I recently discovered this publishing house and their books on Netgalley and couldn’t reist directly requesting two of them. The first one was already released in January, the second comes out today. I didn’t want to miss the chance to share my love for these two publications and Jessica Kingsley Publishing. They met all my expectations and even surpassed them. I will try not to miss out on any of the future publications of JKP. I hope that some German publishers will recognize these wonderful compilations of appealing, representative illustrations and short, but thoroughly informative texts. With 40 colorful pages each, these books can familiarize the youngest of our society with the beautifully diverse species.
Pride Families
Families come in all different shapes and sizes, and each one is perfect!
Come and celebrate what it means to be a PRIDE FAMILY in this beautifully illustrated book written by LGBTQIA+ author, Amie Taylor and Illustrated by Kaspa Clarke.
LGBTQIA+ families come in all the colours of the rainbow. Perhaps you belong to a Pride family, or maybe you have a friend who belongs to a Pride Family?
This educational children’s book explores what these families look like with a focus on trans, non-binary, gay, lesbian and polyamorous family set ups. Covering themes such as, pregnancy, donor conception and surrogacy alongside a guide for adults that helps explain terminology, this book is an invaluable resource for sharing and celebrating what it means to be a Pride family.
I simply could not resist this title and the beautiful cover that evoked high hopes. And those were certainly fulfilled and even surpassed. The picture book with short but sufficient and informative texts offered not only gender and sexual diversity, but furthermore featured different skin colors, body shapes, disabilities and many more representations I appreciated! This surely is a model children’s book that is yet unparalleled.
Amie Taylor (she/her)
is an LGBTQIA+ writer, theatre maker and workshop facilitator. She runs a theatre company that produces productions and workshops for young people about LGBTQIA+. She contributes regularly to BBC Radio London, where she speaks on LGBTQ+ arts and culture. She has previously published The Big Book of LGBTQ+ Activities and The Monster Book of Feelings. When she’s not writing and theatre making, she works for 3 days a week at Fun Palaces, and organisation that campaigns for cultural democracy so that everyone has a say in what counts as culture, where it happens, who makes it, and who experiences it. Source
Rainbows, Unicorns, and Triangles
Queer Symbols Throughout HistoryIn the past, being different has often been dangerous, and people couldn’t always be open about how they wanted to dress, what gender they wanted to be, and who they loved…
Within these pages, you’ll learn about how LGBTQIA2S+ people have used signs and symbols throughout history to communicate with each other, create safe spaces, and celebrate who they are!
You’ll recognise the rainbow flags of Pride Month, but what about the Labrys, the Lambda or the Lavender Rhino? This beautifully illustrated guide takes you on a journey through everything from the green carnations of Oscar Wilde and the violets of Sappho to the black rings of asexuality and the reclaimed pink triangles of persecution. A wonderful guide for children 5+ to the visual worlds of queer life.
Source
In this second, very fresh publication, I can only find one minor fault. As a person interested in queer history and identities, I was nonetheless confused by the new abbreviation. I would have wished for a brief explanation of LGBTQIA2S+, as it is not yet established enough. Besides that, I once more adored the illustrations and the short, informative texts. Their compilation is immensely appealing to me and probably will be as well for younger readers as much as to their parents. I appreciate this concept, although I am not certain if the content matches the target group. I personally learned a lot but am not sure if these information are yet relevant for readers of books with only 40 pages.
