36 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
About Time..., April 27, 2008
Although I had an amazing childhood, and amazing parents, a book like this in my school's library would have added to my self acceptance as a gay boy. For the people who are concerned that schools shouldn't carry this and that parents should explain homosexuality to their children, sometimes the parents don't explain or accept it soon enough. I know this book would have and will help a lot of children if put in school libraries.
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22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting read, December 16, 2008
This review is from: King and King (Hardcover)
I bought this book to help with my grandchildren. They have a Gay Uncle and I wanted to help make them understand. The book was an opening for a conversation that answered some questions they had. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a child that is curious.
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36 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Open A Dialog, January 10, 2008
This review is from: King and King (Hardcover)
Valley Gay Press Book Reviewer: Liz Bradbury (Author of Angel Food and Devil Dogs - A Maggie Gale Mystery)
Like many fairytales of yore, this one deals with the current ruling monarch trying to marry off the next generation in order to pass along the thrown. In "King and King," the Queen wants her son the Prince to get married, whether he wants to or not. "Why, by the time I was your age, I'd been married twice already," she exclaims at him in exasperation.
She invites a series of princesses with a variety of diverse talents (opera singing, juggling etc.) to meet her son and commands him to pick one. Instead, he chooses the brother of one of the princesses and it's love at first sight. They marry and "everyone lives happily ever after." The post wedding kiss, is covered by a red heart.
The book is 32 pages, with very few words per page. It's illustrated in a cut-out collage style with bright colors and funny line drawings. According to editorial notes, its written at a 4 to 8-year-old reading level. This story presents a same-sex attraction and union in a sweet and child-like way. Its story line is direct and playful. And the out come is presented in a matter-of-fact way.
In this plot, the mother wants the son to conform to social norms and tradition. The son rebels and chooses love over the pressure of his family. And fairly quickly, the mother (and the rest of the Kingdom) comes around, and they live happily ever after.
This is the perfect book for supportive, tolerant families to use to be sure their young children know from the start that they will be accepted if they are gay or lesbian. All a parent has to do is read the book to their kid and then say at the end, "You know, if I were the Queen in this story I'd be happy with any person you wanted to marry, as long as she or he was nice and you loved each other."
This is the perfect story to open a family discussion that ends with both -- "In our family we respect all different kinds of families," and, "I want you to know I'll always love and support you, no matter what." That's why "King & King" should be in every child's home and in every library.
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