Healthy Kids • YMCA Child Care
4 2SLGBTQ+ books hand-picked by our child care staff to celebrate Pride
18 June 2018 - by Dawn Yan
In a region as diverse as the GTA, educating your child about the 2SLGBTQ+ community and what it means to identify as one of its members is crucial. But it isn’t always easy. These four picture books selected by YMCA Child Care staff can help you celebrate Pride month by starting a conversation with your children about diversity and social inclusion.
1. And Tango Makes Three
Written by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell, Illustrated by Henry Cole
And Tango Makes Three is a heartwarming true story about two same-sex penguins, Roy and Silo, from Central Park Zoo who fall in love and raise a young penguin chick together as partners. Defying the norms of a “traditional family” and bringing awareness to the hurdles that non-traditional families face, And Tango Makes Three is the perfect book to help parents segue into conversations about diversity and pride. It reminds children that love is love, making it an absolute must-read for parents of young children.
2. Heather Has Two Mommies
Written by Leslea Newman and illustrated by Laura Cornell
Originally self-published by Newman in 1989, Heather Has Two Mommies was one of the first groundbreaking pieces of LGBTQ2S+ children’s literature. The newly illustrated edition retells the classic tale in a modern, kid-friendly way.
One day during class, Heather and her classmates draw family portraits, only to realize that no two families look the same. When they ask their teacher about this, they’re reminded that it doesn’t matter who makes up a family — whether it’s 2 dads, 2 moms, 1 of each, or just 1 in total. Instead, “the most important thing about a family is that all the people in it love one another.” Heather Has Two Mommies teaches kids what it means to celebrate all the different families we’re privileged to have in our community.
3. My Princess Boy
Written by Cheryl Kilodavis and illustrated by Suzanne DeSimone
Using simple words and illustrations that even the youngest of children can decipher, My Princess Boy is a non-fiction picture book that tells the tale of a 4-year-old boy who happily expresses his authentic self by enjoying what, in our society, are often seen as “traditional girl things” (i.e., wearing jewelry, tiaras, dresses, sparkles, and anything pink). Inspired by the author’s son, My Princess Boy opens a dialogue about gender nonconformity and embracing the uniqueness that makes us all special as individuals.
4. Introducing Teddy
Written by David Walliams and Illustrated by Quentin Blake
Written to help young readers understand gender identity and transition, Introducing Teddy is a heartening story about staying true to yourself.
One sunny day, Errol finds that his teddy bear, Thomas, is sad, even when they’re playing in their favourite ways. Errol can't figure out why, until Thomas finally tells Errol what he’s long been afraid to say: "In my heart, I've always known that I'm a girl teddy, not a boy teddy. I wish my name was Tilly, not Thomas." Being a supportive, non-judgmental friend, Errol responds: "I don't care if you're a girl teddy or a boy teddy! What matters is that you are my friend." Together, Errol and Thomas teach kids a valuable lesson about inclusion and friendship.
At the Y, we take pride in the diversity we’re privileged to have in our communities. We believe it’s never too early to teach our children about inclusion and belonging, so our Diversity and Social Inclusion Strategy (2018-2021) includes shaping welcoming YMCA Child Care programs that celebrate diversity. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and social inclusion on our website.
1. And Tango Makes Three
Written by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell, Illustrated by Henry Cole
And Tango Makes Three is a heartwarming true story about two same-sex penguins, Roy and Silo, from Central Park Zoo who fall in love and raise a young penguin chick together as partners. Defying the norms of a “traditional family” and bringing awareness to the hurdles that non-traditional families face, And Tango Makes Three is the perfect book to help parents segue into conversations about diversity and pride. It reminds children that love is love, making it an absolute must-read for parents of young children.
2. Heather Has Two Mommies
Written by Leslea Newman and illustrated by Laura Cornell
Originally self-published by Newman in 1989, Heather Has Two Mommies was one of the first groundbreaking pieces of LGBTQ2S+ children’s literature. The newly illustrated edition retells the classic tale in a modern, kid-friendly way.
One day during class, Heather and her classmates draw family portraits, only to realize that no two families look the same. When they ask their teacher about this, they’re reminded that it doesn’t matter who makes up a family — whether it’s 2 dads, 2 moms, 1 of each, or just 1 in total. Instead, “the most important thing about a family is that all the people in it love one another.” Heather Has Two Mommies teaches kids what it means to celebrate all the different families we’re privileged to have in our community.
3. My Princess Boy
Written by Cheryl Kilodavis and illustrated by Suzanne DeSimone
Using simple words and illustrations that even the youngest of children can decipher, My Princess Boy is a non-fiction picture book that tells the tale of a 4-year-old boy who happily expresses his authentic self by enjoying what, in our society, are often seen as “traditional girl things” (i.e., wearing jewelry, tiaras, dresses, sparkles, and anything pink). Inspired by the author’s son, My Princess Boy opens a dialogue about gender nonconformity and embracing the uniqueness that makes us all special as individuals.4. Introducing Teddy
Written by David Walliams and Illustrated by Quentin Blake
Written to help young readers understand gender identity and transition, Introducing Teddy is a heartening story about staying true to yourself.
One sunny day, Errol finds that his teddy bear, Thomas, is sad, even when they’re playing in their favourite ways. Errol can't figure out why, until Thomas finally tells Errol what he’s long been afraid to say: "In my heart, I've always known that I'm a girl teddy, not a boy teddy. I wish my name was Tilly, not Thomas." Being a supportive, non-judgmental friend, Errol responds: "I don't care if you're a girl teddy or a boy teddy! What matters is that you are my friend." Together, Errol and Thomas teach kids a valuable lesson about inclusion and friendship.
At the Y, we take pride in the diversity we’re privileged to have in our communities. We believe it’s never too early to teach our children about inclusion and belonging, so our Diversity and Social Inclusion Strategy (2018-2021) includes shaping welcoming YMCA Child Care programs that celebrate diversity. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and social inclusion on our website.
