Different Types of LGBTQIA Picture Books

13 Jun 2025 Leave a comment

by Amy in LGBTQIA, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Just like how there’s no one type of story, there is also no one type of LGBTQIA picture book. Picture books are a great way of exploring different kinds of diverse stories and can introduce kids and families to a variety of different experiences. There are books about different families, books about characters falling in love, and books about characters discovering who they are on the inside. The range of books has grown dramatically in the past few years and it’s wonderful to see so many different books represented both rooted in reality, through animal stories, as well as metaphor and fantasy.

Any search of LGBTQIA picture books will give you a myriad of results and a range of books to look for. I’ve compiled a list of a few different types of picture books that explore LGBTQIA history, identity, and families. There are so, so, many more available, this is obviously a small selection, but is it is a great example of the different approaches to diverse stories and how representation can come in a variety of stories.

Books with LGBTQIA characters

I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings

Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship by Jessica Walton

Bunnybear by Andrea J. Loney

King and King by Linda de Haan

Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack

Jerome By Heart by Thomas Scotto

Maiden & Princess by Daniel Haack

When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff

My Shadow Is Pink by Scott Stuart

Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope by Jodie Patterson

From Archie to Zack by Vincent Kirsch

Red: A Crayon’s Story By Michael Hall

 

Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall

Books Containing Gender Non-Conforming Characters

Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah and Ian Hoffman

Jacob’s Room to Choose by Sarah and Ian Hoffman

Want to Play Trucks by Ann Stot

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress By Christine Baldacchino

Pink Is for Boys by Robb Pearlman

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Julián at the Wedding by Jessica Love

Not Every Princess by Jeffrey and Lisa Bone

Téo’s Tutu by Maryann Jacob Macias

My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis

Except When They Don’t by Laura Gehl

Sparkle Boy by Lesléa Newman

Peanut Goes for the Gold by Jonathan van Ness

 

About LGBTQIA Parents

My Two Super Dads by Bronny Fallens

My Two Dads and Me by Michael Joosten

And Tango Makes Three by PETER PARNELL AND JUSTIN RICHARDSON

Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer

My Two Moms and Me by Michael Joosten

My Two Dads by Claudia Harrington 

Mommy, Mama, and Me by Lesléa Newman

Daddy, Papa, and Me by Lesléa Newman

Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman

It Takes Love (and some other stuff) to Make a Baby by LL Bird

Uncle Bobby’s Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen

Who’s Your Real Mum?  by Bernadette Green

Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer

 

History of LGBTQIA

Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!: The Story of the Trans Women of Color Who Made LGBTQ+ History by Joy Ellison

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders

This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman

Twas the Night Before Pride by Joanna McClintick

The Meaning Of Pride by Rosie Thor

Two Grooms on a Cake by Rob Sanders

Be Amazing by Desmond is Amazing and Dylan Glynn

 

Information

It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn and Noah Grigni

What are your Words? by Katherine Locke

 

There are also great books that have a story entirely irrelevant to any LGBTQIA issue but just happen to have two same-sex parents or characters who are in the LGBTQIA community. I love these ones the best because the book is not about being diverse it just happens to be diverse. These are two examples I have come across but I am always looking out for more. As always, representation matters, but there is something delightful about normalising things so that they aren’t a stand out book because they are diverse.

General books but characters are same sex

Things in the Sea are Touching Me by Linda Jane Keegan

Harriet Gets Carried Away by Jessie Sima

 

My Maddy by Gayle E. Pitman

02 Jun 2023 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, LGBTQIA, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , , , , ,

Published: 25th May 2020Goodreads badge
Publisher: Magination Press
Illustrator: Violet Tobacco
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

Most mommies are girls. Most daddies are boys. But lots of parents are neither a boy nor a girl. Like my Maddy.

My Maddy has hazel eyes which are not brown or green. And my Maddy likes sporks because they are not quite a spoon or a fork.

Some of the best things in the world are not one thing or the other. They are something in between and entirely their own.

I was so glad to discover this book because while there are a growing number of picture books about trans kids and parents, I was curious about whether the non-binary community were given representation as well.

The story is incredible sweet, it’s a gentle slow read about a young child and their “Maddy”, a person who is presented as non-binary. I loved the opening line about how most mummies are girls and most daddies are boys because right away it already opens up the acknowledgement of a gender spectrum on parents.

Many elements of Maddy are a mixture; their eyes, their hair, a combination of two different things coming together to make them who they are. It’s not only Maddy’s appearance though, Pitman frequently uses the ‘in-between’ to show that wonderful things don’t have to be one thing or another and the spaces between can be their own beautiful thing.

Tobacco’s illustrations are great and I loved the use of colour, especially recognisable colours of the non-binary flag in Maddy’s clothes as well as pride slogans and posters around the house. The full page illustrations are full of bright colours and I love how Maddy and our child narrator are shown interacting with the world around them – their expressions, their actions, and even the unique angles and perspectives of the pictures are interesting.

This is a great story about a loving family and their unique look at the world of in-between spaces and how many things are neither one thing or another if you look closely enough.

You can purchase My Maddy via the following

 Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman

05 Jun 2020 1 Comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , ,

Published: 5th May 2014Goodreads badge
Publisher: Magination Press
Illustrator: Kristyna Litten
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★  – 3 Stars

This day in June…. Parade starts soon…. Rainbow arches…. Joyful marches!

In a wildly whimsical, validating, and exuberant reflection of the LGBT community, This Day In June welcomes readers to experience a pride celebration and share in a day when we are all united.

Also included is a Note to Parents and Other Caregivers with information on how to talk to children about sexual orientation and gender identity in age-appropriate ways as well as a Reading Guide chock-full of facts about LGBT history and culture. This Day in June is an excellent tool for teaching respect, acceptance, and understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

This story comes from the American Psychological Association and is a great resource to teach children (and adults) about the history and culture of LGBTQIA people all centred on the parade. It does have an American focus, but there are elements that are universal as well, especially as the movements in the States had reverberating effects around the world.

There is not as much story as I was thinking there would be, but it still reads like a nice poem. There is a great amount of history expressed though you don’t realise it at the time. I enjoyed the premise more than I’d give credit to an interesting narrative. The poem style story doesn’t explain much, a lot needs to be understood from the information at the back of the book.

The lines of the poem themselves are vague and simple enough, but reading about what they are references offers a greater insight into the pride activities, participants, and history. The reading guide at the end breaks down the lines with the historical connotations such as the parade being in June, or the “sisters painting” relating to The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

What I loved was Litten doesn’t shy away from the illustrations because these are pictures of the pride parade and there are people dressed in all manner of clothing, including the leather shorts and the “Dykes on Bikes” seen at countless pride parades. There are families, same-sex couples, and a range of costume and floats to depict all the various things usually seen at Pride.

This is a simple book but is one that could be a great resource and introduction/celebration of Pride, especially since these issues are relevant every month of the year.

You can purchase This Day In June via the following

Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Wordery

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust