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 Shadow is Purple (#3) by Scott Stuart

30 Aug 2024 Leave a comment

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

Published: 15 June 2022
Publisher: Larrikan House US
Illustrator: Scott Stuart
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

My Dad has a shadow that’s blue as a berry, and my Mom’s is as pink as a blossoming cherry. 
There’s only those choices, a 2 or a 1. But mine is quite different, it’s both and it’s none. 
An inspiring book about being true to yourself, by best-selling children’s book creator Scott Stuart. This effusive rhyming story considers gender beyond binary in a vibrant spectrum of colour.

I love the shadow books because it is an easy to understand concept for kids and anyone unfamiliar with the different “shadow types”, but it’s also amazing because the differences are the shadows, not the people. The people are themselves, it’s only their shadows that are different. It doesn’t change who they are. Which of course might be me reading too much into it, but I just love the fact the differences are part of them but also not their whole being.

Even with this third colour option Stuart still shows different gender norms with blues being sentimental and pinks being strong. What’s great about this book too is it straight up says why can’t people be into all things? Why must they chose between the pinks and the blues? Why can’t they be into both trains and ballet shoes?

After our introduction the story follows the struggle with dealing with environments that are split into two options with no place for a third. The teacher coming over to acknowledge that our main character is different and yet still tells them they must choose a colour is another wonderful example of understanding but still forcing people into binary boxes.

Stuart shows readers that one brave voice to stand up for who they are can open the doors for others. It lets them reflect and acknowledge they too may not fit into the boxes the world has created, thereby creating a more welcoming and comfortable environment for all. Even after the proclamations of new shadows like green and brown there are still those who are blue and pink so Stuart also tells readers that you can reflect and challenge your own shadow colour and still end up with the default setting and there’s nothing wrong with that.

As a visual it’s a great introduction to the gender diversities and what people call ‘other’ and Stuart makes this another welcoming and simple explanation of gender diversity with a great story as well.

You can purchase My Shadow is Purple via the following

QBD | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Wordery | Angus & Robertson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart

04 Jun 2021 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, LGBTQIA, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , ,

Published: 1st April 2021Goodreads badge
Publisher: Larrikin House
Illustrator: Scott Stuart
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★   ★  – 5 Stars

My Shadow is Pink is a beautifully written rhyming story that touches on the subjects of gender identity, self acceptance, equality and diversity.

Inspired by the author’s own little boy, ‘Shadow’s’ main character likes princesses, fairies and things ‘not for boys’… he soon learns (through the support of his dad) that everyone has a shadow that they sometimes feel they need to hide.

This is an important book for a new generation of children (and adults alike) which exemplifies the concepts of unconditional love, respect and positive parenting.

This story is a great example of defying gender norms and being your true self, also a great book showing examples of positive parenting and accepting friends. Stuart tells us that our shadows show us what’s inside, who we really are no matter what is presented to the world.

There is so much to love about this story. The fear of liking things “not for boys” is explored so well and there are so many different interpretations of what this could apply to. Stuart doesn’t specify but instead explores how whatever the reason, a pink shadow is ok and a boy with a pink shadow is not something to worry about.

The narrative is told through rhyme which has a lovely flow and it fits in and around the illustrations so you can compare and appreciate each one as you read. The themes are easy to understand for kids and the feelings of acceptance and loneliness in a new place like school are explored well and succinctly. I loved the dad a lot. His shadow is big and blue but at the same time he is anxious for his kid on their first day of school but doesn’t prohibit what they want to wear.

The illustrations are wonderful. I loved the colour contrast and the expression of the different shadows. Stuart shows how they can be their own individual self but connected to a person as well. The pink/blue scheme was an interesting choice given the theme, but as a base starting point it was clear Stuart was using well known and established gender colours to show young readers in the simplest manner about gender identity and defying gender norms.

This is a beautiful book that made me tear up at the end because from the start where there is so much uncertainty and worry, with the dad saying things are “just a phase” I was curious where the story was going. But seeing him come out and be supportive in so many different ways was amazing. It is a super adorable story that doesn’t have anything too complicated in it, the message is simple – people can be different on the inside to other people in a lot of different ways and there is nothing wrong with that.

You can purchase My Shadow is Pink via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust