Representation in media consumed by children is a key part of normalizing diverse families, and the authors below have begun to fill this need by creating LGBTQ+ inclusive children’s books.
When children are able to read stories with characters that look similar to themselves with narratives that they can relate to or empathize with, they are empowered by the content they consume.
Kids, and their spongy brains that actively soak in the messaging around them, can only benefit from books that showcase a variety of ways different people experience the world.
That is why it’s important to support children, and ourselves, by championing the authors who have created these LGBTQ+ inclusive children’s books. Keep reading to learn more!
Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
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Great for a bedtime read, or really an anytime read, Love Makes a Family is a delightful book with wonderful illustrations of a variety of families. Beer’s message to the readers is clear: love is what makes a family.
The back cover blurb says “whether you have one parent, two moms, two dads, a mom and a dad, or another wonderful caregiver, there’s one thing that makes every family a family…and that’s love!”
In Our Home, There’s You, Me, and Lots and Lots of Love by Leon Wenham
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When Leon Wenham noticed an absence of children’s books featuring families like his own, he decided to take action by writing In Our Home, There’s You, Me, and Lots and Lots of Love.
Wenham, a Black gay father, details the adoption journey he and his son experienced and showcases a variety of different ethnicities with the intent that “this book is for ALL children and ALL families” he says. Drawing focus on the importance of considering adoption as a Black LGBTQ+ parent, this book is a great read for all children any time of the day.
Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
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Illustrated and written by Love, Julián is a Mermaid is a Stonewall Award-winning picture book that features a young child coming of age and beginning to understand their own gender nonconformity after encountering three women dressed as mermaids. A story of self-discovery, mermaids, and a loving Abuela.
Listed as optimal for ages 4 through 8, this book would make a great gift and a warm read to expand a child’s imagination.
I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
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A true story of Jazz Jennings experiences as a girl in a “boy body,” I am Jazz highlights the importance of support and compassion in a child’s gender transition.
At 13 years-old, Jennings co-authored this autobiographical picture book to show kids what it can look like to be and have a loving, supportive family and good friends. Who wouldn’t love to read such a heart-warming and personal book?
Middle School’s a Drag, You Better Werk by Greg Howard
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If the title doesn’t immediately make you smile, the book definitely will. Recommended for ages 10+, Middle School’s a Drag, You Better Werk follows what happens when 12 year-old Mikey Pruitt starts his own talent agency to represent clients for the upcoming talent show. One of the said clients is eighth-grader Julian Vasquez, also known as the Mistress of Mayhem and Madness under the drag queen named Coco Caliente.
A plot filled with comedy and light-hearted wonder, Howard captures the all familiar excitement, or dread, for the school talent show while highlighting what it looks like to support our friends in their gender identity journeys.
The Deepest Breath by Meg Grehan
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A wonderful plot detailing an 11 year-old girl’s tender coming out story, The Deepest Breath is fantastic to be read aloud, or great for the kids ready to read for themselves.
Grehan, an Irish author, was awarded the Judges’ Special Award at the 2020 KPMG Children’s Books Awards for this novel. Through its poetic and lyrical writing, this story is not one you want to miss.
As The Crow Flies by Melanie Gillman
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This award-winning webcomic follows the main character, Charlie Lamonte, a queer black camper at a Christian summer retreat, as she questions her belief in God, the camp itself, and her fellow camper, Sydney.
A hilariously honest and fantastically illustrated comic, Gillman tackles important topics like race, gender, sexuality, feminism, spirituality, bullying, and relationships with nature.
With such a wide plethora of insights, this read would make an incredible gift for any young adult reader. You can buy the book through the link on Gillman’s website.
Now that you’ve read this article, keep it handy for the next time you are visiting your local bookstore and thinking about purchasing books for your children, others, or even for yourself, to fill the previously empty gap without these representative narratives.
Ready, set, GO read as many of these LGBTQ+ inclusive children’s books as you can!
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