King & King

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Cover of King & King

King & King (ISBN 1-58246-061-2) is a young children's book by Linda De Haan and Stern Nijland. It was originally written in Dutch ("Koning en Koning"), but later translated into English. Approximately 15,000 copies have been sold in the United States. There is a sequel, King & King & Family. It was published by Berkeley, California-based Tricycle Press (the children's imprint of Ten Speed Press) in 2002; the hardcover retails for about US$10.00.

1 Plot
2 Lawsuit
3 Sequel
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Plot

"On the tallest mountain above (a) town," a young prince still has not married, as is the custom in his kingdom. His mother, a grouchy Queen insists he must find a princess to marry. The prince tells his mom "Very well, Mother.... I must say, though, I've never cared much for princesses." His mother marches princess after princess through the castle, but they fail to interest the prince. After a while along comes princess Madaleine escorted by her brother Prince Lee, who causes the prince to exclaim, "What a wonderful prince!" The prince immediately falls in love with the other prince, and they begin marriage preparations at once. The story ends with a kiss between the two kings.

[edit] Lawsuit

The Princes Kissing at their wedding on the final page

In 2006 Joseph and Robin Wirthlin and David and Tonia Parker filed a federal lawsuit against the school district of Estabrook Elementary School, which their second grader attends in Lexington, Massachusetts. They claim that using the book in school constituted sexual education without parental notification, which would be a violation of their civil rights and state law. Robin Wirthlin appeared on CNN, saying "We felt like seven years old is not appropriate to introduce homosexual themes." and "My problem is that this issue of romantic attraction between two men is being presented to my seven-year-old as wonderful, and good and the way things should be." ^[1] The judge dismissed the lawsuit, saying, ""Diversity is a hallmark of our nation"^[2] ^[3].

[edit] Sequel

King & King & Family (Tricycle Press, March 2004 ISBN 1-58246-113-9) is the sequel to King & King. It is a 32-page hardcover English language book, at a recommended reading level for children ages 4–8. It was written and illustrated by Linda De Haan, Stern Mijland, Stern Nijland.

This second installment follows the newlywed kings on their honeymoon, at the end of which they find a lonely orphaned girl, whom they adopt and raise as a princess.