Journey to Peace

Basic Information:

Mental Health vs Mental Illness:

Mental health refers to one’s emotional and psychological well-being, while mental illness refers to a condition that persistently affects one’s behavior or mood. More information about mental illness can be found at: https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions.

While everyone is likely to experience temporary mental health issues, such as spurts of anxiety or depression during major life changes, mental illnesses tend to be long-lasting and may impact many facets of one’s life. Individuals have the right to receive treatment for mental health or mental illness to support and address their circumstances.  

According to NAMI, 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, and 50% of all mental illness begins by age 14. Mental illness is prevalent amongst adults as well as youth, and there are various ways to seek treatment for a mental illness or mental health disorder. More information about types of mental health disorders that exist can be found at: https://medlineplus.gov/mentaldisorders.html

Types of Mental Health Treatment: 

There are numerous therapeutic orientations designed to treat specific mental health conditions. The following are examples of the different types of therapies. More information on these therapies can be found here: https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Treatments/Psychotherapy

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): 

Addresses mental health by examining how thoughts, behaviors, and actions all influence one another. Often used to treat depression, anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): 

Promotes acceptance of negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to increase understanding of actions and encourage change. Often used to treat people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) as well as other mental illnesses.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): 

Encourages individual mindfulness by accepting past negative events and channeling energy into positive thoughts. Often used to treat depression, anxiety, and psychosis.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: 

Involves the sharing of one’s past childhood experiences to understand the root causes behind thoughts and behaviors as a way to relieve unresolved tension. Often used to treat anxiety and depression.

Play Therapy:

Utilizes toys and make-believe to encourage children to express their emotions and teach them to heal. Often used to support children who have undergone trauma, as well as children with developmental disorders. 

Family Therapy:

Facilitates communication between family members in a group-setting to examine roles each member has in contributing to behaviors and relationships. Often used to help families relieve from trauma, foster positive relationships, and resolve conflicts. 

Substance Misuse Treatment: 

Used to treat individuals with Substance Abuse Disorder as a means to increase awareness on substance dependency and its psychological and social impacts. Provides counseling to help individuals stop substance misuse and support the rehabilitation process. 

Mental Health Resources for Adult Individuals:

Information about Resources:

Below are several national and Washington-based mental health services. These services are intended to provide guidance for potential treatments or to be used when support is most needed, such as during a time of crisis.   

All mentioned resources are intended to support individuals no matter their background. Resources here are intended to provide guidance to finding accessible treatments that meet their needs. 

Crisis & Trauma Resources: 

National Crisis Lines: 

National 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline: https://988lifeline.org/

American Psychological Association Telehealth Resources: https://www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlines

Veterans Crisis Hotline: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Washington Crisis Lines: 

Washington Mental Health Crisis Line Overview: https://www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-need-behavioral-health-support/mental-health-crisis-lines#what-happens-if-you-call-a-crisis-line

WA Suicide Prevention Hotline: https://www.crisisconnections.org/

WA Regional Suicide Prevention Hotline: https://fbhwa.org/programs/crisis-response/24-7-regional-behavioral-health-crisis-line#:~:text=Frontier%20Behavioral%20Health%20operates%20a,266.1818.

WA Mental Health Support Hotline: https://www.crisisconnections.org/wa-warm-line/

Treatment for Trauma:

Coping with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): https://www.ptsd.va.gov/gethelp/coping_stress_reactions.asp

Multilingual Trauma Resources: https://childmind.org/guide/multilingual-trauma-resources/

Supporting Children w/ Trauma: https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/trauma-informed-care/resources-for-families/

Sexual Assault-specific Trauma: https://namimass.org/sexualtrauma/#1646748612289-ef2aa563-ceee

Victim Connect Center (hotline and resources for victims of any crime): https://victimconnect.org/

National & Local Mental Health Resources:

General Mental Health Resources:

National Alliance on Mental Illness (WA): http://namiwa.org

American Psychological Association Psychologist Locator: https://locator.apa.org/?_ga=2.86597592.1335761285.1497298925-

Washington State Resources:

WA Mental Health Counselors Association: https://wmhca.org/

WA Association of Family Therapists: https://networks.aamft.org/washington/about-us/who-we-are

WA Community Connectors: https://wsccsupport.org/

WA Regional Outpatient Services: https://sunriseservicesinc.com/where-to-get-mental-health-services/#:~:text=Washington%20211%3A%20a%20free%2C%20confidential,crisis%20intervention%2C%20and%20much%20more.

