LBGTQ+: 15 Articles

Celebrate Banned Books Week: READ!

Children's Books September 22, 2022 10:00 am

In recent months there has been a resurgence of book banning, especially books for children and teens that depict a diversity of experiences. Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles lists of challenged books as reported in the media and submitted by librarians and teachers across the country. The theme for Banned Books Week is Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us. These Magination Press books have been challenged recently: Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, PhD, ABPP, Marietta Collins, PhD, and Ann Hazzard, PhD, ABPP is included on the Top 10 Challenged Books of 2020. It was challenged for “divisive language” and because it was thought to promote anti-police views. Something Happened in Our Town follows two families — one White, one Black — as they discuss a police shooting of a Black man in their community. The story aims to answer children's questions about such traumatic events, and to help children identify and counter racial injustice in their own lives. It includes an extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers with guidelines for discussing race and racism with children, child-friendly definitions, and sample dialogues. Hear Something Happened in Our Town read aloud by the authors. This Day In June by Gayle E. Pitman, PhD was Named one of the Top 11 Most Challenged Books of 2018 by American Library Association and is included in the American Library Association’s”Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books of the Past Decade. In a wildly whimsical, validating, and exuberant reflection of the LGBT community, This Day In June welcomes readers to experience a pride celebration and share in a day when we are all united. Also included is a Reading Guide chock-full of facts about LGBT history and culture, as well as a Note to Parents and Caregivers with information on how to talk to children about sexual orientation and gender identity in age-appropriate ways. This Day In June is an excellent tool for teaching respect, acceptance, and understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Rainbow: A First Book of Pride by Michael Genhart, PhD A positive tool for celebrating a wide range of human diversity and all kids of familial love. —Booklist A must-have primer for young readers and a great gift for pride events and throughout the year, beautiful colors all together make a rainbow in Rainbow: A First Book of Pride. This is a sweet ode to rainbow families, and an affirming display of a parent's love for their child and a child's love for their parents. With bright colors and joyful families, this book celebrates LGBTQ+ pride and reveals

Celebrate Banned Books Week: READ! Eileen Hanning 2022-09-17T19:50:51-04:00

Books to Celebrate Fathers and Father Figures

Children's Books June 14, 2022 10:00 am

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.

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

Celebrate Pride Month This June and All Year Long

families June 3, 2022 10:00 am

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

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

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