It's a George thing!
by David Bedford
illus. by Russell Julian
Language: English
London : Egmont, 2008.
[23] p., : chiefly col. ill. ; 27 cm.
ISBN: 9781405228046 ; 1405228040 ; 1405228059 ; 9781405228053
Summary: George spends most of his time with his friends Peachy (a gorilla) and Moon (a lion). Peachy and Moon are very boysy boys given to body-building and weight-lifting. Neither of these are George's thing - but what is? One day, walking home, he hears some music coming from Priscilla the giraffe's river-boat. George's reaction is instinctive. George was born to dance!
Available: http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=9916077919&searchurl=bsi%3D0%26ds%3D30%26isbn%3D9781405228046
Boys don't knit!
by Janice Schoop
illus. by Laura Beingessner
Language: English
Toronto, Ont., Canada : Women's Press, ©1986.
[22] p. : ill. ; 21 cm.
ISBN: 0889611076 ; 9780889611078
Summary: When Marvin has to fix his red sweater he learns that boys do knit after all. A picture book ideal for children 3 to 8. Includes instructions for knitting a scarf.
Available: http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=8459526298&searchurl=bsi%3D0%26ds%3D30%26isbn%3D9780889611078
A girl named Dan
by Dandi Daley Mackall; Sleeping Bear Press
illus. by Renee Graef
Language: English
Chelsea, MI : Sleeping Bear Press, ©2008.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 29 cm.
ISBN: 9781585363513 ; 1585363510
Summary: Dandi enjoys nothing more than baseball, and so after the boys at school tell her their lunchtime game is now boys only, she enters an essay contest hoping to become a bat boy for the Kansas City A's, not realizing the contest is for boys only. Includes author's note on Title IX.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Named-Dan-Picture-Books/dp/1585363510/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373109902&sr=8-1&keywords=9781585363513
So that's where I came from
by Gina Dawson
illus. by Beth Norling
Language: English
Fitzroy, Vic. : Black Dog Books, 2010.
1 v. : col. ill. ; 23 x 25 cm.
ISBN: 9781742031019; 1742031013
Annotation: This comprehensive book from Australia about reproduction introduces children to the proper terminology for all terms related to human reproduction. It introduces children to the words, "penis," "vagina," "vulva," "uterus," "womb," "scrotum," "testicles," "sperm," "egg," "vas deferens," "urethra," "sexual intercourse," "ovaries," "fallopian tubes," "fertilisation," "conception," "pregnant," "amniotic fluid," "umbilical cord," "midwife," "breech," "Cesarean Section," "umbilical cord," "breasts," and "pubic hair." One way in which this book aims for comprehensiveness is its brief mention of infertility although surprisingly, given the book's large vocabulary for all things related to reproduction, does not introduce the word "infertility" for the concept of a couple being unable to conceive. "Sometimes a couple wants a baby very much, and although they have sex often, the egg and sperm don't meet." But unfortunately it stops there when it continues, "There are many reasons for this, but we don't have space to explain them all here." However, the book does go on to introduce the concepts of IVF and the use of donor gametes, as well as the need for a couple to visit a doctor in order to receive help in conceiving a baby. But on the next page the author warns children that they should not share this information about how they were conceived with other people: "The way you began and became a part of your family is personal, which means that you don't talk about it with people until you've discussed it with your mum or dad." For children conceived through ART, this could imply that there is something secretive or shameful about how they were conceived. Although the book aims to be comprehensive, and it is quite thorough in anticipating any and every question a child might have, it does not account for those who are gender nonconforming or transgendered in the way that Cory Silverberg's What Makes a Baby aims to do. This is clearly a book for primarily heterosexual parents to use with their children even though the book mentions different types of families which might include two mums or two dads. Cartoon drawings depict mixed race families and include nudity and visual and verbal depictions of lovemaking. Recommended for children ages 5-8.
Available: http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/book/so-thats-where-i-came-from/9341799/
Online article about the book: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/childrens-sex-education-book-updated-after-more-than-30-years/story-e6frfkp9-1225862260255
612.6
Where did I really come from? : sexual intercourse, DI, IVF, GIFT, pregnancy, birth, surrogacy, adoption
by Narelle Wickham
illus. by Ingrid Urh
Language: English
Dulwich Hill, N.S.W. : Learn To Include 2008.
