RTÉjr Book Club: Read with Pride this month
June is an exciting month for members of the LGBTQ+ community; you might spot some rainbow flags and bunting lining the streets, perhaps you are planning to take part in your local Pride march or simply spend time with loved ones. Whether you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community, or know someone who is, June is a great month to celebrate and support the rights of this resilient community.
At Children's Books Ireland, we believe that it is essential that children and young people have access to inclusive books so that we can build a better, more compassionate world. This month, we have launched our annual Read with Pride recommended reading guide. This guide is suitable for readers aged 0–18 years and is filled with stories that reflect the lives and experiences of LGBTQ+ people. We hope that all readers can find a book within the pages of this guide to inspire, empathise and bring a sprinkling of joy to everyday life.
For this month's book club, we are highlighting six stories from our Read with Pride guide that feature families, friendship, joyful celebrations and supporting those we love. You can find physical copies of the guide at participating libraries and bookstores, or for more recommendations download the Read with Pride guide for free via childrensbooksireland.ie.
Croí an Teaghlaigh an Grá by Sophie Beer, translated by Shanna Ní Rabhartaigh and Gillian Nic Ionmhain, An Gúm, 24PP, ISBN 9781857919899
Leabhar beag ildaite nua-aimseartha a léiríonn cineálacha éagsúla teaghlach, bíodh sin beirt mhamaithe nó aithreacha, tuismitheoirí aonair, seantuismitheoirí, nó tuismitheoirí ar daoine de dhath iad. Léirítear seo sna pictiúir, a théann in éindí le téacs nach ndéanann tagairt don eagsúlacht seo. Tá abairt amháin ar gach dhá leathanach a deir cad is grá ann. Tá codarsnacht mhór sna dathanna. Oiriúnach mar leabhairín suaimhneach am codlata do theaghlach ar bith le leanbh óg – críochnaíonn sé ar 'Oíche mhaith' ach d'fhéadfaí é a léamh am ar bith. A super boardbook for our youngest readers that celebrates the love that makes a family. (Age 0–2)
Everything Possible by Fred Small, illustrated by Alison Brown, Nosy Crow, 32PP, ISBN 9781839948916
Beautifully lyrical this is a book that is a delight to read aloud and is based on the author's classic folk song. Strong and bold, or quiet and kind, this book celebrates all types of children with diverse messages about what boys and girls can be that will inspire and engage readers. With vivid, bright and gentle illustrations the message of the story centres around the idea that children can create their own dreams and make them as big as they want. (Age 2–4)
Our Big Day by Bob Johnston, illustrated by Michael Emberley, The O'Brien Press, 32PP, ISBN 9781788493147
Uncle David and his partner Simon have lived together with their fluffy dog, Bear, for a long time. They are due to get married. The narrator, David's young niece, explains that, in Ireland, everyone is now allowed to marry the person they love the most; this is since the Irish public voted for marriage equality. There is lots to do, to help Uncle David and Simon prepare for their wedding. This story is a celebration of love, of family and of a commitment to marriage equality. (Age 5–8)
So Devin Wore a Skirt by Shireen Lalji, illustrated by Lucy Fleming, Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 32PP, ISBN 9780711298521
Nanabapa's birthday party is imminent, and Devin still hasn't decided on an outfit! But stepping onto the dance floor in front of the whole family in a twirly skirt is a step too far for Devin, who decides to hide the skirt under a ninja costume. But it's getting pretty hot under there...The tension between Devin's delight at finding a way to be himself and his worry that it might upset his relatives is resolved through a well-balanced dynamic of agency and understanding. (Age 5–8)
A Year of Pride and Joy: 52 LGBTQ+ Voices Share Their Life Passions edited by Simon James Green, illustrated by Ruth Burrows, Magic Cat Publishing, 112PP, ISBN 9781915569394
This unique collection is a perfect resource for exploring new hobbies or seeking inspiration to find your passion. With fifty-two diverse, well-known people detailing what brings them joy in life, there's a 'joy' for each week of the year. It's fantastic to have a resource aimed at LGBTQ+ young people that introduces them to a variety of interests from people they can identify with and shows them that they belong anywhere their passion takes them. (Non-fiction, Age 8–10, 10–12)
The Secret Sunshine Project by Benjamin Dean, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat, Simon & Schuster, 336PP, ISBN 9781471199752
When Bea's sister Riley reveals she is attracted to girls, her family attend London Pride together, showing their support. But the family is left struggling as Bea's father passes away shortly after, leading to a move from London to the sleepy village of St Regent's Vale. Spirits are low, but they soon discover that happiness and Pride do not exist in London alone. The representation of LGBTQ+ culture throughout the novel is excellent and offers young readers a beautiful message of acceptance, tolerance and love. (Age 10–12)
Ruth Concannon is the Publications Officer for Children's Books Ireland, the national charity and arts organisation that champions every child's right to develop a love of reading.
