Date: Sun, 25 Jun 1995 07:18:41 -0800 From: jessea@uclink2.berkeley.edu (Jessea NR Greenman) The following information is brought to you through the graciousness of Eileen Durgin-Clinchard, Ph.D. PFLAG Northern Plains Regional Director for more info please feel free to email at jeaneileen@aol.com Books for Young Children Featuring Non-Traditional Roles Some of these titles are old-timers but taken in the context of dealing with children who may come from non-traditional families, or who may feel themselves to be different, they provide assurance that their situations are not unique. Just knowing there are enough others like yourself that there is a book about it, may be enough to assuage the sense of isolation some children feel but never express. * BRIDGING THE GAP WITH BOOKS ON SENSITIVE SUBJECTS BIBLIOGRAPHY for CHILDREN and YOUTH The books on this list are grouped for young children and youth. They are highly readable and deal with the subject matter of varying family structures and homosexuality with sensitivity. Attention is given to the problems faced in being gay in a world that is predominantly heterosexist. Some are stories, accurate in their portrayal of characters in various roles; others are nonfiction. It is through reading about the lives of others, whether their experiences confirm that we are not alone, or whether they give us new insights into understanding those who may be different from ourselves, that we can understand that basic values of loving, caring and respect are universal. BOOKS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN The best way to use these books is in an integrated fashion with other books on developing awareness and appreciation of diversity, not as something out of the ordinary. Some of the books deal with gay and lesbian adults in children's lives, while others deal with sex role free characters or themes. All are delightful and fun to read to little children or for young readers to read to themselves. Parent figures should be ready to answer questions or to encourage questions. These themes may be different from those which society at large promotes through media, advertising and toys. Gay/Lesbian Sensitive Books Alden, Joan. (1992) A BOY'S BEST FRIEND. Boston: Alyson Publications. Seven year old Will has always wanted a dog but can't have one because he is asthmatic. He has always felt 'different' and wished he weren't but then his mothers give him an unusual stuffed dog for his birthday. Through LeDogg and playground bullies a special thing happens and Will learns that being different is not bad. (3-9 yrs.) ISBN # 1-55583-203- *Bosch, Susanne. (1983) JENNY LIVES WITH ERIC AND MARTIN. London: Gay Men's Press. ($7.95). Illustrates the ordinariness of being gay and for that reason is worth considering for any age group. Candid photographs of family interactions during a typical weekend day... a surprise birthday party, doing laundry, playing with a friend, and even Jenny's misbehavior when things don't go her way. (3-??yrs.) ISBN # 0907040225 Brown, Forman & Trawin, Leslie. (1991) THE GENEROUS JEFFERSON BARTLEBY JONES. Boston: Alyson Publications. ($7.95) Written in limerick-like verse we learn from Jefferson Bartleby Jones that having two Dads has advantages, to the extent that his friends get sick of hearing about it and begin to leave him out of their fun. Jefferson Bartleby Jones thinks it over and decides to be generous and loan out his Dads to win his place with his friends again. Delightful and fun to read with its rollicking verse. (6-10 yrs.) ISBN #1-55583-198-2 C*Elwin, R. & Paulse, M. (1990) ASHA'S MUMS. Toronto, Canada: Women's Press ($5.95) Asha's main concern is going on a field trip which she almost misses because her teacher wants the permission slip filled out 'the right way.' Classmates tease Asha and the teacher then must deal with all the different family configurations that the children tell about. (6-10 yrs.) ISBN # 0-88961-143-2 *Newman, Leslea. (1989) HEATHER HAS TWO MOMMIES. Northhampton, MA: In Other Words. ($7.95) A valuable feature of this book is how the teacher deals with a potentially sensitive family issue with her class of young children. Line drawings and simple language tell of Heather growing to preschool age and beginning to question why she has two Mommies (artificial insemination) and other children