Rainbow Family Collections: Selecting and Using Children's Books with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Content

by Jamie Campbell Naidoo

Overview

As one of the only highly praised resources on this important topic, this thoughtfully compiled book examines and suggests picture books and chapter books presenting LGBTQ content to children under the age of 12.

Highlighting titles for children from infancy to age 11, Rainbow Family Collections examines over 250 children's picture books, informational books, and chapter books with LGBTQ content from around the world. Each entry in Rainbow Family Collections supplies a synopsis of the title's content, lists awards it has received, cites professional reviews, and provides suggestions for librarians considering acquisition.

The book also provides a brief historical overview of LGBTQ children's literature along with the major book awards for this genre, tips on planning welcoming spaces and offering effective library service to this population, and a list of criteria for selecting the best books with this content. Interviews with authors and key individuals in LGBTQ children's book publishing are also featured.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781598849608
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	04/13/2012
Series:	Children's and Young Adult Literature Reference
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Jamie Campbell Naidoo, PhD, is Associate and Foster-EBSCO-Endowed Professor, School of Library and Information Studies, University of Alabama, where he teaches and researches in the areas of diversity, public libraries, and children's and youth services.

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

Introduction xiii

Part 1 Rainbow Families and Libraries

Chapter 1 Understanding Rainbow Families 3

Chapter 2 Library Services to Rainbow Families 19

Part 2 LGBTQ Content in Children's Literature

Chapter 3 Overview of LGBTQ Children's Literature 35

Chapter 4 Book Awards for LGBTQ Children's Literature 63

Chapter 5 Building a Collection of Children's Materials Reflecting LGBTQ Content 69

Part 3 Materials With LGBTQ Content for Children

Chapter 6 Picture Books 87

Chapter 7 Chapter Books 159

Chapter 8 Informational Books, Biographies, and LGBTQ Children's Media 177

Part 4 Resources

Chapter 9 Resources for Educators, Librarians, and Rainbow Families 211

Author Index 237

Title Index 245

Keyword Index 251

Subject Index 257

Editorial Reviews

This excellent resource includes a history of LGBTQ literature for children, information on understanding rainbow families, suggestions for library services to rainbow families, and tips on evaluating LGBTQ materials. . . . . Librarians in both public and school libraries will find this resource very helpful in selecting materials and collection development for this population.” —Library Media Connection

“What a treasure trove of information! This is an essential purchase for elementary and middle school library professional collections, public libraries, and academic libraries that support teacher education of information science programs. Rainbow parents may want their own copies.” —ARBA

“No excuses. With Naidoo's book in hand any librarian can provide excellent service to all children and families under the LGBTQ rainbow umbrella.” —GLBTRT Newsletter

“This well-researched book is a much-needed tool, providing a wealth of information on how to welcome rainbow families into the library. . . . Naidoo has created a resource that is not only an excellent annotated bibliography, but also one that presents the material with historical context and ideas for implementation in a library setting. . . . According to statistics, 96 percent of all the United States counties include LGBTQ couples raising children. Librarians need this book to help ensure that those families' needs are being met.” —School Library Journal

“The history of LGBTQ content in children's literature is informative and interesting and provides extensive evaluation tools. The most valuable section is the materials section, which is not only helpful for choosing new titles but should also prove useful in evaluating a current collection. . . . This volume gives librarians plenty of information about developing an inclusive collection and should be at the ready at any public library seeking to reach 'rainbow' families.” —Booklist

“Rainbow Family Collections is a major new resource that should become well-thumbed by librarians and educators looking to start or bolster their collections, parents seeking materials for their children, and LGBT organizations and community centers. It offers an in-depth look at the current state of LGBT-inclusive children's literature, while also providing a plethora of useful tools and ideas to help librarians, authors, and publishers navigate into the future.” —Bay Windows

“The contents of this book are refreshing. . . . The forward is uplifting and important to read. It would be so easy to overlook these titles, but this type of reference tool allows librarians to go outside of their world and develop a balanced collection in areas they aren't necessarily expert on.” —Teacher Librarian

From the Publisher

This well-researched book is a much-needed tool, providing a wealth of information on how to welcome rainbow families into the library. Including several chapters of informational material, with statistical backup, Naidoo has created a resource that is not only an excellent annotated bibliography, but also one that presents the material with historical context and ideas for implementation in a library setting. It provides guidance to selectors who need to evaluate and choose children's books with LGBT content and educates librarians about the many ways we might get this material into the hands of our patrons. Readers are provided with a clear definition of what constitutes a rainbow family, along with descriptions of issues its members might face and what libraries can do to provide a safe and welcoming space for them. According to statistics, 96 percent of all United States counties include LGBTQ couples raising children. Librarians need this book to help ensure that those families' needs are being met.—Sharon McKellar, Oakland Public Library, CA

School Library Journal