LGBTQ+ History Month: The Best Inclusive Kids Books out There

ages 2-4

Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae

With his long legs and neck, other animals at the Jungle Dance jeer at Gerald the Giraffe, 🦒 but he dances anyway. This is a great book to teach children to accept that everyone is different, to embrace their own differences and to build self-confidence.

ages 5-7

An ABC of Equality by Chana Ginelle and Paulina Morgan

This book introduces children to the concept that everyone should be treated equally regardless of who they are: race, class, LGBTQ+ and feminism are some of the topics covered.

ages 8-11

Free to Be…You and Me by Marlo Thomas

Despite having been written in the 70s, this book has managed to stand the test of time. It teaches children that they can behave, wear and like whatever they want, regardless of their gender and sexuality. It does so through songs, poems and stories.

ages 12-14

Colour Outside the Lines: Stories about Love by Sangu Mandanna

A collection of writing about race, sexuality, gender and love in a positive and inspiring way. This would be recommended for teens who are struggling with who they are. As Stonewall puts it, ‘It is a call to arms for celebrating beautiful and complex identities.’ 😍

ages 15+

One in Every Crowd by Ivan E Coyote

Over 40 stories which are a mixture between humour and heartbreak. Easy reading for any teen who has ever felt different, alone or who struggles with accepting their true selves.

ages 2-4

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

This is a lovely story from  the Central Park Zoo, in which two male penguins became partners and raised a child together.

ages 5-7

Heather Has Two Mummies by Lesléa Newman and Laura Cornell

Heather thinks her family is different but soon comes to realise that all families are different. Written in the late 1980s, this is the first published book about lesbian-parenting.

ages 8-11

She’s my Dad

This is about a child’s relationship with her dad, a trans woman. It explains everything in simple terms and would be great for anyone with a trans parent or relative.

ages 12-14

See you at Harry’s by Jo Knowles

This is a book about 12-year-old Fern and her family. It covers grief and a family member coming out as gay.

ages 15+

The Love and Lies of Rukshana Ali by Sabina Khan

Rukshana is a 17-year-old lesbian. When her family discovers that she has a secret girlfriend, they take her back to Bangladesh to find her a suitable husband. Rukshana escapes back to the States to be with her girlfriend, forcing the family to rethink their values and culture.👭

ages 2-4

Cock-A-Moo-Moo by Juliet Dallas Conte

The rooster has forgotten how to crow so the animals make fun of him.

ages 5-7

Frog in Love by Max Velthuijs

Frog gets worried because his heart is beating fast. This could be love but who is he in love with? This is a celebration of diversity and a great exploration of the emotions people feel when they experience love.

ages 8-11

Fearless Fairy Tales by Konnie Huq and James Kay

An amusing reimagining of familiar fairy tales. Who isn’t going to love an eco warrior mermaid or Rap-unzel who appears on Kingdom’s Got Talent?

ages 12-14

My Brother’s Husband

This is a brilliant graphic novel which talks about bereavement. Mike goes to see his twin brother and niece in Japan. Slowly, he develops a friendship with his brother-in-law.

ages 15+

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki

If you have a difficult teen, there’s often a reason why. They could be struggling with their feelings. This book might be for them. It’s effortlessly queer and explores feelings of love, self love and friendship. 😊

ages 2-4

Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah Hoffman

Jacob loves dresses. Some kids make fun of him but he wants to wear a dress to school. All he has to do is convince his parents.

ages 5-7

Peanut Goes For Gold by Jonathan Van Ness

You’ll probably recognise author, Van Ness from the TV series Queer Eye. He’s written about the adventure of Peanut, a gender non-binary guinea pig. 🐹 What’s not to love?

ages 8-11

Drama by Raina Telgemeier

This graphic novel is about Callie who loves theatre, but is terrible at singing. So she settles for being a set designer. She wants to make a hit of the show and has various challenges along the way.

ages 12-14

Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

Sophia would much rather marry Erin than a handsome prince. This story encourages girls to question everything they’ve been told about who they should be and how they should behave!

ages 15+

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu

We’ve got a witch, a werewolf and non binary characters. It’s also got amazing illustrations and an amazing story. What are you waiting for?   

ages 2-4

Introducing Teddy by Jessica Walton and Dougal MacPherson

This is about Errol and Thomas the Teddy. One day Thomas tells Errol they’ve always felt like a girl teddy but were afraid to say. This is a gentle story about living your own truth, friendship and gender identity.  

ages 5-7

Bunnybear by Andrea J Loney

Bear is a bunny on the inside who initially is rejected by his family. But he finds bunny, who is a bear on the inside! It’s all about acceptance and realising that people on the outside aren’t necessarily who they are on the inside.

ages 8-11

When Aiden Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff

This book is well-written and is about being happy, confident and loved. The focus is on Aiden’s role as a big brother and not their trans identity.

ages 12-14

George by Alex Gino

A beautifully-written book and a must-read for anyone questioning their gender or for anyone who wants to understand what it’s like for trans children. It sensitively looks at the emotional side of being transgender.

ages 15+

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

This is a young adult novel about a black, queer, transgender teen who struggles with his identity and who falls in love for the first time. 💘

ages 2-4

Truelove by Babette Cole

Truelove is a dog 🐶 who feels threatened when a new baby comes into the family. Having tried his best to get his owners’ attention, he runs away, gets into bad company and comes home again. Of course, they’re delighted to see him. It deals with jealousy and change.

ages 5-7

Tadpole’s Promise by Jeanne Willis

This book is educational, amusing and beautifully illustrated. It’s about a tadpole and caterpillar who fall in love. The caterpillar says, ‘Promise you’ll never change.’ The tadpole promises and of course, we all know that’s a promise that can’t be kept! There’s also a twist at the end which everyone loves, right? If you have a sensitive child, be warned.

ages 8-11

Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy by Bre Indigo

A modern adaptation of Little Women, set in New York. This graphic novel handles themes of someone coming out, being in a mixed-race family and cancer.

ages 12-14

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

This is an atypical coming out story. Nishat is a gay, Irish girl with Bengali heritage. It tackles racism and homophobia and starts with Nishat trying to tell her parents she’s gay. 

ages 15+

How Much of These Hills is Gold by C Pam Zhang

Two immigrant siblings cross America which sees their parents die unexpectedly. The author writes really well both about the California gold rush era, but also about the gender fluidity of one of her main characters.