Their mission is to inspire a love of reading in children and young people in Ireland, to share their expertise and enthusiasm with the adults who guide and influence them, to champion every child's right to excellent books and live literature events and support the artists who make that goal possible across the island of Ireland.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
17-06-2025
- Irish Times
Church of Ireland bishop criticises invite for gay US preacher to speak at Pride service in Dublin
A Church of Ireland bishop has criticised the decision of Dublin's Christ Church Cathedral to invite an American lesbian bishop to be guest preacher at its annual Pride service last Friday. Bonnie Perry is a bishop in Michigan. Bishop of Down and Dromore, David McClay, said the invitation to Bishop Perry 'very clearly signifies a departure from the historic faith, the teaching and the discipline of the Church of Ireland'. Church members were 'concerned and confused' by the invitation", he said. 'We are part of a worldwide Anglican communion where many are coming to know Christ every day. The church is growing in those nations which hold to biblical orthodoxy in doctrine and lifestyle,' Bishop McClay said. READ MORE He said the church is in decline in parts of the West that embrace the 'liberal culture of society', but this downward trend is not matched in places where the church 'remains faithful to its calling'. 'When some in the West forsake this gospel and move away from what the church teaches, we are saddened and we grieve, but we pray that in humility we will remain faithful, and that they will repent and return to the scriptures and to the gospel we love,' Bishop McClay said. 'We consider it pure joy, however, to align ourselves with Anglicans across the world who hold to the teachings of the Bible as we have received it.' In her sermon at Christ Church, Bishop Perry recalled how, for decades, society and the institutional church had told LGBTQ+ people they were not good enough and their lives were wrong and their love was less. 'The church has said that who we are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, non–binary – the categories keep evolving much like the universe," she said. 'For decades, the structures of power have said no to us and they have said: 'Stop speaking. Be silent. Don't tell us. Do not speak your truth'. 'And I say to you . . . as someone who is made in God's image and likeness, as a bishop in a Christian church, as an out, proud, partnered lesbian, I say to you, speak your truth. We are made in God's image and likeness and fully embraced by Christ just as we are.' She said members of the LGBTQ+ community are 'good enough'. 'We are called to tell the stories of who and how we are and how God lives and moves and has God's being in our lives. For as we tell our stories, others will see God in our lives and they will know that they too are beloved of God,' she said.
Irish Independent
09-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Jenny Maguire: Why the organisers of major Prides need to go back to basics and protest for LGBTQ+ rights
Every year, Pride celebrations in the West tend to look the same – flags, rainbows and floats.
Irish Times
05-06-2025
- Irish Times
Protest announced following Wicklow County Council decision not to repaint rainbow crossing
A rainbow crossing on the Main Street of Arklow, Co Wicklow , will be allowed to fade away after Wicklow County Council said it would not repaint the colours. The crossing, featuring rainbow colours painted on each side of a standard pedestrian crossing, symbolises an inclusive and safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community and others. In recent years, a number of local authorities have painted rainbow crossings, sometimes called Pride crossings, to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. This was done, at least in part, as a response to physical attacks on members of the LGBTQ+ community. Arklow was among the first towns in Ireland to install a 'permanent' rainbow crossing in December 2021. It followed Dublin City Council's painting of a rainbow crossing outside Pantibar on Capel Street, Dublin city centre. Similar crossings have been installed in Limerick , Cork , Galway , Carlow, Portlaoise, Co Laois, and Edenderry, Co Offaly, among other locations. READ MORE Dublin has multiple rainbow crossings, particularly along a route in the city which Fáilte Ireland calls the 'Rainbow Mile', taking in Dame Street, George's Street and Parliament Street. In its annual report for 2021, Wicklow County Council said: 'Arklow leads the way by installing the first Pride crossing in the Republic of Ireland.' The report said the 'Arklow Municipal District, Arklow town team and its elected members are very proud to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community'... with 'the installation of a Pride crossing on Main Street'. The remarks were repeated in the council's 2022 annual report. However, at a recent meeting of the Arklow Municipal District, members were told the crossing will not be repainted and will be allowed to fade away. We cannot allow Ireland's first permanent Pride rainbow crossing to be scrubbed from existence — Dave Thomas In response to questions from The Irish Times, the council said support for the community would instead be shown through other actions, possibly a painted bench. In a statement, the council said: 'Arklow Municipal District have no plans to remove the crossing, however they are not in a position to refresh the paint having regard to current legislation.' The council said it continues to support diversity and inclusion, but added that 'pedestrian crossings are regulatory road markings and as such, it is not open to Wicklow County Council to ignore the detailed specifications set out'. [ Forget hope. Be a hopeful pessimist instead Opens in new window ] [ The Macron shove is not a sign of a very French love story, but something more disturbing Opens in new window ] Filmmaker and Wicklow Pride co-founder Dave Thomas, who led a five-year campaign to have the crossing installed, said the relevant legislation relates to safety and this had been audited before the rainbow crossing was put in. Mr Thomas said: 'We are asking the public, our allies and our leaders to speak up. We cannot allow Ireland's first permanent Pride rainbow crossing to be scrubbed from existence. To do so would be an act of erasure – not just of colour on tarmac, but of the lives, identities and contributions of LGBTQIA+ people across this country." A demonstration in support of retaining the rainbow crossing will be held at the band stand in Arklow this Saturday, June 7th, at 2pm.
