My books are available wherever books are sold. I always like to encourage people to buy and/or order the books from their favorite local, independent bookstores.
ALA’s 2021 Rainbow Book List Selection
NCSS-CBC 2021 Notable Social Studies Trade Book
One of Bank Street’s 2021 Best Children’s Books of the Year
Papa, Daddy, And Riley
Riley is Papa’s princess and Daddy’s dragon. She loves her two fathers! When Riley’s classmate asks her which dad is her real one, Riley is confused. She doesn’t want to have to pick one or the other. Families are made of love in this heartwarming story that shows there are lots of ways to be part of one.
* Booklist Starred Review *
A must-have...this is a delightful celebration of what makes a family…. Holzwarth beautifully renders the characters in a variety of hues, making the diversity showcased throughout one of the book’s defining features and adding to the emotional punch of the story. All of the families look different, but the love they share makes them the same. Absolutely recommended for all children’s collections and sure to be a storytime winner.”
FEATURED ON THE AMERICAN LIBRARIAN ASSOCIATION’S 2024 RAINBOW BOOK LIST!
Dad and Daddy’s Big Big Family
Follow along as Harper learns how all these families are unique...and still part of Harper's big big family!
Harper is going to her first family reunion! She meets so many people. There's her second cousin Noah. And her cousin Lisa, who lives with her husband and stepkids. The there's Great Aunt Trudy who is raising her grandkids. And so many more! Dad and Daddy tell her they're all part of the same family, but they're all so different! And do families need to live together? Will she and Noah have to share a room?
FEATURED ON People magazine’s list of best LGBTQ Kids books for Pride month.
HArper Becomes a Big sister
Harper discovers that the addition of a new baby to the family does not mean there is less love to go around, but instead there is more to share.
When Dad and Daddy adopt a new baby, Harper is excited to be a big sister for the first time. She picks out a stuffed animal just for her baby brother and practices holding a doll in case Dad and Daddy’s arms get tired. She can’t wait for the new baby to join all the family’s favorite activities! But when the new baby arrives, Dad and Daddy don’t have as much time or energy as they used to.
Everything is about the new baby! Daddy is too tired from being up all night with him to play hide and seek with Harper. Dad is too busy taking care of the baby to go to the park. Even Taco Tuesday is ruined!
Real siblings
Follow along as adopted siblings Harper and Wyatt confront what it means to be a "real" family in this supportive and heartwarming story.
“So he’s not your real brother.”
When adopted siblings Harper and Wyatt hear this, they start to question what it means to be a real sibling. They share experiences and emotions, and they help each other out in times of need, but most importantly, they have unconditional love for one another. Isn’t that enough?
Familiar characters Harper, Dad, Daddy, and new brother Wyatt show that love is what it takes to make a family.
FEATURED ON THE AMERICAN LIBRARIAN ASSOCIATION’S 2024 RAINBOW BOOK LIST!
Once Upon my dads’ divorce
This book helps children understand the divorce parents and how a child’s living situation may change.
Once upon a time, Grayson’s life was like a fairy tale. He lived in a big brick house with Papa and Daddy. They had chocolate chip pancakes on Saturdays and read bedtime stories together every night. But when Grayson’s dads get a divorce, everything changes. First, Papa moves into an apartment. Then, Daddy moves into a smaller house. Now it’s one week with Papa, then one week with Daddy. Will Grayson ever feel like himself again?
Once Upon My Dads’ Divorce sensitively portrays the challenges of moving from one house with both parents to two houses, and offers reassurance on many questions and feelings readers may have after their parents divorce.
About seamus
Seamus Kirst is a writer who has focused on LGBTQ issues, politics, entertainment, and the places they intersect. His writing has appeared in publications including The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Guardian, Teen Vogue, Elle, Them, The Advocate, Refinery29, and Vice. He has interviewed politicians including Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Sec. Pete Buttigieg, Gov. Jared Polis, Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Leader Stacey Abrams, and Rep. Beto O’Rourke.
Seamus' first picture book, Papa, Daddy, and Riley, received a starred review from Booklist, was one of Bank Street’s 2021 Best Children’s Books of the Year, was designated a NCSS-CBC 2021 Notable Social Studies Trade Book, and was featured on the 2021 Rainbow Book List. His following two books, Dad and Daddy’s Big Big Family and Once Upon My Dad’s Divorce, were on the 2024 Rainbow Book List. His fourth book, Harper Becomes a Big Sister, came out in March and was featured on People Magazine's list of Best LGBTQ+ Kids Books for Pride Month. His fifth book, Real Siblings, was just released.
Seamus earned his bachelor’s degree in history and ethnic studies from Brown University, and his master’s degree is arts journalism from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
Represented by:
Books/Book Related Events/Journalism:
Jennifer Unter, The Unter Agency
jennifer@theunteragency.com
TV/Film:
Brittany Perlmuter, Artists First
bp@artistsfirst-ny.com