This June, as communities worldwide celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Magic Nights Publishing, an LGBTQ-owned and AAPI-owned small business, is proud to release "Blake's Adventure with the Halloween Witch," a pioneering children’s book that champions the beauty of diversity and inclusivity through the enchanting tale of a multiracial family enjoying Halloween festivities.
Authored and illustrated by Brandon and Calvin Tate, a married gay couple and dads to two young daughters they adopted at birth, the book introduces young readers to the wonders of Halloween through the lens of a diverse, multiracial family similar to their own. The book, with high quality beautiful illustrations weaves their personal experiences and family traditions into a narrative that promises to resonate deeply with today’s diverse families.
Set against the backdrop of a festive Halloween night, the Tate family’s favorite holiday, "Blake's Adventure with the Halloween Witch" follows young Blake, her sibling Channing and their dads, as they embark on a trick-or-treating adventure that is about to become anything but ordinary. When the Halloween Witch makes an unexpected appearance, the night takes a magical turn, introducing Blake and her family to a new Halloween tradition that's all about giving rather than just receiving.
“As authors from a multiracial LGBTQ+ family, our mission was to create a book that delights and educates while mirroring the diverse world we live in,” said Brandon Tate, author and co-founder, “This book is a celebration of all families and a step towards more inclusive children’s literature. With this book, we hope to encourage children to discover the joy of sharing and to see that sometimes, the best treats are not the ones you keep, but the ones you give away."
The book is beautifully illustrated, capturing the whimsical essence of Halloween while promoting positive messages about family diversity, and the importance of community and sharing. Aimed at children aged 2-10, "Blake's Adventure with the Halloween Witch" is designed to captivate young readers with its rhythmic, playful language and a storyline that sparkles with delight.
“I’ve learned that family is more than just the one you’re born with,” said Calvin Tate, co-author, artist and co-founder, “And seeing a family like ours represented in a children's book is a significant step towards more diverse children's literature. We hope, this story, especially during Pride Month, inspires other families to embrace and celebrate their uniqueness.”