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Join Pilsen Community Books as they welcome S. Bear Bergman to the store for an event in celebration of his new book Special Topics in Being a Parent, an illustrated guide of practical parenting advice informed by queer experiences for anyone doing the work of parenting, from the author and illustrator of Special Topics in Being a Human.

Being a parent is enormously joyful, but it is also an enormous amount of work. Parenting requires you to make dozens of decisions a day, every one of which in some way shapes the person your child will grow into. It can be difficult to know in these moments whether you're on the right track. Progressive parents especially can feel adrift when caregiving in ways that were not modelled for them.

From S. Bear Bergman - advice columnist, educator, and queer dad with fifteen years of parenting under his belt - comes Special Topics in Being a Parent, a witty and insightful collection of child-rearing tips for those in search of realistic ideas about screens and lunches that don't come with a side order of judgment. Using his own choices - and errors - by way of example, Bergman offers suggestions for various stages of the parenting journey, from asking "Are we ready to have a kid?" to talking with children about diversity and difference, to questioning gender expectations placed on both kids and parents. With plenty of humour and compassion, and featuring charming illustrations by Saul Freedman-Lawson, this guide helps parents to live their parenting values while enabling their kids to grow their capacities, understand the world, and above all, feel connected and loved.

S. Bear Bergman is an author, storyteller, educator, and the founder and publisher of children's book press Flamingo Rampant, which makes feminist, culturally diverse children's picture books celebrating LGBT2Q+ kids and families. He writes creative non-fiction for grown-ups, fiction for children, and the advice column "Asking Bear" and is the co-editor (with Kate Bornstein) of Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation (2010) and the author of Special Topics in Being a Human (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2021). Their other books include The Nearest Exit May Be Behind You and Blood, Marriage, Wine & Glitter.

L’Oreal Thompson Payton is a powerhouse author, award-winning journalist, and highly sought-after motivational speaker who’s passionate about encouraging others to step into their full potential. Her debut book, Stop Waiting for Perfect: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and Into Your Power, is a must-read manifesto for anyone ready to embrace their imperfections and reclaim their power. With nearly 20 years of experience as a writer and editor, L’Oreal’s work has been featured in major outlets like The Cut, Essence, Fortune, SELF, and Well + Good...just to name a few.

A certified yoga instructor and proud advocate for Black women’s health and wellness, L’Oreal uses her platform to address the critical issues impacting women today, from reproductive health to mental well-being. Whether she’s writing, speaking, or teaching yoga, L’Oreal is dedicated to inspiring women to live boldly and unapologetically, just as they are. Subscribe to her weekly newsletter and follow her on Instagram and Twitter (she refuses to call it X) @LTintheCity.