The unfortunate truth is, we don’t have enough inclusive children’s books in the world.
In the UK, thanks to Section 28 in 1988, local authorities weren’t allowed to publish material or ‘promote the teaching in any school of the acceptability of homosexuality. For a long time, LGBTQ+ people were not openly represented in our culture; we couldn’t find them in many places at all. It wasn’t until 2003 that this changed. Even now in 2022, there are a limited number of children's books representing LGBTQ+ characters.
When we became aunties again last year, we hoped to read baby Ivy some stories about having two aunties. We wanted to normalise our relationship for her and her friends.
We looked high and low, in shops and online, but couldn't find children's books about having two aunties anywhere. In fact, we couldn’t find many books on LGBTQ+ families at all. It was strange that our life wasn’t represented in children's books and it made us sad.
That sadness soon turned into curiosity, and that curiosity turned to wonder and possibility.
Couldn’t we just make one?
YES! We want to contribute, if even in a small way, to making the world more inclusive. We are probably a little naive as to how hard it will be, but we have the love and passion to make it happen.
We've never made a children's book before, but we love writing and having fun and no doubt there will be lots of exciting things to explore and learn along the way.
If you’d like to follow our journey subscribe above, or if you'd like to get involved or have any questions, please get in touch.
Love
Aimee and Ali, two aunties 👭