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Archive for the ‘Book Review’ Category

Monthly Children’s Book Review: Pugdog

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

The 519’s Queer Parenting Programs July 2010 Book Review

Pugdog

Written by Andrea U’Ren

ISBN 0-374-36145-5

Gender. So much is tied up in that one word… bodies, behaviours, play styles, stereotypes, limitations, expectations. And also… variation, and freedom. All this can be found in Pugdog, one of our most requested children’s story-time books.

Mike is Pugdog’s human companion. Mike plays rough and tumble with Pugdog, which they both love… until the vet reveals to Mike that Pugdog is a “she” (read “a dog with a vagina”.) Mike’s confining gender training kicks in and off to the doggy salon they go. No more rolling in the dirt for Pugdog. It’s all about becoming High Femme. After all, Pugdog is a “she”. Pugdog’s sadness grows and then Pugdog takes action. Don’t worry. This is a feel-good book. Mike finally comes around in the end, and a second gender revelation happens in the park.

Alongside Marcus Ewert’s and Rex Ray’s 10,000 Dresses, Pugdog is another of my favourite children’s books celebrating being gender blessed. Great to read to your children in celebration of the fact that people have all sorts of genders, that many people come into the world in different ways, and that we have the right to be loved for who we are. It also simply illustrates for young and old alike how prejudice can lead to depression, and how acceptance and celebration lead to high self-esteem and happiness.

High schools students in a Gay/Straight Alliance recently had me read Pugdog to them during their visit to The 519. Teachers I speak to also love this book. Andrea and your publisher: please re-issue! Your audience is growing.

~ Chris Veldhoven, Queer Parenting Programs Coordinator

Tags: 10000 Dresses, Andrea U'Ren, LGBT, Marcus Ewert, Pugdog, Queer, Queer Parenting, Rex Ray, Ten Thousand Dresses, The 519, The 519 Church Street Community Centre, Trans, Transgender
Posted in Book Review, Children, Queer Parenting | 1 Comment »

Monthly Children’s Book Review: 10,000 Dresses

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

The 519’s Queer Parenting Programs May 2010 Book Review

10,000 Dresses

Story by Marcus Ewert, Illustrations by Rex Ray

ISBN 13: 978-1-58322-850-0

How many books did you read about a young girl who loved dresses when you were growing up?  Many of us probably made the assumption that the character was cisgender (someone whose gender identity matches the sex designation they were given at birth).

10,000 Dresses is a wonderfully colourful children’s book that follows a young girl named Bailey in her quest, not only to be recognized as the girl she is, but also to be supported in making the amazing dresses of her dreams.  Bailey is not recognized as being a girl by her parents and brother, but finally finds an older friend, Laurel, who sees Bailey as she really is. Laurel helps Bailey bring her dream dresses to life.

A heart-warming tale of implicit acceptance by a friend, and the celebration of a little girl’s creativity and artistic vision.  Along with Andrea U-Ren’s Pugdog, 10,000 Dresses is another of my favourite children’s books celebrating being gender-blessed. Great to read to your children in celebration of that fact that people have all sorts of genders, that many women and men come into the world in different ways, and that we have the right to be loved for who we are.

~ Chris Veldhoven, Queer Parenting Programs Coordinator

Tags: 000 Dresses, 10, Book Review, Cisgender, family resource centre, LGBT, Marcus Ewert, Queer Parenting, Rex Ray, The 519 Church Street Community Centre, Trans, Transgender, Transphobia
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Monthly Children’s Book Review: Two Homes

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

The 519 Child & Family Services Book Review

Two Homes

Written By Claire Masurel and Illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton

Candelwick Press, 2001 | ISBN: 978-0-7636-1984-8

Some people in LGBTQ communities have become parents through “Co-parenting”.  This process typically involves looking to biologically create a child with a non-romantic/non-sexual partner or partners, and going through “non-conjugal” dating to see if everyone is compatible and committed to raising children together over a lifetime.  Parents often live in two separate homes and decide how to divide up parenting time. From the child’s perspective, it is normal to have two homes, often with two sets of clothes, toys, and other items they need present in each household.

Two Homes simply and happily represents the reality of Alex, a young child who lives in two loving households.  This book for young children is the first I’ve seen that represents and normalises the life of a child in this family living arrangement.  While the parenting configuration is one “mother” and one “father”, nothing is stated as to their sexual orientations, gender identities, or family origin story.  Thus some young children of heterosexual, and cis-gendered people may also see their circumstances represented.

I highly recommend this book to families created through “co-parenting”; to those working out parenting plans that will involve two households; and to anyone seeking to educate children about different family arrangements.