2nd Revised edition
31 p. : ill ; 19 x 24 cm.
ISBN: 0646496158; 9780646496153
$19.95
Recommended age: 5-8
Review: First published in 1992 and now in its second edition, this is the first sex instruction book for children that mentions same-sex parenting as well as the various assisted reproductive technologies. Although the book includes all aspects of alternative family building, none is explained in any detail. Young children will find the language difficult and older children may need more details. Includes nudity.
Annotation: This book begins by telling children that the most important thing they need to know about where babies come from is not how they began “but that certain people wanted you to be born.” It begins with a chapter on sexual intercourse, describing the mechanics of how sperm and egg meet, but right from the get go instructs children that sexual intercourse is not the only way to make a baby, thereby suggesting that this book is really meant for children who were conceived in ways other than intercourse. Given that most of the chapters are devoted to methods of assisted conception: DI, IVF, surrogacy, and adoption, this seems to be the case. For example, in a bold shift from other books on human reproduction, the chapter on donor insemination states outright that sometimes “a woman really wants to have a baby but she doesn’t want to have intercourse with a man,” or that she wants to raise a baby by herself, or with another woman. In these cases a woman must visit a doctor and acquire sperm, herewith introducing children to the terms “donor” and “donor insemination” with a description of how it is done, building on the information introduced in the chapter on sexual intercourse about how sperm and egg meet. Egg donation is given a single sentence in the book and gay fathers are only visually depicted in the chapter on surrogacy. They are otherwise not mentioned in the way that “two mums” are mentioned in the chapter on DI. Although the intention of this book seems to be comprehensiveness, the book could be confusing if not read with a parent who could help explain the more difficult concepts around assisted conception introduced here. Cartoon, sepia-toned illustrations include nudity and visual and verbal depictions of lovemaking. Recommended for children ages 5-8.
Available: http://www.abbeys.com.au/book/where-did-i-really-come-from.do
What makes a baby
by Cory Silverberg
illustrated by Fiona Smyth
Language: English
New York : Seven Stories Press, ©2012, 2013.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 24 cm.
ISBN: 9781609804855; 1609804856
Annotation: The cover of this book states that this is “a book for every kind of family and every kind of kid” and it truly is. In the most general of ways, this book begins with the sperm and the egg but in a brilliant turn asserts what has not been asserted before in a children’s book, that some bodies have sperm, and some do not, and that some bodies have eggs, and others do not. This is so undeniable and obvious that one wonders why this hasn’t been stated in quite this same way before in a children’s book on human reproduction. While other books proclaim simply that sperm come from males and eggs come from females, this book admits that this is not always the case, again, without positively stating so. Think trans individuals for example. After introducing children to the terms sperm, egg, and uterus, Silverberg, a sexuality educator, asks, “Who helped bring together the sperm and the egg that made you?” Here the book clearly veers away from all other children’s books on reproduction by implying that not every sperm and egg come from a mommy and a daddy. In fact, the words mommy and daddy are completely absent from the book, conveying to children that not all families are made up of mommies and daddies. Although there are many other gay-themed children’s books that state the same thing, this is one book that can be used for children conceived both with and without assisted technology. In fact it would be very useful in families where each sibling could possibly have been conceived in a different way. It provides absolutely no details about how the egg and sperm come together, whether through heterosexual intercourse or assisted conception, so the book clearly leaves the area wide open for parents to fill in these details, anticipating that the child will have lots of questions about how the sperm and egg get together in the first place in order to make babies. The rather sparse text is counterbalanced by the vibrant and vivid illustrations which convey a tremendous amount of information not specifically stated in the book, for the book’s aim is clearly to delineate the barest of facts about reproduction and leave the rest for the inevitable extended discussions and explanations that develop from a close reading between parent and child. For example, Silverberg writes, “Inside the egg are so many stories all about the body the egg came from.” Smyth’s illustrations then depict the inside of an egg with an open book, movie film, puppets, and a family tree. The egg is a very busy place! The same is done for the sperm with a look inside depicting family photos, a double helix, and another opened book. The book ends beautifully with the question, “Who was waiting for you to be born?” aptly letting children know that they are here because someone wanted them to be here. The brightly colored cartoon illustrations depict genderless bodies and no nudity. Recommended for children ages 3-5 and also 5-8. This is a book that children will want to go back to again and again with a parent as a reading partner to answer their evolving questions. This book comes with a highly recommended reader’s guide which can be downloaded from http://www.what-makes-a-baby.com/readers-guide/.
