Suggested books for storytime can be found on ALA’s Rainbow Book List, but don’t overlook other books in your collection. Think about Mo Willems’s Elephant and Piggie series: There are almost no pronouns in these books, and you can continue to omit them if you are putting on a puppet show with these two characters. Changing out names in rhymes, puppet shows, or flannel stories for gender-neutral names and replacing pronouns with proper names are examples of little things that can make a big difference for a parent or child in the audience. Using inclusive language is an easy way to make a library program more welcoming to everyone. While offering a program at an LGBT center is a unique experience, many things we do can be replicated in any library, whether the only LGBTQ picture book in your collection is Todd Parr’s The Family Book or your library hosts drag queen storytimes. I founded Family Storytime at the LGBT Center of Raleigh (N.C.) Library with Director Erin Iannacchione in 2012, after noticing there were few opportunities for LGBTQ families and allies in our community to get together in a safe and supportive environment. The month of June, which is both Pride Month and the American Library Association’s (ALA) GLBT Book Month, is a perfect time to celebrate the voices and experiences of the LGBTQ community. In addition, children who hear stories about people who are different from them-those who have two mommies or are from another part of the world, for example-develop empathy and an understanding about themselves and others.

When kids in LGBTQ families read stories that reflect their experiences, it helps them create connections with literature and develop positive self-esteem.

This day in june by gayle e pitman