“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.”

This was probably one of our first few books we purchased for T that contained a same sex family that wasn’t part of an “educational” book. It’s still one of our favourites.

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.

“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.”

This gorgeous books 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.

This story follows 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!

Whether skin is black or white, fair or dark, usually it’s all one colour. Gabby is the main character in this story, 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.

Why don’t you join them!?

“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…”

“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 realized he was a trans boy, Aidan and his parents fixed the parts of life that didn’t fit anymore, and he settled happily into his new life.“

“From the time she was two 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.”

‘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!

This is an exceptional book and approaches a common question heard often by most LGBTQ families.

“Heather’s favourite number is two – 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!”

This is another well-timed book, with the character located within a school – during a conversation about different families.

“A glimpse of three women dressed as mermaids leaves one boy filled with wonder and ready to dazzle the world.”

This is probably one of our faves at the moment for so many reasons. It not only features, what we assume, a little boy who goes against gender stereotypes (which can be explored further) but it features different cultures.

The sequel 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, cis-gender woman, which makes these books problematic.

“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 Cbeebies ‘Bed Time Story’, this is a wonderful book for children with adoptive backgrounds.

“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?”

This book 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.

“Donovan’s two moms are getting married, and he can’t wait for the celebration to begin. After all, as ringbearer, he has a very important job to do. “

This book is another book that captures a same sex family without the neon sign. It’s also a heart-warming story about love and celebration.

“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.”.

This is a beautifully illustrated book about a little boy and his two mums, and how their bedtime routine plays out.

“In this story, 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.

An inclusive adaptation of The Little Mermaid, the story 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 illistrated story about love and acceptance, with further messaging about ocean care.

“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. 

“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.”

Another great book where same sex couples are featured subtly within the story and without bringing a lot of attention to it.

“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?”

This is a charming book about friendship and love. Beautifully illistrated.

“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, this is a fabulous book about friendship, tolerance, and democracy.

“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‘, this story not only features a two women who fall in love, but also a lead female character.*

“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.”

This is probably my most recommended book about Trans identity.

“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.

“George’s family are Yeti’s. 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.”

This is a wonderful, and beautifully illistrated,  introduction to challenging  gender stereotypes.

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 heartwarming 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.

“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’s 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.”

This is one of our favourites and encourages children to notice the difference in people, but that its ok!

“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?”

This is a gorgeous and uplifting book about differences; and how being YOU is something to be celebrated.

“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. It really explores the questions children might face when finding out about one another.

“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 coloring all those bodies of water. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun.”

Other than the books being absolutely hilarious, this series offers 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!

“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.

“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. “

Easily one of our Top 5 books. We read this almost every week.

“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?”

Another firm favourite, exploring the power of laughter but also perhaps one of the first visual representations of Pride and accepting differences.

“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 this 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.

“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 …”

“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?”

A very simple story about gender stereotyping, offering the reader a chance to discuss how to challenge negative behaviour from others.

“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?”

A beautiful story about friendship and new perspectives.

“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. “

This is a really rich and vibrant book about race and diverse families, it even features a same sex family.

“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!”

A short story about being a bit different and celebrating it, with some few surprises along the way.

“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!”

An absolutely wonderful book about diversity and friendship – perfect if your little ones are starting school soon.

“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, this wonderful story challenges stereotypes and how it’s good to be different from the rest!

There’s also a lovely message about being a good friend / ally.

“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.”

Another one to open conversation about gender and becoming the person you feel.

Children’s Books Diversity and Inclusion
Children’s Books Diversity and Inclusion
Children’s Books Diversity and Inclusion
Children’s Books Diversity and Inclusion

Children’s Books Diversity and Inclusion
Children’s Books Diversity and Inclusion
Children’s Books Diversity and Inclusion
Children’s Books Diversity and Inclusion