I’m a big fan of having inclusive books in our home and also using picture books to better understand topics.
Here are our top 5 favorite kids books for Pride month (or LGBTQ+ inclusivity and support at any time of year!):
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag
‘Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag’, written by Rob Sanders and illustrated by Steven Salerno, is a gorgeous book that touches on the history of Pride, the story of Harvey Milk and the history and ongoing story of the rainbow Pride flag. It is one we come back to year after year and never get tired of having out.
Twas the Night Before Pride
‘Twas The Night Before Christmas’ is both a homage to Pride as a day of community and inclusion, and also a simple age-appropriate way to introduce younger children to the history of Pride. With bright, buoyant illustrations and lyrical rhyme modeled on “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” it tackles difficult content such as the Stonewall Riots and the AIDS marches.
Author Joanna McClintick and award-winning author-illustrator Juana Medina have created a new classic that celebrates the beauty of families of all kinds.
What Are Your Words: A Book About Pronouns
‘What Are Your Words: A Book About Pronouns’ by Katherine Locke, illustrated by Anne Passchier, is a delightful accessible introduction to inclusive pronouns, suitable for all ages. It supports the concepts that some people’s pronouns are always the same, and some people’s aren’t, especially if they are still working out what feels right to them.
Whenever Ari’s Uncle Lior comes to visit, they ask Ari one question: “What are your words?” Some days Ari uses she/her. Other days Ari uses he/him. But on the day of the neighborhood’s big summer bash, Ari doesn’t know what words to use. On the way to the party, Ari and Lior meet lots of neighbors and learn the words each of them use to describe themselves, including pronouns like she/her, he/him, they/them, ey/em, and ze/zir.
The Meaning of Pride
‘The Meaning of Pride’ by Rosiee Thor, illustrated by Sam Kirk, is a vibrant book that tackles what does Pride mean and how do we celebrate it. It touches on the history of the Stonewall Riots and showcases a diverse cast of LGBTQ+ activists & important figures, from Harvey Milk and Audrey Lorde to Megan Rapinoe and Laverne Cox.
In talking about what does Pride mean, this book talks about Pride being a part of how you live as an LGBTQ+ person, not just a celebration in June.
It Feels Good To Be Yourself
‘It Feels Good To Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity’ is written by Theresa Thorn and illustrated by non-binary artist Noah Grigni. It is a beautiful, straightforward, accessible book for all ages, with the message that no matter what your gender identity is, you are okay exactly the way you are and you are loved.
In the book, we might a cast of beautifully imagined characters who are transgender, cisgender, gender non-conforming and different kinds of non-binary. Different terms are explained, both in the story and in the glossary.
This book truly is helpful for all ages, whether it’s a kid who is questioning their gender identity, a kiddo who has or may have friends that are not cisgender, or an older family member who might need something to help them understand, that’s easier to get through than a book aimed at adults.
For further suggestions of LGBTQ inclusive books for kids, see my Bookshop List here.