Peer Support for Adults: https://www.peerseattle.org/services and https://www.peerspokane.org/services

Low-Cost Resources in Washington:

WA 211 Social Services Number: https://wa211.org/

King County Public-Funded Resources: https://kingcounty.gov/en/legacy/depts/community-human-services/mental-health-substance-abuse/services/mental-health

Comprehensive WA Community Resources: https://www.crisisconnections.org/get-help/community-resources-online/

Resources for Family:

Family and Youth Mental Health Free Support: https://www.guidedpathways.org/

Support for children with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities: https://arcwa.org/

Overview on Supporting Child Mental Health: https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Where-To-Find-Help-For-Your-Child-025.aspx

Multicultural Therapy:

Multicultural Therapists: https://www.multiculturalcounselors.org/

BIPOC Mental Health Resources: https://namiseattle.org/support-resources/bipoc-mental-health-resources/

BIPOC Crisis Line: https://www.callblackline.com/

Multicultural Therapy in Washington:

POC Therapists in Seattle:

https://zencare.co/us/washington/seattle/therapists/identity/people-of-color

Multicultural Therapists in WA: https://www.multiculturalcounselors.org/

Eating Disorder Resources:

Eating Disorder Support Groups: https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/support-groups#register

Eating Disorder Educational Webinars: https://www.thirahealth.com/webinars/

The Emily Program Evidence-Based Outpatient Services: https://emilyprogram.com/locations/washington/

Eating Disorder Resources in Washington: 

WA Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment: https://withinhealth.com/states/washington

WA Children and Family Eating Disorder Treatment: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/eating-disorders/#:~:text=For%20more%20information%2C%20contact%20the,at%20206%2D987%2D2164.

Substance Abuse/Gambling Treatment:

National Substance Use Disorder Helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

General Substance Use Resource Information: https://www.211.org/get-help/substance-use

Substance Abuse/Gambling Treatment in Washington: 

WA Recovery Helpline (24-hour): https://www.warecoveryhelpline.org/

WA Substance Use Treatment Information: https://www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-need-behavioral-health-support/substance-use-treatment

WA State Court-Certified Directory of Certified Resources: https://www.hca.wa.gov/assets/free-or-low-cost/directory-certified-behavioral-health-agencies.pdf

Mental Health Resources for Adolescents and Children: 

Children’s Crisis Outreach Response System:
https://kingcounty.gov/en/legacy/depts/community-human-services/mental-health-substance-abuse/services/Youth/CrisisOutreach.aspx

Crisis Lines for Young Adults: 

WA Teen Peer Support Hotline: https://www.teenlink.org/

WA Youth Suicide Prevention Services and Resources: https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/injury-and-violence-prevention/suicide-prevention/youth-suicide-prevention/youth-resources

Crisis Lifeline for LGBTQ+ Youth: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Mental Health Resources for Youth:

Resources for Washington State Youth:

WA Prenatal, Child and Young Adult Services: https://www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-need-behavioral-health-support/prenatal-child-and-young-adult-behavioral-health-services

Healthy Transitions Project (for Youth with Severe Mental Illness): https://www.hca.wa.gov/assets/program/health-transitions-project.pdf

Resources for Disadvantaged Youth: 

Resources for Advocacy and Support for Formerly Incarcerated Youth: https://choose180.org/program-overview

Behavioral Health Services for Houseless Youth: https://www.friendsofyouth.org/services

Trauma-Informed Care for Abused Children: https://childhaven.org/programs/

State Support for Youth in Foster Care: https://www.treehouseforkids.org/our-services/

Resources for Neurodivergent Youth: 

WA Care for Neurodivergent Youth: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/autism-center/patient-family-resources/

State Resources for Youth on the Spectrum: https://iacc.hhs.gov/resources/organizations/states/

Play Therapy for Neurodivergent Children: https://www.a4pt.org/page/ParentsCornerHomePag

ADHD Local Support Centers: https://chadd.org/affiliate-locator/

Children’s Books on Sexual Abuse, Families, and Healing:

Information: 

In addition to the virtual resources previously mentioned, parents often utilize children’s books to educate and help their children find their voice about complex and difficult topics. Some of the topics included in these books are sexual violence, divorce, trauma, sex, gender identity, complex families, etc. 

The following books are ways to improve the mental health of children who experience trauma or other difficulties, while also equipping them with coping and healing skills that can be used as they develop.  

