Enough Love? by Maggie Hutchings

27 Jun 2025 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Australian Women Writers, LGBTQIA, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Published: 29th June 2021Goodreads badge
Publisher: Affirm Press
Illustrator: Evie Barrow
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

Willa had one dad one mum one home and a bird. And that was enough. So when Willa’s parents split up, she’s pretty sad. But at least they are still all hers. Until Dad meets Kevin and Willa’s family starts to grow … and keeps on growing. When will enough be enough? Or is there always room for more love?

This is a great book and I loved how complicated it became. This is a story beyond your basic divorced family, two houses and maybe a step sibling. Hutchings shows us how families can become complicated, big, messy, and how there is always enough love to go around.

The story flows well and with the repetition of one mum, one dad, one home, one bird, it is a creative way to tell a story of change as a family grows. It is also a good reminder that while family can grow, no own is ever taken out even if it changes.

The illustrations are realistic pencil sketches and Barrow makes each person unique while still keeping the family similarities. The call backs to the same scenes as Willa draws her family is great because even if the numbers change, the scene of her drawing her family is consistent.

I don’t want to spoil the end result, but there is a great representation of diversity, LGBTQIA families, as well as step siblings, half siblings, and the array of pets that also make up our family. It’s a great adventure Willa goes on through the years and I loved how the relationship changes never took away from how Willa felt or how she interacted with her parents and the time she spent with them.

Overall this is a story about family but it is also about love and is there such thing as too much love and is change really a bad thing in the end?

Enough Love? appears to be out of print but there may be a copy at your local library and possibly at Dick Smith

Different Types of LGBTQIA Picture Books

13 Jun 2025 Leave a comment

by Amy in LGBTQIA, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Just like how there’s no one type of story, there is also no one type of LGBTQIA picture book. Picture books are a great way of exploring different kinds of diverse stories and can introduce kids and families to a variety of different experiences. There are books about different families, books about characters falling in love, and books about characters discovering who they are on the inside. The range of books has grown dramatically in the past few years and it’s wonderful to see so many different books represented both rooted in reality, through animal stories, as well as metaphor and fantasy.

Any search of LGBTQIA picture books will give you a myriad of results and a range of books to look for. I’ve compiled a list of a few different types of picture books that explore LGBTQIA history, identity, and families. There are so, so, many more available, this is obviously a small selection, but is it is a great example of the different approaches to diverse stories and how representation can come in a variety of stories.

Books with LGBTQIA characters

I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings

Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship by Jessica Walton

Bunnybear by Andrea J. Loney

King and King by Linda de Haan

Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack

Jerome By Heart by Thomas Scotto

Maiden & Princess by Daniel Haack

When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff

My Shadow Is Pink by Scott Stuart

Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope by Jodie Patterson

From Archie to Zack by Vincent Kirsch

Red: A Crayon’s Story By Michael Hall

 

Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall

Books Containing Gender Non-Conforming Characters

Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah and Ian Hoffman

Jacob’s Room to Choose by Sarah and Ian Hoffman

Want to Play Trucks by Ann Stot

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress By Christine Baldacchino

Pink Is for Boys by Robb Pearlman

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Julián at the Wedding by Jessica Love

Not Every Princess by Jeffrey and Lisa Bone

Téo’s Tutu by Maryann Jacob Macias

My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis

Except When They Don’t by Laura Gehl

Sparkle Boy by Lesléa Newman

Peanut Goes for the Gold by Jonathan van Ness

 

About LGBTQIA Parents

My Two Super Dads by Bronny Fallens

My Two Dads and Me by Michael Joosten

And Tango Makes Three by PETER PARNELL AND JUSTIN RICHARDSON

Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer

My Two Moms and Me by Michael Joosten

My Two Dads by Claudia Harrington 

Mommy, Mama, and Me by Lesléa Newman

Daddy, Papa, and Me by Lesléa Newman

Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman

It Takes Love (and some other stuff) to Make a Baby by LL Bird

Uncle Bobby’s Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen

Who’s Your Real Mum?  by Bernadette Green

Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer

 

