Rainbow Family Collections: Selecting and Using Children's Books with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Content

by Jamie Campbell Naidoo

As one of the only highly praised resources on this important topic, this thoughtfully compiled book examines and suggests picture books and chapter books presenting LGBTQ content to children under the age of 12.

Highlighting titles for children from infancy to age 11, Rainbow Family Collections examines over 250 children's picture books, informational books, and chapter books with LGBTQ content from around the world. Each entry in Rainbow Family Collections supplies a synopsis of the title's content, lists awards it has received, cites professional reviews, and provides suggestions for librarians considering acquisition.

The book also provides a brief historical overview of LGBTQ children's literature along with the major book awards for this genre, tips on planning welcoming spaces and offering effective library service to this population, and a list of criteria for selecting the best books with this content. Interviews with authors and key individuals in LGBTQ children's book publishing are also featured.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Social, Queer

280 pages, Hardcover

First published April 13, 2012

Reviews

[Jenna (Falling Letters)]

I wrote the following annotation in Jan. 2019 for a course on children's services:

In Rainbow Family Collections, Naidoo explores how libraries can serve rainbow families by developing children’s collections that include queer content. The first section describes the experiences and needs of rainbow families and how to provide them with inclusive library service. As Naidoo notes, this section may be particularly educational for those with the misconception that they do not serve rainbow families. The second section offers an overview of queer content in children’s literature, including its history, critical considerations, awards, and a framework for selecting materials. Naidoo includes two questionnaires to evaluate books with queer characters and to evaluate gender roles. The remaining two sections of the book include critical annotations on a variety of +250 children’s texts, followed by an extensive and diverse list of further resources. Although Rainbow Family Collections was published in 2012 and thus does not cover the variety of recently published books with queer content, the text remains beneficial particularly because it describes recommended and non-recommended texts with which librarians may be unfamiliar due to challenges with subject access.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good resource for LGBTQ inclusive children’s literature. Some of the info is a bit dated now, as there are more options now, but it is a good start for developing a collection that is representative of all people.

[Kelly Bowles]

Naidoo, J. C. (2012). Rainbow family collections: selecting and using children’s books with lesbian, gay , bisexual, transgender, and queer content. New York, NY: Libraries Unlimited.

Citation by: Kelly Bowles

Type of Reference: Bibliographies

Call Number: Ref 028.1

Content/Scope: Highlights titles for children from infancy through age 11 featuring LGBTQ content. Includes each title's content, awards, reviews and suggestions for librarians considering acquisition. Naidoo may attempt to squeeze too much information into just one volume.

Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Is Most Highly Recommended by H.W. Wilson Children's Core Collection. Printed by Libraries Unlimited, a well-known international publishing company.

Arrangement/Presentation: This book provides titles of texts with a synopsis of the content, lists awards it has received, cites professional reviews, and provides suggestions for librarians considering acquisition. The book also provides a brief historical overview of LGBTQ children's literature along with the major book awards for this genre. The book is broken up into four sections: "Rainbow families and libraries," LGBTQ Content in Children's Literature," "Materials with LGBTQ Content for Children," and "Resources." Bibliographical references and four different indexes are included.

Relation to other works: Many libraries, especially school libraries, are still struggling to reach gay and lesbian families. This book seeks to fill in the gaps under the notion that an inclusive collection will help families feel welcome.

Accessibility/Diversity: Includes titles across the LGBTQ spectrum respectfully and tastefully. Provides resources of informational books biographies, and even LGBTQ children's media.

Cost: $50.00

Professional Review: McKellar, S. (2012). Rainbow family collections. School Library Journal. 58(10) p. 161.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now if only the library (where I found this book) would read it and add some of the suggestions to their collection!

[H. Givens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely amazing guide for anyone trying to develop an LGBT+ children's collection. There are bajillions of titles here I didn't find on my own, and I've been actively looking for years, so anyone interested in queer children's lit should get a copy ASAP.