ALYSON WONDERLAND BOOK LISTING The following books are issued by Alyson Wonderland. This is the children-book imprint of Alyson Publications, the country's leading publisher of lesbian and gay books. Newer and better-selling titles are available in many bookstores. Books listed here may also be ordered direct from the publisher: Alyson Wonderland, Dept. L-24, 40 Plympton St., Boston, MA 02118. Enclose $1.00 postage with each order, regardless of quantity of books ordered. Credit card orders can be called in, 9:00-5:30 eastern time, at 1-800-825-9766. After June 30, 1994, please write to the publisher for an updated catalog. A BEACH PARTY WITH ALEXIS, by Sarita Johnson-Calvo, $3.00. Alexis is giving a beach party, with a little help from her mothers. A beautifully drawn coloring book that will help children learn about diversity. The illustrations follow Alexis as she plans and then hosts her beach party, from making the invitations to watching the sunset. Alexis' guests include people of many races, body types, and in many different family configurations. Ages 2 to 6. BELINDA'S BOUQUET, by Lesl<130>a Newman; illustrated by Michael Willhoite, $7.00. Upon hearing a cruel comment about her weight, young Belinda decides she wants to go on a diet. But then her friend Daniel's lesbian mom tells her, "Your body belongs to you," and that just as every flower has its own special kind of beauty, so does every person. Belinda quickly realizes she's fine just the way she is. Ages 4 to 8. A BOY'S BEST FRIEND, by Joan Alden, illustrated with photos by Catherine Hopkins, cloth, $13.00. Will, a seven-year-old asthma sufferer, has proclaimed that he wants nothing at all for his birthday if he can't have a dog. He sees his birthday come and almost go without a gift. But at the last hour, Will's two moms present him with a dog who will make a difference by being different. Ages 4 to 8. THE DADDY MACHINE, by Johnny Valentine, with illustrations by Lynette Schmidt, $7.00. In a fantasy reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, two kids with lesbian mothers fantasize about what it would be like to have a father. When their mothers go away for the day, the kids make themselves a daddy machine, and soon they get their wish: They turn on the machine, and a dad pops out. Then comes another, and another, and another. "Sue," the narrator says, "we did a good job, but we're kind of in a fix. The machine is great, but we missed one thing. It doesn't have an OFF switch!" Ages 4 to 8. DADDY'S ROOMMATE, by Michael Willhoite, $9.00. This is the first book written for the children of gay men. The large, full-color illustrations depict a boy, his father, and the father's lover as they take part in activities familiar to all kinds of families: cleaning the house, shopping, playing games, fighting, and making up. Ages 2 to 6. THE DAY THEY PUT A TAX ON RAINBOWS, by Johnny Valentine, illustrated by Lynette Schmidt, cloth, $13.00. Three brothers use their unique talents to discover hidden treasure ... a girl is washed off her boat during a storm and discovers a kingdom beneath the sea ... and a young boy saves his village from a future without rainbows. These three new fairy tales, by the author and illustrator of The Duke Who Outlawed Jelly Beans, feature the adventures of kids who happen to have lesbian and gay parents. Ages 5 to 10. THE DUKE WHO OUTLAWED JELLY BEANS AND OTHER STORIES, by Johnny Valentine; illustrations by Lynette Schmidt, $9.00. After he outlawed jelly beans, the duke issued another proclamation: "I had exactly one mother and one father, and I turned out so well, I think all children should have exactly one mother and one father. Any that don't ... why, we'll throw 'em in the dungeon." But the kids of the kingdom found a way to stop him. Their story is one of five original and enchanting fairy tales that make up this collection. Beautifully illustrated with paintings and drawings throughout. Ages 5 to 10. THE ENTERTAINER, by Michael Willhoite, $4.00. The award-winning author and illustrator of Daddy's Roommate takes a new approach here: a story told entirely in pictures. Fame and fortune come to Alex, a talented boy who loves to juggle -- until he discovers what's really important in life. Ages 3 to 8. FAMILIES, by Michael Willhoite, $3.00. Many kinds of families, including a diversity of races, generations, and cultural backgrounds, are depicted in this coloring book (which is accompanied by a short text); several of the families include lesbian or gay parents. Ages 3 to 6. THE GENEROUS JEFFERSON BARTLEBY JONES, by Forman Brown; illustrated by Leslie Trawin, $8.00. Jefferson Bartleby Jones is lucky to have two dads, because one is always free to have fun with him on the weekends. He generously loans out one dad to a friend, then the other -- and suddenly discovers himself home all alone for the first time. Forman Brown's lively verse gives kids with two dads a lot to feel good about. Ages 5 to 8. HEATHER HAS TWO MOMMIES, by Lesl<130>a Newman, illustrated by Diana Souza, $8.00. As the daughter of a lesbian couple, three-year-old Heather sees nothing unusual in having two mommies. When she joins a playgroup and discovers that other children have "daddies" her confusion is dispelled by an adult instructor and the other children who describe their own different families. Warmly illustrated by Diana Souza, Heather Has Two Mommies realistically approaches issues central to lesbian parenting: artificial insemination, the birthing process, and the needs of a lesbian household. Ages 3 to 8. HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOUR DAD WAS GAY, by Ann Heron and Meredith Maran; illustrated by Kris Kovick, $7.00. Jasmine, Michael, and Noah are all regular kids except for one thing: Jasmine and Michael have two gay fathers. Noah has a gay mother. They have some unique concerns that they've never seen discussed by anyone else. This book, written by two lesbian mothers with help from their sons, will be a lifeline for other young people who face the same issues. It will also help their classmates, teachers, and parents to better understand just how varied today's families can be. Ages 6 to 12. UNCLE WHAT-IS-IT IS COMING TO VISIT!!, by Michael Willhoite, cloth, $13.00. Igor and Tiffany learn that their gay uncle is coming to visit ... but their mother is interrupted before she can explain what "gay" means. The two children are alarmed when some older kids tell them what to expect. "Do we really want to meet this uncle?" they wonder. But the stereotypes are shattered when Uncle Brett finally arrives.