History of LGBTQIA

Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!: The Story of the Trans Women of Color Who Made LGBTQ+ History by Joy Ellison

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders

This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman

Twas the Night Before Pride by Joanna McClintick

The Meaning Of Pride by Rosie Thor

Two Grooms on a Cake by Rob Sanders

Be Amazing by Desmond is Amazing and Dylan Glynn

 

Information

It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn and Noah Grigni

What are your Words? by Katherine Locke

 

There are also great books that have a story entirely irrelevant to any LGBTQIA issue but just happen to have two same-sex parents or characters who are in the LGBTQIA community. I love these ones the best because the book is not about being diverse it just happens to be diverse. These are two examples I have come across but I am always looking out for more. As always, representation matters, but there is something delightful about normalising things so that they aren’t a stand out book because they are diverse.

General books but characters are same sex

Things in the Sea are Touching Me by Linda Jane Keegan

Harriet Gets Carried Away by Jessie Sima

 

Jacob’s Missing Book by Ian and Sarah Hoffman

30 May 2025 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , , , ,

Published: 3 September 2024Goodreads badge
Publisher: Magination Press
Illustrator: Chris Case
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

Jacob–the star of one of the most banned books of the decade–is back in Jacob’s Missing Book, a kid-friendly story about book banning, censorship, and LGBTQIA+ rights.

Noah is confused about Emily’s family, so he asks her―who’s Pop and who’s Dad? Jacob knows just how to explain, but how can he? The penguin book isn’t in the library anymore! As the day goes on, everyone is still talking about the mysterious missing book. Ms. Reeves tries to explain why the book is no longer in the library and what all the fuss is about. In the meantime, Jacob hatches a plan to tell the story about Emily’s family.

I love all the previous Jacob stories and this is a great one about censorship and the effects of censorship. I love how the book in question is referred to as the “penguin book” which between the two famous controversial LGBTQIA picture books there’s Heather’s Two Mummies and And Tango Makes Three. Now of course with more diverse books available there are more books to complain about but that doesn’t stop Tango still being controversial.

Even the illustrations, despite how blurred and abstract they are if you know the cover you know the book in question is And Tango Makes Three. I loved the subtleness while also being very clear about what book is being banned. The way the narrative highlights that it can’t even be talked about in the classroom is depressing but it is also a creative way the authors have tackled talking about censorship without talking about censorship.

The class is made up of familiar faces we’ve met in previous Jacob books and this time we get to learn some more as they learn about each other and their families. How can kids like Emily explore family dynamics like her own – even in a penguin book – without representation? How can people like Noah understand other people’s stories? Sometimes a picture book is a good way to understand different experiences and these kids are being denied that. Jacob’s mum mentions it’s good they have the book at home so it being removed from the library isn’t an issue in terms of access, but it isn’t fair others miss out.

Thankfully censorship isn’t an issue in Australia, book banning isn’t a thing, and while a few small voices have in the past tried, nothing has come of it. I always thought if we reminded people about the idea of censorship, and highlighted what places like the US were doing, it would give them confidence and ideas to try. But I must say, the few times people try and complain about what we have in the library there is a lot of satisfaction shutting them down where they stand.

I loved the different scenarios in which the children imagine how the book was taken from the library, from aliens to penguins they try and work it out. When the teacher explains that people complained it’s sad but also a good reminder of how the effect of book banning affects the people the books are in the library for.

The fact Ms Reeves can’t even discuss it with kids, and Emily’s reaction is a prime example of why representation matters. There are real people who can be affected and made to feel lesser by book bans.

The story is left open to imply that the school and/or parents will fight the book ban and try to get the penguin book back in the library. It is reassuring to see that the community is still empowered the fight back, but I also love that this book isn’t the place to do that. This is a book about how representation matters, and even if people try and deny that representation, kids will find a way and are excellent voices to point out the ludicrousness of it all.