~ Chris Veldhoven, Queer Parenting Programs Coordinator

Tags: Book Review, Claire Masurel, Co-Parenting, family resource centre, Kady MacDonald Denton, Queer Parenting, Two Homes
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Monthly Children’s Book Review: The Halloween Book of Facts & Fun

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

519 Child & Family Services September Book Review

The Halloween Book of Facts & Fun

Written By Wendie Old and Illustrated by Paige Billin-Frye

ISBN 13: 978-0-8075-3133-4

With the arrival of Fall, many North American neighbourhoods and children’s programs prepare to celebrate Halloween.  The Halloween Book of Facts & Fun provides a practical and thoughtful introduction to Halloween’s histories and current practices - all with children in mind.  Whether you have celebrated Halloween yourself, or are a newcomer to this Fall tradition, check out what this book has to offer you and children in your life.

In many queer communities the Halloween “holiday” has been an opportunity for release, expression and play.  How do we begin to explain to our children what Halloween is all about? What are the some of the hidden histories behind this celebration of fear, imagination, dress-up, and ancestors?  While this book doesn’t discuss queerness specifically, it is a great tool to teach our children to question how things came to be, to introduce - in a simple way - examples of oppression and colonization, and reflect on what this celebration may mean to you and your family.

I especially like how it sensitively explains: Celtic historical beliefs and practices, how Christianity tried to replace Samhain, how women were oppressed as “witches”, why we “bob for apples”, and how Mexican and other Latin American countries have developed related traditions.

Inside you’ll find such topics and illustrations about:  The Origins of Halloween, Why Do We Wear Costumes and Trick or Treat?; The Tale of the Jack-o’-Lantern; Witches; The Truth about Frankenstein and Dracula; El Dia de los Muertos; Have a Halloween Party!; Halloween Safety Tips; and more.

Whether you’re looking to have fun with your kids, or to begin their education about our hidden histories, I highly recommend this book for parents, caregivers, daycare/family resource workers and elementary school teachers.

~ Chris Veldhoven, Queer Parenting Programs Coordinator

Tags: Book Review, family resource centre, Halloween, LGBT, Paige Billin-Frye, Queer Parenting, Wendie Old
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Monthly Parent’s Book Review: The Transgender Child

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

THE TRANSGENDER CHILD:

A Handbook for Families and Professionals

Written By Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper ISBN 978-1-57344-318-0

“MOM, I’VE ALREADY TOLD YOU, I’m a girl, so stop saying HE!”

More families are seeking support for their transgender children who may have said something like the above line from the opening of this book.  Many feel isolated as they face their child’s gender identity variance, and are often looking for support to address their fears and to protect and celebrate their child.  Stephanie Brill, author of “The New Essential Guide to Lesbian Conception Pregnancy and Birth,” and Rachel Pepper have created this thorough and much needed resource to help us affirm our gender-nonconforming children.  Inside you’ll find an informed and practical guide to such topics as: Is My Child Transgender?; Family Acceptance: From Crisis To Empowerment; Developmental Stages and the Transgender Child; Start Where You Are: Moving from Damaging to Effective Parenting Practices; Transition Decisions: When Should I Let My Child Live as Their Preferred Gender?; Disclosure: Whom to Tell, How, Why and When; The Educational System and Your Family; Medical Issues for Transgender Children; Legal Issues to Consider; Who Will Be Role Models for Our Children?; and Sample Doctor’s Letters.  The Transgender Child will help readers understand and celebrate our gender variations, raise healthy children, and create social spaces where our children can thrive.  A must read for any parent, caregiver, family member, and family service provider in any field.

~ Chris Veldhoven, Queer Parenting Programs Coordinator

Tags: Book Review, Families, Queer Parenting, Rachel Pepper, Stephanie Brill, Trans, Transgender
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Monthly Children’s Book Review: ABC - A Family Alphabet Book

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

A B C

A Family Alphabet Book

Written by Bobbie Combs | Illustrated by Desiree Keane & Brian Rappa
ISBN 0-9674468-103

This is a charming beginner’s alphabet book concise enough to hold a little one’s attention from beginning to end. Featuring queer parents in lots of everyday parenting scenarios and mindful of racial diversity (among other kinds of diversity), kids in LGBTQ families can surely find someone they will relate to within its pages. There is a potentially problematic dress-up costume on the B page, but this is otherwise a really lovely read both aesthetically and in words.

Excerpt:  C is for cookies. Both of my dads know how to make great chocolate chip cookies.

ABC: A Family Alphabet book is available to read in The 519’s Family Resource Centre.
For more information about our Child and Family Programs, click here.

Tags: Bobbie Combs, Book Review, Brian Rappa, Desiree Keane, family resource centre, Queer Parenting
Posted in Book Review, Children, Queer Parenting | No Comments »