Celebrating Inclusivity For Young Readers: 2SLGBTQ+ Children's Book Authors

On Friday May 29th at 7:00pm, join children’s picture book authors, Sal Sawler, Bells Larsen, Edwin Dumont, and Ian Duncan for a lively and insightful conversation about writing inclusive, 2SLGBTQIA+ stories for young readers! The talk will be moderated by Angela Misri, an award-winning writer, journalist, and educator.

Books:

Ellis on Guard by Sal Sawler and illustrated by Nandita Ratan, Second Story Press

Ellis worries. A lot.

Ellis sees danger in places other people don’t.

They worry about talking to new people. And they’re especially worried about losing their puppy, Peanut. If Ellis wrote out their list of worries, it would wrap around their house three times.

But sometimes, our worries can be put to surprisingly good use.…

Ellis on Guard is a playful, nuanced story about a young non-binary child finding real coping strategies for their anxiety (with the help of their dog Peanut!).

Also available in French as Ellis prend garde.

Call me Gray by Andrew Larsen and Bells Larsen, illustrated by Tallulah Fontaine, Kids Can Press

A child shares feelings about their identity with their dad in this powerful story about change, acceptance and, above all, love.

One winter, while creating their annual ice rink together, a child starts a conversation with their dad about something important. “Do you ever feel mixed up about who you are?” the child asks. But the father misunderstands the question. So, the child tries again later. “Do you ever feel different than the way you look?” Again, the father doesn’t get it. But this time he asks to hear more. And the child explains. “I look like a boy, but sometimes I feel more like a girl.” At last, it’s been said. The child shares that their name feels like an itchy sweater and they want to change it to “Gray.” It’s a big change, but one they can grow into together. And when Gray’s dad finally uses their chosen name, it feels warm and right, just like hot chocolate after the first skate of the season.

This personal story, co-written by acclaimed author Andrew Larsen and his son Bells, is inspired by Bells’s own experience as a transgender person. It’s about the joy and comfort a child feels when a parent affirms their identity, and how the transition can be complex for the rest of the family. An excellent conversation starter for families with a child who might be questioning their gender identity, it centers the child’s experience of navigating and sharing what they feel, and shows that, though the child’s sense of themself is changing, their place in the family is not. It also demonstrates a supportive and respectful family environment, where home is a safe space. Tallulah Fontaine’s softly focused illustrations punctuated by the red of Gray’s cap create an inviting, wintery setting.

RJ and the Ticking Clock by Ian Duncan and illustrated by Scot Ritchie, Owlkids Books

A boy races against the clock to make Father's Day cards for his two dads

RJ is panicking! His teacher has given the class 30 minutes to finish their Father's Day cards. RJ has done the math, and he knows he won't have enough time to make two perfect cards for his two perfect dads. Time ticks by, and while the other kids have no trouble finishing their cards, the more RJ tries to focus and get the job done, the more overwhelmed and distracted he feels.

RJ manages to finish one card, and just when he decides that this will have to do, his teacher and classmates surprise him. They used their extra time to create a second card for him. So, when his dads pick him up at the end of the day, RJ greets them joyfully and gives each of them their own handmade card.

Charming illustrations bring a common craft-making scenario to life in this story that touches on anxiety, time management, and perfectionism in a relatable way.

The Fabulous Edweena by Edwin Dumont and illustrated by Melissa Cho, Second Story Press

Hello world, meet Edweena!

Edwin loves his sister Patsy’s closet. He adores dresses and earrings and boots with high heels. And when he’s finished getting dressed, Edwin is transformed…into the fabulous Edweena!

Today is the figure skating competition at school and Edwin has decided to compete as Edweena. What will people say when they meet her for the first time? Can a boy in drag win the competition? Edweena will have to give her best performance ever to find out!

Also available in a Dual-language edition in English/Anishinaabe as Omaamakaadendaagozi Edwiina / The Fabulous Edweena.

Sal Sawler (they/them) is a children’s author living in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Their early books were shortlisted for the Forest of Reading and Hackmatack and earned a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award. Their debut picture book, When the Ocean Came to Town, was featured on CBC Canada Kids Reads.

Bells Larsen (he/they) is a singer-songwriter based in Toronto, Ontario, and Montreal, Quebec. He sees storytelling as a way to make sense of and connect with both the ordinary and unpredictable moments in life. Larsen has been featured in The Line of Best Fit, Under the Radar, the CBC and Exclaim!, and has shared stages with Martha Wainwright, Land of Talk and Buck Meek. He will release his sophomore album in 2025. Call Me Gray is his first book.

Ian Duncan is a high school history teacher, husband, father, and writer. He has written and published history textbooks, and this is his first picture book. He lives in Toronto, Ontario, lives by the energy and anxiety of a ticking clock, and loves the art of a good story.

Edwin Dumont was born in Parry Sound to a family with Ojibway heritage. His mother is a member of Henvey Inlet First Nation. He has always been called Edweena. Cinderella said, “A dream is a wish your heart makes,” and Edwin's dream of being a writer came true. He owns a hair salon and lives with his husband in Toronto.

Angela Misri is an award-winning writer, journalist, and educator at Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Journalism. She is the author of six children’s books, an adult novel, and several screenplays. Misri spent more than 20 years in Canadian newsrooms, working as a journalist and manager at CBC and later as the digital director at The Walrus, before moving into full-time teaching in 2022. Her fiction books have been nominated for Forest of Reading Awards in several provinces, and she won the 2023 Hackamatak award for her middle-grade book Pickles vs the Zombies.