Children’s book asks what to do if ‘I Think I’m a Poof’

A new adult children’s book seeks to start a conversation about the lack of diverse characters in storytelling for children, called ‘I think I’m a Poof’.

Written in a tongue in cheek style, the book by Samuel Leighton-Dore, a queer writer and relationships columnist, it hopes to open a dialogue on issues like homophobic bullying in schools, and sexuality and gender education from a young age.

The satirical book, which also has a point to make, hopes to follow on from other hits such as ‘Go the Fuck to Sleep’ and ‘All My Friends Are Dead’.

It aims to empower young LGBT people to believe that they can do whatever any non-LGBT kid can do when they get older.

“It’s my belief that our childhood exposure to stories is imperative to sculpting the ways we confront adversity later in life,” says Leighton-Dore.

“If there’s one conclusion to be drawn from the current trends of homosexuality in mainstream media and narratives – it’s that being gay is a subject reserved for grown ups. And yet our opinions on both sexual and romantic normalcy begin to form so much earlier.”

“The importance of diverse childhood storytelling can’t be ignored. Even as adults, we’re constantly looking to find fragments of ourselves reflected in the fictitious heroes we’re surrounded by. An absence of diversity in these heroes is not only deeply disheartening, it can be detrimental to our early sense of belonging.”

A percentage of profits from ‘I Think I’m a Poof’ will be donated to Australian LGBT charities.

Watch below a video of Australian dads with gay sons reading the book out loud

• Nov 29 2023

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