Teacher Resources
Activities in the Classroom
Picture and Chapter Books - LGBTQ Studies
“All Families Are Special”
By: Norma Simon
When Mrs. Mack says she will soon be a grandmother, her students realize that teachers have families just like they do! Suddenly everyone in the class wants to share information about his or her own unique family. Sarah tells of flying to China with her parents where they adopted her sister, Rachel. Christopher tells about his parents' divorce. They are still a family, but now he and his brother spend a few days every week at their dad's apartment. Nick lives with his parents, five siblings, and his grandparents-they need to order three large pizzas for dinner! And Hannah tells how she loves to garden with her two mommies. All Families Are Special enhances Norma Simon's classic All Kinds of Families and her more recent All Kinds of Children. Her newest book provides contemporary examples, including blended and international families. Children will be pleased to find families similar to their own here, and to talk about what Mrs. Mack says-"No two families are the same, but every family is special."
“Families”
By: Susan Kuklin
“The Great Big Book Of Families”
By Mary Hoffman and Ros Asquith
What is a family? Once, it was said to be a father, mother, boy, girl, cat and dog living in a house with a garden. But as times have changed, families have changed too, and now there are almost as many kinds of families as colours of the rainbow - from a mum and dad or single parent to two mums or two dads, from a mixed-race family to children with different mums and dads, from families with a disabled member to those with a mum or dad in prison. Mary Hoffman takes a look through children's eyes at the wide varieties of family life: from homes, food, ways of celebrating, schools and holidays to getting around, jobs and housework, from extended families, languages and hobbies to pets and family trees - and she concludes that, for most people, their own family is the best one of all! With Ros Asquith's delightful pictures, this book takes a fresh, optimistic look at families of today.
“And Tango Makes Three”
By Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
In the zoo there are all kinds of animal families. But
Tango's family is not like any of the others.
“Antonio’s Card”
By Roberto Gonzalez and Cecilia Alvarez
Antonio loves words, because words have the power to express feelings like love, pride, or hurt. Mother's Day is coming soon, and Antonio searches for the words to express his love for his mother and her partner, Leslie. But he's not sure what to do when his classmates make fun of Leslie, an artist, who towers over everyone and wears paint-splattered overalls. As Mother's Day approaches, Antonio must choose whether -- or how -- to express his connection to both of the special women in his life.
“The Different Dragon”
By Jennifer Bryan
This bedtime story about bedtime stories shows how the wonderful curiosity and care of a little boy, with some help from one of his moms, can lead to magical and unexpected places. Join Noah and his cat, Diva, on this nighttime adventure and you too will leave with an unforgettable new dragon friend!
“Donovan’s Big Day”
By: Leslea Newman
Donovan's two moms are getting married, and he can't wait for the celebration to begin. After all, as ringbearer, he has a very important job to do. Any boy or girl with same-sex parents—or who knows a same-sex couple—will appreciate this picture book about love, family, and marriage. The story captures the joy and excitement of a wedding day while the illustrations show the happy occasion from a child's point of view.
“In Our Mothers House”
By Patricia Polacco
Marmee, Meema, and the kids are just like any other family on the block. In their beautiful house, they cook dinner together, they laugh together, and they dance together. But some of the other families don?t accept them. They say they are different. How can a family have two moms and no dad? But Marmee and Meema?s house is full of love. And they teach their children that different doesn?t mean wrong. And no matter how many moms or dads they have, they are everything a family is meant to be.
“A Tale Of Two Daddies”
By Vanita Oelschlager
A Tale of Two Daddies is a playground conversation between two children. The boy says he heard that the girl has two dads. The girl says that is right--she has Daddy and Poppa. True to a child’s curiosity, practical questions follow: “Which dad helps when your team needs a coach? / Which dad cooks you eggs and toast?” To which she answers: “Daddy is my soccer coach. / Poppa cooks me eggs and toast.”
“Uncle Bobby’s Wedding”
By Sarah S Brannen
Bobby and Jamie are getting married, but Bobby’s niece Chloe is worried that she won’t be his favorite person anymore. Will Uncle Bobby still think she is special?
Sarah Brannen’s warm story is set in an alternative family as Uncle Bobby marries his boyfriend. Uncle Bobby’s Wedding embraces Bobby’s relationship with Jamie, but keeps its focus where it truly belongs: on an uncle and niece’s love for each other.
“10,000 Dresses”
By Marcus Ewert
Every night, Bailey dreams about magical dresses: dresses made of crystals and rainbows, dresses made of flowers, dresses made of windows…Unfortunately, when Bailey’s awake, no one wants to hear about these beautiful dreams. Quite the contrary: “You’re a BOY!” Mother and Father tell Bailey. “You shouldn’t be thinking about dresses at all.” Then Bailey meets Laurel, an older girl who is touched and inspired by Bailey’s imagination and courage. In friendship, the two of them begin making dresses together. And Bailey becomes the girl she always dreamed she’d be!
Asha’s Mums”
By Rosamund Elwin and Michele Paulse
When Asha's lesbian mums become an issue for the teacher and the curiosity of classmates, Asha responds that having two mums is not a big deal. They are a family.
“Heather Has Two Mommies”
By Leslea Newman
Heather's favorite number is two. She has two arms, two legs, two eyes, two ears, two hands, and two feet. Heather also has two mommies, Mama Jane and Mamma Kate.
“Mommy, Mama, and Me”
By Leslea Newman
“Daddy, Papa, and Me”
By Leslie Newman
Rhythmic text and illustrations with universal appeal show a toddler spending the day with its daddies. From hide-and-seek to dress-up, then bath time and a kiss goodnight, there's no limit to what a loving family can do together. Share the loving bond between same-sex parents and their children.
“King and King”
By Linda De Hann and Stern Nijland
When the queen decrees that it's time for the prince to marry, princesses come from far and wide hoping to catch his eye. But the one who actually charms the prince is the brother of one of the princesses, and guess what? They live happily ever after! A great way to show your kids that they can love whoever they want to love.
“Felecia’s Favorite Story”
By Leslea Newman
It's bedtime, but before Felicia goes to sleep she wants to hear her favorite story, the story of how she was adopted by Mama Nessa and Mama Linda. And so Felicia's parents tell her how they flew off in a big silver airplane to meet the baby girl who was waiting for them, and how they loved her from the very first moment they saw her.
“Drama”
By Raina Telgemeier
Callie loves theater. And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon Over Mississippi, she's a terrible singer. Instead she's the set designer for the stage crew, and this year she's determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn't know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage AND offstage drama that comes once the actors are chosen, and when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier! Following the success of Smile, Raina Telgemeier brings us another graphic novel featuring a diverse set of characters that humorously explores friendship, crushes, and all-around drama!
“Hit The Road Manny”
By Christian Burch
“A Clear Spring”
By Barbara Wilson
During her stay with Aunt Ceci and her partner, Janie, who is a naturalist, Willa learns about environmentalism, gets to know more about her family, and solves a mystery.
“Box Girl”
By Sarah Withrow
The story of Gwen, whose mother ran away five years ago and whose father is gay. She struggles with friends, school and family; but the scenes between Gwen, her father and Leon, his boyfriend, are real and warm.