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
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
From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl’s brain in a boy’s body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn’t feel like herself in boys’ clothing. This confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way. Jazz’s story is based on her real-life experience and she tells it in a simple, clear way that will be appreciated by picture book readers, their parents, and teachers.
From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl’s brain in a boy’s body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn’t feel like herself in boys’ clothing. This confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way. Jazz’s story is based on her real-life experience and she tells it in a simple, clear way that will be appreciated by picture book readers, their parents, and teachers.
