May 27, 2011
Rainbow Rumpus Offers Free Books for LGBT Families
Robert Doyle READ TIME: 2 MIN.
MINNEAPOLIS, May 23, 2011- Rainbow Rumpus, the online magazine for kids and teens with LGBT parents, is launching a free series of downloadable books designed to fight bullying and promote acceptance. Each book tells a story about a child with lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender parents, and gives parents and teachers tools for talking about family diversity.
The newest title, "Same, Same," focuses on two pre-schoolers whose friendship founders when one learns to do something the other cannot. The main character's fathers support her as she figures out what to do. Young children from all types of families will identify with the friendship dilemma the characters face, be enthralled by the rhythm of the language, and enjoy the opportunity to create illustrations on the interior pages of the book.
There has been an overwhelmingly warm reception to the series with families and teachers downloading an average of 50 books per month in 2011. "We can't find any books in the bookstores and libraries where we live," noted one parent. "We're so glad these are here." The picture books are available at http://www.rainbowrumpus.org/htm/printable.htm .
The series has been recognized as an important new tool by both educators and curriculum developers. "These types of books are difficult to find at the library," noted one teacher, "and I think it's important to have them in the classroom." The benefits to students are enhanced by a teachers' guide included with each title.
Welcoming Schools, a HRC sponsored curriculum which combats bullying, lists Rainbow Rumpus' picture books as a useful resource. The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) also works to increase awareness of the books among educators.
Rainbow Rumpus is the primary publisher of LGBT family fiction in the United States, publishing more new fiction each year than all other publishers combined. Noted authors Marion Dane Bauer (Newbery Award), Nancy Garden (Margaret A. Edwards Award), Gregory Maguire (author of Wicked), and Jacqueline Woodson (Newbery honor) sit on the organization's author advisory board.
Rainbow Rumpus executive director, Laura Matanah, a former elementary school teacher, was named a top-ten educator in the United States by Curve, the nation's best-selling lesbian magazine.
Visit www.rainbowrumpus.org
Long-term New Yorkers, Mark and Robert have also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center, Mark is a PhD in American history and literature, as well as the author of the novels Wolfchild and My Hawaiian Penthouse. Robert is the producer of the documentary We Are All Children of God. Their work has appeared in numerous publications, as well as at : www.mrny.com.
