Why All the Rainbows? 10 Books for Kids About Marriage Equality
Until recently, when asked by kids if two boys or two girls could get married, my standard answer was, "No, but they can be in love if they want to." On June 26, 2015, my answer to this common question changed for good—now it is simply, "Yes." For some children, the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges is a nonevent; for others, it is life-changing. Perhaps your little one noticed the deluge of rainbows on TV, or you’ve suddenly been invited to Uncle Bruce’s wedding to his longtime roommate. Maybe you're celebrating the historic ruling with your family, or you took a wrong turn and found yourself smack-dab in the middle of the NYC's Pride Parade. However the topic has come up—or even if it hasn’t yet—consider checking out one of these fantastic books to help explain inclusive ways to define family.
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Picture Books
This Day in June by Gayle E Pittman
If you’re looking for just one book that captures the feeling of joy and elation that many people felt in the days after the Supreme Court’s decision, check out This Day in June. This simple rhyming story with soft illustrations describes the colorful scene at a Pride Parade, and ends with the words, "All excited/All invited/This day in June/We’re all united."
Mommy, Mama, and Me and Daddy, Papa, and Me by Leslea Newman
In these companion books, readers follow an adorable androgynous child through his/her day. In a simple rhyming cadence ("Daddy wears a shiny crown./Papa dresses like a clown.") they play games, make music, cook, eat, rest, chase and get ready for bed. Both titles come in board book form and are remarkable for being completely unremarkable. They are staples in houses with same-sex parents, but would also be a great way to introduce children to the idea in a very lighthearted way.
And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell
Based on a true story about a pair of penguins in NYC's Central Park Zoo, And Tango Makes Three is about two male penguins, Roy and Silo, who build a nest together and try, fruitlessly, to hatch a rock. A zookeeper notices that they are caring for their rock the same way other penguins care for their eggs, and gives them an extra egg to look after. Eventually baby Tango hatches and is raised by her two daddies. The story references the difference between Tango’s family and the other penguin families, but only in a comparative, age-appropriate way.
My Uncle’s Wedding by Eric Ross
In this simple and engaging book, a little boy gets to help his two uncles plan their wedding. He lobbies for chicken nuggets at the reception, tastes a lot of cakes, gets fitted for a suit, tries to get his sister to kiss a frog and acts as the ring bearer during the ceremony.
Tween/Teen Reads
Children currently in middle school and high school have seen the fight for marriage equality unfold before their eyes. Kids this age are exploring the issue in its larger context. Luckily, there are great books out there for this age also!
Hear Us Out by Nancy Garden
Aimed at middle and high-school students, this book is a collection of personal essays written about what it was like being a gay teenager in each decade of the last 60-plus years. The changing laws, court cases and political struggles of each decade play a role in the pieces. They are not just for gay teens—they can help students of all stripes understand why this case was so important to so many people.
My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength, and What Makes a Family by Zach Wahls
Though not technically a YA book, this memoir was written by the young man who became a YouTube sensation for speaking before the Iowa House of Representatives in 2011. Zach tells readers what it was like to grow up in the conservative Midwest with two moms. What strikes many readers is how completely ordinary most of his life was—Boy Scouts, sports teams, after-school activities—and how eloquently he stands up for equality.
Explaining the Supreme Court
The following books aren't specifically about marriage equality. However, they're great if you have a child who wants to understand what the Supreme Court is, what the Constitution is, and how they relate to the recent ruling.
The Supreme Court by Christine Taylor-Butler
Written in simple, clear language, this title is part of the "A True Book" series that explores nonfiction topics. Aimed at lower-elementary students, The Supreme Court helps children understand who the justices are, what they do and why it is important. This book is loaded with facts about American History and the Court’s role in shaping it. Children also learn about how a case comes before the Court.
We the Kids by David Catrow
Illustrated in an engaging and child-friendly manner, We The Kids is the text to the preamble of the US Constitution—a great starting point for talking about why it was ruled that we all have the right to marry the person we love. The author has included a fantastic glossary and a forward, as well.
The Case For Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage by Selina Alko
Bringing together both the history of the Supreme Court and the tales of family weddings, The Case For Loving is a historical fiction picture book about the 1967 Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia. Though it is not about marriage equality in the contemporary sense, the story documents exactly how a case involving the right to marry makes its way through the courts, and helps families all across the United States gain equal protection under the law. Students in upper elementary school will easily be able to draw connections between the two events.
