Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

MOMBIAN's LGBTQ children's book gift guide
by Dana Rudolph
2018-12-12

This article shared 2548 times since Wed Dec 12, 2018
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


It's time for my annual roundup of some of this year's best LGBTQ-inclusive children's and middle-grade books! This is one of the first years when ( happily! ) there were more books published than I can include here, so please visit mombian.com for a longer compilation.

Elementary

When We Love Someone We Sing to Them/Cuando Amamos Cantamos, by Ernesto Javier Martínez, is a lyrical bilingual book celebrating both the love between two boys and the supportive relationship between the boy and his father. Pura Belpré Honor Award winner Maya Christina Gonzalez deserves equal credit for her vibrant illustrations.

Prince & Knight, by Daniel Haack and illustrated by Stevie Lewis, isn't the first queer prince fairy tale for this age, but it might be the best, and stems from a partnership between LGBTQ advocacy organization GLAAD and Bonnier Publishing USA.

In the second book from the partnership, Jack ( Not Jackie ), by Erica Silverman and illustrated by Holly Hatam, a young girl comes to understand and accept that her sibling, whom she thought was a girl, is really a transgender boy. Their parents are supportive of Jack's identity throughout.

When the protagonist of Jessie Sima's Harriet Gets Carried Away dresses up like a penguin and goes to find party hats for her birthday, she falls into an adventure with a group of actual penguins. Can she find the way back to her two dads in time for the party? A joyful book celebrating the power of imagination.

The True Adventures of Esther the Wonder Pig, by Steve Jenkins, Derek Walter, and Caprice Crane, illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld, is based on the true story of a two-man couple who adopt what they think is a mini-pig—but who grows to 600 pounds and whom they love despite some mishaps.

The gorgeously illustrated Julian Is a Mermaid, by Jessica Love, tells of a gender creative, Latinx boy imagining life as a mermaid. One day, his supportive abuela takes them to a festival of grown people dressed as mermaids ( modeled after the actual Coney Island Mermaid Parade ).

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag, written by Rob Sanders and illustrated by Steven Salerno, is an inspiring biography of Milk that stresses his friendship with Gilbert Baker, who designed the rainbow flag as a symbol of inspiration.

Middle grade

The Lotterys More or Less, by Emma Donoghue, continues her series about two same-sex couples ( one male, one female ) jointly raising their seven children. Their nine-year-old middle child, Sumac, feels responsible for organizing their winter holiday celebrations, but an ice storm brings complications for the diverse family and community in this fun holiday-themed romp.

The Magic Misfits: The Second Story, continues actor Neil Patrick Harris' series starring a diverse group of "misfit." friends with skills in the magical arts, including Leila, who has two dads. When a famous psychic and a couple claiming to be Leila's birth parents arrive in town, the friends must uncover the truth while learning to rely on each other. Puzzles and how-to magic tricks are sprinkled throughout.

In You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P., by Stonewall Award-winning author Alex Gino, Jilly, a White and hearing 12-year-old, struggles to support both her new baby sister who is Deaf, and her online friend, a Deaf, Black boy her own age. An aunt who is Black and raising two children with her wife is among those offering guidance. Gino digs into the impact of systemic racism, including the shooting of a Black teen by police, and how White people must work towards dismantling it.

Hurricane Child, by Kheryn Callender, is the lyrical story of 12-year-old Caroline Murphy, born during a hurricane in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Her mother has left her and her father, her classmates bully her, and she has visions of a mysterious spirit. Then she feels a growing attraction to a new girl at school. Caroline must figure out what these parts of her life mean as another storm bears down.

The tornado that destroys 12-year-old Ivy's home in Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World, by Ashley Herring Blake, serves as a metaphor for the disconnection she feels from family and friends and the "giddy and trembly." feelings she has around classmate June. A warm story about finding oneself while searching for connection with others.

Set in 1977, Shannon Hitchcock's One True Way tells of Allie Drake, trying to find her place at her new middle school in North Carolina after her parents' separation. When she and another girl fall in love, they must deal with the prejudice of Sam's conservative Christian parents, Allie's overprotective mother, the bigotry promulgated nationwide by actor Anita Bryant, and the ramifications for two of their teachers, another a same-sex couple.

In Drum Roll, Please, by Lisa Jenn Bigelow, 13-year-old Mellie spends two weeks at band camp while dealing with her parents' divorce, her best friend deserting her for a boy, and having a crush on another girl, while wondering if she can really be a drummer. It's mentioned that she's had crushes on boys, too; she's not labeled "bisexual,." but could very well be. An insightful first-person narrative of self-discovery.

The Prince and the Dressmaker, a graphic novel by Jen Wang, begins in Paris at the dawn of the modern age. Sixteen-year-old Prince Sebastian's parents are hoping to find him a bride, but he knows his love of wearing dresses will make him unsuitable. He finds support in one loyal servant and in a dressmaker with dreams of her own. A tale as fresh and textured as the dresses in it.

