Staff Picks
Read All About It: LGBTQIA+ Picture Books
- Heather M.
- Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Collection
Read the rainbow and discover these LGBTQIA+ picture books that show us love is love and that we are truly free to be you and me.
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Neither
Published in 2018
Because Neither is unlike both the rabbits and birds of the Land of This and That, it sets out to find a new place where all kinds of creatures are welcome.
What Riley Wore
Published in 2019
"Gender-creative Riley knows just what to wear for every occasion during a busy week with family and friends"-- Provided by publisher.
Worm Loves Worm
Published in 2016
Two worms in love decide to get married, and with help from Cricket, Beetle, Spider, and the Bees they have everything they need and more, but which one will be the bride and which the groom?
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress
Published in 2014
A young boy faces adversity from classmates when he wears an orange dress at school.
Uncle Bobby's Wedding
Published in 2008
Chloë is jealous and sad when her favorite uncle announces that he will be getting married, but as she gets to know Jamie better and becomes involved in planning the wedding, she discovers that she will always be special to Uncle Bobby--and to Uncle Jamie, too.
10,000 Dresses
Published in 2008
Bailey longs to wear the beautiful dresses of her dreams but is ridiculed by her unsympathetic family which rejects her true perception of herself.
The Sissy Duckling
Published in 2002
Elmer the duck is teased because he is different, but he proves himself by not only surviving the winter, but also saving his Papa.
Call Me Tree
Published in 2014
"A bilingual poetic tale that follows one child/tree from the depths of Mami/Earth to the heights of the sky, telling a story about being free to grow and be who we are meant to be and honoring our relationship with the natural world"-- Provided by publisher.
Maiden & Princess
Published in 2019
When a maiden reluctantly attends a ball for her friend, the prince, everyone considers her his perfect match until she surprises them--and herself--by finding true love with someone else.
Prince & Knight
Published in 2018
A prince and a knight in shining armor find true love in each other's embrace after fighting a dragon together.
Red
A Crayon's Story
Published in 2015
Red's factory-applied label clearly says that he is red, but despite the best efforts of his teacher, fellow crayons and art supplies, and family members, he cannot seem to do anything right until a new friend offers a fresh perspective.
Jacob's New Dress
Published in 2014
Jacob, who likes to wear dresses at home, convinces his parents to let him wear a dress to school too.
Jacob's Room to Choose
Published in 2019
After Jacob and Sophie are prevented from using their school's bathrooms, their teacher helps her students write new rules about who can use which bathroom.
Lovely
Published in 2017
"Big, small, curly, straight, loud, quiet, smooth, wrinkly. Lovely explores a world of differences that all add up to the same thing: we are all lovely!"-- Provided by publisher.
Real Sisters Pretend
Published in 2016
"As they play, Mia and Tayja confirm that there's one thing they don't have to pretend: They know in their hearts that they're real sisters, even though others don't always recognize this since they're adopted and don't look alike. Safe in the knowledge that adoption has made them "forever family," the sisters end their make-believe journey with a joyful homecoming to a real home with their two moms."--Jacket flap.
Bunnybear
Published in 2017
"Although Bunnybear was born a bear, he feels more like a bunny. He loves to bounce through the forest, wiggle his nose, and munch on strawberries. The other bears don't understand him, and neither do the bunnies. Will Bunnybear ever find a friend who likes him just the way he is?"-- Provided by publisher.
Julián is a Mermaid
Published in 2018
While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he's seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes -- and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself?
Call Me Max
Published in 2019
"When Max starts school, the teacher hesitates to call out the name on the attendance sheet. Something doesn't seem to fit. Max lets her know the name he wants to be called by--a boy's name. This begins Max's journey as he makes new friends and reveals his feelings about his identity to his parents. Written with warmth and sensitivity by trans writer Kyle Lukoff, this book is a sweet and age-appropriate introduction to what it means to be transgender"-- Provided by publisher.
When Aidan Became a Brother
Published in 2019
"Aidan, a transgender boy, experiences complicated emotions as he and his parents prepare for the arrival of a new baby"-- Provided by publisher.
