Fiesta del Arco Iris: Libros Juveniles sobre Gays y Lesbianas

Lauren’s family gathers to make a quilt panel in memory of Uncle Ron. An afterword introduces the NAMES Project and includes photographs of several AIDS Memorial Quilt panels.

Chloe, a young guinea pig, fears she will lose her favorite uncle when he marries, but instead discovers that she will gain an Uncle Jamie.

Children learn their ABC’s in this book featuring multicultural gay and lesbian parented families.

Children learn to count from one to twenty in this book featuring multicultural gay and lesbian parented families.

The queen is ready to retire, and she wants her son to marry and take over. He does, but this royal wedding is not what she envisioned.

Life is not easy for a boy who prefers dancing to sports. A companion video, Oliver Button Is a Star, features the author and the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus.

Asha explains to her class that she really does have two mothers.

Elmer is derided by his father and schoolmates for not being like the other male ducklings until he proves that a “sissy” can be a real hero.

With support and encouragement from her teacher and parents, a kindergartener feels proud to display the picture she drew of herself and her two moms at Open School Night.

Antonio is teased at school because of the unconventional appearance of his Mami’s partner, but Leslie’s love shows him that he has nothing to be ashamed of. (in English and Spanish)

When his two mothers get a rainbow flag, a young boy realizes that all colors are beautiful, especially together. A bilingual English-Spanish story.

Mia is not pleased that her adored uncle has someone else in his life, but one day, when Uncle Tommy is sick, she discovers that Fergus has some good points after all.

Delightful illustrations show babies in all kinds of loving families, including multicultural and same sex.

A girl loves to hear about how her two mothers adopted her from Guatemala.

Tenth anniversary edition of the groundbreaking story about a three-year-old who discovers that there are all kinds of families.

Patty reassures preschooler Frankie that she will always be his mom, even though she and his other mom have split up.

Zoe’s Uncle Leonard is dying of AIDS, and he and his partner comfort her in this picture book for older kids.

Heartwarming story of four couples, including a lesbian couple, who travel to China to adopt baby girls.

A colorful picture book that enumerates many ways of being different. While same-sex parented families aren’t mentioned, this book can be used to introduce the topic with young listeners.

Uncle Michael is dying of AIDS and comes to live with his young nephew’s family in this poignant story about remembering loved ones.

Inspired by actual events at New York City’s Central Park Zoo, two male penguins become parents to a hatchling named Tango. (also available in Spanish)

A young boy befriends the single male artist next door, and together they share a love of gardening. While the artist may or may not be gay, it’s possible to read that into the story.

When Elly is sad that Grampy cannot accept her uncle’s lover, her father explains what “gay” means.

Nick enjoys spending time with his father and his father’s new partner. He serves as best man at their wedding in the sequel, Daddy’s Wedding.1990 Lambda Literary Award.

William wants a doll, but to no avail. His grandmother finally convinces his father that having a doll will help William learn how to be a good father. Fiction

A sixth grader learns that her best friend, Josh, is HIV positive. The story includes a positive representation of two gay characters.

In a subplot, Uncle Bennie is compelled by the skull to come out at a family gathering, and his nephew learns to accept this news about his favorite uncle.

Nikki and Travis investigate some mysterious guests at their moms’ bed and breakfast.

Colin’s friendship with a young gay man whose lover is dying of AIDS helps him face his brother’s pending death from cancer.

Twelve-year-old Joe is gay, and along with his friends, a group who call themselves the “Misfits,” he is experiencing his first crush.

Pinky is a boy whose favorite color is pink and whose best friend is a girl named Rex in this story about learning to be comfortable with who you are.

Joe, a character from The Misfits, keeps a journal for English class in which he talks about coming out, the response of his family, having a boyfriend who is in the closet, school bullies, and other middle school issues.

Daniel is angry and also fearful that he could catch AIDS from his dying uncle, but his parents are reassuring and allow him to continue his special relationship. 1989 Lambda Literary Award.

Twelve-year-old Kevin’s loyalties are torn when his father spearheads a group trying to remove his favorite teacher who is HIV positive.

When Janice’s favorite teacher is rumored to be gay and her mother joins the movement to oust him, Janice stands up for him.

Thirteen-year-old Hand deals with his father’s death from a heart attack, the return of his absent mother, and his uncle’s illness and death from AIDS.

When Alice’s new friend comes out to her and expresses interest in her, Alice reacts with respect. In the author’s Alice Alone, secondary characters deal with questions about their sexuality.

With the help of her dad’s lover and an AIDS support group for middle schoolers, Slim comes to accept her father’s death.

In “The Star” an elderly film star comes to the Van Gogh Cafe to wait for his true love, a young man he met many years ago.

Amelia runs away from her father with her lesbian mother to start a new life, with a new identity, in San Francisco.

Based on a true story, this is a fictional account of the woman who was recognized as a hunter, warrior and leader of the Crow nation, and who took five wives.

A collection of original fairy tales featuring gay and lesbian characters. 1991 Lambda Literary Award. By the same author: The Day They Put a Tax on Rainbows.

A twelve-year-old girl becomes involved in an ecological mystery while visiting her aunt and her aunt’s partner.

A black teen comes to accept his mother’s lesbianism—and the fact that his mother’s lover is a white woman. 1995 Lambda Literary Award.

Sixth-grader Jason defends his mentor, the school principal, against the homophobic response of the community when it is revealed that Mr. Carr has AIDS. Non-Fiction

Providing historical context, the author discusses issues affecting gays and lesbians, including marriage, parenting, military service, hate crimes, and job discrimination.

Marcus forthrightly answers all kinds of questions that kids and teens are likely to ask.

Colorful illustrations depict a variety of human and animal families, including a family with two dads and one with two moms.

Angie describes the families she knows in her neighborhood, including her friend Susie’s lesbian family.

Photo-essay depicting a variety of family types including a gay-parented and a lesbian-parented family. (also found under the call number j392.3 Jenn)

Straightforward photo-essay about the family of an eleven-year-old that includes two moms, and a stepfather and a stepmother.

A moving history of the AIDS epidemic and the significance of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Part of the Cornerstones of Freedom series.

A photo-essay about a five-year-old who lives with her dad and his partner. Age-appropriate, positive depiction and discussion of a gay family.

A gay and lesbian positive book that explains all about puberty, love, sex, and getting pregnant—including alternative insemination and in vitro fertilization.

An excellent book that discusses everything kids want to know about sex, including homosexuality, in a positive, matter-of-fact way.

A picture book biography about the life and death of the gay rights leader and San Francisco City Supervisor. For Adults