I’m a firm believer that children need to see themselves within the society that they’re living in. The earlier the better. Likewise, just as much as children need to see their identity and culture reflected, children also need to have access to society via a proverbial window. It’s vital if you want to offer a different view.
As someone who grew up with two mums from the age of 10, secondary school was incredibly isolating. Not only due to a brief encounter with bullying (ignorant parents raise ignorant children) but because I couldn’t see myself in the books I was reading nor the media I was watching.
I never want my child to feel the same way I did growing up.
In light of the updated RSE & RSHE Education in schools that occurred two years ago, and the reaction to this, I’ve created (read: I’m creating!) an ever-growing list to start your own LGBTQ+ inclusive, diverse library.
Most of the books listed below are ones we’ve read already, so we will include a brief synopsis. Those that haven’t have been based on our friend’s and family’s experience. We hope that you find it useful. Please feel free to recommend more to us in the comments below, or by contacting us through our social media channels!
Please note: This content contains Amazon affiliate links, which means I’ll earn a few pennies for each purchase made through them. However, if you can, please shop locally or via an independent seller.
Quick links…
- LGBTQ+ families
- LGBTQ+ relationships and friendships
- LGBTQ+ education
- Other books celebrating inclusion and diversity
LGBTQ+ families
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell
Roy and Silo are just like the other penguin couples at the zoo – they walk together and swim together. But Roy and Silo are different – they’re both boys.
And Tango Makes Three was probably one of our first few books we purchased for T that contained a same-sex parent family that wasn’t part of an ‘educational’ book. It’s still one of our favourites.
Find And Tango Makes Three on Amazon »
Eve’s New Brother by Sheju Adiyatiparambil-John
Eve is about to become an older sibling! How exciting – or is it? Eve’s mums are about to bring home a new addition to the family, however it’s not all plain sailing.
Eve’s New Brother explores the emotions of a child meeting (and accepting) their new sibling, as well as having to adapt to changes in the family dynamics.
Find Eve’s New Brother on Amazon »
My Daddies by Gareth Peter & Garry Parsons
Set off on a series of incredible adventures with an adorable family as the stories they read burst into colourful life. Battle dragons, dodge deadly dinosaurs, zoom to the moon and explore the world in a hot air balloon, before winding down in a wonderfully cosy bedtime ending.
My Daddies is a gorgeous book that explores a range of subjects, from adoption to what blended families looks like, at the same time as using your imagination to go on a wild journey.
Pirate Mums by Jodie Lancet-Grant
Pirate Mums follow Billy and his two mums who are FAR from ‘normal’. With a rude parrot for a pet, and an usual taste in clothes, Billy wishes his family could be more like everyone else’s. That is until a swashbuckling adventure, full of fun and laughter, changes everything!
Ready for an Adventure by Abbi-Jean Reid
Whether skin is Black or White, fair or dark, usually it’s all one colour. Gabby is the main character in Ready for an Adventure, and as you follow Gabby on her adventure you may notice that Gabby has patches on her skin.
Gabby has Vitiligo. Gabby also has a sister and two dads. But this story isn’t about Gabby having Vitiligo or having two dads. It is, however, about the adventures Gabby and her sister Molly go on during a rare ‘free’ day.
Find Ready for an Adventure on Amazon »
Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer
In Stella Brings the Family, Stella’s class is having a Mother’s Day celebration, but what’s a girl with two daddies to do? It’s not that she doesn’t have someone who helps her with her homework, or tucks her in at night. Stella has her Papa and Daddy…
Find Stella Brings the Family on Amazon »
When Aiden Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff
When Aiden Became a Brother tells the story of Aidan: When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl. His parents gave him a pretty name, his room looked like a girl’s room, and he wore clothes that other girls liked wearing. After he realised he was a trans boy, Aidan and his parents fixed the parts of life that didn’t fit any more, and he settled happily into his new life.
Find When Aiden Became a Brother on Amazon »
I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel
I Am Jazz is a wonderful book: From the time she was 2 years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl’s brain in a boy’s body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn’t feel like herself in boy’s clothing. This confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way. Jazz’s story is based on her real-life experience and she tells it in a simple, clear way that will be appreciated by picture book readers, their parents, and teachers.
Who’s Your Real Mum? by Bernadette Green & Anna Zobel
Elvi, which one is your mum?
They’re both my mum.
But which one’s your real mum?
When Elvi’s friend Nicholas comes to visit he has a burning question on his mind. Who’s Elvi’s ‘Real’ mum? Of course Elvi is happy to answer but Nicholas still can’t work it out!
Who’s Your Real Mum? is an exceptional book and approaches a common question heard often by most LGBTQ+ families.
