Maiden & Princess is the lesbian fairytale we always needed
Lesbian fairytale Maiden & Princess
New LGBT-inclusive children’s book Maiden & Princess tells the lesbian fairytale that kids have always needed.
Written by Daniel Haack and Isabel Galupo, Maiden & Princess tells the story of a maiden sent to a royal ball to fall in love with a prince, but instead falls in love with the princess.
Lesbian fairytale Maiden & Princess has an inclusive message
Maiden & Princess “seeks to promote and accelerate acceptance to its young readers,” according to a release, by its portrayal of a diverse love story between two strong and skilled women.
The book was launched on April 26, which is Lesbian Visibility Day.
As a fairytale, this is one lesbian love story that is guaranteed a happy ending, subverting a long-standing media trope.
It is the third book to be launched as part of a partnership between LGBT+ advocacy group GLAAD and Little Bee Books, seeking to fill a gap in the market for diverse and inclusive stories.
The first book, Prince & Knight, tells the heartwarming story of a prince and a knight who fall in love after slaying a dragon.
The second, Jack (Not Jackie), is the story of how big sister Susan learns to understand and accept that her younger sibling identifies as “Jack” rather than “Jackie.”
Inclusive children’s books ‘essential’ for encouraging acceptance
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said: “Children’s books are essential tools in encouraging awareness, kindness, and acceptance at an early age.
“GLAAD is committed to advancing positive representation of LGBTQ lives, experiences, and stories, and the release of Maiden & Princess is a shining example of how we can help to accelerate acceptance among young audiences.”
Speaking to Huffington Post, co-author Daniel Haack explained: “We wanted to take that fairy tale structure with real human characters and tell a simple love story between these two women, complete with all the anxieties and excitement of first love that would resonate with kids.
“Kids are remarkably accepting and understanding.
“For children who don’t have any same-sex couples in their lives, these books can be a great way to start those conversations… or maybe your kid will just think the dragons are cool or will like the pretty dresses.”
Co-author Isabel Galupo added: “Love is the very thing that unites every single one of us. I hope most parents would emphasise the beauty of love, no matter what form it takes.”
