Media advocacy group GLAAD is partnering with Bonnier Publishing USA for a series of children’s books aimed at “integrating and elevating positive LGBTQ representation in children’s literature.”
The team plans to publish four titles per year in numerous genres for kids from toddlers up to age 14.
The first title will be Daniel Haack’s reworked fairy tale “Prince & Knight,” with illustrations by Stevie Lewis. The book follows a noble prince searching wide for a suitable bride — who winds up with a knight instead.
When a dragon threatens his subjects, the prince teams with a knight to save the kingdom. “Together they defeat the dragon, and find love in the process,” a synopsis reads. The title is currently available in bookstores nationwide.
“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,” Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, said in a statement.
Shimul Tolia, CEO of Bonnier Publishing USA, noted the publisher’s “responsibility to produce meaningful, socially conscience books for every reader. We’re proud to be partnering with GLAAD … and do our part to make classrooms, bookstores, and even the playground a more inclusive environment.”
The second title, scheduled to hit in October, is “Jack (Not Jackie)” by Erica Silverman with illustrations by Holly Hatam. In that story, big sister Susan learns to understand and accept that her younger sibling identifies as “Jack” rather than “Jackie.”
Both books will publish under Bonnier’s Little Bee Books imprint.
In the same vein, GLAAD recently worked with the Disney Channel on an episode of “Doc McStuffins” featuring two moms as the heads of a household, and on the series “Andi Mack,” which features a story about a young teenager coming out.