5 reasons I Write Books for Children about LGBTQIA+ Characters

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1- I mean the age of the kids I write my books for they’re probably not thinking about that sort of stuff, right?  I know that it will be older young people and adults who will be thinking about their gender and sexuality, but… representation in children’s books matters because when young people and adults are thinking about those issues, they might just remember that as a child they read these books and will know that they are valid, will know that they are accepted, and will know that they are loved.  That can only be a good thing in my mind.

2- Children live in all sorts of families, with all sorts of people.  If they don’t see books with all sorts of people and all sorts of families, they may feel invisible.  They may think they are the only person with a trans brother, the only person with two mummies, the only person with a daddy who sometimes wears a dress.  Feeling invisible, not feeling seen, can have negative impact on self-esteem, mental health and wellbeing.  So anything that can help with that is surely something that needs to exist, right? Representation really matters!

3- Representation works both ways!  The word homophobia annoys me, I mean it’s not a fear is it? It’s prejudice, it’s hate, it’s bigotry and it’s unacceptable.  But maybe, just maybe, if when they were younger, some of those homophobes had read books with LGBTQIA+ characters, they would have seen that there was nothing to be scared of, nothing to fear and we would now have a fairer, more respectful world with more love and less hate.  A world with more love, imagine that.

4- Because it’s personal!  I’m proud that within my family, as well as being allies, we represent many of the letters in LGBTIA+, it’s our community and we are proud. So, I write my books with my family in mind.  Books I wish those of us in the older generations had had when we were growing up, books that our younger members, and future generations will have and grow up reading.  

5- The last reason is because I can.  Sadly, many people have to hide their sexuality and identity through fear. I could share lots of negative statistics but I’m not going to, instead I’m going to accept that I am privileged and use that privilege to contribute to a world where all LGBTQ+ can be themselves and live full and fulfilled lives without fear.

So that’s why I do what I do.  You can find my books below if you know a little person who would like one.  And if not, why not buy a copy to donate to a library, foodbank or school.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Uncle-Jasmine-Claire-Walsh-ebook/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Uncle-Jasmine-Claire-Walsh/dp/1915472245/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Princess-Without-Crown-Claire-Walsh/dp/1912677903/

Monday Musings – Thinking About Families

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Hi!

I’m Claire the pink adoring author who likes to smash stereotypes and write from the heart.  I’m a proper word nerd and love reading and writing in all shapes and sizes – and that’s just me, not the books!

I live in the Highlands of Scotland with Mr Chapter Two, our cats Banana and Princess, our sheep, Gertie and Norah, as well as 6 chickens affectionately known as ‘The Girls’.

Between us we have lots of kids, ranging from the youngest at 9, to the oldest at almost 34. The youngest ‘The Boy Who Brings Joy’ has just spent a week with us in Scotland and it got me thinking about the diversity of families and how that is to be celebrated.

When Mr Chapter Two and I first got together, we described our families and our life as ‘mending and blending’.  In the mixing pot were his 5 children and heartache from divorce, my 2 children, 1 grandchild and my grief from widowhood. Oh, and a foster son, as together we became accidental foster parents (that’s another blog in itself!)

So, thinking about families and my love of books, I thought I would share with you a couple of my favourites that show the diversity of families and the wonderful unique people that make up those families.

First up Where Are We Going by Vie Portland.  Vie is one of my favourite independent authors and human beings.  This book follows Emily and her mum as they take a magical journey home.  Emily is disabled and has a prosthetic leg, but the book isn’t about that.  Emily’s mum is a single parent, but the book isn’t about that either!

You can find this and other resources by Vie here.

https://www.vieness.co.uk/shop

I also love The Family Book by Todd Parr, the simplistic statements and vibrant pictures support the key message that families come in many varieties. Through the repetitive phrases ‘some families… and all families…’, the book clearly shows our differences are to be celebrated, and that whatever our differences there will be some similarities too, things like love, grief and strength happen in all families.

You can find it here on my bookshop.org account.  I love Bookshop.org as they support independent bookshops.

https://uk.bookshop.org/a/4552/9780316070409

And then of course there is Uncle Jasmine by little old me.  Due to be released during Non-Binary Awareness Week, 8-14th July, this book features a family member who is gender fluid and what a wonderful influence they are in the life of their niece.  If you want to know more and find out how the launch is going you can sign up here.

https://mailchi.mp/3ae6a4316dec/5wh3xwx5uf

I’d love to know if you have any favourite books about families. Anyway, enough from me.  Enjoy whatever you are reading or writing.

Claire

Monday Musings!

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I’m feeling very thoughtful today, so what better to do than write.  I’ve been absent recently in more ways than one.  My beautiful 100-year-old Nanny Vi died in April, and I spent almost a month away from home arranging the funeral, doing ‘sadmin’ alongside spending time grieving with family.  The only thing I wrote during that time was her eulogy and a poem. 

Our Queen

By Claire Walsh

We were five generations,

But now we are four.

100 years,

and yet we want more.

Violet Beatrice Wilson,

our queen.

1923 to 2024,

so much love in between.

She was strong, smart and brave.

She was beautiful too.

She will live on forever,

in me and in you.

When I returned to Scotland it was all about The Kilted Scribblers Indie Book Fair and wow what an event!

V.J. Cooper Writer, and I had met online, only to discover we both live in the Highlands of Scotland.  Kilted Scribblers grew from an idea we had when we first met face to face for coffee and cake, (all the best ideas start with cake!).  We wanted to share not only our love of writing and reading, but also celebrate being independent authors.

Many people think that traditional publishing is what everyone wants but actually, publishing your own books is a wonderful experience and something to be celebrated.  With that in mind we planned and hosted our first book fair for independent authors in Cromarty on Saturday 25th May. 

With stalls from 20 independent authors, covering a wide range of genres it was so wonderful to be in the company of such talented and tenacious writers.  Many stalls were beautifully decorated.  Some authors did readings and there was a workshop for wannabe writers hosted by yours truly. I met some wonderful humans, and it was just the tonic I needed to get my creative juices going again.  In one conversation we talked about blogging, and I realised I hadn’t done any blogging for the longest time… so here goes!

Anyhow, I’m looking forward to getting my head down and planning my book launch for my next book for children – Uncle Jasmine.  The launch will include a 5-day tour on the back of a motorbike so if you want to know more follow the QR code.

Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I wish you well and hope you have a great week of reading and writing!

Claire