OFOC Books and Book List

Books by members of Out For Our Children

If I had 100 mummies

A picture book for early readers and their friends.
Written and illustrated by Vanda Carter
Published by Onlywomen Press, £5.99

If I had a hundred mummies
They would have to form a queue
To give me goodnight kisses,
Blow my nose and tie my shoes.

Spacegirl Pukes

An adventure for young astronauts.

When nausea grips intrepid Spacegirl on the day of a mission to the stars she is lucky to have two mummies to help her out, but soon - yes - everyone is going "Bleurgh!"

Will there be enough buckets? Will her mission be cancelled? Will Spacegirl ever reach the stars?

A perfect tale for reading to or with your children (aged 2-6) and packed with hilarious and colourful drawings, Spacegirl Pukes is also a story about independence and empowerment.

Written by Katy Watson, illustrated by Vanda Carter. Published by Onlywomen Press, London 2006.

Click here to download a Spacegirl Pukes Activity Pack (1.2Mb)

Also on its way, from Onlywomen Press: Dangerous Deborah puts her foot down Written by Katy Watson, illustrated by Angie Brew.

Book List

Age ranges: 0-3 years - 4 to 8 years - 8 to 12 years - top of this page

Out For Our Children have compiled this list of books for Early Years and Primary School age children featuring same-sex parent families, lesbian & gay characters and themes.

The age categories are only intended as a rough guide.

We do not necessarily recommend all the books on the list. Sometimes an imperfect book is better than no book?

We have tried to indicate where books are out of print or hard to get. We have listed a web address for books currently without UK distribution.

You can scroll down this list or download it as a separate Word document.

Our list in not a comprehensive list of everything available. It is a work in progress. Please tell us about any other books you think should be included in our list. April 2008

0 to 3 years

Age ranges: 0-3 years - 4 to 8 years - 8 to 12 years - top of this page

ABC: A Family Alphabet Book

Combs, Bobbie
Baby to Preschool
The watercolours in this alphabet book depict families headed by gays and lesbians.
Two Lives Publishing. USA. 2001

Best, Best Colours (Los Mejores Colores)

Hoffman, Eric
Baby to Preschool (Bilingual English/ Spanish)
With the help of his two mammas, Nate learns he can have more than one best colour and one best friend. Includes activity and teaching ideas.
Redleaf Press. USA. 1999.

Emma and Meesha my Boy

Considine, Kaitlyn Taylor
Baby to Preschool
The story of a little girl with two mums, who learns how to be nice to her cat.
www.twomombooks.com. USA. 2004

Flying Free

Gregg, Jennifer
2 to 6
A picture book for children of LGBT and diverse families
BookSurge Publishing. USA. 2004.

Going to Fair Day

Harding, Brenna and Vicki. Illustrated by Chris Bray-Cotton
2 to 8
A young girl goes to the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair with her two mums and meets a friend who has two dads.
Learning to Include. Australia. 2003.
Available online: www.hotkey.net.au/~learn_to_include/

Koalas on Parade

Harding, Brenna and Vicki. Illustrated by Chris Bray-Cotton.
2 to 8
The narrator's two mums help her make a koala costume & win first prize in her school's costume parade.
Learning to Include. Australia. 2003.
Available online: www.hotkey.net.au/~learn_to_include/

Mama Eat Ant, Yuck!

Edmonds, Barbara
Newborn to 7
A funny story in the family life of one-year-old Emma, her Mama and Mommy, and her siblings
Hundredth Munchy Publications. USA. 2000.

Manu Series, The

Moreno Velo, Luc'a. Illustrated by Javier Termenón Delgado
0 to 3
Manu is a series of bilingual Spanish-English cardboard picture books dealing with situations from the daily life of Manu and his two mothers. Includes Manu sets the table, Manu's bedtime & No, Manu!
Topka. Spain. 2006. Currently only available online in UK from www.topka.es

My House

Harding, Brenna and Vicki. Illustrated by Chris Bray-Cotton.
2 to 8
Story about a five year old girl and her home life. She has two dogs, a cat and two mums.
Learning to Include. Australia. 2003.
Available online: www.hotkey.net.au/~learn_to_include/

Rainbow Cubby House, The

Harding, Brenna and Vicki. Illustrated by Chris Bray-Cotton.
2 to 8
A little girl, her mums, her friend Jed and his dads build a cubby house in the back yard. Available in large size (A3) for classroom use or standard A5 size.
Learning to Include. Australia. 2003.
Available online: www.hotkey.net.au/~learn_to_include/

Spacegirl Pukes

Watson, Katy. Illustrated by Vanda Carter.
3 to 6
Young spacegirl is especially lucky to have two mothers and a very curious cat nearby when rocket troubles and nausea begin.
Onlywomen Press. UK. 2005.