Books for Children on Prevention:

Some Parts are Not For Sharing

Julie K. Federico (Author), Eddie Russell (Illustrator)

Fun fish characters explain to children personal boundaries.

[Ages 6 months and up]

It’s MY Body

Lory Freeman (Author), Carol Deach (Illustrator)

Educates children on how to address unwarranted touching. 

[For ages 3-8]

Loving Touches 

Lory Freeman (Author), Carol Deach (Illustrator)

Carefully explains positive and loving types of touching. 

[For ages 3-8]

My Body is Private

Linda Walvoord Girard (Author), Rodney Pate (Illustrator)

Discusses boundaries for bodies, inappropriate forms of touching, and teaches children to say “no.”

[For ages 6-11]

The Right Touch

Sandy Kleven (Author), Jody Bergsma (Illustrator)

A read-aloud book where a child’s mother explains inappropriate touching, abuse, and how to heal from the experience. 

[For ages 3-8]

The Trouble with Secrets

Karen Johnsen (Author), Linda Forssell (Illustrator)

Introduces the differences between secrets should be held and secrets that should be shared, such as when a child is in an unsafe situation. 

[For ages 3-8]

Your Body Belongs to You

Cornelia Spelman (Author), Teri Weidner

Describes body autonomy and children and how they have the power to set their own boundaries when it comes to their bodies. 

[For ages 3-6]

My Body Belongs to Me

Jill Starishevsky (Author), Angela Padron (Illustrator)

Educates children on how to inform a parent or teacher when they feel unsafe, especially when they have been touched inappropriately.

[For ages 3-8)

Books for Children on Domestic Violence: 

Mommy’s Black Eye

William George Bentrim (Author), Christi Schofield (Illustrator)

An appropriate, kid-friendly introduction to the topic of domestic violence and helps build awareness.

[For ages 9-12]

A Family That Fights

Sharon Chesler Bernstein (Author), Karen Ritz (Illustrator)

Explains the difference between family disagreements and family violence, and demonstrates emotions such as embarrassment, fear, and helplessness. 

[For ages 5-10]

Something is Wrong at My House

Diane Davis (Author) Keith R. Neely (Illustrator)

Walks through signs of domestic violence and explains the concept to children in digestible terms and details the process of receiving support.

[For ages 3-8]

Hear My Roar: A Story of Family Violence

Gillian Watts (Author), Ben Hodson (Illustrator)

A family of bears with a tempered father seek support from doctors to address violence in their family. 

[For ages 6-9]

The Day My Daddy Lost His Temper

Carol Santana McCleary (Author) Naomi Santana (Illustrator)

Introduces the complex emotions a child experiences when witnessing domestic violence and encourages acceptance and reflection of these feelings. 

[For ages 7-12]

Books for Children on Trauma:

A Terrible Thing Happened

Margaret M. Holmes (Author), Cary Pillo (Illustrator)

Targeted towards children who witnessed or experienced a traumatic event and educates them on how to properly cope with their emotions by encouraging communication instead of bottling feelings. 

[For ages 5-9]

My Mom and Dad Don’t Live Together Anymore

Judith A. Rubin (Author and Illustrator)

A drawing book that allows children to process their feelings on a parent’s divorce or separation.

[For ages 4-12]

Books for Children on Healing and Recovery: 

Sarah’s Waterfall: A Healing Story about Sexual Abuse

Ellery Akers (Author), Angelique Benecio (Illustrator)

Walks through the healing process of Sarah, a girl who experienced sexual abuse at a young age, and shared techniques that enhance the well-being of survivors.

[For ages 7-12]

A Very Touching Book for Little People and for Big People

Jan Hindman (Author), Tom Novak (Illustrator)

Encourages positive communication skills and boundary-building for children who experienced inappropriate forms of touching

[For ages 6-12]

I Can’t Talk About It 

Doris Sanford (Author), Graci Evans (Illustrator)

A girl tells a fictional dove about sexual abuse she has experienced and learns methods of healing.

[For ages 4-8]

Something Happened and I’m Scared to Tell

Patricia Kehoe (Author), Carol Deach (Illustrator)

Helps children understand why abuse may occur and reassures them that abuse is never their own fault. 

[For ages 3-7]

Books for Children’& Teens on Sexuality Education: 

It’s Not the Stork

Robbie H. Harris (Author), Michael Emberley (Illustrator)

Animal characters explain the concept of bodies and family-building.

[For ages 4 and up]

It’s So Amazing
Robbie H. Harris (Author), Michael Emberley (Illustrator)

Animal characters walk through concepts of reproduction, babies, sex, and gender through a diverse lens.

