Seven Books to Create a Diverse Children’s Library

Reading is an essential didactic tool, but it is also a powerful socializing resource. In previous articles, we discussed the role of books in forming a worldview for children and young people and giving examples of contemporary books that can help develop a reading habit. A sensitive issue is the censorship of LGBTQ content in children’s and young adult books. We have also published articles about the need for acceptance and representation of non-heteronormal childhood and youth.

One does not have to enter territory unsuitable for minors to address these issues. Hundreds of works approach the experience outside the hetero norm in sensitive and innocuous ways free of situations a more mature public encounters. Here are some of these options.

Love is love (0-3 years old)

The idea of self-concept, self-esteem, and love begins to develop in the young years. It is not necessary to talk about sexual orientations to help children understand that affective relationships not only have a face and a way but that they all begin with respect, bodily autonomy, and consensus.

Monstruo Rosa (Pink Monster) is a story written by the Spanish author and illustrator Olga de Dios. It tells the adventures of the protagonist who gives the book its title, born and raised in a place full of beings equal to each other but different from him. During his journey, he finds a place full of diverse and unique characters, in which he finally feels accepted and happy.

The story teaches about the value of differences, presenting a fundamental and amusing way to understand diversity as an enriching element of society. This candid story has been awarded multiple times, winning the JUUL award in 2018, The Cultural Triangle in 2014, the Golden Pinwheel in 2013, and more. It has been translated into Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, Greek, Turkish, French, Italian, Basque, and German.

Love makes a family is a book about the primary component of human bonding, love, and how it can form different types of families. Australian children’s writer and illustrator Sophie Beer shows through brief scenes the various forms of family structure and what it means to be a family. Activities such as sharing time together, supporting and helping each other when needed, having fun, and sharing affection are some vital elements narrated as essential components of the family, both heteronormal and diverse.

The basics of diverse identity (5 to 10 years old)

From the ages of 4 to 5, when preschool and peer socialization begin, children should be exposed to diversity in education as an approach to coexist and respectfully accept non-heteronormal childhoods.

The publication of the story Piratrans Carabarco represented a collective effort of the authors Manuel Gutiérrez, Julio Concepción (under the pseudonym of Gran Ovidio Acopán), The Andalucía Transexual Association – Sylvia Rivera and Editorial La Calle. The book recounts entertainingly the adventures of the pirate Carabarco, a peculiar pirate who declares his right to be counted among the buccaneers of the seven seas, despite being different from the others. Carabarco criticizes those who say that he “does not have what it takes” to be a pirate and explains the basis of his self-concept as a trans person. The work not only describes simply and sincerely the experience and validity of transgender identities, but it also teaches how and when to speak out against discriminatory thinking.

Introducing Teddy and its translation in Spanish entitled Ahora Me llamo Luisa (Now My Name is Luisa), choose a sweeter approach to address accepting diverse identities. Thomas (Luis in Spanish), the Teddy bear and best friend of Errol (Martin), confides that he is sad because he has always known that he is a Teddy bear, but he wants to be called Tilly (Luisa). The story by Jessica Walton and illustrated by Douglas Mcpherson is a friendship journey between a boy and his teddy, which, regardless of gender, will always be accepted. The story calls for evaluating affective ties over roles, gender stereotypes, and heteronormal mandates.

Titiritesa, by Xerardo Quintia, tells the story of a princess who rebels against the life her family wants her to lead, escapes from the castle looking for adventures, and finds another princess with whom she develops a bond of affection.

Existing as a diverse person (10 years and older)

Theoretically, students are ready for more sophisticated reading from age ten forward. The books recommended at this age usually begin to stop being illustrated and lean more towards the written word (except for comic books, comic strips, and graphic novels). As they approach puberty and adolescence, issues that have to do with self-definition, self-esteem, and personality boundaries become essential to them. Coming-of-age stories can be of great help at this stage.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, or Yo, Simon, Homo Sapiens, as it is titled in Spanish, tells the story of a young man involved in a complicated situation. He is blackmailed by a schoolmate who threatens to bring him out of the closet unless he helps him get a date. The book by the famous writer Becky Albertalli is a window into the experience of gay people and the difficulties of accepting themselves and achieving acceptance by their families and communities.

El nombre perfecto (The Perfect Name) by Raquel Huete Iglesias is an exploration of the feelings of those with different gender identities. The protagonist Mariona, who has tried to explain to her parents her discomfort with traditional gender expressions, undertakes an imaginative journey to find peace with the person she is and talk about it with her family. The story was written to encourage children to approach their gender identities and expressions, whatever they may be, with sincerity and self-care.

Many more literary works can help children and adults better understand diversity; the examples given above are a good start. However, we invite you to share in the comments any other books you have found helpful to understanding and accepting non-heteronormal people.

 Translation by Daniel Wetta

Disclaimer: This is an Op-ed article. The viewpoints expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, viewpoints, and official policies of Tecnológico de Monterrey.