A Holiday Guide to 2017’s LGBTQ Family Books
This year saw a great crop of books by, for, and about LGBTQ families. Here are some of my favorites. Make them yours (and your children’s), too!
children’s books
Celebrations Are at Heart of New LGBTQ-Inclusive Kids’ Book Collection
Want six children’s books that include gender diverse characters from a variety of racial and ethnic identities? Want them to revolve around family celebrations in many types of families? Micro-press Flamingo Rampant’s second collection of books has what you need!
Dottie’s Back with a New Sing-Along Book Asking “Who’s In Your Family?” (Plus a Secret Perk)
Ten years ago, Dottie’s Magic Pockets became the first live-action series created especially for kids with LGBTQ parents. A music album followed. Now, its creators are back with a companion book to their song “Who’s in Your Family?” (and you can get a “super secret” early-bird perk)!
New Book Shows Children’s Perspective on Mom’s New Girlfriend
A mom and her real-life daughters bring us a children’s book with the story of two girls whose mom is dating a woman. Some of the very first LGBTQ-inclusive children’s books had a similar theme, but it’s one that’s taken a back seat to more recent depictions of long-term same-sex parent couples. Here’s why it’s a theme worth reviving.
New Kids’ Book Shows Gender-Creative Child as Hero
A new children’s book not only features a gender-creative child, but also gives us a whimsical tale about how he saves his town from a magical monster.
Over 200 Books, Videos, Music Albums, and More for and About LGBTQ Families
Looking for books, videos, or music albums for your children that feature LGBTQ families? Want some memoirs by LGBTQ parents or our adult children to read yourself? Need a guide to this adventure we call LGBTQ parenting? A book on LGBTQ-inclusive schools? Baby books? Check out my revamped Mombian Shop, which has spiffy new organization and even more items!
Children’s Books About Resistance and Social Justice
The recent events in Charlottesville—and the ongoing struggle our country has with racism and other forms of oppression—underscore the importance of raising children who are accepting and inclusive of all, and have the strength to stand against the actions of those who are not. Here are a few reading ideas.
Harry Potter and the LGBTQ Family
I wrote this for my Mombian newspaper column at the end of June; I’m reposting it here in honor of Harry Potter and J. K. Rowling’s birthdays today.
June 26 is an auspicious date. Not only did the U.S. Supreme Court issue its marriage equality decision on that day in 2015, but 20 years ago, on June 26, 1997, the world first learned of a boy named Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermione. I’ve read J. K. Rowling’s series three times to myself and once out loud to my son (who then re-read it on his own a few years later), and wanted to mark the combined anniversary with a few lessons from Harry Potter for LGBTQ families.
New and Old Pride Books for Kids
This Pride, share with your kids the history and meaning behind the month through two new books and several older ones.
There’s something for all ages!
Self-Publishing Creates New Books for and About LGBTQ Families and Youth
Self-published books have long been a part of LGBTQ-inclusive children’s literature. Heather Has Two Mommies, one of the first picture books to depict same-sex parents, was published by author Lesléa Newman and a friend before it was picked up by a small LGBTQ press. The Internet has made self-publishing even easier, and parents, teachers, LGBTQ youth, and others are taking advantage of this to create LGBTQ-inclusive books for which they see a need, even as mainstream publishers slowly start to do the same. Here are a few recent ones that I haven’t covered before.