Books to Celebrate Fathers and Father Figures

Fathers, grandfathers, and parents who may be gender fluid come in wonderfully expressive forms. Celebrate and honor them with books about diverse families. Something Happened to My Dad: A Story About Immigration and Family Separation by Ann Hazzard, PhD, ABPP and Vivianne Aponte Rivera, MD is a realistic and empowering tale in which Carmen learns that through community and love, she can find strength in herself and maintain her connection with her Papi, who has been detained because of his immigration status. Read an excerpt from the adult-child dialog section. That Missing Feeling by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater explores adjusting to divorce.  Mia’s life feels split in two after her parents get divorced. When Mia visits her Grandpa, he gives her a little blue notebook saying, “When I write about Grandma, I am sad but I am happy too. She is gone, but you are here. Life changes, and writing helps me think about these changes. My notebook is a home for my heart.” Read an interview with the author. Hear That Missing Feeling read aloud. My Maddy by Gayle E. Pitman, PhD explores what it’s like to have a gender-nonconforming parent from a child’s perspective. “Most mommies are girls. Most daddies are boys. But lots of parents are like my Maddy. My Maddy has hazel eyes which are not brown or green. And my Maddy likes sporks because they are not quite a spoon or a fork. The best things in the world are not one thing or the other. They are something in between and entirely their own.” Read an excerpt from My Maddy’s Note to Readers. Pockets Full of Rocks by Yair Engelberg presents a young daughter’s questions to her depressed father. He offers direct answers and promotes the hope that he will become his old self again. This gentle, hopeful book will help kids cope with a parent’s mental illness. Read an interview with the author. Papa, Daddy, & Riley by Seamus Kirst explores Riley’s experience when one of her schoolmates asks which one of her dads is her real father. It celebrates the special, unique relationships children have with each of their parents and the love that makes a family. Hear Papa, Daddy, & Riley read aloud. Read a piece by Seamus Kirst about the power of inclusion. Accordionly: Abuelo and Opa Make Music by Michael Genhart, PhD, tells the story of two musical grandfathers and a boy who uses their shared love of accordions to help them connect, even though they don’t speak the same language. It explores families’ rich cultural diversity and how, while we may be different, we all have much in common as well. Hear Accordionly read aloud here. Read a piece Dr. Genhart wrote about writing the book.

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Books to Celebrate Fathers and Father Figures 2022-06-13T12:20:38-04:00

Celebrate Pride Month This June and All Year Long

June is Pride Month! Here are some recently published and upcoming books about LBGTQ+ history and inclusion from Magination Press that are great for current celebrations, and all year long.  Bernice Sandler and the Fight for Title IX by Jen Barton Title IX was designed to fight injustice based on gender. Today it’s protections extend to the transgender community.  Bernice Sandler and the Fight for Title IX is a lively engaging biography that drives home the message that it doesn’t take a person with power to make a difference. More often, it takes determination. When confronted with injustice, regular people can effect change. Includes extensive backmatter about how to be an activist. Read an interview with the author. Stitch By Stitch: Cleve Jones and the AIDS Memorial Quilt by Rob Sanders Mentored by Harvey Milk, Cleve Jones first had the vision for what became the AIDS Memorial Quilt during a candlelight memorial for Milk in 1985. Along with friends, Cleve created the first panels for the quilt in 1987. The AIDS Memorial Quilt grew to be one of the largest public arts projects ever and helped grow awareness of HIV and AIDS. The Quilt is an iconic symbol of hope and remembrance and is Jones’ shining achievement. It has since toured the world and been seen by millions. ★ It's story is beautifully captured in the book’s smooth pacing and brief paragraphs. Readers will follow its journey from that march as it becomes both a monument to mourning and a means of changing the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS…the book is pretty darn impressive. Storytelling and history, beautifully stitched together.  —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Books  Bronze Award, Florida Book Awards Read an excerpt from the discussion guide. Listen to the author read Stitch By Stitch aloud. Evelyn Hooker and the Fairy Project by Gayle E. Pitman, PhD This evocative biography tells the story of Evelyn Hooker, the extraordinary woman behind the research, advocacy, and allyship that led to the removal of the “Homosexuality” diagnosis from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. “A true story of true allyship… this offers helpful materials for young researchers and audiences curious about LGBTQ+ history… Offers interesting information on a lesser-known hero.”  —Kirkus Reviews NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book Read an excerpt from the Note to Readers about becoming an ally. They’re So Flamboyant by Michael Genhart, PhD This fun and funny bird’s-eye tome to individuality, community, and harmony follows the reactions of a neighborhood full of birds when a “flamboyance” of flamingos moves in. “Clever book about stereotypes, uncomfortable feelings, acceptance, and inclusion. What’s more, readers will also learn about birds…The book, full of wordplay and alliteration, includes a list of birds and their associated collective nouns..”  —Booklist Read an excerpt from the Note to Readers about inclusion. Hear the author read They’re So Flamboyant aloud. And coming soon, in October 2022:  The Mother of a Movement: Jeanne Manford—Ally, Activist, and Co-Founder of PFLAG

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Celebrate Pride Month This June and All Year Long 2022-06-02T17:26:12-04:00

Bernice Sandler and the Fight for Title IX: Interview With the Author

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, which protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Jen Barton, author of Bernice Sandler and the Fight for Title IX, shares some insights into creating the book.  Magination Press: What inspired you to write Bernice Sandler and the Fight for Title IX? Jen Barton: Dr. Sandler died in January 2019. At that time, I’d never heard of her and hadn’t thought much about Title IX. I was born in 1971, the year before the law passed, and grew up benefiting from a protection I never knew I’d needed. And as an adult, I only had a vague understanding that the law had something to do with sports. But in January 2019, I read a blurb about Bunny’s death, which mentioned her many accomplishments and how important she’d been in the fight for women’s equity in education. I wondered how someone so influential could’ve been so unknown to me, how I hadn’t learned in school about someone whose tireless fight had guaranteed my right to play softball or take shop class, if I wanted. I wondered why I didn’t know her name. I’m grateful to Bunny and the generations of women who came before, who fought for rights I enjoy. Writing the book felt like a way to honor her, her work, and to share her incredible story. My hope is that as readers follow Bunny navigating obstacles, finding her voice, and figuring out how she could make a difference, they too will find their own voice and use it to fight for what matters most to them. MP: The 50th anniversary of the ruling is in 2022. Is Bernice’s story more relevant now than ever? JB: Bunny’s story is absolutely more relevant than ever. Women may not have to have their husband or father co-sign to get a credit card or a home loan anymore, but the fight for gender equity is far from over. Let’s not forget, the ERA still hasn’t been ratified. The wage gap is alive and well. And the LGBTQ community is under attack. My hope is that as readers follow Bunny navigating obstacles, finding her voice, and figuring out how she could make a difference, they too will find their own voice and use it to fight for what matters most to them. I also hope readers come away with the idea that it doesn’t take a person with power to make a difference. More often, it takes determination.  MP: Why do you think it’s important for kids to know about Bernice and about Title IX? JB: Title IX is such a workhorse of legislation. Bunny and fellow activists fought to make it illegal for institutions that receive federal funds to discriminate on the basis of sex. Yes, that means equitable locker rooms and uniforms regardless of gender, but the law also protects pregnant and parenting students from discrimination. And it protects

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Bernice Sandler and the Fight for Title IX: Interview With the Author 2022-05-03T15:16:16-04:00