Rainbow Rumpus, the online magazine for kids and teens with LGBT parents, is adding a title about adoption to its series of downloadable books. 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, “Baby Maria”, by Mike Huber, focuses on the experience of forming an adoptive family from a child’s point of view. The main character, a kindergartener named Stephen, stays home with one of his moms while the other travels to adopt the baby who will become his sister. Initially excited to become a big brother, Stephen’s feelings change as his mother and sister’s arrival home is unexpectedly delayed. Readers of all ages will enjoy the story’s humorous tone, exemplified by comments such as, “Mama Kelly says there’s a problem with the paperwork. Who cares about paper? Maria’s a baby; she can’t even read!”
“This is only the second story book about an LGBT-headed adoptive family, despite the prevalence of adoption in our community,” said executive director Laura Matanah. “We’re excited to fill the gap within the existing literature. We also love the way this book looks at a wide range of issues, such as sibling jealousy and different parenting styles, in the context of a compelling story that children from many types of families will enjoy.” The release of the book comes on the heels of a recent study showing that the percentage of LGBT couples raising adoptive children has more than doubled in the last decade.
“When I was growing up with two dads, I never got to hear a teacher read a story about a family like mine. I was scared to tell other kids about my family,” commented board member Hannah Meacock Ross. “I’m excited for kids to be able to read this book and see their family experience reflected.”
The series as a whole is receiving tremendous acclaim from children, parents, and educators. “In the past, when I tried to find books about LGBT-headed families for use in staff development trainings, it wasn’t easy at all,” said one educator. “Thanks so much for publishing this series!” “Baby Maria” is available for free download. Publication of the books is supported by individual donors and the Pfund foundation.
About Rainbow Rumpus
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 rainbowrumpus.org for more information.
