at least four titles per year across various genres and formats for children up to the age of 14. (I’m guessing one of them will be Maiden & Princess, by Haack and Isabel Galupo, illustrated by Becca Human, and due out next spring. Publisher’s Weekly says it’s “about a maiden who goes to the prince’s royal ball and doesn’t quite enjoy herself until she meets and falls in love with the princess.”)

Shimul Tolia, CEO of Bonnier Publishing USA, said that Bonnier has a “responsibility to produce meaningful, socially conscience books for every reader. We’re proud to be partnering with GLAAD to authentically and accurately tell LGBTQ stories, and do our part to make classrooms, bookstores, and even the playground a more inclusive environment.”

Publisher Sonali Fry noted the importance of these stories not only for LGBTQ children and children with LGBTQ parents, but also those with LGBTQ peers, saying “Children need to identify with the characters they’re reading about. The importance of children recognizing themselves, their family, and their friends in media cannot be overstated. We strive to create stories that not only empower, but ensure that no child feels invisible.”

This is the latest in several moves by GLAAD to increase LGBTQ representation in children’s media. They worked with the Disney Channel on an episode of Doc McStuffins that featured a two-mom family, and on Andi Mack, which included a storyline about a teenager coming out. They also added an “Outstanding Kids & Family Programming” category to the GLAAD Media Awards this year. Additionally, GLAAD co-hosted the first-ever LGBTQ panel during the Kidscreen Summit, the leading U.S. conference for the kids’ entertainment industry. GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis (herself a mom) spoke on the panel along with writers, producers, and programming executives from PBS Kids, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and Marvel Entertainment.

About the Bonnier partnership, Ellis said that GLAAD was committed to positive LGBTQ representation “at every stage of our lives.” On a personal note, she added, “It’s so important that my two kids and others like them see their families reflected in the media.”

A portion of proceeds from Prince & Knight will benefit GLAAD.