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HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 146
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 5:10 pm: | 
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We want to "normalize" the existence and acceptance of homosexuals in our society (ideal world) to our niece from a young age. We are therefore looking for children's books that offer homosexual characters. Not necessarily propogandic, but more along the lines of showing that "hey, look at the diversity of families, liefstyles, etc. that are okay." We are looking for books appropriate for any age (we can buy them now and give them to her over time). Thanks in advance for suggestions! |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3614
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 6:03 pm: |
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Um, why would you need a book to point out how "normal" homosexuals are. Has your niece been told otherwise? My son has a friend with two dads and, as far as he's concerned, that's normal. Or maybe I should say, he has no reason to suspect it's not normal. Most kids I know who have friends with same sex parents think nothing of it. I think by pointing it out as something that should be considered "normal" you're setting it apart as being "not normal."
Sorry, I know that's not the question you asked. I just hope your question doesn't backfire on you. Personally, I don't know any books. Perhaps a search on Amazon will find some for you? |
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 2576
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 6:36 pm: |
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Hommell, some resources (in addition to our local public librarians who are terrific and helpful):
http://http://www.education.mcgill.ca/edlibrary/family.pdf
http://http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/library/record/27.html
http://www.appreciatediversity.com/books.html
http://www.armory.com/~web/gaybooks.html |
HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 147
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 8:38 pm: |
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Thanks for the lecture. You are right, that was not the question I asked. We've considered this issue long enough to know how we want to proceed, hence the limited nature of the question. Offering some books - such as those pointed out by C Bataille - in addition to a diverse selection of other books, gives a well-rounded perspective.
It's great that your son has a friend with two dads. However, not everyone - including my 13-month-old niece - does. And even so, why shouldn't books include characters like those dads? My niece is multiracial. Should I also not buy her books that include characters of various ethnicities? This is not "pointing out" homosexuality as something that should be considered normal. It is including a broad range of lifestyles in the books that she is exposed to from an early age.
And there is still plenty of homophobia across the country. When the President runs on the platform of denying same-sex couples the human right of marriage, I feel obligated to proactively counter such discrimination in all facets of life. That includes providing my niece with these books.
I could go on, but I really just want some suggestions for books or other resources. |
amelia
Citizen
Username: Amelia
Post Number: 44
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 9:49 pm: |
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My friends wrote a wonderful colorful children's book about all kinds of families from a child's perspective. The kids are playing on the beach discussing with each other what exactly is "family". Adoptive families, gay families, single parents, inter-generational families (etc.) are all pointed out. PL me if you would like me to give you the details on purchasing a book they are less than $10.00. Only the authors sell the books at the moment. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4837
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 12:52 am: |
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amelia-
Is this the book someone from town wrote a year or so ago? Can I please get a copy of this book too? |
amelia
Citizen
Username: Amelia
Post Number: 45
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 6:21 am: |
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Hi JTA, Yes, this is a couple from Maplewood. I will be in touch with you with details. It is a sweet, child-size book as well. |
phyllis
Citizen
Username: Phyllis
Post Number: 510
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 7:17 am: |
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Todd Parr does a sweet job of including different kinds of families in his books - try The Peace Book and The Family Book. While you are at it, pick up a copy of Underwear Dos and Don'ts, because it's just so funny. |
Nancy - LibraryLady
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 3345
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 8:58 am: |
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As opposed to this....sheesh
Quote:
Lawsuit challenges use of gay-themed storybook
BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) -- Two couples who say a suburban school district undermined their parental rights by giving out and reading storybooks with gay themes without telling them first have filed a federal lawsuit against school officials.
The couples claim the officials broke state law, violated their civil rights, and were trying to teach their children about a lifestyle they consider immoral.
Lexington school superintendent Paul Ash said the schools have no agenda and have done nothing illegal.
Last month, Joseph and Robin Wirthlin objected when a teacher read a storybook about two princes who fall in love to their son's second grade class without notifying them.
David Parker was jailed last year after he refused to leave a school when officials declined to exclude his 6-year-old son from discussions of gay parents. Parker initially complained after his son brought home a "diversity book bag" with a book that depicted a gay family.
Their attorney, Jeffrey Denner, said Lexington violated the rights of privacy and freedom of religion of his clients -- all identified as devout Christians in the lawsuit -- by unilaterally deciding how and when lessons about gay marriage will be taught.
"Parents need to be the ones to determine when it is introduced and how it is introduced," said Parker.
Denner said the school is ignoring a state requirement to notify parents when such topics are discussed so they can remove their children from class if they want.
The school has argued that the state's "opt-out" law requires schools only to inform parents about class content when sex education or human sexuality is the primary focus.
Ash said it would be impossible to notify parents every time such issues come up, because in some cases, it isn't planned.
"In Massachusetts, gays have equal rights," Ash said. "We have gay marriage. Our kids see it, it's part of our overall curriculum. We talk about what kids see in today's world."
The lawsuit, filed by David and Tonia Parker and the Wirthlins, names Ash, the town, school committee members, and other school officials. It seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
Come into the SOPL (or MML I am sure) and aske the children's librarian for help. She'll be glad to. |
Eire
Citizen
Username: Eire
Post Number: 150
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 9:55 am: |
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thanks LibraryLady - because it's not an "issue" to some, they may not realize that there CAN be an undercurrent of those trying to limit exposure of images of different types of families... Our multiracial daughter has 2 moms, and we try to make sure she is exposed to characters of all kinds, i.e. different racial makeups, non-handicapped and physically challenged, straight parents, single parents, extended family households, adopted, etc. etc... |
Bettina
Citizen
Username: Bettina
Post Number: 143
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - 7:05 pm: |
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You may already know this book, but if not, it is a wonderful book for Young Adults - called "Am I Blue?"
From Publishers Weekly
For the first-ever anthology of YA fiction devoted to lesbian and gay themes, Bauer ( On My Honor ) has assembled original stories by a stellar list of popular children's and YA authors, among them M. E. Kerr, Nancy Garden, William Sleator, Jane Yolen, C. S. Adler and Bruce Coville. With subjects ranging from first love to coming out, self-discovery to homophobia, the collection offers an eclectic mix of voices. Newbery winner Lois Lowry, for example, contributes "Holding," a poignant tale of a high school student who confides in his best friend after the death of his gay father's lover, while Francesca Lia Block weighs in with the wonderfully quirky "Winnie and Teddy," in which a teenager comes out to his girlfriend during a momentous road trip to San Francisco. Perhaps the book's most powerful moments are provided by Jacqueline Woodson's shimmering "Slipping Away," a painful look at one girl's discovery that there are some tests that a friendship simply cannot withstand; and Gregory Maguire's "The Honorary Shepherds," which deftly employs the language of a film treatment to describe two mixed-race students who collaborate on a school video project. Honest, well-written and true to life, these stories will do much to address the gap in gay literature for teens. Part of the proceeds from the book will be donated to Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Ages 12-up.
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