Find Who’s Your Real Mum? on Amazon »
Heather Has Two Mummies by Lesléa Newman
Heather’s favourite number is ‘2’ – she has two arms, two legs, two pets and two lovely mummies. But when Heather goes to school for the first time, someone asks her about her daddy… and Heather doesn’t have a daddy!
Heather Has Two Mummies is another well-timed book, with the character located within a school – during a conversation about different families.
Find Heather Has Two Mummies on Amazon »
Julian is a Mermaid / Julian at the Wedding by Jessica Love
A glimpse of three women dressed as mermaids leaves one boy filled with wonder and ready to dazzle the world.
Julian is a Mermaid is probably one of our faves at the moment for so many reasons. It not only features, we assume, a little boy who goes against gender stereotypes (which can be explored further) but it features different cultures.
The sequel, Julian at the Wedding, follows Julian and their friend as they attend a wedding of two women. The illustrations are just as beautiful as the first book and follows a similar theme around gender expression whilst also exploring different relationships.
Update: It is worth noting with both these books that the author is a White, cisgender woman, which may make these books problematic for some.
Find Julian is a Mermaid on Amazon »
Find Julian at the Wedding on Amazon »
Two Dads by Carolyn Robertson
Having two dads is double the fun! Many families are different, this family has two dads. A beautifully illustrated, affirming story of life with two dads, written from the perspective of their adopted child.
Made famous by the CBeebies’ Bedtime Story, Two Dads is a wonderful book for children with adoptive backgrounds.
Families Families Families! by Suzanne Lang & Max Lang
If you love each other, then you’re a family… Do you have two dads? Or one step mum? Or what about the world’s biggest grandpa?
Families Families Families! really doesn’t need any further explanation. This is a fantastic book to introduce and explore different families, but in a neutral and fun way.
Find Families Families Families! on Amazon »
Donovan’s Big Day by Leslea Newman
Donovan’s two moms are getting married, and he can’t wait for the celebration to begin. After all, as ring bearer, he has a very important job to do.
Donovan’s Big Day is another book that captures a same-sex parent family without the neon sign. It’s also a heart-warming story about love and celebration.
Find Donovan’s Big Day on Amazon »
The Different Dragon by Jennifer Bryan
This bedtime story about bedtime stories shows how a lively, curious boy helps one of his moms create a magical tale. Together they weave a nighttime adventures that lands young Noah and his singing cat Diva deep in dragon territory.
The Different Dragon is a beautifully illustrated (by Danamarie Hosler) book about a little boy and his two mums, and how their bedtime routine plays out.
Find The Different Dragon on Amazon »
What Does a Princess Really Look Like? by Mark Loewen
In What Does a Princess Really Look Like?, Chloe sets out to craft her very own princess, however she quickly realises that princesses are more than just frilly dresses and tiaras. With the help of her two dads, Chloe learns to understand what princesses are not: Perfect. Chloe learns that her imperfections make her uniquely who she is.
As well as featuring two dads, this wonderful book battles stereotypes and offers readers a confident female lead character full of sparkle.
Find What Does a Princess Really Look Like? on Amazon »
LGBTQ+ friendships and relationships
Nen and the Lonely Fisherman by Ian Eagleton & James Mayhew
An inclusive adaptation of The Little Mermaid, Nen and the Lonely Fisherman follows a Merman called Nen, who spends his days exploring. But he is lonely and feeling empty. So, against his father’s wishes, Nen ventures to the world above and it is here that he meets a lonely fisherman named Ernest.
This is a beautifully illustrated story about love and acceptance, with further messaging about ocean care.
Find Nen and the Lonely Fisherman on Amazon »
Promised Land by Adam Reynolds & Chaz Harris
In a kingdom where all are considered equal regardless of what they look like or who they love, Promised Land is a brand new fairytale about friendship, responsibility, adventure and love.
I absolutely adore this book and it’s so refreshing to find a fairy tale with a same-sex couple in it.
Find Promised Land on Amazon »
King & King by Linda De Haan & Stern Nijland
When the Queen insists that the Prince get married and take over as king, the search for a suitable mate does not turn out as expected.
King & King is another great book where same-sex couples are featured subtly within the story and without bringing a lot of attention to it.
Hello, Sailor by Ingrid Godon
Matt lives in a lighthouse. He watches the sea every day for ships… and for his friend, Sailor. Rose and Felix say Sailor is never coming back, but Matt won’t give up hope. Surely Sailor will come back for Matt’s birthday?
Hello, Sailor is a charming book about friendship and love. Beautifully illustrated.
Find Hello, Sailor on Amazon »
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss
Meet Marlon Bundo, a lonely bunny who lives with his Grampa, Mike Pence – the Vice President of the United States. But on this Very Special Day, Marlon’s life is about to change forever…
Aside from being political satire, A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo is a fabulous book about friendship, tolerance, and democracy.