[For ages 7 and up]

Where Did I Come From?

Peter Mayle (Author), Arthur Robins (Illustrator)

A respectful and digestible approach to the topic of human sexuality, specifically ideas of sex and childbirth.

[For ages 4-8]

It’s Perfectly Normal 

Robbie H. Harris (Author), Michael Emberley (Illustrator)

Introduces vocabulary relating to sexuality and puberty while also introducing ideas of gender identity and abortion. 

[For ages 11-15]

Changing Bodies, Changing Lives: A Book for Teens on Sex and Relationships

Ruth Bell Alexander (Author)

Walks through events and feelings teenagers may experience during puberty in a non-judgemental and safe manner. 

[For ages 12 and up]

Books for Parents on Talking with Kids About Sex:

Everything You Never Wanted Your Kids to Know About Sex, but Were Afraid They’d Ask: The Secrets to Surviving Your Child’s Sexual Development from Birth to the Teens

Justin Richardson & Mark Schuster (Authors)

Beyond the Big Talk: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Teens

Debra W. Haffner (Author)

Books for Kinds of Families: 

1-2-3 A Family Counting Book

Bobbie Combs (Author), Danamarie Hosler (Illustrator)

This book introduces numbers one through twenty while also introducing same-sex headed families and racial diversity to young children. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K]

A Christmas Guest

David LaRochelle (Author), Martin Skoro (Illustrator)

An unexpected guest visits a young boy and his mother on Christmas Eve. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

A Matter of Pride

Written by Emily Crofford

This book is about a young girl and her relationship with her mother. She later learns about the courgae and strength that she never knew her mother had. 

[Grade Level: 2 – 6]

Abby

Jeannette Franklin Caines (Author), Steven Kellogg (Illustrator)

A young girl recalls her adoption by looking through her baby pictures and asking her mother and brother questions. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 3]

ABC: A Family Alphabet Book

Bobbie Combs (Author), Desiree Keane (Illustrator), Brian Rappa (Illustrator)

This book teaches the alphabet to young children while exposing them to different and diverse kinds of families and people. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K]

Adoption Is For Always

Judith Friedman (Illustrator), Linda Walvoord Girard (Author)

An adopted girl is helped by her new parents to understand that there are all kinds of families. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

All Families Are Different

Sol Gordon (Author), Vivien Cohen (Illustrator)

This nonfiction picture book reassures students that there is no such thing as “normal” when it comes to families, and that family differences should be celebrated. The author touches upon a wide range of family differences and issues including adoption, multiracial families, foster care, religion and same sex headed families. 

[Grade Level: 2 – 6]

All Families are Special

Norma Simon (Author), Teresa Flavin (Illustrator), Kathy Tucker (Editor)

Students in Mrs. Mack’s class describe their families–big or small, living together or apart, with two moms or none–and learn why every family is special and important. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 3]

All Kinds of Families

Joe Lasker (Illustrator), Norma Simon (Author)

A book that shows the many patterns of family life. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

An African Princess

Lyra Edmonds (Author), Annie Wilson (Illustrator)

This is a story about a girl of mixed race discovering her family history and identity. Lyra is told by her family that she is an African Princess. But when she tells her school friends, they don’t believe her. It is only when she flies to the vibrant Caribbean to visit her Taunte May that she discovers her own history. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 2]

And Tango Makes Three

Justin Richardson (Author), Peter Parnell (Author), Henry Cole (Illustrator)

Based on a true-life penguin family living in New York City’s Central Park Zoo, this is the story of Roy and Silo, two male penguins that cuddle and share a nest like the other penguin couples. When all the others start hatching eggs, they want to be parents, too, and bring an egg-shaped rock back to their nest to care for. A watchful zookeeper decides they deserve a chance at having their own family and gives them an egg in need of nurturing. A daughter, Tango, arrives soon after and the three can still be seen at the zoo today. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 3]

Antonio’s Card/La Tarjeta de Antonio

Rigoberto Gonzalez (Author), Cecilia Conception Alvarez (Illustrator)

Mother’s Day is coming soon, and Antonio is excited to make cards for both his mother and her partner, Leslie. But he’s not sure what to do when his classmates make fun of Leslie, an artist, who towers over everyone and wears paint-splattered overalls. As Mother’s Day approaches, Antonio must choose whether – or how – to express his connection to both of the special women in his life. 

