Homosexuality in children's literature
Encyclopedia
Homosexuality in children's literature covers children's books
that include mention of homosexuality. With increased mainstream acceptability of homosexuality, the publication of such books has increased, though it faces opposition.
, originally published in 1981 in Danish as Mette bor hos Morten og Erik, was one of the earliest children's books to address homosexuality. It tells the story of Jenny, her father and his partner and their daily life. Controversy and politicization followed its publication.
Some of the best known children's books with gay themes include Heather Has Two Mommies
(1989) and Daddy's Roommate
(1991), published by Alyson Books. Both books discussed same-sex parenting and attracted criticism and controversy. The American Library Association
ranked Heather Has Two Mommies as the 11th most frequently challenged book in the United States in the 1990s.
Recent controversies include King & King
, originally written in Dutch and published in English in 2002. The book is about a prince uninterested in princesses, who eventually falls in love with another prince. In 2006, parents sued a Massachusetts school district after a teacher read the book to their son's second grade class.
Australian titles include the books in the 'Learn to Include' series- The Rainbow Cubby House
, My House, Going to Fair Day and Koalas on Parade.
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
that include mention of homosexuality. With increased mainstream acceptability of homosexuality, the publication of such books has increased, though it faces opposition.
Publication
Compared to the explosion of gay and lesbian teen fiction, sales of gay-themed books for younger children and availablity of these books in public and school libraries remain "very dicey and very different."Controversy
Jenny lives with Eric and MartinJenny lives with Eric and Martin
Jenny lives with Eric and Martin , originally Mette bor hos Morten og Erik, is a black-and-white picture book by the Danish author Susanne Bösche, published in 1981 in Danish and in 1983 in English...
, originally published in 1981 in Danish as Mette bor hos Morten og Erik, was one of the earliest children's books to address homosexuality. It tells the story of Jenny, her father and his partner and their daily life. Controversy and politicization followed its publication.
Some of the best known children's books with gay themes include Heather Has Two Mommies
Heather Has Two Mommies
Heather Has Two Mommies is a children's book written by Lesléa Newman with Diana Souza's illustrations, first published in 1989. It is about a child, Heather, raised by lesbian women: her biological mother, Jane, who gave birth to her after artificial insemination, and her biological mother's...
(1989) and Daddy's Roommate
Daddy's Roommate
Daddy's Roommate is a children's book written by Michael Willhoite and published by Alyson Books in 1991 . The book, about a young boy whose divorced father now lives with his gay partner, deals with the controversial subject of homosexual parents.Daddy's Roommate was one of the first children's...
(1991), published by Alyson Books. Both books discussed same-sex parenting and attracted criticism and controversy. The American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
ranked Heather Has Two Mommies as the 11th most frequently challenged book in the United States in the 1990s.
Recent controversies include King & King
King & King
King & King is a young children's book by Linda De Haan and Stern Nijland. It was originally written in Dutch , but later translated into English. In the United States, it was published by Berkeley, California-based Tricycle Press in 2002; as of 2009, 20,000 copies have been sold in the United...
, originally written in Dutch and published in English in 2002. The book is about a prince uninterested in princesses, who eventually falls in love with another prince. In 2006, parents sued a Massachusetts school district after a teacher read the book to their son's second grade class.
Australian titles include the books in the 'Learn to Include' series- The Rainbow Cubby House
The Rainbow Cubby House
The Rainbow Cubby House is the third book in the "Learn to Include" series, written by an Australian primary school student and her lesbian mum ....
, My House, Going to Fair Day and Koalas on Parade.
See also
- Gay teen fictionGay teen fictionGay teen fiction may refer to:*Gay male teen fiction*Lesbian teen fiction...
- Lesbian teen fiction
- LGBT literatureLGBT literatureGay literature is a collective term for literature produced by or for the LGBT community, or which involves characters, plot lines or themes portraying male homosexual behavior.-Subgenres:...
External links
- Annotated Bibliography of Children's Books With Gay and Lesbian Characters, from GLSENGay, Lesbian and Straight Education NetworkThe Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network is an organization in the United States that seeks to end discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in K-12 schools. GLSEN is headquartered in New York City and the District of Columbia...
- Lee Wind's blogsite, "I'm Here. I'm Queer. What the Hell do I Read?," lists, summarizes, and offers reader reviews of Teen, Middle Grade, and Picture Books with Gay (GLBTQ) characters and themes.
- LGBTQ_Reserve_Collection, a LibGuide describing the Rhode Island College reserve collection of LGBTQ books for young children, created by Professor Elizabeth H. Rowell
- Spence, Alex.“Controversial Books in the Public Library: A Comparative Survey of Holdings of Gay-Related Children’s Picture Books.” Library Quarterly 70(3) (July 2000): 335-379 (abstract)