don't. (3-8 yrs.) ISBN # 155583180X Newman, Leslea. (1991) BELINDA'S BOUQUET. Boston: Alyson Publications, Inc. ($6.95) This delightful little book has several messages. Yes, there are two Mommies, an alternative family. The focus is Belinda's difference as a 'fat' child. Her Mama provides loving support when Belinda is teased. Another subtle message is the depiction of a positive boy/girl friendship. (4-8 yrs) ISBN 1-55583-154-0 Newman, Leslea. (1993) SATURDAY IS PATTYDAY. Norwich, VT: New Victoria Publishers, Inc. ($6.95) Just as a divorce is confusing to young children who travel back and forth between biological parents, so too is the breaking of a gay or lesbian union which has fostered a child. This story deals with this issue at a child's eye level and opens the door for discussion and validation of a child's feelings. ISBN 0-934678-51 Severance, Jane. (1983) LOTS OF MOMMIES. Chapel Hill, NC: Lollipop Power ($4?) Lots of Mommies are unusual but turn out to be wonderful for a little girl just starting kindergarten. Enchanting for younger children, discussion starter on roles for older youth. (3-8 yrs.) ISBN # 0-914996-24-X Severance, Jane. (1979) WHEN MEGAN WENT AWAY Chapel Hill, NC: Lollipop Power ($9.95). Megan's mother's special friend leaves and Megan is affected by the separation just as a child is affected by divorce. (3-8 yrs) ISBN #0-914996-22-3 C*Valentine, Johnny. (1991) THE DUKE WHO OUTLAWED JELLYBEANS. Boston: Alyson Publications, Inc. ($12.95) My ONLY frustration with this book is that it was not around when my own children were young and my grandchildren were younger! It is an absolutely delightful book with five stories of dragons, castles, and wonderfully self-reliant children who are able to take actions that make their world a better place. Gender roles are non-traditional and families are varied. Award winning. (5-10 YRS.) ISBN #1-55583-199-0 Valentine, Johnny. (1992) THE DADDY MACHINE. Boston: Alyson Publications, Inc. ($6.95) When you live with two mothers you sometimes wish for Daddies so Sue and her sister Claire invent a 'Daddy Machine.' The Daddies have all different skills and jobs but finally there is too big a crowd. Line drawings and short text make this fantasy a good discussion starter, especially if you discuss the idea of a machine being able to make Daddies and how they might feel about that. (5-10 yrs) ISBN #1-55583-107-0 C*Valentine, Johnny. (1992) THE DAY THEY PUT A TAX ON RAINBOWS. ($12.95) Valentine and his illustrator Lynette Schmidt have done it again with this set of three stories to delight the child in all of us. Adventure without violence; dragons that are outsmarted, and even a beautiful young girl who becomes a mermaid and marries her prince. (5-10 yrs.) ISBN # 1-55583-201-6 Valentine, Johnny (1994) ONE DAD, TWO DADS, BROWN DADS, BLUE DADS Boston, MA: Alyson Press ($10.95 ) A delightful little fantasy about Dads of color...but not the usual color. The message is clear and the text short and simple. A positive message for little ones to hear, whether parenting figures are gay or non-gay. Don't pass this one up. ISBN # *Wilhoite, Michael. (1990). DADDY'S ROOMMATE. Boston: Alyson Press. $14.95. Large pictures, simple sentences. Written in the first person, the child's eye view is preserved in simple sentences. Living with his Mom the boy spends weekends with his Dad and his 'roommate.'The Mom explains that the men love each other and that 'Being gay is just another kind of love. Activities of daily life are pictured in large colorful pictures. (2-6 yrs.) ISBN # 1-55583-178-8 Wilhoite, Michael (1993). UNCLE WHAT IS IT IS COMING TO VISIT!! Boston: Alyson Press. $12.95 A delightful story for young children which both presents and dispells stereotypes around gay men. Good talking about with young ones. ISBN #1-55583-205-9. CCarey, Valerie. (1985) HARRIET AND WILLIAM AND THE TERRIBLE CREATURE . New York: Dutton's Children's Books ($3.95) Who knows how these children will grow up, but shouldn't their natural inclinations be honored? William likes to stay home and garden while sister Harriet goes off in a homemade rocket to explore other worlds. William's skills are needed to help with the 'terrible creature' in the other world but he feels happier when he gets back home.