Day 9 of the May #smashingstereotypes Challenge!

Day 9’s theme is books that feature #samesexcouples, and we love so many books that feature that theme! Check out the summaries below, and be sure to check out the full posts that are linked to learn more, including questions that can deepen reading comprehension as well as activities that allow readers to create and express their feelings after reading the book!

A Family is a Family is a Family

Written by: Sara O’Leary

Illustrated by: Qin Leng

For Ages: 4-7 years

This book covers a multitude of family types when a teacher asks their class to describe who they live with.  The narrator is nervous, because their family “is not like everybody else”.  Families with lots of kids, two singing moms, lots of grandparents, families that look alike and not alike, shared custody, and interracial families are described.  The narrator listens to all of the different families in their class before reflecting on their own family. 

In Our Mother’s House

Written & Illustrated by: Patricia Polacco

For ages: 6-10 years

This story details the family life of Marmee, Meema, and their three children. They happen to be the only family with two mothers on the block, but that’s hardly noticeable to their children.  The two women adopted three children from three different places, and the book details all the ways they create a close-knit community and family.

When You Look Out the Window: How Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin Built a Community

Written by: Gayle E. Pitman

Illustrated by: Christopher Lyles

For Ages: 4-8 years

This book is told from the perspective of Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin.  It briefly talks about how they met and fell in love, eventually buying a house on a hill.  The rest of the book looks at community landmarks in San Francisco that they had a hand in creating for fellow LGBT San Franciscans.

Daddy, Papa and Me

Written by: Lesléa Newman

Illustrated by: Carol Thompson

For Ages: infant and up

This book is a companion to Mommy, Mama, and Me.  This board book follows a young child doing all sorts of activities with their two daddies.  A wide range of fun games, activities, and projects are illustrated-paper airplanes, sewing, guitar playing, and so much more!  A quick book to normalize LGBT parents, and a fantastic book that does not reinforce gender stereotypes!

Mommy, Mama and Me

Written by: Lesléa Newman

Illustrated by: Carol Thompson

For Ages: infant and up

This is a simple board book about all of the activities a child does with their two mothers.  A wide range of activities, this is a simple book that introduces the concept of same-sex parenting to very young children.  This will also help enhance understanding in young children with same-sex parents, as they are able to see themselves represented in literature from a very young age.

Donovan’s Big Day

Written by: Lesléa Newman

Illustrated by: Mike Dutton

For Ages: 3-7 years

The plot line of this story follows Donovan, who is getting ready for a big event in his life.  He takes a bath, gets dressed in a fancy outfit, and squishes into the backseat with his relatives.  When Donovan gets out of the car, the reader realizes that he is part of a wedding-for his two moms!

Antonio’s Card/ La Tarjeta de Antonio

Written by: Rigoberto González

Illustrated by: Cecilia Concepción Álvarez

For Ages: 7-10 years

This book is very realistic, and one of the first LGBT bilingual books that were recommended to me. It would be helpful in a bilingual program, an immersion classroom, or language class. To have Latinx authors creating LGBT and Latinx characters is a crucial intersection in children’s literature, and I would love to see more of them.

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