[Grade Level: 2 – 4]

Asha’s Mums

Rosamund Elwin (Author), Michele Paulse (Author), Dawn Lee (Illustrator)

Asha is an African-Canadian girl who has two Mums. Her teacher is bothered by this but her classmates assure her that having two Mums is no big deal because they are a family. 

[Grade Level: 3 – 6]

Belinda’s Bouquet

Leslea Newman (Author), Michael Willhoite (Illustrator)

In this story, Belinda is taught to accept her weight and Daniel is taught to accept his two mothers. They realize that everyone and every family is different, like a garden of flowers. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

Best Best Colors

Eric Hoffman (Author), Eida de La Vega (Adapter), Celeste Henriquez (Illustrator)

This book teaches children about all different types of family structures. “Best Best Colors” describes an African American child and his life with his two mothers. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 3]

Big Brother Dustin

Carol Carter (Illustrator), Alden Carter (Author), Dan Young (Illustrator)

A young boy with Down Syndrome helps his family prepare for the birth of his new born sister. Dustin comes up with a perfect name for his new sister. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

Black Is Brown Is Tan

Arnold Adoff (Author), Emily Arnold McCully (Illustrator)

First published in 1973, this book marked the first acknowledgment of an interracial family in children’s book publishing. The author uses lyrical text–an African American mother, “the skin color of chocolate,” and a Caucasian father, “who’s skin is not white, but light in color with tans and pinks and all the colors of the rainbow,”–to paint a portrait of a loving and natural family setting. McCully has updated the illustrations with watercolor paintings to show the brown-skinned momma, the white daddy, and the two children in a 21st-century setting. 

[Grade Level: 1 – 3]

Boundless Grace

Mary Hoffman (Author), Caroline Binch (Illustrator)

When Grace gets the opportunity to go to Africa and visit with her father and his new family, she feels a little strange. But Nana says families are what you make them, and Grace is going to make the most of hers! Mary Hoffman and Caroline Binch bring their spunky heroine to life in this sequel to “Amazing Grace.” 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

Carolyn’s Story: A Book About an Adopted Girl

Written and Photographed by Perry Schwartz

The story of nine-year old Carolyn, who was adopted from Honduras when she was a baby, told in her own words, illustrated with photographs. 

[Grade Level: K – 6]

Cooper’s Lesson

Sun Yung Shin (Author), Kim Cogan (Illustrator)

This is a story about identity and intergenerational friendship, featuring a young biracial boy, written in both English and Korean. Cooper, who has a Korean mother and a white, American father, is called “half and half” by his cousin. With his mixed heritage, the boy doesn’t know where he fits in. When he goes to the Korean grocery, he is overwhelmed by a language of which he knows very little. He concludes that Mr. Lee, the owner, is laughing at him. In retaliation, Cooper shoplifts a brush for his mother. Caught in the act, he must work off his debt and learns that Mr. Lee’s life in the United States has been difficult because of the language barrier. The man also listens to Cooper’s frustrations. Eventually, the two come to a better understanding of their own and one another’s problems. 

[Grade Level: 3 – 6]

Daddy’s Roommate

Written by Michael Willhoite

A young boy’s divorced father now lives with his boyfriend. He discusses how his father and his new roommate share life with one another. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

Daddy’s Wedding

Written by Michael Willhoite

In this sequel to “Daddy’s Roommate”, Nick is asked to be the best man at his father’s and Frank’s wedding. In this story, Nick talks about the gathering of family and friends, the food and the ceremony. 

[Grade Level: K – 2]

Do I Have a Daddy? A Story about a Single-Parent Child

Jeanne Warren Lindsay (Author), Jami Moffett (Illustrator)

Eric’s mother helps him understand the fact that she and his father were never married. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

Dounia

Written by Natacha Karvoskaia

A child who is traveling from a foreign country has many questions for her adoptive parents but is too afraid to ask. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 1]

Everett Anderson’s Nine Month Long

Lucille Clifton (Author), Ann Grifalconi (Illustrator)

A little boy and his family are excited and begin to prepare for the birth of a new member of their family. 

[Grade Level: 4 – 6]

Facing Down the Tough Stuff

Written by Jacqueline L. Harris

Young authors with learning disabilities, serious illness, blended families and friendship struggles share their stories. The end of the book includes teaching ideas and discussion questions. 

[Grade Level: 4 – 6]

Families Are Different

Written and Illustrated by Nina Pellegrini

An adopted Korean girl discovers that her classmates have different types of families. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 3]

Families: A Celebration of Diversity, Commitment and Love

Written by Aylette Jenness

Photographs and text depict the lives of 17 families. 

