Diverse Families

Donovan’s Big Day  (2011)  by Leslea Newman
Donovan's two moms are getting married, and he can't wait for the celebration to begin. The story captures the joy and excitement of a wedding day while the illustrations show the happy occasion from a child's point of view.

In Our Mother’s House  (2009) Patricia Polacco
This is a brilliantly illustrated story about a family of two moms and three adopted children living by their own rules and evidencing a joyous love…despite a disapproving neighbor.

Families by Susan Kuklin  (2003)
Using the distinctive voices of children from different families this book includes the images and stories of mixed-race, immigrant, LGBT, divorced, families of faith, adoptive, single parents, and children with disabilities.

Who’s in a Family  (1995) Robert Skutch
A must have.  This book beautifully illustrates the rich diversity of many families – both in the animal kingdom and humankind, including families headed by grandparents, single parents, bi-racial and gay and lesbian parents.

Best Best Colors  (2002) Eric Hoffman
This anti-bias book celebrates diversity and LGBT pride.  A young child learns from his two mommies that he can have more than one favorite color or one best friend.

Daddy, Papa, and Me  and  Mommy, Mamma and Me (2009)  by Leslea Newman
Two delightful board books for the very young that depict the gentle, nurturing relationship of a gay couple and a lesbian couple and their little ones. 

And Tango Makes Three  (2005) by Justin Richardson
Based on the true story of Roy and Silo, two male penguins from a New York zoo who become first a couple and then hatch an egg to become a family.

Breaking Down Stereotypes:

It’s Okay to Be Different  (2001) by Todd Parr
This book identifies all kinds of differences from adoption to silly behaviors. It is a playful depiction of kids of every shape, size, color, family makeup, and background and the importance of including everyone.

My Princess Boy  (2009) Cheryl Kilodavis. Alladin
This little boy loves the color of pink and sparkle.  He sometimes wears dresses and sometimes wears jeans.  He’s a princess boy and his family loves him exactly the way he is.

The Paper Bag Princess  (2011- 6th printing) Robert Munsch
This classic breaks all the stereotypes of princesses.  The Paper Bag Princess defeats the dragon that terrorizes her kingdom and scoffs at her prince and sends him on his way.

10,000 Dresses  (2008) by Marcus Ewert
Here’s a story that presents transgender identity to young children. 10,000 Dresses is an exemplar "finding happiness in who you are" kind of tale. This book is about a child whose desires to wear dresses are pushed aside by his parents, and his brother and yet welcomed by a new best friend

Bullying:

Emily Breaks Free  (2000) by Linda Talley
A complex issue told using canine characters. Set against Boston’s famous Freedom Trail, this story presents the both the attraction of and repulsion from the bullying character and the importance of making wrongs right again.

No Fair to Tigers/ No Es Justo Para Los Tigres  (2002) by Eric Hoffman.
Mandy, a girl with a disability, and her stuffed tiger shows how they ask for fair treatment and solutions to the problems they encounter.

Mr. Lincoln’s Way  (2001) by Patricia Polacco. Philomel Books (ages  6-9)
The author tackles both intolerance and bullying in this beautifully flowing story. When a principal shows a student that he really cares about him, amazing things happen!

A more extensive bibliography is available to NAEYC members
at www.naeyc.org/community members only, LGBT Interest Forum