With the same-sex marriage referendum fast approaching, parents around the country might be facing some questions about the subject from the youngest citizens in the state. What's the best way to explain the concept of same-sex relationships to children? Or perhaps it's something to avoid until teenagers are a little older?

Same-sex relationships in children's literature and young-adult novels are relatively rare, but there are still many notable texts dealing with such themes. It has become more common in recent years, especially in novels aimed at teenagers - many of whom might be coming to terms with their own sexuality. 

Dr Pádraic Whyte, co-director of the Master's programme in Children's Literature at the School of English in Trinity College, recently wrote about the subject for Inis magazine. On this evening's Right Hook, he joins Shane Coleman to discuss some of the key texts in children's literature that deal with same-sex relationships. Tune in from 6pm to hear more about an interesting and sometimes controversial subject. As ever, you can listen at newstalk.com or listen back to the podcasts here.

Here are some of the novels highlighted by Dr Whyte:

I'll Get There. It Better Be Worth the Trip by John Donovan

One of the earliest examples of a book aimed at younger audience that deals with homosexuality, I'll Get There follows Davy Ross, a thirteen-year-old boy who moves to New York to live with his estranged mother following the death of his grandmother. There he meets Douglas Altschuler, and the pair develop something more than a friendship.

Published in 1969, this teen novel was out of print for a long time - but contemporary readers are lucky that it was republished as a 40th anniversary edition in 2010.

Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden

Published in 1982, Annie on My Mind is another New York-set novel. This one concerns the romantic relationship between Annie and Liza - two 17-year-old girls who come from different backgrounds but meet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Garden's book received several awards and critical acclaim when it was released. However it has also been the subject of controversy: after LGBT groups offered students in Kansas City copies of the book, some parents objected to its subject matter. Copies of the book were burned during the 'debate' that followed.

When Love Comes to Town by Tom Lennon

Tom Lennon's book is one of the few Irish YA novels to deal with the issue of same-sex relationships - and it's particularly notable since it was published in 1993, which was the same year homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland.

Touching on many familiar coming of age themes, but with an often dark tone, When Love Comes to Town is a memorable study of a teenager in 1990s' Dublin - in this case Neil Byrne, a young rugby player about to graduate from school - facing many struggles as he comes to terms with his own sexuality. 

Flick by Geraldine Meade

A more contemporary example of an Irish novel for young adults exploring LGBT themes, the debut novel by Gearldine Meade was nominated for the Reading Association of Ireland's Children's Book Awards 2013 and was praised by many reviewers. The main character is Felicity Costello, aka Flick, who is described as "pretty much like any other sixteen-year-old – except for one difference."

And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, illustrated by Henry Cole

It's not only books for young adults that deal with these sorts of themes. In picture book And Tango Makes Three, the story is based on the real-life case of Roy and Silo - two male penguins in a New York zoo who in many ways acted like a couple. Eventually zookeepers gave them an egg to hatch - which hatches into a female chick named Tango.

Dealing with same-sex couples and subjects like adoption, And Tango Make Three definitely deals with the sorts of themes that are rarely seen in books for children. The picture book has proven very controversial in the US; although has also received several significant children's literature awards and received high praise from its many fans, it is consistently ranked as one of the most challenged books by the American Library Association.