These are books that are set to be released soon after this was written (April 2020). These are fairly evenly split between queer love stories (1), my gay parent (2), trans and gender queer (3), gender bending (2), and queer history (2). These are definitely books to look into once they come out!
For each book, I link the Amazon plot summary, a youtube read-aloud if available, and write a mini-analysis.
Plot Summary: “Archie loves Zack!” “Zack loves Archie!” Everyone said it was so. But Archie hasn’t told Zack yet. And Zack hasn’t told Archie. They spend just about every minute together: walking to and from school, doing science and art projects, practicing for marching band, learning to ride bikes, and so much more. Over the course of a few months, Archie tries to write a letter to Zack to tell him how he feels: “From A to Z.” None of his drafts sound quite right, so he hides them all away. One by one, Archie’s friends (Zelda, Zinnia, and Zuzella) find the letters . . . but they know exactly whom they’re meant for. This new picture book from Vincent X. Kirsch celebrates young, queer love in a whimsical, kid-friendly way.
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This is one of the only non-animal, non-fairytale book expressing a queer love story. I have high hopes for it, when it comes out December 2020 that is.
Plot Summary: A picture book telling the story of Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, the transgender women of colour who fought for LGBTQ+ equality. Depicting the events that surrounded the Stonewall Riots, this is a playful introduction to trans identities and LGBTQ+ history for young children.
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Expected November 2020 from a team of non-binary and trans artists and activists, this is a biography of Syliva Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson and the fight for LGBTQ rights. This book has an unusual and amazing emphasis on activists of color.
Plot Summary: This unique picture book biography tells the story of Dr. James Barry, born female, who lived as a man from age 18 to his death. Like other girls of her time, Margaret Bulkley didn't go to school. She wouldn't grow up to own property, be a soldier, a doctor, or hold any job other than perhaps maid or governor--such was a girl's lot in 19th century England. And was she comfortable, born in a girl's body? We will never know. What we do know is that at the age of 18, she tugged off her stockings and dress, cut her red-gold curls, and vanished. In her place appeared a young man. Margaret became James Barry. James would attend medical school, become a doctor and a soldier, travel the world. He would fall in love, deliver babies, and fight in a duel. And he would live a rich full life. Here is a picture book that is both a fascinating and sensitively drawn portrait of someone who would not be undervalued, and an important introduction to the concept of gender identity.
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This book, expected to come out in October 2020, highlights the life of a historical figure who was probably trans. This would be a very cool book to have in any library (provided that it is written as sensitive as it advertises) because it is based on a true story.
Plot Summary: A dedicated mom puts love into action as she creates the perfect rainbow-colored wig for her transgender daughter, based on the real-life experience of mother-daughter advocate duo Trinity and DeShanna Neal. Warm morning sunlight and love fill the Neal home. And on one quiet day, playtime leads to an important realization:Trinity wants long hair like her dolls. She needs it to express who she truly is. So her family decides to take a trip to the beauty supply store, but none of the wigs is the perfect fit. Determined, Mom leaves with bundles of hair in hand, ready to craft a wig as colorful and vibrant as her daughter is. With powerful text by Trinity and DeShanna Neal and radiant art by Art Twink, My Rainbow is a celebration of showing up as our full selves with the people who have seen us fully all along.
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Set to be published in October 2020, this book is based on the authors’ experience and shows the support of a mom to her trans daughter.
Plot Summary: Pride and love win in this relatable story celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, kids with same-sex parents, and diversity and inclusion. This vibrant children's picture book features May, an imaginative and determined girl who tries not to shed a tear on her first day of school but with the help of her two moms, learns why it's okay to cry. Young readers will delight in how May cleverly navigates the unexpected, resolves challenges with positivity, and utilizes mindful techniques to work through her emotions and feelings. But when May comes across an insurmountable challenge, will she be able to hold back the tears? Poetic rhymes, colorful designs and lovable characters elevate the story's positive message about embracing nontraditional families and being mindful when dealing with emotions like sadness, fear, embarrassment and frustration.
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Expected in June 2020, this book looks like it will deal with the theme of dealing negative emotions with the support of family.
Plot Summary: A brother and sister are thrilled that their mom and mum are getting married! After dancing around the living room, they are full of questions. Will Nana and Pop be there? Will they get to dress up? The answer is yes! They celebrate the wedding outdoors with family and friends. And most importantly, they all get to blow bubbles! A beautiful celebration of a loving family celebrating an important day together.
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This book is set to come out in September 2020. Looks similar to Donnovan’s Big Day, in that the story revolves around two kids getting ready for the wedding of their parents who happen to be lesbians.
Plot Summary: Meet Ari, a young person who doesn’t like to be called by their birth name Edward: “When I think of the name Edward, I imagine old kings who snore a lot.” Throughout this beautiful and engaging picture book, we watch Ari grow up before our very eyes as they navigate the ins and outs of their gender identity; we see how, as a child, they prefer dolls and princess movies, and want to grow out their hair, though their father insists on cutting it short, “because that’s what boys look like.” At nine, they play hockey but wish they could try on their mother’s dresses; at fifteen, they shave their face, hoping to have smooth skin like girls. At sixteen, they want to run away, especially from their father who insists, “You’re a boy, so you have to act like one.” Who will Ari become? Moving from age six to adolescence, The Name I Call Myself touchingly depicts Edward’s tender, solitary gender journey to Ari: a new life distinguished and made meaningful by self-acceptance and unconditional love.
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Expected in October 2020, this story is about finding yourself against all odds. Exciting in that it features a trans person of color, but it looks like this book will also feature a lot of gender stereotypes about girl things and boy things.
Plot Summary: A story about a boy with a heart too big for one color alone. A little boy attempts to answer one of grown-ups' all-time favorite questions: "What's your favorite color?" But with so many wonderful colors to choose from, he doesn't know how to answer. He loves his pink sparkly tutu, bright red roses, soft yellow baby doll pajamas, and big, orange basketball. How will he ever pick?
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Due to be published in October 2020, this looks like a cute story about a little boy doing whatever he wants. The book is formatted to associate each activity or object with a color, but not a gender.
Plot Summary: Discover the joy of being your true self in this uplifting and empowering picture book about Benny, who looks like a bat but knows that he really is a butterfly. Benny may look like a bat, but Benny doesn’t like flying at night, or eating bugs, or hanging upside down. Benny does like sunshine and fluttering and colorful wings. On the inside, Benny knows he is a butterfly! “I want my outside to match who I am inside!” With the help of some butterfly friends in the garden, Benny makes a happy change. And his friends and his Momma all love him just the same.
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Set to be released in November 2020, this book looks very similar to Bunnybear in its use of animals that feel like something else on the inside.
Plot Summary: A heartwarming picture book about the power of allies to lift others up . . . and the sparkling magic of glitter! Blaine’s a boy who loves to shine . . . well actually, he loves to sparkle. Whether it's his uniform, his book bag, or even his baseball cap, Blaine’s all about the bling. But when his bling rubs some people the wrong way, and the bullying begins, Blaine—along with the entire school—starts to lose his shine. Can Blaine's friends bring back his glimmer and gleam by glittering up their own wardrobes? This delightful story proves that anyone can love bling, and that happiness comes when allies band together to throw glitter—not shade.
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Set to come out in August 2020, this book seems like a fabulous story about a community supporting a gender-bending boy who loves some sparkle.