[Grade Level: K – 6]

Fat Chance Thanksgiving

Patricia Lakin (Author), Stacey Schuett (Illustrator)

When their apartment burns down and they move to a much smaller place, Mama tells Carla they can’t have a big Thanksgiving feast like the Pilgrims in Carla’s book, but Carla figures out a way to make that happen. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

Felicia’s Favorite Story

Leslea Newman (Author), Adriana Romo (Illustrator)

Felicia’s favorite bedtime story is about how she was adopted by her two mothers from Guatemala. 

[Grade Level: K – 2]

First Day in Grapes

1. King Perez (Author), Robert Casilla (Illustrator)

First Day in Grapes tells the story of Chico, a young boy and his family, migrant workers who move up and down the state of California. Every September they pick grapes and Chico starts a new school. Often Chico gets picked on because he’s always “the new kid” and because he speaks Spanish sometimes. The story focuses on Chico’s first day of third grade at a new school- things are a little different this time. Chico learns to be proud of his abilities in math and to stand up for himself when some other students bully him and make fun of his heritage. Also in Spanish, as “Primer Dia en Las Uvas.” 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun

Written by Jacqueline Woodson

Melanin Sun’s mother, an African-American woman, tells him that she is in love with a white woman. Melanin feels confused and upset as he tries to understand issues about sexuality, racial identity and love. 

[Grade Level: 6 & Up]

Gloria Goes to Gay Pride

Russell Crocker (Illustrator), Leslea Newman (Author)

While marching in the gay pride parade with her two mothers, Gloria sees many familiar faces and learns that “love is the most important thing of all.” Some people along the parade route hold signs that say, “Gays go away.” One of Gloria’s mothers explains to her that some people don’t think two women or two men should love each other, but that the parade is held to help ensure that all people can feel pride in who they are. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

Growing Up Biracial: Trevor’s Story

Bethany Kandel (Author), Carol Halebian (Photographer)

Ten-year-old Trevor Sage-el describes his life at home and at school, his feelings about being the son of a white mother and a black father, and what he likes and does not like about being biracial. “Sometimes people ask me, ‘What are you?’,” observes Trevor. “I usually answer, ‘Human.’ I have friends of all colors. I don’t want to have to choose between black and white. I’m both, and I like it.” 

[Grade Level: 2 – 6]

Guji Guji

Written and Illustrated by Chih-Yuan Chen

Out of an egg that has rolled into Mother Duck’s nest hatches a crocodile, Guji Guji, who happily grows up as a duck along with his “brothers,” Crayon, Zebra and Moonlight, and only slowly figures out how different he is. Despite their differences, Mother loves all her offspring—even her adopted Guji Guji—the same When three duck-hungry crocodiles make fun of Guji Guji’s ways and try to tempt him into betraying his family, he learns a lesson about appreciating families and differences. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 3]

Heather Has Two Mommies

Leslea Newman (Author), Diana Souza (Illustrator)

Heather feels bad in her playgroup because she is the only one with two mommies. She comes to realize that the only thing that is important is that a family loves each other. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

Holly’s Secret

Written by Nancy Garden

Twelve-year old Holly decides to take on a new identity because she does not want the kids in her new town to know that her parents are gay. Holly becomes more and more wrapped up in her lies, and finds that keeping her two moms a secrets is no easy task. 

[Grade Level: 2 – 6]

Hope

Isabell Monk (Author), Janice Lee Porter (Illustrator)

After someone asks whether she’s “mixed”, second-grader Hope, a biracial child, wonders what that means. Her great aunt assures her that as the child of a white father and an African-American mother, she represents “generations of faith mixed with lots of love.” As she listens to Aunt Poogee recount her family’s history and the story behind her name, Hope learns to feel proud of her biracial heritage and how to handle questions about her racial status in the future. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

How Butterbees Came to Bee!

