View source for Hello, Sailor (book)

{{short description|2000 children's book with LGBT theme}}
{{other uses|Hello Sailor (disambiguation)}}
{{italic title}}
'''''Hello, Sailor''''' ({{ISBN|0-333-99290-3}}) is a [[children's literature|children's book]] by [[Ingrid Godon]] and [[André Sollie]] (illustrated by Godon). It was first published in the Netherlands in 2000, and in 2003 in the United Kingdom by [[Macmillan Books]].  It was one of the books cited in newspaper articles as being "forced upon schools" in the controversy in England in the implementation of the [[Equality Act 2006|Equality Act]] in 2006.<ref name="multiple">M. Brettingham, [http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=2300292 "New storm brews over gay books"],  ''The [[Times Educational Supplement]]'', p. 6, 2006-10-20</ref>  The [[Christian Institute]] argues that this legislation effectively forces schools to include books with homosexual characters in school curricula, although government officials and [[gay rights]] advocates argue that no coercion exists.<ref name="multiple" />

This children's book centres on a lighthouse keeper called Matt and his friend, Sailor, whom he deeply misses. Whilst Sailor is at sea, Matt plans to sail round the world with him if and when he finally returns, which Matt, convinced by his friends Felix and Rose, thinks is doubtful. However, Matt and Sailor eventually are reunited, and sail off together.

This book is perceived to be a thinly veiled story of male homosexuality.<ref name="Kellaway">[[Kate Kellaway]], [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2003/feb/09/features.review4 "Moral Compass"], ''[[The Observer]]'', 9 Feb 2003</ref>

A review of ''Hello, Sailor'' featured in the British lesbian magazine ''[[Diva (magazine)|Diva]]''. ''[[The Independent]]'' described ''Hello, Sailor'' as "A charming and heartwarming tale", whilst ''[[The Observer]]'' remarked that it is "A beautiful book...it makes – just as it should – the love between two men as natural and deep as any other."<ref name="Kellaway" />

==Notes==
{{Portal |Children's literature}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hello, Sailor (Book)}}
[[Category:2000 children's books]]
[[Category:Children's books with LGBTQ themes]]
[[Category:2000s LGBTQ literature]]
[[Category:2000 LGBTQ-related literary works]]


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