When Uncle Uncle comes to visit he always arrives bearing gifts; beautifully wrapped gifts, because – after all — merchandising and appearance are everything.
One of the favorites, by far, is the book The Boy Who Cried Fabulous written by Leslea Newman and illustrated by Peter Ferguson.
C.J. is...The Boy Who Cried Fabulous.
Yes, I have read My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis. I applaud her.
But, C.J. identifies more with The Boy Who Cried Fabulous. I think it has something to do with redheads sticking together; hence his affinity for Ariel (The Little Mermaid) and Strawberry Shortcake. I digress.
The Boy Who Cried Fabulous is, in a word, fabulous.
It’s about Roger…
“Roger is ‘different’ much to his parents’ dismay, until he teaches them just how fabulous being different can be!”
Leslea Newman explains why she wrote the book….
“I have a very good friend named Roger, whose favorite word is “fabulous.” One day Roger told me a friend of his gave him a nickname: the boy who cried fabulous. Roger said, “Wouldn’t that be a great title for a children’s book?” I agreed and went to work!”
Excerpt – The Boy Who Cried Fabulous
“When Roger started out for school,
His mother set a simple rule.
She said, ‘Now Roger, you go straight
Straight to class and don’t be late.’
Roger tried hard to obey,
He knew that he should not delay.
He shouldn’t wander or explore
But then he came upon a store,
Its windows full of lovely clothes
So colorful that Roger froze,
Then clapped his hands in fits of glee
And shouted out in ecstasy:
“What a fabulous coat, is it silk or wool?
What a fabulous bell, can I give it a pull?
What a fabulous door, does it open wide?
What a fabulous store, can I come inside?”
© 2003 Lesléa Newman
People often as me what C.J. looks like. He pretty much looks like a younger version of this. Handsome, no?
Other books by Leslea Newman that you might want to give a read….
Mommy, Mama, and Me and Daddy, Papa, and Me are the first board books ever published for kids who live in two-mom and two-dad families.
A Fire Engine for Ruthie about a little girl who wants to play with fire engines and trains and motorcycles.
Too Far Away to Touch about a child and her special uncle who is lots of fun, even when living with AIDS means he’s not feeling his best.
Felicia’s Favorite Story about a little girl who loves to hear the story of her adoption told by her two mothers.
Heather Has Two Mommies about a little girl with two mommies who learns that families come in all shapes and sizes.
Donovan’s Big Day about a little boy on the day that his two moms are getting married.
What other books should I be reading to C.J.? I want your suggestions!
Funny thing is, I'm wearing the same exact hat as the mom in this picture...right now....as I type. Weird!
Raising My Rainbow 
I found it… less than fabulous.
I checked it out from the library because I thought it had to do with gender or sexuality.
As far as I can tell it’s about some random boy who gets easily distracted and can’t obey his parents request to come straight home.
Actor Taye Diggs just wrote a book called ‘Chocolate Me.’ It’s about growing up feeling different because he was very dark-skinned. I’ve heard it’s fabulous. 😉 He and his wife, Idina Menzel, originated roles in ‘RENT’ and have always been incredibly supportive of–and active in–the gay community. One of her songs, ‘Gorgeous’ on her last album, was written for a gay friend of hers and she recently performed on a gay cruise line (the woman’s starring in ‘Glee’ and performing in venues like Royal Albert Hall in London and the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, so it’s not like she’s doing it because she’s desperate for work).
CJ would probably really like the music from ‘Wicked,’ too. That story is all about being different, as well. I’d stick to the musical for your son at this point, but I definitely recommend the book for you. The author, Gregory Maguire, is a gay man, and his characters cover the whole spectrum. Also, he writes women SO well!
I discovered your blog the other day and i’m obsessed. C.J. Is the exact opposite of me when I was a child but I see so many parallels. Heres a couple of books that I loved and he might to.
When C.J. Is older there is an amazing book series that is also illustrated by Peter Ferguson called The Grimm Sisters. The sisters live with the chatactors from the Grimm fairy tales. He might appreciate it when he’s 9-12 ish.
And Little polar bear finds a friend- Lars the polar bear loses his way and meets all kinds of different friends
Enjoy
When I was growing up, my dads taught me about difference and unconditional love. They helped me realize that while my family might look different from other families, we still all shared that “love” thing 🙂
We read “The Duke Who Outlawed Jellybeans” all the time. I think you’d love it!
So much love,
The LadyMo
There is a series on manga, or Japanese Comic books, called ‘Ottoman’, aimed at teens and adults. It focuses on a fifteen year old boy who loves to sew, bake, who loves all things cute and femminine, and his girlfriend, a hopeless Tomboy who loves martial arts and couldn’t cook to save her life. Although aimed more at teens, it has some beautiful artwork and touching stories that you and CJ might enjoy. It shows classmates of the main character who accept him, as well as those who want to change him, and the friends who will stand by him despite his femminine interests. It’s a beautiful series, that I think you might both enjoy.
