Celebrating LGBTQ+ Children’s Books

By Emanuel Berger | March 9 2022 | Children'sAllBlog

As Florida moves to ban discussions of LGBTQ+ identities in schools, and books about LGBTQ+ lives are being removed from Florida’s school library shelves, we share our list of forthcoming and backlist LGBTQ+ Children’s books for your consideration. No matter what bill they try to pass or what book they try to ban, these are great available titles that reflect the beauty of diversity and help parents, teachers, and children discuss identity, equality, and anti-bullying.

Support LGBTQ+ youth affirming spaces like the Trevor Project https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ and organizations leading the fight against banned books like PEN America https://pen.org/.


LGBTQ+ Children’s Books 

LGBTQ+ Children’s Books 2022– PDF


 


 

Twas the Night Before Pride
978-1-5362-1343-0
A glittering celebration of queer families puts Pride gently in perspective—honoring those in the LGBTQ+ community who fought against injustice and inequality.Pride’s . . . a day that means “Together, we are strong!”This joyful picture-book homage to a day of community and inclusion—and to the joys of anticipation—is also a comprehensive history. With bright, buoyant illustrations and lyrical, age-appropriate rhyme modeled on “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” it tackles difficult content such as the Stonewall Riots and the AIDS marches. On the night before Pride, families everywhere are preparing to partake. As one family packs snacks and makes signs, an older sibling shares the importance of the march with the newest member of the family. Reflecting on the day, the siblings agree that the best thing about Pride is getting to be yourself. Debut author Joanna McClintick and Pura Belpré Award–winning author-illustrator Juana Medina create a new classic that pays homage to the beauty of families of all compositions—and of all-inclusive love.
$17.99 US
May 03, 2022
9-5/8 x 10-5/8
Hardcover
32 Pages
Candlewick
Age 4-8 years

Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle
978-1-5362-1151-1
A little girl stays home with Mama when Mommy goes off on a work trip in this tender, inviting story that will resonate with every child who has missed a parent.For one little girl, there’s no place she’d rather be than sitting between Mama and Mommy. So when Mommy goes away on a work trip, it’s tricky to find a good place at the table. As the days go by, Mama brings her to the library, they watch movies, and all of them talk on the phone, but she still misses Mommy as deep as the ocean and as high as an astronaut up in the stars. As they pass by a beautiful garden, the girl gets an idea . . . but when Mommy finally comes home, it takes a minute to shake off the empty feeling she felt all week before leaning in for a kiss. Michael L. Printz Award winner Nina LaCour thoughtfully renders a familiar, touching story of a child who misses a parent, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita, whose distinctive style brings charm and playfulness to this delightful family of three.
$17.99 US
Mar 29, 2022
9-1/16 x 10-5/8
Hardcover
32 Pages
Candlewick
Age 3-7 years

Calvin
978-0-593-10867-3
In this joyful and impactful picture book, a transgender boy prepares for the first day of school and introduces himself to his family and friends for the first time.
$16.99 US
Nov 09, 2021
8-1/2 x 10
Hardcover
32 Pages
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Age 4-8 years

Téo's Tutu
978-1-9848-1552-1
This story of a boy's first ballet recital celebrates gender-creativity, the joy of dance, and being yourself
$17.99 US
Nov 02, 2021
9 x 10
Hardcover
32 Pages
Dial Books
Age 3-5 years

Born Ready
The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope
978-0-593-12363-8
Jodie Patterson, activist and Chair of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation Board, shares her transgender son's experience in this important picture book about identity and acceptance.
$17.99 US
Apr 20, 2021
10 x 10
Hardcover
40 Pages
Crown Books for Young Readers
Age 4-8 years

The GayBCs
978-1-68369-250-8
Now in board book format, a joyful alphabet book of LGBTQ+ vocabulary for kids of all ages!
$10.99 US
May 04, 2021
7 x 7
Board Book
28 Pages
Quirk Books
Age 3-7 years

My Rainbow
978-1-9848-1460-9
A dedicated mom puts love into action as she creates the perfect rainbow-colored wig for her transgender daughter, based on the real-life experience of mother-daughter advocate duo Trinity and DeShanna Neal.
$18.99 US
Oct 20, 2020
8-1/2 x 10-3/4
Hardcover
32 Pages
Kokila
Age 4-8 years

Julián at the Wedding
978-1-5362-1238-9
The star of Julián Is a Mermaid makes a joyful return—and finds a new friend—at a wedding to be remembered. Julián and his abuela are going to a wedding. Better yet, Julián is in the wedding. Weddings have flowers and kissing and dancing and cake. And this wedding also has a new friend named Marisol. It’s not long before Julián and Marisol set off for some magic and mischief of their own, and when things take an unexpected turn, the pair learns that everything is easier with a good friend by your side. Jessica Love returns with a joyful story of friendship and individuality in this radiant follow-up to Julián Is a Mermaid.
$17.99 US
Oct 06, 2020
9-13/16 x 9-1/16
Hardcover
40 Pages
Candlewick
Age 4-8 years

Our Subway Baby
978-0-525-42754-4
This gentle and incredibly poignant picture book tells the true story of how one baby found his home.
$17.99 US
Sep 15, 2020
9 x 11-1/4
Hardcover
40 Pages
Dial Books
Age 4-8 years

The New Queer Conscience
978-0-593-09368-9
A 2021 Sydney Taylor Notable Book "The new manifesto for how we as queer people could and should navigate the world. It's the holding hand I never had--but wish I did."--Troye Sivan, Golden Globe nominated-singer, songwriter, and actor"With the persistence of queerphobia all around the world, this book is absolutely necessary, even vital."--Édouard Louis, internationally bestselling author of History of Violence"To Eli's credit, all of the rules are rooted in considerations of conscience and kindness and, if observed, will make abetter world--as will this book."--Booklist, starred review"A must-read that highlights the importance of radical empathy, community building, and solidarity."--School Library Journal, starred reviewIn The New Queer Conscience, LGBTQIA+ activist Adam Eli argues the urgent need for queer responsibility -- that queers anywhere are responsible for queers everywhere.
$8.99 US
Jun 02, 2020
4-3/8 x 6-1/4
Paperback
64 Pages
Penguin Workshop
Age 12 and up

My Two Dads and Me
978-0-525-58010-2
An adorable board book for the babies and toddlers of gay fathers, featuring a variety of diverse loving families with two dads.
$8.99 US
Mar 26, 2019
7 x 7
Board Book
22 Pages
Doubleday Books for Young Readers
Age 0-3 years

Free to Be Me
An LGBTQ+ Journal of Love, Pride & Finding Your Inner Rainbow
978-0-593-09467-9
Scribble your feelings and feel your true self in a technicolor guide to being the happiest you, discovering LGBTQ+ history, and making your own queer mark on the world.
$14.99 US
Apr 28, 2020
5 x 8
Paperback
192 Pages
Penguin Workshop
Age 12 and up