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, so we’ve picked out some excellent reads that highlight the experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community. Check them out below!
Ahoy! by Sophie Blackall (she/her)
This charming picture book invites readers to go 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)
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)
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,” Ollie must confront their understanding of gender and find their voice. A heartfelt coming-of-age story! (Ages 10-14)
The Queen Bees of Tybee County by Kyle Casey Chu (she/her)
This middle-grade debut introduces readers to Derrick Chan, the basketball star of his middle school. But Derrick keeps some things secret from his classmates and his dad—like how he wears nail polish, loves karaoke, and has 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)
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 “bouncy” writing style will convey gender euphoria to readers and remind them of the importance of empathy! (Ages 3–6)
The Curse of Eelgrass Bog by Mary Averling (she/her)
The Curse of Eelgrass Bog introduces readers to the whimsical life of Kess 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 Kess meets Lilou, the new girl in town, they set off into Eelgrass Bog on a curse-breaking quest full of witches, demons, and dark secrets. A fantastical story with an endearing LGBTQIA+ lead! (Ages 8–12)
Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dåsnes (she/her)
Winner of the 2024 Stonewall Book Award, Cross My Heart and Never Lie follows the story of twelve-year-old Tuva. As Tuva enters seventh grade, she hopes to fit in, but life has other plans! Her friends split into two 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+)
The Otherwoods by Justine Pucella Winans (they/she)
A Stonewall Award honoree, Indie Next Pick, and PW Best Book of the Year, The Otherwoods chronicles the adventures of non-binary twelve-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. (Ages 8–12)