Tania Bloch (Author), Lana Grimm (Author), David Michener (Illustrator), Donna Michener (Author)

When Bonnie Bee and Benny Butterfly fall in love and marry, they risk the disapproval of others because they are different. But their offspring share the gifts of both species and encourage readers to embrace differences. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

How My Family Came to Be – Daddy, Papa and Me

Andrew R. Aldrich (Author), Mike Motz (Illustrator)

Features a young African-American boy who tells the story of how he was adopted by his two gay fathers when his birth mother became too sick to care for him. He describes his life with his parents, his grandmother, his friends, his teacher, and all the other people who love him and make his life special. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 2]

I Love You Like Crazy Cakes

Rose Lewis (Author), Jane Dyer (Illustrator)

A woman describes how she went to China to adopt a special baby girl. Based on the author’s own experiences. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 3]

I Won’t Go without a Father

Muriel Novella Stanek (Author), Eleanor Mill (Illustrator)

At Steve’s school they are having an open house for the mothers and fathers. Steve is nervous for open house because he has no father. 

[Grade Level: 2 – 6]

It’s Not Your Fault, Koko Bear

Vicki Lansky (Author), Jane Prince (Illustrator)

Koko Bear learns the meaning of divorce, how to deal with the changes and talk about her feelings, and she learns that the divorce is not her fault. Each page includes tips for adults. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 3]

Kimchi and Calamari

Written by Rose Kent

When his eighth-grade class is assigned to write about their ancestors’ journey to America, Joseph Calderaro has a problem. Joseph was adopted from Korea and his parents are raising him in their Italian-American tradition. Though his favorite foods are calamari and eggplant parmesan, Joseph begins to wonder about his Korean heritage. His parents have no information to share and, frustrated, Joseph makes something up, passing off a famous Korean athlete as his grandfather. After his essay is chosen for submission to a national contest, Joseph must come clean. 

[Grade Level: 4 – 7]

Lucy Goes to the Country

Joseph Kennedy (Author), John Canemaker (Illustrator)

Lucy is an adventuresome cat who embarks on a trip from New York City to the countryside with her two “Big Guys”. While on this journey, she discovers the importance of family and different types of same-sex headed families. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 2]

Lucy’s Family Tree

Written by Karen Halvorsen Schreck

An adopted schoolgirl struggles with her feelings when assigned by her teacher to construct a family tree. 

[Grade Level: 3 – 6]

Mama, Do You Love Me?

Barbara Joosse (Author), Barbara Lavallee (Illustrator)

A young child wants to know if his mother’s love is unconditional and forever. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

Meow Means Mischief

Ann Whitehead Nagda (Author), Stephanie Roth (Illustrator)

A young girl describes her move to a new neighborhood, the arrival of her not-so-favorite grandparents from India, and her adoption of a stray kitten. 

[Grade Level: 2 – 4]

Milly, Molly and Special Friends

Gill Pittar (Author), Cris Morrell (Illustrator)

Milly and Molly and special friends happily share their feelings, lying in the long grass on a summer day, a sincere tale of friendship and acceptance. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 2]

Mom and Mum are Getting Married

Ken Setterington (Author), Alice Priestley (Illustrator)

When Rosie’s two moms tell her about their decision to get married, she is disappointed that the small celebration planned will not afford her the opportunity to be a bridesmaid or flower girl. Rosie finds another option—she and her brother will carry the rings—and a happy wedding ensues. Marriage of same-sex couples is normalized and celebrated in this story without the issue ever being explicitly raised as contentious or a matter of right and wrong. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

Mommy Far, Mommy Near: An Adoption Story

Shawn Costello Brownell (Illustrator), Carol Antoinette Peacock (Author)

A young girl, who was born in China, describes the family that adopted her and tries to sort out her feelings about her unknown birth mother. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

Mother for Choco

Written and Illustrated by Keiko Kasza

Choco wishes he had a mother, but who could she be? He sets off to find her, asking all kinds of animals, but he doesn’t meet anyone who looks just like him. He doesn’t even think of asking Mrs. Bear if she’s his mother—but then she starts to do just the things a mommy might do. And when she brings him home, he meets her other children—a piglet, a hippo, and an alligator—and learns that families can come in all shapes and sizes and still fit together. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 1]

Mother’s Day

Anne F. Rockwell (Author), Lizzy Rockwell (Illustrator)

The children in Mrs. Madoff’s multicultural classroom share all the ways they’ll be celebrating Mother’s Day, such as making beignets in powdered sugar, hiking to the top of a mountain, and going to the biggest museum in the city. Rockwell introduces a variety of children, representing many ethnic and family backgrounds, including a single mom and a grandmother who is raising her deceased daughter-in-law’s child. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 2]

Muslim Child: Understanding Islam Through Stories and Poems

Rukhsana Khan (Author), Patty Gallinger (Illustrator)

Several short stories, poems, readings from the Qur’an, and a recipe, tell about Muslim children from a variety of backgrounds and places. 

