GLAAD publishes LGBT children’s book featuring a gay love story
The 'Prince & Knight' is the first of four planned LGBT children's books by GLAAD
GLAAD has published an LGBT children’s book featuring a gay love story.
Titled Prince & Knight, the picture book, written by Daniel Haack and illustrated by Stevie Lewis, tells the story of a prince looking for a bride.
However, after he’s unable to find a bride, the prince meets a knight whom he falls in love with and eventually marries.
Speaking about the book in an interview with Freedom for All Americans, Haack said: “I work in children’s media, and I really saw that there was such a dearth of any LGBTQ representation anywhere in the space.
“There are so many kids today that aren’t seeing their own families or friends’ families represented in any of the books they read or shows they watch and I wanted to tell a story that showed LGBTQ people as heroes and love interests and do it in a way that was really both kid-friendly and universal.”
He added: “It was especially important for me to show a same-sex romance between two human characters and prove that it can be done in a way that is accessible to kids.”
The picture book, which is available for purchase now, is the first of four planned books under a partnership between GLAAD and Bonnie Publishing USA.
According to reports, the books will span all genres and formats for children up to 14-years-old. The second book in the series, written by Erica Silverman and illustrated by Holly Hatam, will be released in October.
Titled Jack (Not Jackie), it tells the story of Susan who learns to accept that her younger siblings identifies as Jack, not Jackie.
President and CEO of GLAAD Sarah Kate Ellis said: “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.
“It’s so important that my two kids and others like them see their families reflected in the media. Our partnership with Bonnier Publishing USA represents an important step in our firm commitment to reach a day when all diverse families are included and accepted.”