Available: http://catalog.sevenstories.com/products/what-makes-a-baby
Interview with the author: http://whereisyourline.org/2011/08/badass-activist-friday-presents-cory-silverberg/
A boy's best friend
by Joan Alden
illus. by Catherine Hopkins
Language: English
Boston, Mass. : Alyson Wonderland ; Distributed in London by GMP Publishers, ©1992.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 21 x 26 cm.
ISBN: 1555832032 ; 9781555832032
Summary: Seven-year-old Will, an asthma sufferer and a target for bullies, finally gets the birthday wish of his dreams.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Boys-Best-Friend-Alyson-Wonderland/dp/1555832032
Tara's favourite things
written and illus. by Terry Norridge-Austen
Language: English
Great Britain : Iron Press, 2007.
1 v. (unpaged) : chiefly col. ill. ; 19 cm. x 19 cm.
ISBN: 9781906151010 ; 1906151016
Summary: Princess Tara is a little tomboy and her favourite things are climbing in trees, making sandcastles and having fun! Look out for Princess Tara's tiara - on some pages it is easy to spot, but on others you have to look a little harder.
Available: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tara-The-Tomboy-Princess-Favourite/dp/1906151016
Island girl
by Khara J Campbell
illus. by Nicole Brekelbaum
Language: English
[Charleston, S.C.] 2011.
20 p. : ill. ; 22 cm.
ISBN: 9781456579722 ; 145657972X
Summary: Tina, who lives on a small tropical island, loves to climb trees and play with her best friend Billy. One day, when Billy can't play with her, Tina makes friends with the girls who usually make fun of her for being a tomboy.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Girl-Khara-Jhanielle-Campbell/dp/145657972X
When I grow up
by Jo S. Kittinger
illus. by Margeaux Lucas
Language: English
New York : Children's Press, ©2004.
23 p. : col. ill. ; 18 cm.
ISBN: 0516246453 ; 9780516246451
Summary: A young girl contemplates the many things she can be when she grows up, including a truck driver or President.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0516246453
Volando cometas
by Lawrence Schimel
illus. by Núria Fortuny Herrero
Language: Spanish
Barcelona : Edicions Bellaterra, 2013.
34 p. : col. ill.
ISBN: 9788472906136
Summary: Sabes qué es el VIH? Daniel no lo sabía, por eso le daba miedo besar a su tía Nieves o tomar un refresco en su casa. También sus padres dudaban de si era conveniente que el niño les acompañara en su visita a la tía. Tras la charla con Enrique se desvanecieron todas las dudas y la familia al completo pudo disfrutar de un ?n de semana feliz junto al mar. Este cuento dirigido a los niños pretende ayudar a normalizar la vivencia y la visibilidad de las personas portadoras del VIH, y contribuir a erradicar los prejuicios.
Available: http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Volando-cometas-Lawrence-Schimel/9788472906136
Not all princesses dress in pink
by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple
illus. by Anne-Sophie Lanquetin
Language: English
New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, ©2010.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 29 cm.
ISBN: 9781416980186 ; 1416980180
Summary: Rhyming text affirms that girls can pursue their many interests, from playing sports to planting flowers in the dirt, without giving up their tiaras.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-isbn=9781416980186&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Cp_66%3A9781416980186
Pearl's Christmas present
written and illus. by Thomas Wurst
Language: English
[United States] : Pearl and Dotty, ©2004.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 23 cm.
ISBN: 9780977244102 ; 0977244105
Summary: Pearl is a little boy who wants to be a girl. As he and his family set off to visit Santa at the department store Pearl wonders what gift he should wish for.
Available: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cocaseattle/sets/72157606531541277/
Tough Eddie
by Elizabeth Winthrop
illus. by Lillian Hoban
Language: English
New York : Dutton, ©1985.
ISBN: 0525441646 ; 9780525441649
Summary: Although Eddie appears to be a tough kid, he also plays with a dollhouse, a secret he feels he cannot reveal even to his closest friends.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Tough-Eddie-Elizabeth-Winthrop/dp/0525441646/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372770683&sr=8-1&keywords=9780525441649
Three days on a river in a red canoe
written and illus. by Vera B Williams
Language: English
New York : Greenwillow Books, ©1981.
