June is Pride Month, and though we should celebrate with and educate our children about the LBTGQ community, especially if they think they're part of it, all year, it's a great month to really dive into it (and its role models).
Inclusive clothes and brands are fun, but books are a great education tool for kids, and also tools that'll tell stories they might be able to relate to and see they're not alone. So we found 20 queer books for kids that cover multiple topics in the LGBGT community.
Whether parents want to talk to their kids about having same-sex parents, or a classmate who is gender fluid, or explore a story about coming out as transgender, we are lucky today to have so many books out there to choose from, and we hope that even more come in the future. So take a note from us, and even the drag queens who love to read, and get some queer books on the shelf.
At Wild Sky Media, we recognize that not all pregnancies and parenting journeys look the same. That’s why across all our sites — CafeMom, LittleThings, Mom.com, and MamásLatinas — we are committed to using inclusive language as much as possible, recognizing that all forms of parenting are valid and celebrating the shared experiences and unique differences among moms, dads, nonbinary and noncisgender parents, and all forms of caregivers.
'Bob The Ladybug: Bob's New Pants' by Tommy Starling
Ladybugs aren't just ladies, ladybugs can identify as different genders, including Bob the Ladybug. According to Amazon, "his character is faced with a world of diversity and lessons of acceptance" and "Bob has a goal to end bullying and help children learn to accept diversity." It's aimed at children ages 3 to 7 years.
'Donovan's Big Day' by Leslea Newman
Donovan's parents are getting married and he is so excited. This book is about how Donovan's two moms are getting married and told from his perspective. As the description reads: "After all, as ringbearer, he has a very important job to do. Any boy or girl with same-sex parents — or who knows a same-sex couple — will appreciate this picture book about love, family, and marriage."
'A Girl Named Adam' by Jordan J. Scavone
A Girl Named Adam by Jordan J. Scavone follows best friends, Annie and Adam, who are fourth graders. When "Adam starts wearing dresses and changes their name to Addie, all Annie wants is her best friend back." The book helps children understand transgender or gender-nonconforming friends and learn that their feelings are valid. It was also nomniated for the 2020 Stonewall Award for Best Picture Book.
'I Am Perfectly Designed' by Karamo Brown
Did you know Karamo Brown, the Culture Expert from the Netflix hit series Queer Eye, wrote a book? It's called I Am Perfectly Designed, which Amazon says "is an exuberant celebration of loving who you are, exactly as you are." Some reviewers say that it's a little vague, but others have loved it, along with the illustrations and representation.
'And Tango Makes Three' by Justin Richardson
And Tango Makes Three is a queer classic when it comes to kids' books. Also, who doesn't love penguins? It's about a gay penguin couple who have Tango, their baby, who makes three: "At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family was the same."
'Love Makes a Family' by Sophie Beer
Love Makes a Family is right to the point about what the book covers: families can look different and form differently, but that's not what makes people family — love does. According to Amazon, "Whether a child has two moms, two dads, one parent, or one of each, this simple preschool read-aloud demonstrates that what's most important in each family's life is the love the family members share."
'Heather Has Two Mommies' by Leslea Newman
Speaking of families that look different but have all the love, the book Heather Has Two Mommies introduces kids to a different kind of family structure: two moms who have a child together. In this book, Heather has two moms, and it explores what happens when she's asked about her daddy and why she doesn't have one. But in the end, she realizes everyone's family is different.
'The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish' by Lil Miss Hot Mess
Some people aren't introduced to drag culture until they're adults, but this children's book, written by drag queen and member of the group Drag Queen Story Hour, Lil Miss Hot Miss, makes it fun and exciting for them. It "plays off 'The Wheels on the Bus' as it follows a drag queen who performs her routine in front of an awestruck audience."
'I Am Jazz' by Jazz Jennings & Jessica Herthel
If this book sounds familiar, that's because it probably is. It's about transgender teen and TLC star Jazz Jennings and it's co-written by her, too. Naturally, it's called I Am Jazz. It walks readers through Jazz's experience as a child who knew "she loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn't feel like herself in boys' clothing."
'Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag' By Rob Sanders
$18
from
Penguin Random House
Harvey Milk was and still is a trailblazer in civil rights history and this book focuses on the gay flag in this book, and "young readers will trace the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker." It's one of many history-style kids books in this Pride series.
'Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution' By Rob Sanders
$18
from
Penguin Random House
LGBTQ history isn't usually part of most school history curriculums, despite being a huge part of modern history. In fact, the gay rights movement culminated at the Stonewall Inn and become known as the Stonewall Riots, and this book Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution. walks kids through the events that transpired.
'Pride Parade Mad Libs' by Brandon T. Snider
$5
from
Penguin Random House
For some light Pride Month fun, or any month, we recommend this Pride-themed Mad Libs book. It features different Pride-related stories that kids can fill in with fun and silly words to complete the stories. Specifically, there are 48 pages "all about the excitement of Pride, the history of Stonewall, and embracing being LGBTQIA+."
'Beyond the Gender Binary' by Alok Vaid-Menon
$9
from
Penguin Random House
Gender binaries are on their way out, and we are here for it. We're also here for teaching our kids that they can be true to their self-expression and this book Beyond the Gender Binary does just that. It's written by Alok Vaid-Menon who "is a gender non-conforming writer, performance artist, and public speaker."
'Pink Is for Boys' by Robb Pearlman
For some reason, and at some point in time, colors were assigned genders. Well, no more. Pink Is for Boys is a book that "rethinks and reframes the stereotypical blue/pink gender binary and empowers kids-and their grown-ups-to express themselves in every color of the rainbow." The book encourages kids of any gender to enjoy what they love to do, whether that means playing with cars, playing baseball, "or loving unicorns and dressing up."
'Introducing Teddy' by Jessica Walton
Introducing Teddy by Jessica Walton is another way to introduce children to gender identity and fluidity and the transgender community. It's about Errol and his teddy, Thomas, who feels he is meant to be a girl teddy not a boy teddy. She also wants to change her name from Thomas to Teddy, and Errol loves her no matter what!
'Julián Is a Mermaid' by Jessica Love
"Mesmerizing and full of heart, Jessica Love’s author-illustrator debut is a jubilant picture of self-love and a radiant celebration of individuality." That's the gist of what Julián Is a Mermaid is about: A young child who just wants to dress up in beautiful clothing, but he's nervous about what his abuela will think. (We have a feeling she will love him all the same.)
'Sharice’s Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman' by Sharice Davids
When it comes to race and identity, representation is so important, but really lacking in many places like politics. This means it's important to highlight the trailblazers to kids, like the story of Sharice Davids. That's what Sharice’s Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman is about. The political autobiography is a No. 1 new release on Amazon.
'The Sky Blues' by Robbie Couch
The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch is aimed at older kids (it's a YA novel), and we feel kids of all ages should read stories they see themselves in. This one tells the story of Sky Baker, a high school student who is kicked out by his parents for being gay. He still tries to be his authentic self, including planning a promposal that gets leaked to the school. (Full transparency, this author worked with the author of this book in the past.)
'Juliet Takes a Breath' by Gabby Rivera
$11
from
Penguin Random House
This YA novel is perfect for all teens, but especially LGBTQ teens, or those who identify as lesbian or queer. Its protagonist "is a self-proclaimed closeted Puerto Rican baby dyke from the Bronx. Only, she’s not so closeted anymore." She gets an internship with a feminist writer, and the book explores race, identity, and "Juliet learns what it means to come out–to the world, to her family, to herself."
'It Feels Good to Be Yourself' by Theresa Thorn
It Feels Good to Be Yourself is a book that applies to everyone, but it's an especially good message to teach kids that they're worthy of love and it's awesome being who they are. According to Amazon, it's "a picture book that introduces the concept of gender identity to the youngest reader from writer Theresa Thorn and illustrator Noah Grigni."
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