This children’s book features a gay love story and it will warm your heart
One day your LGBT-positive children’s books will come.
GLAAD is publishing a children’s book about a prince falling in love with a knight.
Prince & Knight, a picture book by Daniel Haack with illustrations by Stevie Lewis, tells the story of a knight looking for a bride. Unable to find what he’s looking for in a princess, a series of events brings him to meet a brave knight, with whom he falls in love and eventually marries.
“I work in children’s media, and I really saw that there was such a dearth of any LGBTQ representation anywhere in the space,” said Haack, discussing the book with Freedom for All Americans.
“There are so many kids today that aren’t seeing their own families or friends’ families represented in any of the books they read or shows they watch and I wanted to tell a story that showed LGBTQ people as heroes and love interests and do it in a way that was really both kid-friendly and universal,” the author added.
Discussing the intricacies of representing LGBT characters in a medium intended for kids, Haack said: “It was especially important for me to show a same-sex romance between two human characters and prove that it can be done in a way that is accessible to kids.”
The book, which is already available for purchase, is the first of four releases planned this year, spawned by a partnership between GLAAD and publisher Bonnier Publishing USA.
Together, the LGBT advocacy organisation and publisher want to offer “integrating and elevating positive LGBTQ representation in children’s literature.”
The books will span all genres and formats for kids up to 14 years old.
“We’re proud to be partnering with GLAAD to authentically and accurately tell LGBTQ stories and do our part to make classrooms, bookstores, and even the playground a more inclusive environment,” said Bonnier Publishing’s CEO Shimul Tolia,
“The importance of children recognizing themselves, their family, and their friends in media cannot be overstated,” said publisher Sonali Fry. “We strive to create stories that not only empower, but ensure that no child feels invisible.”
“GLAAD is committed to advancing positive representation of LGBTQ lives, experiences, and stories at every stage of our lives, and books are a natural progression to encourage awareness, kindness, and acceptance at an early age,” said President and CEO of GLAAD Sarah Kate Ellis.
“It’s so important that my two kids and others like them see their families reflected in the media. Our partnership with Bonnier Publishing USA represents an important step in our firm commitment to reach a day when all diverse families are included and accepted.”
The next book, Jack (Not Jackie), by Erica Silverman and illustrated by Holly Hatam, will be released in October. Its hero, Susan, learns to accept that her younger sister identifies as Jack, not Jackie. Additional titles will be announced shortly.
