Queer Kid's Books at DWS

 
Blog banner that has text, ‘Queer Kid’s Books at DWS’ on a bright rainbow starbust background

Blog banner that has text, ‘Queer Kid’s Books at DWS’ on a bright rainbow starbust background

Queer Yukon logo

Queer Yukon logo

Thanks to a generous donation from Queer Yukon, DWS has some fab new LGBQT2SA+ and social justice kid’s books in our library.

Mähsi cho Queer Yukon!

Drop-in to read them with your littles or borrow them for at-home reading.


Picture of Chana Ginelle Ewing’s book ‘An ABC of Equality’

Picture of Chana Ginelle Ewing’s book ‘An ABC of Equality’

An ABC of Equality
by Chana Ginelle Ewing

A is for Ability, B is for Belief, C is for Class. All people have the right to be treated fairly, no matter who they are, what they look like, or where they come from. This bestselling book An ABC of Equality introduces complicated concepts surrounding social justice to the youngest of children.

From A to Z, simple explanations accompanied by engaging artwork teach children about the world we live in and how to navigate our way through it. Each right-hand page includes a brightly decorated letter with the word it stands for and an encouraging slogan. On the left, a colorful illustration and bite-size text sum up the concept. Cheerful people from a range of backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities lead the way through the alphabet.

  • L is for LGBTQIA. Find the words that make you, you.

  • N is for No. No means no.

  • P is for Privilege. Be aware of your advantages.

  • X is for Xenophobia. Ask questions and you’ll see there’s nothing to be afraid of.

Celebrate your Differences, ask more Questions, share your Kindness, and learn to Understand the world.

All are Welcome
By Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman

In our classroom safe and sound.
Fears are lost and hope is found.


Discover a school where all young children have a place, have a space, and are loved and appreciated.

Readers will follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where students from all backgrounds learn from and celebrate each other’s traditions. A school that shows the world as we will make it to be.

Cover of M.L. Webb’s children’s book ‘The GayBCs’

Cover of M.L. Webb’s children’s book ‘The GayBCs’

The GayBCs
by M. L. Webb

A playdate extravaganza transforms into a celebration of friendship, love, and identity as four friends sashay out of all the closets, dress up in a wardrobe fit for kings and queens, and discover the wonder of imagination. From A is for Ally to F is for Family to Q is for Queer, debut author/illustrator M. L. Webb’s bright illustrations and lively, inclusive poems delight in the beauty of embracing one’s truest self. A glossary in the back offers opportunity for further discussion of terms and identities. The GayBCs is perfect for fans of A Is for Activist and Feminist Baby—showing kids and adults alike that every identity is worthy of being celebrated.

Cover of ‘Who Are You’ by Brook Pessin-Whedbee

Cover of ‘Who Are You’ by Brook Pessin-Whedbee

Who Are You? the kid’s guide to gender identity
By Brookk Pessin-Whedbee

This brightly illustrated children’s book helps anyone ages 3+ understand and celebrate gender diversity, with straightforward language for talking about how we experience gender: our body, our expression, and our identity. Includes an interactive wheel and a guide for adults!

“Children are teaching us that gender comes in all kinds of shapes and colors, rather than two boxes, and Brook Pessin-Whedbee has given us the wonderful gift of Who Are You? to help all little people learn just how this works and how they can know their own gender. And for the adults – Who Are You? ends with an inspiring discussion guide for parents, for teachers, for anyone who wants to support children in their gender creativity.”

– Diane Ehrensaft, Ph.D., author of ‘The Gender Creative Child’ and ‘Gender Born, Gender Made’ and Director of Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Gender Center


Cover of ‘Share Your Rainbow’

Cover of ‘Share Your Rainbow’

Share Your Rainbow: 18 Artists Draw Their Hope For the Future

Inspired by kids across the country displaying rainbows in their windows, acclaimed illustrators come together to imagine everything these rainbows represent: caring for one another, and our hopes for the future. In this collection of eighteen scenes, readers will lick an ice cream cone, swim in the ocean, cuddle close with cousins, and celebrate a birthday with a party full of friends and family. Each spread has a hidden rainbow for kids to find!

Cover of Vashti Harrison’s book ‘Little Leaders’

Cover of Vashti Harrison’s book ‘Little Leaders’

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
By Vashti Harrison

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History is the debut book from Vashti Harrison. Based on her popular Instagram posts from Black History Month 2017 it features 40 biographies of African American women that helped shape history. It is a 96-page paper over board book published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers.

Antiracist Baby
By Ibram X. Kendi

From the National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist comes a new 9×9 picture book that empowers parents and children to uproot racism in our society and in ourselves, now with added discussion prompts to help readers recognize and reflect on bias in their daily lives.

Take your first steps with Antiracist Baby! Or rather, follow Antiracist Baby‘s nine easy steps for building a more equitable world.

With bold art and thoughtful yet playful text, Antiracist Baby introduces the youngest readers and the grown-ups in their lives to the concept and power of antiracism. Providing the language necessary to begin critical conversations at the earliest age, Antiracist Baby is the perfect gift for readers of all ages dedicated to forming a just society.

Front cover of ‘10, 000 Dresses’ children’s book by  Marcus Ewert

Front cover of ‘10, 000 Dresses’ children’s book by Marcus Ewert

10,000 Dresses
By Marcus Ewert

10,000 Dresses shares the story of a trans girl, Bailey, who is trying to make her dreams a reality. Each night, Bailey dreams of a different mystical dress, which she in turn asks each of her family members if they can help her find the next morning. Despite her best efforts, Bailey’s family members are not willing to help her find the dress of her dreams, saying that boys can’t wear dresses, and that Bailey should stop asking them such questions.

Bailey’s story and eventual victory are great jumping off points for conversations about gender identity. Author Marcus Ewert paints Bailey as a sympathetic figure through her honest requests for help to simply access pieces of clothing that make her feel special. Ewert also earns credit by consistently using the correct pronouns for Bailey from the beginning — making it all the more surprising for youth hearing the story when Bailey’s parents don’t believe her when she reminds them that she’s a girl.


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