This week marks Banned Books Week, the American Library Association’s (ALA’s) annual celebration of the freedom to read—but this year feels more like a call to action than a celebration. Book bans and other attempts at censorship, largely targeting the LGBTQ and other marginalized communities, are raging across the country. Here’s what’s happening, how others are fighting back, and how you can help.
It’s Banned Books Week, during a year that has seen record numbers of bans and challenges. Let’s kick things off by looking at some of the picture books that have been targeted recently for being LGBTQ inclusive.
I am thrilled to be sharing the exclusive cover reveal for “A Child’s Introduction to Pride: The Inspirational History and Culture of the LGBTQIA+ Community,” by Sarah Prager, one of the most talented authors writing about LGBTQ history for kids. I am so looking forward to this book!
Many parents I know have loved the diversity of families and other aspects of identity in All Are Welcome, by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman. The duo has recently released their second follow-up book, in which the same community welcomes a new family. It’s another joyous (and queer-inclusive) delight!
Today brings us a treasure trove of new LGBTQ-inclusive family books for kids and grown-ups, including a picture-book biography of Laverne Cox; a sequel to one of my favorite magical middle-grade series; a graphic novel with an autistic protagonist; an early chapter book sequel; a memoir by a gay foster dad of his own difficult childhood; and a stunning memoir by the mother of a transgender girl.
A joyous new book is filled with photos and testimonials of real children across a variety of gender identities and expressions. It’s an extraordinary celebration of ordinary kids, and a must-have for any collection of diverse books.
Jeanne Manford, whose love for her gay son in the 1970s led to the founding of PFLAG, is the subject of a moving new picture-book biography by Rob Sanders, one of the leading authors of children’s books about LGBTQ history and historical figures.
Amidst a wave of book bans and challenges around the country, five—yes, five!—services are actually providing free, LGBTQ-inclusive books to schools and educators. Here’s how to request them.
Here are four great new LGBTQ-inclusive kids’ books: an allegorical tale about a transgender girl; a sweet story with a gentle STEM lesson; the third in a delightfully funny early chapter book series, and a middle-grade book of trailblazers, including two queer ones.
A Florida school district has put labels on over 100 books warning that some people feel they are “unsuitable for students.” They include a book that depicts same-sex parents caring for their babies, picture books about transgender and gender creative children, and the real-life story of a same-sex penguin pair. What’s next? Warning labels on LGBTQ students and those with LGBTQ parents?