[30] p. : col. ill. ; 22 cm.
ISBN: 0688803075 ; 9780688803070 ; 0688843077 ; 9780688843076 ; 0688040721 ; 9780688040727
Summary: Mother, Aunt Rosie, and two children make a three-day camping trip by canoe.
Available: http://www.alibris.com/search/books/isbn/9780688803070
The entertainer : a story in pictures
written and illus. by Michael Willhoite
Language: English
Boston, Mass. : Alyson Wonderland, 1992.
[32] p. : all ill. ; 14 x 22 cm.
ISBN: 1555832024 : 9781555832025
Summary: Using only pictures, tells the story of Alex, a talented boy who loves to juggle.
Available: http://www.abebooks.com/9781555832025/Entertainer-Story-Pictures-Willhoite-Michael-1555832024/plp
Mr. Moo
by Margaret Wild ; Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
illus, by Jonathan Bentley
Language: English
Sydney : ABC Books for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2002.
1 v. : ill., ; 28 cm.
ISBN: 0733307833 ; 9780733307836 ; 0733311881 ; 9780733311888
Summary: Mr Moo is happy - he has a lovely house, a garden, a shed to make things in and even a river with its own island. But now and again, Mr Moo wishes he had a friend to share things with. Then Mr Moo meets the adventurous Jimmy Johnson and his quiet life becomes very exciting!
Available: http://www.qbd.com.au/product/9780733307836-Mr_Moo_by_Margaret_Wild.htm
Uncle Andy's cats
written and illus. by James Warhola
Language: English
New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, ©2009.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 29 cm.
ISBN: 9780399251801 0399251804
Summary: Twenty-five cats named Sam have the run of Uncle Andy's (artist Andy Warhol) New York City townhouse.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Andys-Cats-James-Warhola/dp/0399251804
Not ready yet!
written and illus. by Tamsin Walker
Language: English
London : Onlywomen Press, 2009.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 30 cm.
ISBN: 9780906500996 0906500990
Summary: Ready or not, Fran, Jay and Jay's Mama go on a camping holiday. New friends, kite flying and cosy nights in their tent refresh them. Finally no one's ready for home yet.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Not-Ready-Yet-Tamsin-Walker/dp/0906500990
Melinda and the class photograph
written and illus. by Deborah Van der Beek
Language: English
Minneapolis, MN : Carolrhoda Books, ©1992.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 27 cm.
ISBN: 0876146949 9780876146941
Summary: Unwilling to wear a dress for the class photograph, tomboyish Melinda tries her hardest to get it dirty.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Melinda-Class-Photograph-Deborah-Beek/dp/0876146949
Pugdog
by Andrea U'Ren
Language: English
New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2001.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 23 x 24 cm.
ISBN: 0374361495 ; 9780374361495
Summary: When Mike discovers that his rough-and-tumble new puppy is a female, he tries to make her into a dainty dog.
Available: http://www.abebooks.com/book-search/isbn/9780374361495/page-1/
Vengo
written and illus. by Javier Termenón Delgado
Language: Spanish
[Madrid] Eraseunavez.com Fundación Triángulo 2007.
[32] p. il. col. 18 x 18 cm.
ISBN: 9788493059224 ; 8493059226
Summary: Una inocente niña se plantea de dónde viene, si de la cigüeña, si de Paris, etc… ¿De dónde vendrá? de la barriga de alguna de sus mamás... no! ella no cabe allí. ¿De dónde?
Available: https://www.libreriaproteo.com/libro/ver/id/939613/titulo/vengo.html
Princess Max
by Laurie Stiller
illus. by Gregory Rogers
Language: English
Milsons Point, NSW : Random House Australia, 2001.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 29 cm.
ISBN: 0091834732 ; 9780091834739
Summary: Max loves to wear dresses.
Available: http://www.wheelersbooks.com.au/books/9780091834739-princess-max/
Tomboy's doll
written and illus. by Charlotte Steiner
Language: English
New York, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co. [1969]
[31] p. col. illus. 26 cm.
OCLC #: 12167
Summary: A little tomboy makes life miserable for her new doll until in a moment of need she discovers what dolls are for.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/tomboys-doll-charlotte-steiner/dp/B005FT4X1S
Min syster är en ängel
by Ulf Stark
illus. by Anna Höglund
Language: Swedish
Stockholm : Alfabeta, ©1996.
