GLSEN Social Worker’s Nightmare Reading List

Recall that GLSEN activist and school “social worker” Laura Perkins seized upon a “teachable moment” to enlighten third graders about gender confusion, without parental knowledge or consent…

Then have a look at her “Social Skills” recommended reading list:

laura-perkins-social-skills-book-list.htm

Oliver Button Is A Sissy
De Paola, Tomie
K-3
A boy is teased by other boys because he takes dance classes, and doesn’t participate in boyish activities. His classmates change their attitudes about him when they see what a good dancer he is. Great for discussions about gender issues, assumptions, and changing one’s feelings about someone.

Bailey the Big Bully
Boyd, Lizi
1-2
A boy stands up to a bully, and then includes the bully in games with friends, setting clear limits regarding behavior that will not be tolerated. Good for discussing ways of making friends, handling bullies, helping others change behavior, being inclusive.

Asha’s Mums
Elwin, Rosamund and Pulse, Michele
K-3
A girl with lesbian mothers is told by her teacher and a classmate that “You can’t have two mums.” Great for leading into discussion of fairness, respect, and the importance of understanding differences.

Zinnia and Dot
Ernst, Lisa Campbell
K-2
A conflict resolution story about two battling hens, who initially have a lot of trouble sharing, but end up raising a chick together. A two-mom story.

Saturday is Pattyday
Newman, Leslie
n/a
About a child adjusting to the breakup of his lesbian parents.

Zora Hurston and the Chinaberry Tree
Miller, William
2-4
A girl looses her mother but refuses to loose her dreams or to be restricted by other peoples’ expectations. Themes included are the oral tradition in African American life. A good book about gender issues as well as about coping with loss, and the importance of a mother-daughter relationship.

Daddy’s Roommate
Willhoite, Michael
K-3
Good! Fun and upbeat, a boy tells about his gay fathers‘ relationship.

My Two Uncles
Vigna, Judith
3-4
A girl tells about her gay uncle and his partner. The story includes family tensions because the grandparents have a hard time accepting the relationship but at the end of the story are closer to accepting it than they were in the beginning.

Who’s in a Family?
Skutch, Robert
K-1
About different kinds of families, and it does include gay families.