Rainbow Rumpus launches free downloadable books about LGBT families

MINNEAPOLIS–
Rainbow Rumpus, the online magazine for kids and teens with LGBT parents, is launching a free series of downloadable books designed to fight bullying and promote acceptance. Each book tells a story about a child with LGBT parents, and gives parents and teachers tools for talking about family diversity. The newest title, "Same, Same," focuses on two pre-schoolers whose friendship founders when one learns to do something the other cannot. The main character's fathers support her as she figures out what to do. Young children from all types of families will identify with the friendship dilemma the characters face, be enthralled by the rhythm of the language, and enjoy the opportunity to create illustrations on the interior pages of the book.
There has been an overwhelmingly warm reception to the series with families and teachers downloading an average of 50 books per month in 2011. The picture books are available at http://www.rainbowrumpus.org/htm/printable.htm.
The series has been recognized as an important new tool by both educators and curriculum developers. The benefits to students are enhanced by a teachers' guide included with each title. Welcoming Schools, a HRC sponsored curriculum which combats bullying, lists Rainbow Rumpus' picture books as a useful resource.
Rainbow Rumpus is the primary publisher of LGBT family fiction in the U.S., publishing more new fiction each year than all other publishers combined. Visit http://www.rainbowrumpus.org for more information.