Happy reading and happy holidays!

Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian ( Mombian.com ), a GLAAD Media Award-winning blog and resource directory for LGBTQ parents.


This article shared 2548 times since Wed Dec 12, 2018
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

THEATER 'R & J' puts a female, queer spin on Shakespeare 2024-03-05
- Romeo and Juliet is the theatrical gift that keeps on giving. It's been reworked for the masses numerous times, whether in direct adaptations or musicals such as West Side Story. Shakespeare's plotline points have even inspired ...


Gay News

New Ways Ministry: Pope's blessings approval is Christmas gift to LGBTQ+ Catholics 2023-12-18
--From a press release - MOUNT RAINIER, Maryland—Statement by Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director, New Ways Ministry: Pope Francis gave LGBTQ+ Catholics an early Christmas gift this year by approving blessings for same-gender couples. The Vatican ...


Gay News

Windy City Times gift suggestions 2023-12-11
- Technically, Christmas is less than two weeks away—and counting. With that in mind, here are just a few suggestions for gifts, including some for the budget-minded. Sleep impact: Available on Amazon, the Yanser Silk Sleep Mask ...


Gay News

THEATER REVIEW 'Little Voice' showcases big talents 2023-09-29
- The Gift Theatre at Filament Theatre, 4041 N. Milwaukee Through Oct. 15 thegifttheatre.org � I kept thinking of Walter, one of the regulars at (late, lamented) Bucks Saloon, when watching The Gift Theatre's current production of ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Rocker comes out, Billie Eilish, Luke Evans, 'Housewives,' 'Masculinity' book 2023-06-30
- Josh Kiszka, frontman for the Grammy-winning rock band Greta Van Fleet, came out as gay in an Instagram post, according to Instinct Magazine. He wrote, in part, "The greatest mortal gift of all is our capacity ...


Gay News

Billy Masters bids adieu to Dame Edna 2023-04-24
- "I was born with a priceless gift—the ability to laugh at the misfortunes of others." —Dame Edna Everage The world just got a bit duller with the death of Dame Edna Everage. Her creator, Barry Humphries, ...


Gay News

Billy Masters 2023-03-27
- "This makes me happy for the OG Charmed fans. What a gift!" —Alyssa Milano captions a photo of Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs and Rose McGowan at 90s Con. No word on why Alyssa missed this ...


Gay News

Life Is Work, Brave Space Alliance to distribute Grubhub gift cards 2022-12-21
- Life Is Work (LIW)—a Black and Brown trans-led social services and advocacy organization on Chicago's West Side—is collaborating with community partner and South Side trans- and Black-led organization Brave Space ...


Gay News

Windy City Times holiday shopping guide 2022-12-03
- If you're looking for ideas for holiday gifts, check out what we have to offer: A supreme idea: You may not know this but one of the coolest new stores in Chicago is the Wicker Park spot Supreme, at 1438 N. ...


Gay News

Five Worth Finding: COVID book, 'Wicked' cocktails, 'A Taste of Hope' and more 2022-10-24
- —COVID-19, the LGBTQIA+ Community and Public Policy: As studies emerge to help us understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on every facet of modern life, it is critical that the effect of the pandemic on ...


Gay News

THEATER The Gift running thriller 'The Locusts' Oct. 20-Nov. 19 2022-09-23
- The Gift Theatre will conclude its 2022 season with the world premiere of Jennifer Rumberger's thriller The Locusts, commissioned and developed by The Gift and directed by ensemble member John Gawlik. The Locusts will run Oct. ...


Gay News

Five Worth Finding: Movie short, 'Kaepernick,' ice cream and more 2022-08-14
- —Fraud: Non-binary director Zen Zadih Pace's debut narrative short, Fraud—starring trans actress Dana Aliya Levinson (STARZ's American Gods) and Babak Tafti (Showtime's Super Pumped)—was selected for ...


Gay News

SAVOR Bird's Eye Bar & Grill; Sweet Mandy B's marks 20 years 2022-07-24
- Feast while dining among the beasts. Located in the heart of the Lincoln Park Zoo, Bird's Eye Bar & Grill (https://www.lpzoo.org/venue/birds-eye-bar-grill/; right above the venue's gift shop) provides a respite from walking around and seei ...


Gay News

Five Worth Finding: WNDR Museum, Prince, queer books, flowers 2022-06-16
- — WNDR Museum's Pride event "Crafting with Queens": The West Loop museum is usually entertainment and, um, wondrous enough on its own—but during Pride Month, WNDR is queering things up with "Crafting with Queens" on Tuesday, ...


Gay News

Five Worth Finding: Chocolate festival, lesbian sci-fi film, 'Smahtguy' 2022-05-16
- —The Long Grove Chocolate Festival: The beloved Chocolate Festival will return to the historic streets and parkways of downtown Long Grove for the first time in three years, May 20-22. Chocolate lovers can experience so much—including ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.