Plenty of Hugs
Published in 2020
Illustrations and gently rhyming text follow two mothers and their toddler on a sunny day.
My Rainbow
Published in 2020
"A dedicated mom puts love into action as she creates the perfect rainbow-colored wig for her transgender daughter, based on the real-life experience of mother-daughter advocate duo Trinity and DeShanna Neal"-- Provided by publisher.
Heather Has Two Mommies
Published in 2015
When Heather goes to playgroup, at first she feels bad because she has two mothers and no father, but then she learns that there are lots of different kinds of families and the most important thing is that all the people love each other.
A Family is a Family is a Family
Published in 2016
After their teacher asks them what is special about their families, a class full of students each give an answer, but one student is worried that her family isn't that special at all.
Born Ready
The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope
Published in 2021
Just before his fifth birthday, Penelope lets his mother know he is a boy and, with her support and his ninja powers, faces the rest of his family and his classmates. Drawn from the author's memoir, The bold world.
My Footprints
Published in 2019
Upset after being bullied, Thuy, a Vietnamese American, pretends she is different creatures, including an especially strong, wonderful being made up of her two mothers and herself. Includes note about the phoenix and the Sarabha.
Love Around the World
Published in 2019
"Inspired by a true story, Love Around the World is the beautiful and heartwarming adventure of two womens journey to marry each other in every country where same-sex marriage is legal"--Amazon.
This Day in June
Published in 2014
"A picture book illustrating a Pride parade. The endmatter serves as a primer on LGBT history and culture and explains the references made in the story"-- Provided by publisher.
A Church for All
Published in 2018
"Celebrates a diverse community on a Sunday morning at an inclusive church that welcomes all people regardless of age, class, race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Come to the church for all!"-- Provided by publisher. Includes historical facts about Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco.
In Our Mothers' House
Published in 2009
Three young children experience the joys and challenges of being raised by two mothers.
Sam is My Sister
Published in 2021
Evan, Sam, and Finn fish, climb trees, and play astronauts together, but when Sam wants to have long hair and wear dresses, Evan is confused until he learns what it means to be transgender.
And Tango Makes Three
Published in 2015
At New York City's Central Park Zoo, two male penguins fall in love and start a family by taking turns sitting on an abandoned egg until it hatches. Based on a true story.
Stella Brings the Family
Published in 2015
Stella brings her two fathers to school to celebrate Mother's Day.
Jerôme by Heart
Published in 2018
"A young boy expresses his love for his friend Jerome"-- Provided by publisher.
The Boy & the Bindi.
Published in 2016
In this beautiful children's picture book by Vivek Shraya, author of the acclaimed God Loves Hair, a five-year-old South Asian boy becomes fascinated with his mother's bindi, the red dot commonly worn by Hindu women to indicate the point at which creation begins, and wishes to have one of his own. Rather than chastise her son, she agrees to it, and teaches him about its cultural significance, allowing the boy to discover the magic of the bindi, which in turn gives him permission to be more fully himself. Beautifully illustrated by Rajni Perera, The Boy & the Bindi is a joyful celebration of gender and cultural difference.
The Boy & the Bindi
Published in 2016
When Ammi teaches her son about the significance of the dot she wears on her forehead, he insists that he wants to wear a bindi, too.
Harriet Gets Carried Away
Published in 2018
While shopping with her two dads for supplies for her birthday party, Harriet, who is wearing a penguin costume, is carried away by a waddle of penguins and must hatch a plan in order to get herself back to the store in the city.
A Plan for Pops
Published in 2019
Lou visits his two grandfathers--Grandad, who is interested in technology, and Pops, who loves rock and roll--every Saturday, but things change when Pops falls and will have to use a wheelchair, so Lou comes up with an idea to help Pops adjust.
Ogilvy
Published in 2019
When Ogilvy moves to a new town, he discovers that bunnies who wear dresses play ball and knit socks while bunnies in sweaters make art and climb rocks, and Ogilvy must figure out a way to do it all.
Home at Last
Published in 2016
"After Lester is adopted from his foster home by Daddy Albert and Daddy Rich, he can't fall asleep in his new bed. What will it take to make Lester feel home at last?" -- Provided by publisher.