Gay/lesbian books for children

[LucyBucy]

Can anyone recommend a good book for introducing the concept of same sex relationships to little children? I have a 2.5 year old who is a very advanced reader and I'm keen to redress the balance after reading a load of prince/princess books...

oh goodness me this thread has made me chuckle.

I heard a new childrens book read at story time on the radio, last year, it was a bit controversial. It was along the lines of John liking to look at Peters bottom, and how he also wanted to touch Peters bottom, and wondered if Peter might also like to look at his.... In the same vein as "I show you my willy if you show me your....."
Maybe this is what you are talking about?

I love Dottys comment below....

LOLOL

still sniggering

I know I'm ploughing a lonely, humourless PC furrow here (as bloody per), but y'all do understand that we're not talking about books about gay sex, don't you? We're just talking about books that represent same-sex couples. Here's a mummy and a daddy, here's a mummy and a mummy. No in-depth descriptions of the contents of the mummies' bedside drawer.

Think about all the representations of heterosexual couples that your children had been exposed to by the age of 2 and a half - probably hundreds, if not thousands. What's strange about wanting to redress the balance a little?

Yes we know that.
its teh " advanced reader " thing

and also worrying that she might think that ALL relationships are Royalty based

Ah the supportive MN network rears it head to mock someone who actually gives a shit.

It may not be something you (or I) have considered, but to openly laugh at someone who does is childish. The sentiment is admirable. The OP doesn't want to be a sheep and follow the flock, reading the same princess/prince stuff that is widely available and that is worthy of

no the Op is being SILLY

x posted with policywonk, (too slow)

How old are you simples?

'no the Op is being SILLY'

Call me dull (no, really ) but you know what she MEANS, simples. I was very, very glad to avoid all the prince/princess-sparkly-glitter-magic-fairy stuff myself, having two boys. (Although maybe I should introduce a few books of that sort now, for balance. It's important that they understand that there's a place in this world for silly people.)

It like saying "i have read a lot of books where there seeem to be animals wearing clothes and talking, I need some books about monosyllabic naked adults to redress the balance"

I agree with DD that " a book" is not the answer to everything and the way I adressed this with mine was to just talk about it when it came up, that some people love people of the same sex. in fact the personal touch of just a conversation is preferable.

ANd i do think dotty has some expertise in this matter!

Well, obviously I have to concede that dot and Len have experience in this area that I don't have (although, in the absence of her posting otherwise, I'm claiming Len for my side of the argument ).

I don't think your analogy quite works, cos the clothed animals/naked adults thing isn't a common RL scenario (not in Surrey, anyway), and naked-adult-ophobia isn't a common source of bullying in schools.

I agree that talking about it is good, but what I like about the OP's idea is that you're normalising the concept of same-sex relationships before the child has conceptualised them as 'other'.

yes i get that.

Well clearly lost the argument simples when you resorted to this

'It like saying "i have read a lot of books where there seeem to be animals wearing clothes and talking, I need some books about monosyllabic naked adults to redress the balance"'

Don't quite get what you are trying to say.

We are talking about books, representing the reality for many people, not being widely available and the Op wanting access to them.
What is so funny about that?

Anyway I know you only wanted to crack a few jokes, so don't feel that you have to engage in a chin-strokey dialogue with me about it... I'm only doing this because I'm supposed to be working.

I was trying to find you on twitter PW.

will try harder

Damn you and your fast typing policywonk

MIA

simples, you woz already following me you tart. I am very dull on Twitter. My beard is even longer on there.

Ooh MIA is very cross.

Called debate simples, intellectuals frequently engage in it

ooh you are personal

we did the whole gay couple chat when watching Mr & Mrs, Christopher Biggens was on with his husband

see, doesn't have to be books, can be Saturday night light entertainment too

Mummy Never Told Me, by Babette Cole.

Princess SmartyPants (also Babette Cole), and The Paperbag Princess, too, if you want some Princesses who Can Kick Ass .

Another vote for as many diverse families as possible. Two mums, two dads, adopted children, multi-generation families, etc.

Like someone said, you wouldn't expect books these days to be full of white middle class children only - so why only "traditional" mum & dad set ups?