LGBTQIA+ Children's Books to Read for Pride Month
Happy June, everyone: it’s officially Pride Month! We think the best stories for kids are about inclusivity, community, and being yourself. We’ve picked out some excellent reads for kids that highlight the experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community. Check them out below!
Rainbowsaurus by Steve Antony (he/him)
This cheerful picture book celebrates diversity and pride! Follow two dads and their three children as they set off on an adventure to find the Rainbowsaurus. On their journey, they meet colorful animal friends who want to find the Rainbowsaurus too. With playful rhymes and eye-popping illustrations, it's a perfect read for little ones who love dinosaurs, colors, and messages of inclusion. (Ages 3-5)
Not He or She, I’m Me by A. M. Wild (they/them)
This heartwarming Stonewall Award-honored picture book follows a non-binary child as they go about their day. As they get ready, go to school, play with friends, and spend time with family, the story’s lively “bouncy” writing style will convey gender euphoria to readers and remind them of the importance of empathy! (Ages 3-6)
Ahoy! by Sophie Blackall (she/her)
This charming picture book invites readers on a swashbuckling adventure without leaving home. A child captain sets off on a voyage, turning the living room into a vast ocean, with the help of a little imagination and their two dads. An adorable story celebrating the special bond between parents and kids! (Ages 4-8)
The Queen Bees of Tybee County by Kyle Casey Chu (she/her)
This debut novel introduces readers to Derrick Chan, a basketball star who hides parts of himself from his classmates and his dad—his nail polish, his love of karaoke, and his feelings for his best friend. When Derrick’s grandmother introduces him to the world of beauty pageants, Derrick thinks he might have found a place where he can truly be himself. (Ages 8-12)
The Curse of Eelgrass Bog by Mary Averling (she/her)
The Curse of Eelgrass Bog introduces readers to the whimsical life of Jess Pedrock, a twelve-year-old girl who lives in her family’s “Unnatural History Museum,” hunts for fossils, and has a demon best friend named Shrunken Jim. When Jess meets Lilou, the new girl in town, they’ll set off on a curse-breaking quest into Eelgrass Bog full of witches, demons, and dark secrets. A fantastical story with an endearing LGBTQIA+ lead! (Ages 8-12)
The Otherwoods by Justine Pucella Winans (they/she)
The Otherwoods chronicles the adventures of non-binary 12-year-old River Rydell, born with the ability to see monsters. They can also travel to the spirit world— “The Otherwoods.” When River’s crush Avery, is suddenly kidnapped, River must venture into The Otherwoods and confront nightmares, monsters, and more. A Stonewall Award Honoree book, Indie Next Pick, and PW Best Book of the Year. (Ages 8-12)
Ollie in Between by Jess Callans (he/they)
This Indie’s Introduce Pick tells the story of 13-year-old Ollie, who struggles to balance culture, family dynamics, and figuring out their own identity— all while going through puberty! When Ollie is asked to write an essay on “what it means to be a woman,” they must confront their understanding of gender and find their voice. A heartfelt coming-of-age story! (Ages 10-14)
Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dåsnes (she/her)
Winner of the 2024 Stonewall Book Award, the novel follows the story of 12-year-old Tuva. As Tuva enters seventh grade, she hopes to fit in, but life has other plans! Her friends split into 2 teams: the girls who fall in love versus the girls who NEVER fall in love. When Tuva develops her first crush— on another girl— she must grapple with her own feelings, keeping them a secret, and surviving adolescence. (Ages 10+)