Find A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo on Amazon »
Maiden Voyage by Jaimee Poipoi, Adam Reynolds & Chaz Harris
When a fisherman’s daughter inherits a map and joins the crew of a courageous female captain, a bond between them soon forms into love.
A follow up to Promised Land (see above), Maiden Voyage not only features a two women who fall in love, but also a lead female character.
Find Maiden Voyage on Amazon »
LGBTQ+ education
Alien Nation by Matty Donaldson
Imagine a planet where people can be who they want to be, welcome to Alien Nation… It is a story about exploring who you are and where you belong. It is a story about celebrating our differences. As you journey through space with us, we hope that you will learn some new words, some new ways of understanding the world around you, and perhaps some new ways of understanding yourself.
Alien Nation is probably my most recommended book about trans identity.
This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman & Kristyna Litten
In a wildly whimsical, and colourful, reflection of the LGBTQ+ community, This Day in June welcomes readers to experience and witness a pride celebration and share in a day when we are all united.
This is a fabulous book for teaching about inclusion and respect.
Find This Day in June on Amazon »
Other books celebrating and promoting diversity
Whilst this absolutely still comes under the LGBTQ+ inclusive category, as books have a wonderful way of creating broad metaphors, I thought I’d separate a few and list a couple of books that talk more about gender and combating stereotypes!
Some of these books also explore topics such as racism and neurodiversity.
Not Yet a Yeti by Lou Treleaven & Tony Neal
George’s family are Yetis. George, however, is not yet a Yeti. To become a Yeti, George needs to learn to enjoy things that Yeti’s do. But George doesn’t want to do any of these things. George wants to be something entirely different. Just accepting this allows him to turn into what he really wants to be.
Not Yet a Yeti is a wonderful, and beautifully illustrated, introduction to challenging gender stereotypes.
Find Not Yet a Yeti on Amazon »
Peanut Goes for Gold by Jonathan Van Ness
Written by Jonathan Van Ness, Peanut Goes for Gold features a non-binary Guinea pig who loves nothing more than to dance and be their flamboyant self.
This fun and heart-warming story welcomes readers to be who they really are, and not letting anyone or anything get in your way (including shoe laces!).
On every page you can feel JVN’s warmth and joy.
Find Peanut Goes for Gold on Amazon »
Same But Different Too by Karl Newson & Kate Hindley
These children and animals are all very different to each other. Some are big, some are small. Some are gentle, some are rough. Everyone is playful, but who is the best at hiding? One thing’s certain: They all love a good bedtime story! The perfect picture book for little ones who are just beginning to make sense of their place in the world.
Same But Different Too is one of our favourites and encourages children to notice the difference in people, but that it’s OK!
Find Same But Different Too on Amazon »
Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival
Norman loves his new wings, but he’s worried about everyone will think. After all, they’re definitely NOT normal. Norman decides to cover them with a big coat, but hiding such a big part of his life makes him feel miserable. Can Norman find the courage to be himself?
Perfectly Norman is a gorgeous and uplifting book about differences, and how being YOU is something to be celebrated.
Find Perfectly Norman on Amazon »
From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom
Miu Lan is not just any child, but one who can change into any shape they can imagine. The only problem is they can’t decide what to be; a boy or a girl? A flower or a shooting star?
I love love love this book, from the illustrations to the story. From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea really explores the questions children might face when finding out about one another.
Find From the Stars in the Sky… on Amazon »
The Day the Crayons Quit / The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt & Oliver Jeffers
Poor Duncan just wants to colour. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. Blue needs a break from colouring all those bodies of water. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking – each believes he is the true colour of the sun.
Other than the books being absolutely hilarious, The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home offer a really subtle introduction to gender stereotypes by exploring colours and what they’re often associated with.
Equally, it gave us the chance to talk about never being limited to what people expect of you!
Find The Day the Crayons Quit on Amazon »
Find The Day the Crayons Came Home on Amazon »
My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart
Inspired by the best-selling Melbourne author’s own son, My Shadow is Pink is a beautifully written rhyming story of love and self-acceptance that touches on the subjects of gender identity, equality and diversity.
The reader follows the journey of a young boy who has been born into a family with a long history of ‘blue’ shadows. He wants to be just like his father, who is big and strong (blue). However, the boy has an irrepressible pink shadow, and loves ponies and books and pink toys, princesses, fairies, and things ‘not for boys’. Read along on a journey of love and acceptance.