(4-8 yrs.) ISBN #0-525-44652-4 Cde Paola, Tomie. (1979) OLIVER BUTTON IS A SISSY. New York: Harcourt Brace Janovich. ($3.95) A 'golden oldie' but in the context of respecting the talents of all of us Oliver is outstanding. Name calling and written names have to be dealt with but Oliver fools them all and excels in his chosen area of talent. (3-8 yrs.) ISBN # 0-15-257852-8 Galloway, Priscilla. (1985) JENNIFER HAS TWO DADDIES (1985) Toronto, Canada: Women's Educational Press ($6.95??) One Daddy is her step-Daddy and the other is her biological father. Jennifer spends time with each of them, worries and feels both sad and angry when her biological Dad has to go on a long trip. She is comforted by her step-Dad and mother and her other Dad finally comes home. Humor is used in dealing with feelings but they are validated as well (3-9 yrs.) ISBN # 0-88961-095-9 Greinke, Pamylle. (1984) JACQUELINE AND THE BEANSTALK. RD # 2 Noyak Rd., Sag Harbor, NY, 11963: The Permanent Press. ($5.95) Jacqueline instead of Jack, but the difference doesn't stop there! Jacqueline goes through the same adventures, but they all have a different twist that arise from her ability to use her head and not be dependent upon magic to extricate herself from trouble.(4-10 yrs.) ISBN # 0-932966-52-7 Mack, Bruce. (1979) JESSIE'S DREAM SKIRT Chapel Hill, NC: Lollipop Power ($5) Jessie (a little boy) wants a swirly, colorful skirt so his mother reluctantly makes one for him. His school friends tease him, his teacher (an African-American male) intervenes and they all have fun dressing up. (3-8 yrs.). ISBN# 0-914996--20-7 Munsch, Robert. (1980) THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS. Toronto, Canada: Annick Press Ltd. ($4.95) And what will Elizabeth do with the rest of her life? Having saved the Prince and then thumbed her nose at him will her independence and initiative lead her into a bright future? Let's use this one to imagine what happens next. (3-9 yrs.) ISBN # 0-920236-16-2 Zolotow, Charlotte. (1972) WILLIAM'S DOLL. New York: Harper & Row. ($??) Another oldie we should not forget. William's grandmother understands his need for a doll, but his Dad doesn't and continues to push 'boy' toys at him. Grandma takes things into her own hands and William gets his doll...but what could happen after that? The ending of a story is just the beginning for young listeners and thinkers. (4-8 yrs.) ISBN # 0-06-443067-7 OTHER TITLES ADDED RECENTLY Positive Images of Gay & Lesbian Parents Heron, Ann (1991) HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOUR DAD WAS GAY? ($6.95) Newman, Leslea (1991) GLORIA GOES TO GAY PRIDE ($7.95) Wickens, Elaine (1994) ANNA DAY AND THE O RING ($6.95) Non- Traditional Families or Situations Jenness, Aylette (1990) FAMILIES: A CELEBRATION OF COMMITMENT & DIVERSITY ($4.95) Kornblatt, Marc (199?) THE SEARCH FOR SIDNEY=EDS SMILE ($2.50) Munsch, Robert (1993) SOMETHING GOOD ($4.95) Munsch, Robert (1986) LOVE YOU FOREVER ($4.95?) Munsch, Robert (1984) MILLICENT AND THE WIND ($4.95) Stinson, Kathy (1986) THE BARE NAKED BOOK ($4.95?) =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D PLEASE NOTE!!! THIS LIST IS REVISED ALMOST EVERY TIME DR. DURGIN-CLINCHARD FINDS A FEW NEW BOOKS, SO IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO SHARE THE LIST PLEASE CONTACT HER FIRST FOR THE MOST RECENT REVISION. For example, in the next list the above 'recent additions' will be annotated. The next revision is due sometime in August 1995. According to Dr. Durgin-Clinchard, "This genre is increasing almost exponentially now, whereas a few years ago these books were scarce. They are still not readily available on bookstore shelves, so it is important that you know what they are so you can ask for them, in either libraries or bookstores." Dr. Durgin-Clinchard also has a list of books for older children and young adults with gay/male/lesbian positive images of adults in their lives as well as of peers. The preceding list is the creation of Eileen Durgin-Clinchard, Ph.D. PFLAG Northern Plains Regional Director For more info please feel free to email at *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CROSS POST WITH ATTRIBUTION Jessea Greenman Co-Founder, Project 21; ph/fax: 510-601-8883 586 62nd St. Oakland, CA 94609-1245 "All persons, regardless of sexual orientation, should be afforded equal opportunity within the public education system." National Education Association, 1988