Where Have We been?
As some of you are aware, Jonathan, affectionately known as "Daddy" in our house, recently took on the responsibility of running for political office. His campaign for Manchester, VT Selectboard (similar to a City Council), demanded much of our family's time and energy as he dedicated himself to engaging with the community, understanding its needs, and advocating for positive change.
To ensure Jonathan could fully commit to the campaign, we decided to temporarily pause regular updates on our website and social media channels.
A Kids Book About Juneteenth
"The stories we accept shape how we understand the world around us."
At a time when Republicans are blocking attempts to teach basic history in public schools, this book couldn't have come at a better time.
This book tells the true story of Emancipation and the Juneteenth Holiday, something I wasn't taught, and I bet you weren't either.
Joaquin’s First School Shooting
Change the Ref (CTR) was formed to amplify and support youth efforts and movement building. They use urban art and nonviolent creative confrontation to advocate for the eradication of the gun violence epidemic and to expose elected officials who are bought and paid for by the NRA and gun manufacturers.
Interview - Vermont Foster Care
In June, their book, "A Kid's Book About Gay Parents," will be published. It's part of the "A Kid's Book About" series of books essential to a child's understanding of many topics. As former owners of the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, the Wests understood the need for a book that chronicled the joys and challenges of fostering to adopting as gay parents.
White Fragility
According to Marshall University Libraries, an English teacher at Choctaw High School in Florida assigned this book to her senior class students.
But when the book was taught, parents objected…
"How dare you read this book…racism is not an issue in America."
Gender Queer
For the 2nd consecutive year, Gender Queer was the most "challenged" book of 2022!
And, by "challenged," we mean BANNED.
Kobabe wrote this illustrated novel so that readers could learn about how they felt physically different from a young age but could not express it openly.
AntiRacist Baby
You may have heard about this book during Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation hearing to the US Supreme Court.
That's because Georgetown Day School, just outside of Washington, DC, uses this book to teach about prejudice and racism.
And it just so happens that Justice Brown previously served on their board.
A Kids Book About Racism
It’s probably not surprising anymore to hear that there are even more banned books for kids, even though, and, let’s be clear…
It should always surprise and scare ALL OF US that there are people in this world who think books should be BANNED.
Becoming Daddy and Papa
“The best things in life are usually the hardest to accomplish,” says the statement flowing across Thomas and Jonathan West’s widely viewed Instagram reel. Their journey to becoming parents has embodied these words and although they are now fathers of four adopted children, the path has been riddled with obstacles.
Becoming Gay Dads
If we had a conversation with ourselves 10 years ago while questioning our paths to becoming dads.
Daddy & Papa - A Documentary
Although this documentary isn't about our family, we share a common bond with the two men documented in this film. Not only do we share the names Daddy and Papa, but their path to becoming parents started in the foster care system.
Emma’s Story: A Story of Love & Loss
A few weeks prior, we matched with a birth mother in Texas. Not all the details were precise, and she still needed a sonogram, but we were told to get ready because we were having a girl. Her name would be Emma, so that's what hung above her crib.
Her Lucky Coin | A Watch Battery
We never imagined that a watch-sized battery could be so dangerous. One morning Charlotte told us she had just finished eating her snack. The comment was odd because we hadn't given her anything to eat since we had just recently finished breakfast, so we prodded further only to hear her say, "I swallowed my lucky coin."
Stop Saying "Be Careful"
Children need our love, support, and guidance in so many ways.
They need to know they're loved, they need to know they have our support, and they need to know we'll always be there to guide them when times are tough.
They don't need to hear us tell them to "be careful" all the time.
American Monsters
We sent four kids to school today after talking to them in detail about yet another school shooting in America.
NO, I’M NOT BABYSITTING MY OWN KIDS
If you’re a dad, you’ve inevitably heard one of the following while out doing something with your kids.
CHARLOTTE’S STORY
In September of 2015, just around 5:00 pm, Daddy, Grace, and I were just sitting down to eat dinner. Little did we know our 2nd daughter had just been born. It wasn’t our intention to adopt twice, let alone two infants only 5-weeks apart, but later that night as we were all getting settled into bed our phone rang.
GRACE’S STORY
A friend of ours who was adopted at a young age once reminded us that our daughter's story belongs to her and no one else. Adoption stories can be extraordinary in many ways, but they can also be heart-wrenching and painful for adoptees and their families.
IT’S OKAY TO BE A UNICORN
In another stunning turn of events, the reading of this book was canceled in an Ohio School District after parents were concerned that the blue and purple unicorn underneath a rainbow-colored title.
ANTIRACIST BABY
During the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Ketanji Brown Jackson this week, Ted Cruz singled out multiple books while questioning the judge about her stance on critical race theory.
