In “Emil and the Rainbow Safari,” a nervous, one-legged raccoon and a self-assured banana slug travel together through a wildlife world brimming with diversity. The new children’s book by T. C. Barbera and C. Adelgoss explains terms such as nonbinary or LGBTQ+ in a child-friendly, humorous way.
The story centers on Emil, a cautious, one-legged raccoon, and Diva Ermaah, a confident banana slug. In the authors’ new children’s book, Barbera and Adelgoss embark on an adventurous journey together and uncover a varied animal realm where nonbinary beings, same-sex couples, and different lifestyles are everyday realities. By merging a narrative plot with clear explanations, the book makes complex concepts like LGBTQ+ understandable and tangible for young readers.
For School and Home
The animal world serves as a gentle entry point for discussions about identity, belonging, and difference without overwhelming readers. Humorous dialogues and exciting moments support reading comprehension and invite reflection. The book strengthens empathy, perspective-taking, and social skills. It encourages children to ask questions, to accept differences, and to take their own feelings seriously.
Thus, “Emil and the Rainbow Safari” is suitable for use in classrooms—across subjects such as science, social studies, ethics, or language arts—as well as for shared reading at home or in libraries. The narrated, humorous non-fiction book targets children aged 8 and up, and it conveys key themes like inclusion, diversity, and sexual identity in an age-appropriate and accessible manner.
The 80-page, colorfully illustrated paperback is published by tredition Verlag and is available for €16.90, including options on Amazon and other retailers (Amazon affiliate link).
The author T. C. Barbera has long specialized in making others laugh; that playful ease stays with her to this day. For many years she taught children and teenagers in language instruction, health education, and beginner swimming, always using humor to ease fears.
