Book Review
A short overview of this book
Love is Love by Michael Genhart is a book for young children who face discrimination because they have parents of the same sex.
A book that you can use with a child who has same-sex parents as well as with kids who don’t. Books like this are important as they allow you to start planting the seeds of acceptance and tolerance in regards to diversity. Important values that will help kids to grow up into good adults!
There is also some information at the back of the book, with suggestions for parents on how to use the book and to start conversations.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 4 to 8 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Love is Love by Michael Genhart from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak from Sex Ed Rescue, and today I want to talk about a really special book I came across. It’s a book for children with parents who are the same sex, you know, like having two moms or two dads.
I stumbled upon this gem on Facebook, written by a guy named Michael Genhart (I hope I pronounced that right!). He has a background in psychology, and let me tell you, he’s crafted an absolutely beautiful book.
Now, let me set the scene for you. I’m filming this video, trying to avoid the noise of School Sports Day happening right across the road. And just when I thought I had a quiet moment, a group of kids decided to walk by! Oh well, life happens, right? I have to return this library book tomorrow, so let’s get on with it.
This book is not only visually stunning, but it tells the story of a little boy who goes through some tough times. You see, he gets teased because someone said his shirt was gay. And he’s confused, wondering what that even means. Is it because he has two dads? The book explores this beautifully, with lovely illustrations and relatable examples.
There’s a part where two women are walking together, and they proudly declare that their family is real, even though it’s a little different. The book also addresses why some people think being gay is wrong, and how being different can be scary for some kids. But it emphasizes that love is love, no matter who you are or whom you love.
The book also introduces other gay individuals in the community, showing that having gay parents is more common than one might think. It even touches on the fact that some gay people feel the need to hide their true selves. I appreciate books that tackle these real-world issues, rather than sugarcoating everything.
Towards the end, the story brings everyone together as a community, highlighting that even though the little boy doesn’t have a mom and a dad, he still has a real family with his two dads who love him. And that’s what truly matters.
The back of the book provides some additional information, like the meaning of the rainbow, and there are even questions to help start conversations with your kids. Plus, there are extra resources for further reading. It’s a comprehensive package!
I actually read this book with my nine-year-old son, even though we don’t have same-sex parents. We believe it’s important for our kids to understand that there are different types of families out there, and that being different is totally okay. Who knows, one day they might feel different themselves, and we want them to be accepting of others.
This book is a fantastic conversation starter, and the cover is so tactile and lovely. I’m a sucker for books with texture, you know?
Alright, I hope this review was helpful. Cheers!