I would recommend “Asha’s mums” as a story book. I loved that one when I was young.
Just read your blog. Absolutely wonderful.
The book I would suggest is “Free To Be, You and Me” It is also a tv show and album. From the 70s. Marlo Thomas was the main force behind getting it done. William wants a doll is actually from that. At 4 he might be a little young for some of the pieces but I bet he would love some of the songs and poems.
Kyle
William’s doll is a book about a boy who wants a doll and nobody will buy him one, until his Grandmother agrees and buys him the doll.
Another great one is “And Tango Makes Three”, a book about two (male) penguins who are given an egg to take care of (as their child).
Hi – I also just linked to your site off the Queerty Gay blog. I’m a licensed clinical social worker working in a mental health clinic that treats predominately Gay men (and am one myself!) Kids who have the kind of unconditional love and support that CJ has (no matter what his sexuality is) will never need my profession. Who’s the best mommy in the world? You are, Sister!
Love your comment. Thank you for doing what you do and supporting me. Muah!
Like many others, I just happened on your blog from a link on Queerty. I love it all so much already and look forward to your next post. As a former covertly fabulous boy and a current overtly neurotic Papa of two boys of my own, I find much of what you write to apply to any family that strays from the so called “societal norm”. Transracial, gay parents, single parents, adoptive, divorced/blended … and these are just the labels from my own life experience.
Just a thought about books and the library. When my husband and I were buying books to help explain the unfamiliar nature of our family, we always got a copies to be donated to our sons’ school and the local library.
What a great idea! I shared it with C.J.’s Dad and we are going to do it too. Thank you!
Hi. I stumbled upon your blog today, as I just recently created my own and was looking around the WordPress site. I just wanted to tell you that I love your blog and I love your spirit. I can tell you are a wonderful mother and I don’t even know you. Thanks for sharing your life with the world. I can’t wait to read more about the adventures in raising CJ.
Have you checked out THE SISSY DUCKLING by Harvey Fierstein…. it’s adorable and lives on my shelf right next to BOY WHO CRIED FABULOUS and KING AND KING.
Has CJ discovered PINKALICIOUS yet? The musical adaptation which is available for download from itunes has a character named Peter, who is told he can’t like the color pink. Peter has a fun song called “Pink Blues”. The book primarily follows his sister, but the musical follows Peter’s “pink” journey.
I’m going to check out all of your recommendations. I had no idea about that character from Pinkalicious….C.J. will l.o.v.e it. Thank you!
I found your blog off of queerty and I just wanted to let you know how wonderful your blog is and how great you and your husband are for being so accepting. For all of us queers out in the world whose parents don’t (and probably never will) accept us, it’s such a beacon of hope.
I am one half of a 2 daddy couple raising a (obviously) beautiful little girl… sexuality unknown at this time. I have two book suggestions.
1. King and King by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland ( http://www.amazon.com/King-Linda-Haan/dp/1582460612/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1296449219&sr=8-3 )
About a prince who finds his perfect match.
2. King and King and Family by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland ( http://www.amazon.com/King-Family-Linda-Haan/dp/1582461139/ref=pd_sim_b_2 )
The two kings go on their honeymoon and come back with something they did not expect.
Hope you like them.
Thank you for your reading recommendations, I’m looking into them now. Can’t wait for C.J. to have some new stories to love.
it seems to me CJ, would love the magezine. BEHINDTHECHAIR it’s a awesome magezine for Hairstylists, it’s got everything in there plus LOTS of pictures for him to check out. My niece goes thru mine and tries to do the styles she sees in the magezine. But after going thru hair school I learned that there is something better than Barbies. A manikin head! It’s a Head with 100% human hair that doesn’t get tangled when played with. Kids love them, because you can curl them, flat iron, bleach, color, etc as if it’s a real person. Plus they can do make up applications on them as well. You might wanna check Amazon.com for some, My recommendation would be the Hair Art mini Manikin you can see them :
http://www.amazon.com/Hair-Art-Courtney-Mannequin-Miniature/dp/B000X15GJQ/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1296444447&sr=8-8
I hope that solves your crisis with the tangled hair. :^)
Thanks for your suggestions, Ernie. They are right up C.J.’s alley.
for years i lived with this fear, but with blogs like this helps a lot – knowing you´re not alone… right now, my 11 y.o. is really in love with glee and kurt hummel, and i find it´s cute… sign of times…
Ahhhh, I’d love to hear more about your son and chat! We aren’t alone!
Too bad public libraries only rarely have these books. Very very very few public libraries have any gay-themed books for kids. I think it’s scandalous.
Contacting my public library is on my to-do list now!