Cover Image: The GayBCs

The GayBCs

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This is an amazing resource for early readers and a great way to introduce kids to the spectrum of identities. With books as illustrated and diverse as these ones, kids will accept diversity much easier.

Was this review helpful?

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I didn't find this book to be a great way to share terms for those in the LBGTQIA+. or that it was an ABC book. It just wasn't well done.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you for this ARC!

This book is very cute and explains LGBTQIA+ identities and terms in a fun and cute way for kids. However, the Harry Potter reference (Dumbledore written as Dmbldor on a cardboard den) was jarring and inappropriate due to JK Rowling's anti-trans behavior. Such reference shouldn't be there, not in a book that strives to educate young people about the LGBTQIA+ community. I also didn't understand the illustration that described trans people, namely the one where kids are brushing their teeth.

Was this review helpful?

This was a nice little rhyming book and none of the letters were really stretched to make them fit the theme which I liked. I also like that they kept a cadence and saved more complicated definitions for the back glossary.

Was this review helpful?

This is a simple, cute book! My main complaint is having the "DMBLDOR" license plate in the art on the "coming out" page - for a lot of reasons, JKR and Harry Potter, and Dumbledore in particular, isn't representation I'm proud of and I would not want to connect it to a sweet queer, and trans affirming, book.

Was this review helpful?

Such a lovely little book, does a great job at educating young people of the different elements of the LGBTQ+ community and covered elements of the often missed out. Great read for children, parents and teachers alike.

Was this review helpful?

This book is cute, inclusive and illustrated beautifully.

There is a glossary in the back, but they just seem to repeat what was already said in the book. A good idea maybe would have been to explain it simply for an adult who will be reading this book so they can understand and maybe explain more to a child if they have an questions.

Some of the illustrations didn’t seem to match with the description, mainly for Trans, where kids are brushing their teeth. I didn’t understand this but maybe it’s just there to accompany the words as just an image.

There is also a Harry Potter reference to Dumbledore (written as Dmbldor) on a cardboard den. I find this an odd thing to include especially considering JKR controversy towards trans people.

But this book is still really good. It’s bright, engaging and children will love it

Was this review helpful?

I received an E-ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.


This book is actually good and the way it’s written is perfect but one problem is that some of the illustrations didn’t match with their respective texts so I didn’t like that at all….
Some words were left here that I think they should have put them in here that are from the community, despite these facts I liked the book in general, so I’ll give him some good 3 stars

Was this review helpful?

The illustrations are really beautiful and simple, yet very intricate. I love how this is an inclusive baby book for families that want more than just basic baby books.

Was this review helpful?

Great book to teach kids about inclusivity and acceptance. I think some some adults can even be educated and have their eyes opened about various identities by this book as well. Wonderful addition to a family's library.

*Thanks to Quirk Books & NetGalley for this Ebook in exchange for my honest review

Was this review helpful?

Totally adore it. And it sashays!

The terms have been explained as easy as it can be and the illustrations are amazing!


Be unique, be yourself and celebrate Pride.

Thank you authors and the publisher for the advance reading copy.

Was this review helpful?

A colorful, fun read with relevant identities! A successful title for most collections, especially those where queer identities are celebrated and board books are popular.

Was this review helpful?

This is lovely! It’s not like a literal dictionary — you’ll def need an adult to spell out what exactly many of these things mean (for example “A is for Aro and Ace. Words we use to say that love and attraction may be felt in many ways” is great, but, depending on the kid, may result in some follow up questions about exactly what that means). There is a glossary at the end, which helps somewhat, but it But the illustrations are really cute, it covers a lot of ground, and has a great vibe. I would say it’s more focused on gay male/drag cultural touchstones (with words included for Kiki, vogue, sashay, etc.), but I do think it covers a good range of LGBTQIA+ related terms.

Thanks to Netgalley and Quirk for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

The GayBC's are a playful, inclusive alphabet that will make children proud of whoever they may be. The poetry and illustrations are engaging, and the definitions listed at the end of the book will help equip parents to answer questions or start discussions with their children. This book will easily sell itself to this generation of parents!

Was this review helpful?

I love the idea of this book! Absolutely great to explain some key terminology within the LGBQ+ community. I think it will help people of all different ages to engage and hopefully understand a bit better.
The only reason i didn't give this book 5* was that some letters/words were a little vague/stereotypical for example J for Joy, or M for Mountains or S for Sashay. Not keen on those. But for all of the terminology within the book, I loved it!

Was this review helpful?

Super-cute book, though I feel like some of the terms could have been explained better. I’m not a fan of abbreviating ace and aro when you’re trying to introduce the concepts of asexual and aromantic.

Was this review helpful?

I will recommend this book for the school I work in to add to the early years classroom libraries.
I will be buying copies for my young cousins and my nephew and niece. These books are so important. So children grow up to be the person they truly are not the people society expect them to be. Great book.

Was this review helpful?

Adorable, bright and colourful guide to the ABCs of the LGTBQIA+ community. - very cute drawing style.

This rhyming read introducing kids to new words, concepts within the community (even I learned something!) It opens with a kid meeting a friend at their home and playing with other children. All of the verses are positive and affirming, whether you're pan and all about "a vibe", experimenting with drag or expressing your joy.

This book will give younger readers words to express themselves, which I love. Some of my fave letters were B is for Bi (like me!), F is for family, Z is for Zest and J is for Joy.

For parents who also aren't up to date with the community, there's a glossay of terms (helpful when you don't know what kiki means - i.e me.)

One thing I did find confusing was that T for Trans has all the kids together brushing their teeth. Maybe I'm reading into it too much - teeth also begin with T? It's the most minor quibble, I am just a bit puzzled

Also, it may be worth Web revising some of the little community nods - ' a cubbyhouse says Dmbldor (J.K Rowling has unfortunately revealed herself to be a TERF), and a silhouette of Ellen deGeneres given their recent controversies.

Overall, I'd give this a 3/5 stars - perfect for Mardi Gras/Pride - or any time of the year. Would have been a great starter growing up.

Was this review helpful?

Was really looking forward to this book, until I read the first page. Really disappointed the first letter wasn't 'Ally', which is mentioned in the back of the book in the definitions, but nowhere listed in the book.

Besides this fact, the story concept and illustrations are bright and colorful. It's perfect for a board book for children.

Was this review helpful?

I immediately loved the concept of this book right away. The cover promised a cute and fun story that would introduce children to the different facets of sexuality and gender. And it did just that! The only problem I had with this book was its complexity for being aimed at a young audience. While it did provide a glossary of words at the end, they were still complicated words. Hopefully though with this book, the vocabulary will be introduced at an early age so there will be less confusion later on in life. It's honestly great for any collection though!

Was this review helpful?