Two Moms, The Zark and Me

Valentine, Johnny
Baby to Preschool
A child is separated from his parents, two mothers, at the park and gets lectures from the well-meaning adults he turns to for help
Alyson Publications. USA. 1993.

Who's In A Family?

Skutch, Robert & Laura Nienhaus
3 to 7
Looks at multicultural contemporary family units, includings lesbian and gay parents
Tricycle Press. USA. 1997.

4 to 8 years

Age ranges: 0-3 years - 4 to 8 years - 8 to 12 years - top of this page

123: A Family Counting Book

Combs, Bobbie
4 to 8
Celebrates alternative families as it teaches kids to count from one to twenty
Two Lives Publishing. USA. 2001.

And Tango Makes Three

Parnell, Peter & Justin Richardson
4 to 8
Based on a true story about two male penguins living in New York City's Central Park Zoo who hatch an egg together and look after the penguin chick.
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. USA. 2005.

Asha's Mums

Elwin, Rosamund, Michele Paulse and Dawn Lee
4 to 8
When Asha's lesbian mums become an issue for the teacher and the curiosity of classmates, Asha responds that having two mums is not a big deal.
Women's Press. Canada. 1990.

Boy Who Cried Fabulous, The

Newman, Leslea. Illustrated by Peter Ferguson.
4 to 8
A boy keeps getting sidetracked when walking to school by all the "fabulous" things he sees. The story ends with the lesson of accepting each others' unique gifts. A simple story with a slightly gay sub-text?
Tricycle Press. USA. 2004.

Daddy Machine, The

Valentine, Johnny
4 to 8

Two children with lesbian mothers make themselves a daddy machine, turn it on, and a dad pops out. Then comes another, and another, and another ...
Alyson Publications. USA. 2004.

Daddy's Roommate

Willhoite, Mickhael
3 to 8
A young boy describes his father's relationship with his roommate.
Alyson Publications. USA. 1990.

Day They Put A Tax on Rainbows, The

Valentine, Johnny
4 to 8
A collection of fairytales in which some of the characters are gay.
Alyson Books, USA. 1992.

Different Dragon, The

Bryan, Jennifer
4 to 8
The care and curiosity of a little boy, with some help from his mums, can lead to magical and unexpected places
Two Lives Publishing. USA. 2006.

Duke Who Outlawed Jellybeans and Other Stories, The

Valentine, Johnny
4 to 8
Fairy tales including families of all different types
Alyson Books. USA. 2004.

Family Book, The

Parr, Todd
4 to 8
Parr introduces children to an array of families including those with two mums or two dads
Little, Brown & Co. Young Readers. USA. 2004.

Felicia's Favorite Story

Newman, Leslea
4 to 8
Felicia's mothers relate the tale of their decision to share their love by adopting her.
Two Lives Publishing. USA. 2002.

Flying Free

Gregg, Jennifer
2 to 6
A picture book for children of LGBT and diverse families
BookSurge Publishing. USA. 2004.

Going to Fair Day

Heather Has Two Mommies

Newman, Leslea & Diana Souza
4 to 8
Heather, a preschooler with two moms, discovers that some of her friends have very different sorts of families.
Alyson Publications, 10th Anniversary Publication. USA. 2002.

Hello Sailor

Godon, Ingrid & Andre Solie
4 to 8
No overt mention of sexuality or romance, just a touching bond between two men.
Netherlands 2000/ MacMillan, UK, 2003.

How My Family Came to Be

Aldrich, Andrew & Mike Motts
4 to 8
Story about adoption by two dads.
New Family Press. USA. 2003.

If I Had A Hundred Mummies

Carter, Vanda
4 to 8
A little girl imagines what it would be like to have 100 mummies, eventually deciding that she is happy with just the two she's got.
Onlywomen Press. UK. 2007.

It's OK To Be Different

Parr, Todd
4 to 8
A celebration of diversity.
Little, Brown Young Readers, USA. 2004.