[40] p. : col. ill. ; 24 cm.
OCLC #: 49875708
Summary: Ulfs syster dog i mammas mage innan Ulf föddes. Men Ulf känner henne ändå. Han vet att hon vill ha kola fast hon bor i himlen. Hon tjatar aldrig och drar en i håret. Hon är ganska vild för hon har ju inte fått nån uppfostran. Men hon är snäll också. Hon är ju en ängel. Augustprisvinnare 1996!
Available: http://www.bokus.com/bok/9789150100327/min-syster-ar-en-angel/
Tutus aren't my style
by Linda Skeers
illus. by Anne Wilsdorf
Language: English
New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, ©2010.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 27 cm.
ISBN: 9780803732124 ; 0803732120
Summary: When she receives a ballerina costume from her uncle, Emma, who does not know how to be a ballerina, gets a lot of advice from friends and family.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Tutus-Arent-Style-Linda-Skeers/dp/0803732120/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372766370&sr=1-1&keywords=9780803732124
I'm me!
by Sara Sheridan
illus. by Margaret Chamberlain
Language: English
New York : Chicken House/Scholastic 2011.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 29 cm.
ISBN: 9780545282222 ; 0545282225
Summary: When Imogen comes to visit, Auntie Sara wonders what she would like to pretend to be, but Imogen decides it would be more fun for them to just be Auntie Sara and Imogen for the day.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Im-Me-Sara-Sheridan/dp/0545282225/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372766119&sr=1-1&keywords=9780545282222
Love is you & me
written and illus. by Monica Sheehan
Language: English
New York : Little Simon, ©2010.
[34] p. : col. ill. ; 20 cm.
ISBN: 9781442407657 ; 1442407654
Summary: "...Love--whether between a parent and child, best friends, or even a dog and a mouse--is the greatest gift of ALL"--P. [4] of cover.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Love-You-Me-Monica-Sheehan/dp/1442407654/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372757278&sr=1-1&keywords=1442407654
Lots of mommies
by Jane Severance
illus. by Jan Jones
Language: English
Chapel Hill, N.C. : Lollipop Power, ©1983.
34 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.
ISBN: 091499624X ; 9780914996248
Summary: Emily has lots of mommies in the communal situation in which she lives and is cared for by all of them.
Available: http://www.amazon.com/Lots-Mommies-Jane-Severance/dp/091499624X
The girl who would rather climb trees
by Miriam Schlein
illus. by Judith Gwyn Brown
Language: English
New York : Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, [1975]
[31] p. : ill. ; 21 cm.
ISBN: 0152309780 ; 9780152309787
Summary: Melissa, a little girl who would rather climb trees than play with dolls, hardly knows what to do with the doll she is given.
Available: http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=10069630477&searchurl=ds%3D30%26isbn%3D9780152309787%26sortby%3D17
La aventura de Cecilia y el dragón
by Lawrence Schimel
illus. by Sara Rojo
Language: Spanish
Madrid : Candela : Bibliopólis, 2005.
1 v. (unpaged) : ill. ; 21 x 30 cm.
ISBN: 8496173259 ; 9788496173255
Summary: Cecilia wants to see a dragon more than anything but must use all of her wit to save herself when she finally does.
Available: http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=10250704370&searchurl=bsi%3D0%26ds%3D30%26isbn%3D9788496173255
Amigos y vecinos
by Lawrence Schimel
illus. by Sara Rojo
Language: Spanish
Madrid : Ediciones La Librería, ©2005.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 21 cm.
ISBN: 8496470210 ; 9788496470217
Summary: Mis padres han vivido juntos más de doce años. Yo tenía dos años cuando me adoptaron. Me encanta cuando me cuentan de nuevo la historia de cómo vinieron desde tan lejos para elegirme. Vivimos cerca de la plaza de Chueca, donde siempre hay terrazas cuando hace buen tiempo. Hace años, era un lugar peligroso, pero ahora se ha puesto muy de moda y todo el barrio también se llama Chueca. La plaza suele estar llena de gente, grupos de amigos o parejas de todo tipo.
Available: http://www.librosnavlan.es/product_info.php?products_id=150850
