
Reach for this book when your child starts noticing unfairness in the world or asks why people march together in parades. It is a vital resource for families looking to discuss allyship and the power of a parent's unconditional love. By telling the story of Jeanne Manford, the founder of PFLAG, the book provides a concrete example of how one person can stand up against systemic injustice to protect someone they love. While the story touches on a difficult moment of unfair treatment, its primary focus is on the courage it takes to speak up and the hope that comes from finding community. It is perfectly suited for children ages 4 to 8, offering a gentle but honest introduction to LGBTQ+ history through the lens of family support. Parents will appreciate how it models civic engagement through writing and peaceful protest, making it an excellent choice for raising socially conscious and empathetic children.
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Sign in to write a reviewMentions that Morty was beaten by officials, though not graphically depicted.
Deals with the pain of seeing a loved one treated unfairly.
The book deals directly with discrimination and physical mistreatment. The approach is realistic but handled with age-appropriate restraint. The resolution is deeply hopeful, focusing on the birth of a global support network.
An elementary student who is highly sensitive to fairness or a child in an LGBTQ+ family who needs to see the history of how parents have fought for their children's right to be themselves.
Parents should be prepared to explain that in the past (and sometimes now), rules were unfair to gay people. It is helpful to read this book after having a basic conversation about what it means to be gay. A child might ask, "Why did the police hurt him?" or "Why were people mean to people like Morty?"
Younger children (4-6) will focus on the mother-son bond and the idea of being a "helper." Older children (7-8) will grasp the historical significance of the 1970s setting and the power of the written word to spark change.
Unlike many Pride books that focus on the festivities, this focuses on the "ally" and the specific historical moment that moved a mother from the sidelines to the front lines of activism.
The story follows Jeanne Manford, a schoolteacher and mother in the 1970s. After her son Morty is physically mistreated by officials for distributing pro-gay flyers, Jeanne writes a bold letter to the New York Post declaring her support for him. This act of public allyship leads her to march alongside him in the Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade, eventually founding PFLAG to support other families.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.