Celebrating Pride with Children
Pride Month
Throughout the next couple of months, cities and towns around the world will celebrate Pride. These inclusive events celebrate the strides that have been made and continue to be made by and for individuals who identify as LGBTQ. In Toronto, we celebrate Pride during the month of June. In recognition of Pride Month, Toronto Public Library is offering a variety of pride programming for all ages.
Teachable Moment
For paren'ts and caregivers with children, your child may have a friend at school who has two mothers or two fathers. Perhaps your child was at the park and saw a same-sex couple holding hands. This is a teachable moment to explain that there are differences that make us unique; there are similarities that transcend those differences, similarities such as love. A couple of years ago, Toronto Public Library created a Rainbow Families booklist highlighting some of the great picture books we have for younger children.
- Asha's Mums by Rosamund Elwin
- And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson
- Daddy's Roommate by Michael Willhoite
- Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
- Mom and Mum are Getting Married! by Ken Setterington
- The Not-So-Only Child by Heather Jopling
- Uncle Bobby's Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen
- Molly's Family by Nancy Garden
The Need for Diverse Books
Over the last couple of years, the importance of diverse books has been highlighted in the media. In a PBS article discussing diverse books, a Scholastic Reading Club editorial director said “I think it’s really important for kids to see themselves in literature. They deserve to have that indescribable feeling when you get a book and it really speaks to you, when you feel like you’re not alone.” Children with same-sex paren'ts deserve to know that their family is equal to any other family. This year, Fairview Library will be hosting a Rainbow Storytime. All families are welcome.
Remembering Orlando
As individuals around the world celebrate pride, the tragedy in Orlando against the LGBTQ community and their allies is a reminder that hate exists. This post is dedicated to all LGBTQ and LGBTQ allies lives cut short by hate.
#loveislove
13 thoughts on “Celebrating Pride with Children”
That is an extremely offensive statement, Joe O’Neill. One supposes you support the actions in Florida? On what do you base your statement? Or do you have a basis?
Mr. O’Neill, you are quite simply an extremely ignorant bigot. It’s efforts like TPL’s here which may help rid the world of such antediluvian beliefs. And coming just days after the Orlando massacre makes your comment all the more repulsive. #lovewins
Bravo, Enrico!
It appears that TPL have removed O’Neill’s comments. Bully for them!
I must be delivering directly over the target to be receiving such flak as yours. Such is the price of telling the truth.
Why yes, they certainly are bullies. Thank you for noticing.
My statement is based on observation of social trends.
Thank you for such a lovely post, and for the excellent reading suggestions for children – although I know some adults who can benefit too! I’m also happy to hear about initiatives like Rainbow Storytime. Thanks for your comments and dedication about/to Orlando – we will never forget, and hopefully will help each other heal. #lovewins
Your post is a timely one with lots of useful information — thank you for that! One of the books you mention, “And Tango Makes Three” is an especially good one for young children and their paren’ts and/or caregivers to share together. Its simple yet engaging narrative conveys the important point that families come in many shapes and configurations.
Caring for others, treating them with respect and accepting differences are important values that we all need to embrace, now more than ever …
So proud to be running the Rainbow Storytime! Here are some more great LGBT-friendly picture books:
– My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis
– The Family Book by Todd Parr
– Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall
– Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino
– 10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewert
– Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer
– My Chacha is Gay: A Story from Pakistan by Eiynah
– Worm Loves Worm by J. J. Austrian
– Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah Hoffman
– A Tale of Two Mommies by Vanita Oelschlager
– A Tale of Two Daddies by Vanita Oelschlager
– King & King by Linda de Haan
– I Am Jazz! by Jessica Herthel
– Zak’s safari: a story about donor-conceived kids of two-mom families by Christy Tyner
– Donovan’s Big Day by Leslea Newman
– People by Peter Spier
Happy reading! #loveislove #lovewins
Another favourite (how could I forget!) is a wonderful book by Patricia Polacco called “In Our Mothers’ House”. I challenge you to read to the last page with dry eyes! <3
AMAZING titles, thank you.
My pleasure! 🙂