LGBTQ+ Book Recommendations

Over a year ago released our Pride collection in response to the Don’t Say Gay bill in Florida, which is now law. With each purchase we have donated an LGBTQ+ affirming book to a child and so far you’ve helped us donate over 10,000 books! Simply incredible. Thank you for your purchases and support of this collection.

June is Pride month and, although we celebrate LGBTQ+ books all year round, we are excited to share some of our favorites, along with some new updates!

New for 2023

Grandad’s Pride by Harry Woodgate is just as joyful as Woodgate’s first picture book, Grandad’s Camper. When Milly finds an old pride flag in Grandad’s attic, explains to her the story of pride. She then encourages him to start a pride parade in his down. With the help of family, friends, and neighbors, they put on a lovely event.

A Child’s Introduction to Pride: The Inspirational History and Culture of the LGBTQIA+ Community, by Sarah Prager, who is the other of many LGBTQIA+ books delivers a historical look at pride and many LGBTQIA+ achievements. This encyclopedia of sort is a great go to for teaching accurate LGBTQ+ history and concepts. Complete with a pullout timeline in the middle, we would recommend this to be on all shelves. 

Fairest in the Land by Lesléa Newman, the author of Heather Has Two Mommies brings us a magical fairytale about the importance of gender expression. Friends, Annabelle and Benjamin discover a problem when they are playing dress up and both want to be the princess. They come together to work out a solution and many other friends join them in expressing themselves in a royal dance.

You Need to Chill! by Juno Dawson is the debut picture book for this incredible author, most well known for This Book is Gay. This book shows us what allyship looks like. As children begin questioning what happened to Bill, her sister explains everyone needs to chill and urges others to lean into transitioning with love and acceptance.

Elementary (and anyone of any age, really)

*The Family Book by Todd Par is about all families. Families come in all different shapes, sizes, and dynamics. The uniqueness should be celebrated, and this book does just that. A beautiful story about the love that all families share, this book is a must have.

*Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack is a fairytale you are going to want to read. This not so traditional fairytale is the story of a Prince and Knight who defeat a dragon and unexpectedly fall in love. The message that not every prince marries a princess is an important, inclusive message that needs to be heard in order for all children to feel seen. 

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders is a must have book for all children. This story beautifully depicts the history behind the creation of the Gay Pride Flag with Harvey Milk and the designer Gilbert Baker. This story is true testament to the love and equality that the LGBTQIA+ community deserves.

*When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Luckoff and Kaylani Juanita is a wonderful gender affirming story of Aidan, a little boy who was often mistaken as a girl in the beginning of his life even though he knew he was a boy. When Aidan finds out he is going to be a big brother he wants to help his parents prepare. He becomes nervous that he is not going to do everything right. However, his family reassures him he will be the best big brother ever!

This Day in June by Gale E. Pitman is an amazing celebratory story of love that takes place at a Pride parade. The rhymes are fun, the illustrations are vibrant, and the message is one of being united and validated.

Heather has two Mommies by Leslea Newman is a heart working story of a little girl who absolutely adores the number two. She especially loves her two mommies! When she starts school she quickly wonders if she is the only child in her class with two moms. Her teacher has the class  draw pictures of their families to showcase that every family is beautiful, loved, and unique.

*Being You; A First Conversation about Gender is the perfect first step in having open and honest conversations with children about gender and identity.

I am Jazz by Jessica Heribel and Jazz Jennings is based on a true story of Jazz, a young girl in a boys body. She loves all things pink and doesn’t feel like herself in boys clothing. The messaging of this book is very simple and true and is a wonderful addition for any parent/teacher.

My Rainbow by Trinity and DeShanna Neal is the beautiful story of a Black trans girl on the autism spectrum. When Trinity wants long hair like her dolls her family comes together to find her a wig that represents the beauty of Trinity. This book is a celebration of people being their authentic selves and the people in their lives celebrating them for who they are.

Strong by Eric Rosewood and Rob Kearney is an autobiographical picture book about the first openly gay professional strongman. Rob wants to be a strongman more than ever, but he feels like he can’t fit in with his bright leggings, unicorn T-shirts, and rainbow-dyed hair. With the help of his partner he finds a way to pursue his dreams and living authentically.

Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle by Nina LaCour is the story of a young girl who stays at home with Mama while Mommy goes on a week long work trip. Mama and their little girl count the days while Mommy is away. They watch movies, go shopping, and pick flowers, but nothing is quite as great as being in between Mama and Mommy at the dinner table.

Calvin by JR and Vanessa Ford is inspired by their own transgender son. Calvin has known that he has always been a boy, even while the world viewed him as a girl. This books takes you on Calvin’s journey of introducing himself for the first time to friends and family and as he prepares he is met with nothing but love and acceptance.

Middle School Reads

*Spin with Me by Ami Poloski is a novel about first love and non-binary identity. Essie thinks she has a typical crush on a beautiful boy. But as her crush blossoms, she soon realizes that Ollie is not a boy or a girl, but gender non-binary.

*What was Stonewall by Nico Medina is a wonderful resource to teach children about the history of a protest in New York that led to a social movement across America in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

 *Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake follows Ivy, a young girl whose family lost their house in a fire and develops her first crush on a girl in school. A beautiful story about being true to who you are, this book is great addition to any library.

 *You Should see me in a Crown (upper middle) by Leah Johnson comes the story Liz Lighty a high school girl who has always felt very out of place in her small hometown. 

High School Reads

*The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta is a beautifully written story of coming out and embracing your identity. Michael struggles most of his life as to where he fits in. When he discovers Drag he has found his home and the Black Flamingo is born.

*Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender is a book about Felix Love, a transgender 17 year old seeking revenge against a bully in school by catfishing him. This novel focuses on the importance of identity, self-discovery, and accepting real love.

*All Boys Aren’t Blue a series of memoirs by George M. Johnson that discuss the trials and tribulations of growing up for Black queer boys. If I could suggest you read any book in the following year, I’d recommend this because my write up won’t ever begin to do this book justice.

*Miss Meteor by Tehlor Kay Mejia and Anna-Marie McLemore is an empowering read for all young girls that proves the importance of self-worth and the power of believing you are enough.

That's the list! What did we miss? What are some of your favorites? Tell us below! If you'd like to put one of these books in the hands of a child, check out our Pride collection