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This Day in June by Gale E. Pitman
This product was recommended by Ally Bush from Reading Partners
This Stonewall Award-winning book is a colorful, whimsical, validating story of a Pride parade. Also included is a reading guide filled with facts about LGBT history and culture as well as a note to parents and caregivers with information on how to talk to children about sexual orientation and gender identity in age-appropriate ways.
They, She, He Easy as ABC by Maya Christina Gonzalez
This product was recommended by Ally Bush from Reading Partners
This book uses rhyme, song, and the alphabet to show the diversity of identity and explain how to use pronouns. This book is a great conversation starter to discuss pronouns and gender fluidity with children 3+.
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson
This product was recommended by Eden Cheng from PeopleFinderFree
This is another excellent choice for kids that is also a picture book and is based on the true story of two male penguins, called Roy and Silo, who are presented with an adopted egg to nurture until the birth of their chick, Tango. It is a great book that speaks to chidden about adoption, same-sex relationships, and how there are many different types of beautiful families that are built off of love.
Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman
This product was recommended by Ally Bush from Reading Partners
Heather Has Two Mommies tells the story of Heather’s first day of school. The students in her class draw pictures of their families, and the students learn that families can be made up of many different family members.
Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
This product was recommended by Eden Cheng from PeopleFinderFree
This is an excellent picture book not only for elementary readers, as it tells the tale about a boy named Julian who would like to be a mermaid but is worried about what his grandmother may think about it. And while the book comes with few words, the storytelling is both understated and delicate, as the narrative manages to pack a meaningful message behind it that teaches kids that it is okay for them to be themselves. The first time I read it I was actually taken aback and it’s definitely one that I have recommended to many of my friends to check out as well.
When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff
This product was recommended by Ally Bush from Reading Partners
Aidan never felt himself in the clothes he wore, his girly room, and even the name his parents gave him. Once he realized he was a trans boy, Aiden and his family explore gender and identity as he becomes a big brother.
In Our Mothers’ House by Patricia Polacco
This product was recommended by Ally Bush from Reading Partners
This book, written by the beloved children’s author Patricia Polacco, follows the story of a multiracial, same-sex-parented family. This book is ideal for older children and explores themes of adoption, overcoming prejudice, and unconditional love across a lifetime.
I am Jazz co-written by Jazz Jennings
This product was recommended by Ally Bush from Reading Partners
This book is based on Jazz’s experiences as a transgender child and is told in a simple way that makes it easy for children to understand what it means to be trans.
Prince and Knight by Daniel Haack
This product was recommended by Ally Bush from Reading Partners
Daniel puts an inclusive spin on the “traditional” fairy tale story to find love in surprising places.
The Boy and the Bindi by Vivek Shraya
This product was recommended by Ally Bush from Reading Partners
This book follows a South Asian boy fascinated by his mother’s bindi, a red dot worn on the forehead by Hindu women. By learning its cultural significance, he is able to live more authentically.
The Magus Chase Series by Rick Riordan
This product was recommended by Sarah Adler from Adler Law
The story has a gender fluid character (Alex) who is just presented magnificently. We found it helpful to expose our children to some of these topics in an inclusive way, and not something separate to be discussed.
Sex Is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg
This product was recommended by Sarah Adler from Adler Law
Again not specifically LGBT but discusses LGBT matters in an inclusive way as part of a discussion on the topics of sex, gender, and orientation generally. This was one we could just give to our tween to read on his own. Accessible and informative and dealing with the mental social aspects and not just a physiological or medial presentation.
