I wrote Uncle Bobby’s Wedding in 2005, just after same-sex marriage became legal in Massachusetts. It was published in 2008 and immediately became the target of anti-LGBT attacks. Many people attempted to ban it. Some went so far as to burn it – and then they wrote to tell me they had. It was one of the most challenged books in the country that year, and it was one of the 100 most-challenged books of the decade. I have been deeply involved with LGBTQ+ picture books ever since.
By Sarah S. Brannen, Lucia Soto
Chloe’s favorite uncle is getting married, and she’s not happy about it. But after a magical day with Uncle Bobby and his boyfriend, Jamie, Chloe realizes she’s not losing an uncle, but gaining one.
Produced in coordination with GLAAD, this adorable picture book is a positive example of same-sex marriage and a celebration of family.
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By Lesléa Newman, Carol Thompson
This is a lovely little book, told in rhyming couplets, about sweet everyday moments between a child and one or the other of its mothers. At the end, both moms tuck the child, whose gender is not specified, into bed. The ink and watercolor illustrations capture each moment with positive emotions.
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By Daniel Haack, Isabel Galupo, Becca Human
This sweet story told in rhyme begins with the usual trope of a royal family holding a ball to find a bride for the prince. One maiden, the bravest in the land, is not thrilled. The racially diverse cast of characters, illustrated in bright colors, find an ending satisfying to all when the maiden falls in love with the prince’s sister.
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By Kyle Lukoff, Kaylani Juanita
Everyone thought Aiden was a girl, but he hated the sound of his name and felt like his room belonged to someone else. Aiden knows he is a boy, and although it’s hard to tell his parents, he does. Spare, straightforward text and detailed illustrations will bring young readers along on Aiden’s journey as he gets ready to be a big brother to a new baby.
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By J.J. Austrian, Mike Curato
Worm and Worm decide to get married, with a supportive group of bugs. They have a few problems: they don’t have fingers, so how can they wear rings? And they both want to be the bride! In fact, they both want to be the groom, too. “We’ll just change how it’s done,” says Worm, and so they get married. A cute and funny story with delightful illustrations.
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By Thomas Scotto, Olivier Tallec, Claudia Bedrick
The main character, a little boy named Raphael, loves his friend Jerome. And Raphael loves Jerome for good reasons – Jerome makes him feel protected, Jerome holds his hand, “Jerome always sees me, even when he’s with his friends.” Despite a little opposition from Raphael’s parents, this is the warmest of books about how sweet and life-affirming the love between two children can be.
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