You can purchase Jacob’s Missing Book via the following

QBD |  Dymocks | Booktopia

  Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

You Get What You Get and You Don’t Get Upset! by Heath McKenzie

16 May 2025 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , ,

Published: 2nd January 2024
Publisher: Lake Press
Illustrator: Heath McKenzie
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

Everybody at Molly’s kindergarten knows that you don’t always get what you want. Maybe you don’t get your favourite coloured pencil. You might not get the most comfortable cushion. Or maybe you miss out on getting your favourite cup at snack time. That’s just life; you get what you get and you don’t get upset!

Heath McKenzie coming in with another wonderful book. I like his illustrations but I also like when he pens his own books. This is a fun story about teaching readers that sometimes you get what you get and you don’t get upset. Sometimes your favourite chair is being used, sometimes the last chocolate milk is taken and you have to have strawberry. Sometimes someone else got to a toy before you. It’s ok.

I love that in this classroom there is a situation called the yellow cup situation. Specifically there is a fight for a single yellow cup which is a great example that even when you can be calm and diplomatic about some things, there is still a chance to go absolutely buck wild and fight for a single yellow cup because each kid believes it has special significance.

The illustrations are a fun design and are mainly bold black and white designs with smatterings of colour throughout. The kids have cheeky faces and unique expressions, McKenzie beautifully bringing the story to life with simple detail and a lot of fun.

I loved seeing this classroom rule being used in other aspects of these characters lives and how they have a united understanding that this is the way the world is sometimes. It’s a great representation of how people can be taught that sometimes life isn’t fair but not in a disheartening way, more in a way that lets them know that despite not getting exactly what they want, it doesn’t take away from the experience while also acknowledging it can still be a bit disappointing.

It’s a great story that shows how the kids in Molly’s class understand that sometimes you get what you want, sometimes you get something that is just as good even if it’s different, and sometimes you get something you didn’t want. A great lesson that everyone needs to take to heart. We can all learn from Molly’s kindergarten class.

You can purchase You Get What You Get and You Don’t Get Upset via the following

Blackwell’s | Wordery | Angus & Robertson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left by Marc Colagiovanni

02 May 2025 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , ,

Published: 7 March 2023Goodreads badge
Publisher: Orchard Books
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

One day for no particular reason, nothing was going right. Absolutely positively, nothing was going right. So, I decided to go left…

When things aren’t going right — sometimes we simply need to… go left! We all have worries, fears and frustrations. But we also all have a choice: to carry them with us — or to let them go. Told through creative language play, and with depth and whimsy, this picture book reminds readers of their own agency and the power they have to direct their own path.

I really like this idea as a concept. Sometimes things aren’t going right and there’s no real reason why, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something about it. If things are scary or something isn’t going well Colagiovanni tells us you can change it.

I liked the play on words about going right and left. It’s so simple but one that is obvious and eye opening. It’s a fantastic course of action to implement and easy for kids to understand. The little personified voices of the fears and worries were also great, and super fun when you read them out loud.

There is a rhythm to the story without it needing to rhyme. The repetitive actions make it predictable towards the end which actually works well and makes interacting with the story fun since the book already addresses the rhythm a little bit in the layout style.

I loved the illustrations and the colour scheme. I loved the dark colours for the not going right parts, and the brighter colours as we start going left. The gradual shift from darker shades to light was a great visual change of how the light can be at the end of a tunnel and there is a way from the dark, even with little choices like this character makes.

It is a great book about choice and how sometimes you have some agency in how you feel. You can choose to not be scared and try something new, choose to ignore your fears and doubt and leave them behind. I loved there was no given reason for why things weren’t going right and it’s only small changes that start to improve things. Colagiovanni acknowledges that those frustrations and doubts may still be there, you might not get rid of them entirely, but they will be easier to carry, and you’ll have a plan in place if it happens again.

You can purchase When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left via the following

QBD |  Booktopia

Wordery |  Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

 

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