By Allycia Susanti and Sukma Kirani Agna

Throughout the years, there has been no shortage of literature or story books written for children. Although there are considerably fewer children’s books that feature queer characters or talk about what life is like for people who are part of the LGBTQ community, more and more LGBTQ-centric children’s books are emerging in recent decades. Today, let’s take a quick look at some of these books and the topics discussed in the stories. Finally, we’ll also briefly talk about how queer stories made for children are essential and constantly developing.
King & King by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland (first published in English in 2003)

King & King by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland features a classic fairy tale trope we all know and love. The story is about a prince finally finding true love when his queen mother calls upon a list of eligible princesses to present themselves. Many came from far and wide to meet the prince for a chance at true love but to no avail. The prince falls in love with a prince instead and they live happily ever after as king and king. This book is a whimsical read that shows that queer children also deserve to be represented in magical fairy tales and joyful love stories.
The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein (2002)

The Sissy Duckling is a picture book written by Harvey Fierstein and illustrated by Henry Cole. This book is about Elmer, a male duckling with feminine characteristics, who was singled out by other ducks. However, his distinctive personality is what pushed Elmer to save his father from being hunted, and to nurse him to recovery unlike any other ducklings. This book shows that being different from others can benefit you and is, in fact, something to celebrate. This book wholesomely portrays how being different is a perk instead of a defect and being true to oneself is what we should hold on to.
And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson (2005)

And Tango Makes Three is a picture book written by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson. This picture book tells a story of a bonded pair of two male penguins, Roy and Silo, who formed a family and one day received an egg as an addition to their family. The egg hatched into a female penguin whom they later named “Tango”. The three of them make a family that everyone in the zoo is fond of. Heartwarmingly, this picture book portrays that same-sex parents can foster a loving family with the kind support of those around them. We can see that each family is unique, yet at the same time, just like any other family out there!
I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings (2014)

I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings is a short story book about a transgender girl named Jazz. In the story, we can see that although she has a boy’s body, she’s just like any other girl! She loves dresses, mermaids, and her two best friends, Samantha and Casey. At first, people were a little confused because they thought she was a boy, but Jazz didn’t mind being different, because deep down, she knew she was a girl! Because after all, Jazz thinks that “different is special!” and her family and friends, who love her very much, will always see that “what matters most is what a person is like inside”. I am Jazz is a heartwarming read that tells us all that there’s so much more to being a girl than just how you look.
Prince and Knight by Daniel Haack (2018)

Prince and Knight is a fairy tale written by Daniel Haack and illustrated by Stevie Lewis about a prince who was being urged by his parents to seek a bride, but fails to find the right one. One day, while the kingdom is under sudden attack by a dragon, he meets a knight who saves his life. As they both save each other’s lives, they fall in love and decide to marry one another. This book features a whimsical and romantic representation of a same-sex couple in the classic “Prince Charming” trope, where both characters are equally portrayed both as the saviour and the lover.
Pride Puppy! by Robin Stevenson and Julie McLaughlin (2021)

Pride Puppy! by Robin Stevenson and Julie McLaughlin is a colourful and festive picture book that introduces the children to the English alphabet all while telling a fun story about a family that brings their puppy to a pride parade. The puppy eventually gets loose amidst the parade, and with the kind help of other parade-goers, the puppy returns to the family safe and sound. In the book, we can see that pride really is “for everyone under the sun”. It is celebrated by people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds; even puppies can have fun amidst the parade too!
LGBTQ-centric children’s books
Many writers are progressing in making literature more inclusive, not just for an adult audience but also for children. Many children’s books published in recent decades were written with the inclusion of queer characters in mind. Many of these books were written with a queer character as the focal point or main character of the story. Each character faces problems as they go about their lives due to their LGBTQ backgrounds. The LGBTQ issues and narratives portrayed in the stories vary, with some books sharing similar themes and some portraying differing issues and narratives.
The books generally contain a message that says people in the LGBTQ community deserve the same treatment, inclusion, and opportunities as anyone else.. For example, in And Tango Makes Three and Pride Puppy!, we see that the LGBTQ community thrives when treated kindly by those around them. Another common theme featured in the books is that people who don’t conform to societal norms have a harder time being accepted, much like the stories of Jazz from I am Jazz and Elmer from The Sissy Duckling. Many people find it difficult to understand and accept those who are different, and it isn’t until people really get to know them that they begin to see them for who they are. Books that take on the classic “Prince Charming” trope such as King and King and Prince and Knight, representing same-sex couples tell us that Queer children can have their fairy tales as well.
The significance of queer stories
As each book takes on different LGBTQ issues such as being raised by same-sex parental figures, finding friendship and love as a queer person, and finding one’s identity and place as a queer person, we learn that queer stories could provide a unique portrayal of what life may look like as part of the LGBTQ community.
Oftentimes, the protagonists in these queer stories are portrayed as facing struggles that are real to members of the LGBTQ community. Thus, queer stories have the power to break down walls of stigma and encourage children to be accepting and kind to themselves and to others regardless of who they are. In I am Jazz and the Sissy Duckling, the main characters are truly happy when they’re able to be themselves despite being treated unkindly by a few schoolmates because of who they are. From these books, we learn that expressing oneself the way one sees fit is freedom for every child and that the simple act of staying true to one’s identity shouldn’t be rewarded with feelings of shame or guilt. Other books like Pride Puppy! can also teach children that true acceptance is inclusive and intersectional; and that every person deserves a place in the community.
More and more writers, educators, and parents alike are emphasising the importance of raising awareness of LGBTQ issues from an early age to foster understanding and tolerance. This undoubtedly hasn’t been without friction. Many people still argue that educators and parents should wait until children are older to start discussing LGBTQ issues because there is a big misconception that discussions about LGBTQ issues are inherently vulgar due to their close association with sexuality. However, talking to children about queerness does not have to be so. The conversation can simply start with a talk about identity: how a child perceives themselves, how a child should be comfortable with who they are, and how a child should be able to explore the world around them.
Children’s literature about LGBTQ issues can be used as a bridge to start these conversations. Children may begin their journey in relating to and understanding LGBTQ issues through stories that are written and curated for a child audience. This way, an age-appropriate and fundamental discussion about queerness can be had with children, all while preserving their sense of childhood wonder through the whimsical tales.
Conclusion
Children’s literature is a way for children to learn about themselves and the world, so when children’s literature is inclusive towards queer children, it means they also have a vessel through which they can learn to understand and accept their own and each other’s identities. As children’s literature become more inclusive and intersectional, more and more children will be able to read and look forward to a life full of diversity, joy, and kindness. Every child deserves to be able to see themselves in the magical tales they read.
References
Buchanan, L. B., Tschida, C., Bellows, E., & Shear, S. B. (2020). Positioning children’s literature to confront the persistent avoidance of LGBTQ topics among elementary preservice teachers. The Journal of Social Studies Research, 44(1), 169-184.
De Haan, L., Nijland, S. (2003). King & King. United States: Random House Children’s Books.
Erlanger, E. Open a Book and Open a Mind: How LGBTQ Children’s Literature Can Foster Acceptance. Gleanings: A Journal of First-Year Student Writing, 20.
Fierstein, H. (2002). The Sissy Duckling. United States: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Haack, D. (2018). Prince & Knight. United States: little bee books.
Herthel, J., Jennings, J. (2014). I Am Jazz. United States: Penguin Young Readers Group.
Richardson, J., Parnell, P. (2005). And Tango Makes Three. United Kingdom: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Stevenson, R. (2021). Pride Puppy!. United States: Orca Book Publishers.
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