[Grade Level: 3 – 6]

My Mother’s House, My Father’s House

C.B. Christiansen (Author), Irene Trivas (Illustrator)

A child explains what it is like to live in two different houses. One house is her mother’s house and the other house is her father’s house. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

My Two Uncles

Judith Vigna (Author/Illustrator)

A young child’s grandfather has trouble accepting the fact that his son is gay. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

One Dad, Two Dads, Brown Dad, Blue Dads

Johnny Valentine (Author), Melody Sarecky (Illustrator)

Two children, one with blue dads and one from a more traditional family, compare their fathers and realize that they aren’t so different after all. 

[Grade Level: K – 2]

Primer Dia en Las Uvas

1. King Perez (Author), Robert Casilla (Illustrator)

Primer Dia en Las Uvas (First Day in Grapes) tells the story of Chico, a young boy and his family, migrant workers who move up and down the state of California. Every September they pick grapes and Chico starts a new school. Often Chico gets picked on because he’s always “the new kid” and because he speaks Spanish sometimes. The story focuses on Chico’s first day of third grade at a new school- things are a little different this time. Chico learns to be proud of his abilities in math and to stand up for himself when some other students bully him and make fun of his heritage. Originally written in English. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

Saturday is Pattyday

Leslea Newman (Author), Anette Hegel (Illustrator)

Frankie is hurt when his two mothers get a divorce. Through this story he realizes that he will still be loved. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

Sometimes a Family Has to Split Up

Robert Switzer (Author), Jane Watson (Author)

Different kinds of families are featured as a boy’s parents split up. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

Tall Boy’s Journey

Joanna Halpert Kraus (Author), Karen Ritz (Illustrator)

A young boy must leave his home in Korea to come live with his adoptive parents in the United States, a country he finds strange and uncomfortable. 

[Grade Level: 4 – 6]

Thanksgiving at Obaachan’s

Written by Janet Mitsui Brown

A young girl describes the Thanksgiving celebration at her grandmother’s house and the things that make it her favorite holiday. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

The Best Single Mom in the World

Written by Mary Zisk

A girl tells how her mother decided to become a single parent and traveled overseas to adopt her and describes their happy life as a family. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 3]

The Generous Jefferson Bartleby Jones

Forman Brown (Author), Leslie Trawin (Illustrator)

A young boy shares his family with friends. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

The Rabbits’ Wedding

Written and Illustrated by Garth Williams

The reissue version of this 1950s classic tells the sweet story of two little rabbits who plan a wedding and live “happily ever after in the friendly forest.” It became the subject of controversy because it dealt with the marriage of a black to a white rabbit, and was removed from circulation in some locales for promoting racial integration. Though the book was never intended to be about race (Williams created rabbits of different colors so his young readers could tell the two apart), it can be used to normalize and celebrate interracial relationships. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 2]

Two Moms, the Zark, and Me

Written by Johnny Valentine

A boy is brought to the zoo by his two moms, where he meets a Zark. This Dinosaur defends and preaches acceptance of their family arrangement. 

[Grade Level: K – 3]

Uncle What-Is-It Is Coming To Visit!!

Written by Michael Willhoite

A brother and sister learn that their gay uncle is coming to visit. Their friends explain to them what “gay” means, through stereotyping before their mother could explain the true meaning, but when their uncle arrives they realize that what their friends had told them were false. 

[Grade Level: K – 6]

We Wanted You

Liz Rosenberg (Author), Peter Catalanotto (Illustrator)

The loving voices of a child’s parents tell the story of an adoption, from waiting to meet the baby for the first time through the growth of a family. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 3]

Welcoming Babies

Margy Burns Knight (Author), Anne Sibley O’Brien (Illustrator)

This book describes the different ways that various cultures welcome newborn babies into the world. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 3]

Who’s in a Family

Robert Skutch (Author), Laura Nienhaus (Illustrator)

Family structures, both human and animal, are discussed and pictured. 

[Grade Level: Pre-K – 3]

Your Family, My Family

Isaac Drescher (Author), Joan Drescher (Illustrator)

This book describes different kinds of families. 

[Grade Level: 2 – 6]

Zack’s Story: Growing Up With Same-Sex Parents

Keith Elliot Greenberg (Author), Carol Halebian (Illustrator)

An eleven-year old boy, Zack, describes his life with his lesbian mother and his “second mother.” Zack mentions how he deals with uncomfortable events, like when people make mean comments about gays. 

[Grade Level: 3 – 6]