Here’s a selection of recent picture books that feature LGBTQ+ parents, kids, and communities. We welcome rainbow families in our library and represent them in our collections! We have picture books and parenting resources for gender nonconforming kids, queer comics for all ages, books to support questioning kids and teens, and more. Please let us know if we can find some just right books for your family.
Parents
Bathe the Cat by Alice by McGinty; illustrated by David Roberts
Dad has posted a list of chores for the family to do, including bathing the cat; but the cat does not want a bath, so she mixes up the instructions, and soon the house is in chaos.
Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle by Nina LaCour; illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
When her Mama goes on a business trip, a little girl, who loves to sit between Mama and Mommy at the table, misses her while she is away and plans a surprise for her return.
Plenty of Hugs by Fran Manushkin; illustrated by Kate Alizadeh
Gently rhyming text follow two mothers and their toddler on a sunny day.
My Maddy by Gayle E. Pitman; illustrated by Violet Tobacco.
kids
Calvin by JR and Vanessa Ford; illustrated by Kayla Harren.
In this joyful story, a transgender boy prepares for the first day of school and introduces himself to his family and friends.
Call me Max by Kyle Lukoff; illustrated by Luciano Lozano
Written with warmth and sensitivity by award–winning trans writer Lukoff, this series is a sweet and age-appropriate introduction to what it means to be transgender.
Ho’onani: Hula Warrior by Heather Gale; illustrated by Mika Song.
A young girl in Hawai’i dreams of leading the boys-only hula troupe at her school.
Teo’s Tutu by Maryann Jacob Macias; illustrated by Alea Marley.
A boy’s first ballet recital celebrates gender-creativity, the joy of dance, and being yourself.
Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julian sees three spectacularly dressed women who spark his imagination and creativity.
When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff; illustrated by, Kaylani Juanita.
Aidan, a transgender boy, experiences complicated emotions as he and his parents prepare for the arrival of a new baby.
What Riley Wore by Elana K. Arnold
Gender-creative Riley knows just what to wear for every occasion during a busy week with family and friends.
Phoenix goes to School: A Story to Support Transgender and Gender Diverse Children by Michelle Finch; illustrated by Sharon Davey.
With encouragement from her mother, teacher, and a fellow student, Phoenix, who was assigned male at birth but identifies as female, finds the courage to face the first day of school.
Families & community
Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate
A child who enjoys Grandad’s stories of his travels and adventures with Gramps persuades him to fix up their old camper and take another trip, in honor of Gramps.
Over the Shop by JonArno Lawson; illustrated by Qin Leng
In a beautifully detailed wordless picture book, a tumbledown building becomes home for a found family.
Bodies are Cool by Tyler Feder
Celebrate bodies of all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors, with different kinds of hair, eyes, spots, scars, and more.
I Love You because I Love You by by Muon Thi Van; illustrated by Jessica Love
This heartfelt book details all the big and small reasons why we love the people we do, featuring a diversity of families.
Pride Colors by Robin Stevenson
In this photographic concept board book, babies and toddlers are introduced to the colors of the Pride flag.
Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
This colorful board book conveys that whether you have one parent, two moms, two dads, a mom and a dad, or another wonderful caregiver, there’s one thing that makes a family a family, and that’s love.
We are Little Feminists: Families by Sophie Beer
Beautiful photos of real LGBTQ and ally families showcase all the wonderful forms of family, gender, and sexuality, while poetic text builds both vocabulary and empathy.
Nonfiction
Pink, Blue, and You! Questions for Kids about Gender Stereotypes by Elise Gravel
Loaded with kid-friendly questions, this book opens the door to conversation about gender and everyone’s right to be who they are.
It Feels Good to be Yourself by Theresa Thom
Introduces the concept of gender identity to young children.
Our Subway Baby by Peter Mercurio
A father tells his son the true story about how he was adopted after being found on a New York City subway platform.
Who are you? The Kid’s Guide to Gender Identity by Brook Pessin-Whedbee
Provides a straightforward introduction to gender and identity for kids, includes an interactive wheel and additional information for grown-ups.
Looking for LGBTQ chapter books for kids, check out this blog post, Rainbow Reads: Chapter Books.
For more award winning LGBTQIA+ titles for kids, teens and adults, check out the Stonewall Book Awards, awarded by the American Library Association Rainbow Round Table. Or, just ask your librarian! How can we help?