Find My Shadow is Pink on Amazon »
Mixed: An Inspiring Story About Colour by Arree Chung
In the beginning, there were three colours… Reds, Yellows, and Blues. All special in their own ways, all living in harmony – until one day, a Red says ‘Reds are the best!’ and starts a colour kerfuffle.
Mixed is easily one of our ‘Top 5’ books – we read this almost every week!
Find Mixed: An Inspiring Story About Colour on Amazon »
Elmer the Patchwork Elephant by David McKee
Elmer the Elephant is bright-coloured patchwork all over. No wonder the other elephants laugh at him! If he were ordinary elephant colour, the others might stop laughing. That would make Elmer feel better, wouldn’t it?
Elmer the Patchwork Elephant is another firm favourite, exploring the power of laughter, but also perhaps one of the first visual representations of Pride and accepting differences.
Find Elmer the Patchwork Elephant on Amazon »
Made by Raffi by Craig Pomranz & Margaret Chamberlain
Raffi is a shy boy who doesn’t like noisy games and is often teased at school. But when he gets the idea of making a scarf for his dad’s birthday he is full of enthusiasm, even though the other children think it is girly to knit.
We’ve only read Made by Raffi at our library a few times, but it’s always a treat as we always end up talking about ‘girl things’ and ‘boy things’ and concluding anyone can do anything.
Find Made by Raffi on Amazon »
Along Came a Different by Tom McLaughlin
In Along Came a Different: Reds love being red. Yellows love being yellow. And Blues love being blue. The problem is that they just don’t like each other. But one day, along comes a different colour who likes Reds, Yellows and Blues, and suddenly everything starts to change. Maybe being different doesn’t mean you can’t be friends…
Find Along Came a Different on Amazon »
Sparkle Boy by Lesléa Newman
Casey and his older sister Jessie love the same things, from shimmering skirts to sparkly nails, but when older boys at the library tease Casey for wearing ‘girl’ things, Jessie realises that Casey has the right to be himself and wear whatever he wants. Why can’t both she and Casey love all things shimmery, glittery, and sparkly?
Sparkle Boy is a very simple story about gender stereotyping, offering the reader a chance to discuss how to challenge negative behaviour from others.
Bertie & Blue by Kristyna Litten
Bertie the giraffe’s life is very simple and predictable. But one day, Bertie oversleeps and wakes up lost and alone. Well, not quite alone – he meets Blue, a lonely blue giraffe who offers to show him the way home… But when Bertie gets home, will his herd welcome Blue, even though he is different?
Bertie & Blue is a beautiful story about friendship and new perspectives.
Find Bertie & Blue on Amazon »
Happy in Our Skin by Fran Manushkin
Just savour these bouquets of babies – cocoa-brown, cinnamon, peaches and cream. As they grow, their clever skin does too, enjoying hugs and tickles, protecting them inside and out, and making them one of a kind.
Happy in Our Skin is a really rich and vibrant book about race and diverse families, it even features a same-sex parent family.
Find Happy in Our Skin on Amazon »
The Hueys in the New Sweater by Oliver Jeffers
You see, each Huey looks the same, thinks the same, and does the same exact things. So you can imagine the chaos when one of them has the idea of knitting a sweater!
The Hueys in the New Sweater is a short story about being a bit different and celebrating it, with some few surprises along the way.
Find The Hueys in the New Sweater on Amazon »
Can I Join Your Club? by John Kelly & Steph Laberis
Duck wants to join a club. But he needs to be able to ROAR to join Lion Club, or TRUMPET to join Elephant Club. And all he can do is QUACK! What’s a Duck to do? Why, set up his own club of course… where everyone is welcome to join!
Can I Join Your Club? is an absolutely wonderful book about diversity and friendship – perfect if your little ones are starting school soon.
Find Can I Join Your Club? on Amazon »
How to Be a Lion by by Ed Vere
In this timely and charming story about the importance of being true to yourself, mindfulness, and standing by your friends, we meet Leonard, a lion, and his best friend Marianne, a… duck. Learning (and teaching others) that there is more than one way to be a lion.
Another one of our favourites, How to Be a Lion is a wonderful story that challenges stereotypes and shows how it’s good to be different from the rest! There’s also a lovely message about being a good friend/ally.
Find How to Be a Lion on Amazon »
10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewert
Every night, Bailey dreams about magical dresses; dresses made of crystals and rainbows, dresses made of flowers, dresses made of windows… Unfortunately, when Bailey’s awake, no one wants to hear about these beautiful dreams. That is, until he meets Laurel.
10,000 Dresses is another book that encourages conversations about gender and becoming the person you feel.
Find 10,000 Dresses on Amazon »
If you’ve enjoyed this post, why not check out our supporting post that offers some tips on how to build your very own diverse and inclusive library. If you’d like to recommend some more books, let us know!
