This week marks Banned Books Week, the American Library Association’s (ALA’s) annual event highlighting the value of the freedom to read and drawing attention to the harms of censorship. With record numbers of bans across the country, the need for such awareness is greater than ever. But I’m also here to remind us: It’s about more than just the books.
Non-profit Pride and Less Prejudice, which has donated over 10,000 LGBTQ-inclusive picture books to elementary school classrooms since 2019, is holding a virtual auction through this weekend so they can send 1,200 more. Check out some of the amazing offerings!
No, I’m not showcasing banned LGBTQ books for Banned Books Week. Fact is, all LGBTQ books are under threat, and there’s at least one school district where every LGBTQ-inclusive book is banned. Instead, as usual, I’m simply going to highlight great LGBTQ kids’ books that should be on your shelves—including a brand-new one by the inimitable Alex Gino!
Spawn of Dykes to Watch Out For, the fifth volume of Alison Bechdel’s beloved comic series, came out (!) 30 years ago today, highlighting the journey to parenthood of characters Toni and Clarice. Let’s take a look back as we also start LGBTQ History Month.
Baking, cooking competitions, family recipes, and a little bit of magic—these terrific recent LGBTQ-inclusive kids’ books will get you and your kids in the mood for the latest season of the Great British Bake Off. Several even include recipes!
A new study looks at parents’ perceptions of public libraries and the current issues they face, including book bans and how people feel about children’s books that touch on sometimes sensitive topics: LGBTQ+ characters, race/racism, social justice, and sexual education.
A Florida school district in July ordered its librarians to remove all books with LGBTQ characters or themes from classrooms and libraries. While the district later asserted that such books are still allowed in high school libraries, there is evidence that many have been removed from them as well.
Lesléa Newman, author of Heather Has Two Mommies and more than 80 other books, has a very personal connection to Matthew Shepard, the young man murdered in 1998 because he was gay. Her moving and powerful new volume explores his life and legacy.
This week’s haul of new LGBTQ family books includes some truly great reads for both grown-ups and kids, including a biography of the queer woman who transformed children’s literature; a book for Christian families looking to support their trans and nonbinary kids (or those wondering why they should); a baking book by a chef-illustrator pair whose names you may know separately; and more.
To celebrate Grandparents Day, here are 15 books featuring LGBTQ grandparents—plus another 15 showing grandparents supporting their LGBTQ grandchildren! They make grand reading today or any time of year.