Jenny Lives with Eric and Martin

Bosche, Susanne. Photos by Andreas Hansen.
4 to 8
Danish photostory about a little girl who lives with her two dads. Caused a media storm when published in the UK.
Gay Men's Press. UK.1983.
Currently unavailable in UK except second-hand on Amazon for £100 or more!!

Jack & Jim

Crowther, Kitty
4 to 8
Two boy birds, a blackbird & a seagull. Overcome opposition to form a close friendship, possibly a romance.
Hyperion. USA. 2008.

Josh and Jess have Three Mums

Argent, Hedi
4 to 7
Josh and Jess are five-year-old twins who have been adopted by a lesbian couple. They are anxious when their school teacher asks them to produce a family tree. With their mums they produce a family tree that wins the admiration of their classmates.
British Association for Adoption & Fostering. UK. 2007.

King and King

De Haan, Linda
4 to 8
Presents same-sex marriage as a viable, acceptable way of life within a fairy tale. Translated from Dutch.
Tricycle Press. USA. 2002.

King and King and Family

De Haan, Linda
4 to 8
Newlyweds King Lee and King Bertie adopt a child
Tricycle Press. USA. 2004.

Koalas on Parade

Mama Eat Ant, Yuck!

Edmonds, Barbara
Newborn to 7
A funny story in the family life of one-year-old Emma, her Mama and Mommy, and her siblings
Hundredth Munchy Publications. USA. 2000.

Many-Colored Love, The / El amor de todos los colores

Moreno Velo, Luc'a. Illustrated by Javier Termenón
4 to 6
Bilingual English/Spanish story of a girl who is expecting a new sibling. She makes up a fantastic story about how her two-mum family came about. "The many-colored love was born when Maite's mothers met, and Maite was born from the many-colored love..."
Topka. Spain. 2007. Currently only available in UK online from www.topka.es

Molly's Family

Garden, Nancy and Sharon Wooding
4 to 8
Molly's classmates tell her, "No one has two mommies"
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Books For Young Readers). USA. 2004.

Mom and Mum Are Getting Married

Setterington, Ken. Illustrated by Alice Priestly.
4 to 8
Rosie's two mothers are going to get married.
Second Story Press, USA. 2007.

My House

One Dad, Two Dads, Brown Dad, Blue Dads

Valentine, Johnny & Melody Sarecky
4 to 8
Carries the message that all people are basically the same whatever their skin color or sexual orientation.
Alyson Wonderland Books. USA. 2004.

Rainbow Cubby House, The

Saturday is Pattyday

Newman, Leslea & Annette Hegel
4 to 8
Although Frankie is hurt and confused when his two mommies separate, he is comforted by knowing that Patty will still be part of his life.
New Victoria Press. USA. 1993.

Sissy Duckling, The

Fierstein, Harvey
4 to 8
Elmer is not like the other boy ducklings. They box while Elmer bakes, build forts while Elmer makes sand castles. But Elmer proves he is a hero.
Aladdin. USA. 2005.

Spacegirl Pukes

Story of Ferdinand, The

Leaf, Munro. Illustrated by Robert Lawson.
4 to 8
A classic story for children about a young bull who prefers to sit and smell flowers rather than fight. Banned in 1930's Spain during the Civil War and burned in Nazi Germany, this classic story carries a powerful message about having the courage to be yourself, daring to be different and resisting bullying and violence.
Grosset & Dunlap - Reading Railroad Books. USA. 2000.

Tiger Flowers

Quinlan, Patricia
5 upwards
Attempts to tackle losing a loved one to AIDS.
Fitzhenry and Whiteside. Canada. 2005.

White Swan Express

Okimoto, Jean
5 to 8
Families come in all shapes and sizes, and are bound together by love
Clarion Books. USA. 2002.

Who's In A Family?

Skutch, Robert & Laura Nienhaus
3 to 7
Looks at multicultural contemporary family units, includings lesbian and gay parents
Tricycle. USA. 1997.

8 to12 years

Age ranges: 0-3 years - 4 to 8 years - 8 to 12 years - top of this page

Belinda's Bouquet

Newman, Leslea
9 to 12
Examines body-image, sexual orientation, same-sex parents and other issues
Alyson Publications. USA. 1989. Not currently available.

Generous Jefferson Bartleby Jones, The

Brown, Forman
9 to 12
Jeff lends his two dads to his friends and then regrets it
Alyson Publications. USA. 1992.

Age ranges: 0-3 years - 4 to 8 years - 8 to 12 years - top of this page