Like a Mother Bear

This vibrant and empowering nonfiction picture book tells the true story of Jeanne Manford, whose historic march beside her son sparked a nationwide movement of support for LGBTQ+ families, reminding allies everywhere how much they can accomplish with courage, acceptance, and love.

In 1973, words of support for queer people were hard to find. But Jeanne Manford, a regular mom who loved her son like a mother bear, spoke out when he was hurt at a gay rights protest. She showed up and marched for gay rights alongside him. She founded PFLAG, an advocacy group for friends and families of LGBTQ+ people. And when she began receiving letters from all over the United States, Jeanne wrote back!

Through her words, Jeanne became the mother bear that so many needed, showing thousands of queer people and their loved ones that they were not alone. Told in a mix of prose and quotes from Jeanne’s letters, both sent and received, this touching biography is an inspiring reminder that anyone can change the world with their courage and love.