WASHINGTON – In honor of Pride Month, the American Psychological Association is highlighting books from its children’s book imprint, Magination Press, that are for LGBTQ+ children, young adults, families and allies. Magination Press books use psychological science and the takeaways it can offer to create helpful, engaging, informative and beautiful books for children and young adults.
“LGBTQ+ children, teens and their families often deal with discrimination that can increase stress levels and lead to higher rates of depression, anxiety and poor overall health,” said Dawnavan Davis, PhD, APA’s chief diversity officer. “The Magination Press books selected for Pride Month are useful tools to reduce stress and anxiety to help children and families celebrate who they are and to navigate through challenging experiences.”
Most Magination Press books are written by mental health professionals or those who work closely with them or with children. A comprehensive Note to Parents is usually included to help guide families, therapists, social workers and teachers in using the books.
Reporters wishing to arrange interviews with authors should contact Marla Koenigsknecht, associate publicist, Magination Press at [email protected] or by phone at (202) 336-5623.
“Rainbow: A First Book of Pride”
Written by Michael Genhart, PhD, and illustrated by Anne Passchier
Description: This is an ode to rainbow families and an affirming display of love between children and parents. It celebrates LGBTQ+ pride and reveals the colorful meaning behind each rainbow stripe of the pride flag. The book has received favorable reviews in Mombian, School Library Journal, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews and Book Riot.
“Trans+: Love, Sex, Romance, and Being You”
Written by Kathryn Gonzales, MBA, and Karen Rayne, PhD, and illustrated by Anne Passchier and Nyk Rayne
Description: This book is an all-inclusive, uncensored guide for teens who are transgender, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming, gender-fluid, queer or questioning their sexual and gender identity. TRANS+ answers questions about gender and covers mental health, physical health and reproduction, transitioning, relationships, sex and life as a queer individual. This is a follow-up book to “GIRL: Love, Sex, Romance, and Being You” by Karen Rayne, which was featured in Teen Vogue, Publishers Weekly, Washington Post and NPR, and was selected for Chicago Public Library’s 2017 Best of the Best Books List for Teen Nonfiction.
“Sewing the Rainbow: The Story of Gilbert Baker and the Rainbow Flag”
Written by Gayle E. Pitman, PhD, and illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown
Description: This book follows the journey of Gilbert Baker from a small Kansas town to San Francisco, where he helped create the pride flag and galvanize the gay rights movement. It was the fifth and sixth grade finalist in the 2019 Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards, the National Council for the Social Studies Children’s Book Council 2019 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People and the 2019 American Library Association GLBT Round Table Rainbow Book List selection. The book also received a positive review in Booklist.
“This Day in June”
Written by Gayle E. Pitman, PhD, and illustrated by Kristyna Litten
Description: “This Day In June” welcomes readers to experience a pride celebration and is an excellent tool for teaching respect, acceptance and understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. This book was named number 10 of the Top 11 Most Challenged Books of 2018 by the American Library Association and it won the 2015 Stonewall Book Award. It is also on the 2019 American Library Association GLBT Round Table Rainbow Book List selection and received positive reviews in School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly.
“When You Look Out the Window: How Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin Built a Community”
Written by Gayle E. Pitman, PhD, and illustrated by Christopher Lyles
Description: This book tells the story of Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, one of San Francisco's most well-known and politically active lesbian couples. Describing the view from Phyllis and Del's window, it shows how one couple's activism transformed their community and had ripple effects throughout the world. The book received a positive review in Publishers Weekly.
“Either Way: Story of a Gay Kid”
Written by Sandra Levins and illustrated by Euan Cook
Description: This is a graphic novel that weaves three stories into one: A coming-of-age coming out story, a lesson on civil rights and marriage equality and historical fiction about a gay man in the military. Cael sets out to find out who he is — something he wants to know more than anything. With the help of a trusted teacher, a new friend and his favorite book, he discovers what he knew all along.
“Jacob’s Room to Choose”
Written by Sarah and Ian Hoffman and illustrated by Chris Case
Description: When Jacob goes to the boys’ bathroom he is chased out because the boys think he looks like a girl because of the way he is dressed. His classmate, Sophie, has a similar experience when she tries to go to the girls’ bathroom. When their teacher finds out what happened, Jacob and Sophie, with the support of administration, lead change at their school as everyone discovers the many forms of gender expression and how to treat each other with respect.
The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes nearly 118,400 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to promote the advancement, communication and application of psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives.
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