LGBTQ+ activist Chasten Buttigieg reveals debut picture book: “I wanted my kids to see themselves”

Chasten Buttigieg, known as a celebrated author, former teacher, husband to U.S.A. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and father, is entering the realm of children's literature with his first children’s book, ‘Papa’s Coming Home.’

The cover of the book was revealed by People in an exclusive interview with Chasten Buttigieg on Thursday, and it is scheduled for release on May 13, 2025.

According to ‘Yahoo!Life’, the narrative centres around siblings JoJo and Rosie as they get ready for their father's return from a trip. After a day full of planning and excitement, they discover there isn’t enough room in the car for everyone once they arrive at the airport. Reflecting on his experiences with Pete Buttigieg and their twins, Penelope and Gus, Chasten crafted the tale to embody the love and bonds present in all families.

“The impetus was asking around for books like this after our kids [Penelope and Gus] were born … we love books and we love having a big library for them, but none of them looked like our family … I just wanted a story, a day in the life of a family like ours, and I wanted my kids to see themselves in one of these stories,” he told People, mentioning that a friend encouraged him to write one.

Image Credit: Canva

Chasten Buttigieg shared, “I was working on this particular story on an airplane and thinking about how excited I was to get home to my kids, and that shared experience of excitement for someone to come home, especially a parent who you've been missing and that unconditional love for your kid that's the best thing in the world to come home to.”

This new book arrives at a time when LGBTQ+ representation in literature holds great significance. During the previous year’s Library of Congress National Book Festival, Chasten Buttigieg criticised the politically motivated surge in book bans targeting LGBTQ+ content and authors. He pointed out that these efforts are more about marginalising the LGBTQ+ community than about protecting children.

Chasten Buttigieg’s dedication to inclusivity and representation is evident in his previous work. In May, while in neighbouring Indiana, the Michigander spoke at a book event in South Bend, a city associated with his husband, known as Mayor Pete. He condemned politicians’ performative actions that prioritise appearances over truly supporting their constituents. He shared personal stories from his memoir about growing up in a conservative town and the significance of self-love and authenticity as a queer person. Recently, both Buttigieges have been vocal advocates for LGBTQ+ families in media appearances in response to attacks from conservative Republicans.

Chasten Buttigieg acknowledged that transitioning from memoir writing to composing a children’s book posed a new challenge, though his experience as a father greatly aided the process. The outcome is a story he hopes will resonate with young readers and reflect the everyday truths of modern families.

“Figuring out a story that squeezes into 20-30 pages was difficult for me, but getting in the mind of a toddler was easier because I was right in it with the books that we're reading right now. We read a ton of books every single day, and so I was kind of immersed in all of these worlds, and the language, and was thinking about the book that I wish was in my hands that I was reading to them,” he told the magazine.

Chasten Buttigieg noted that at its heart, ‘Papa’s Coming Home’ celebrates unconditional love, family, and the simple moments that unite people.

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