Celebrate Pride Month by reading books that celebrate children and families of all kinds! Whether exploring their gender or just living their lives, these 25 books about queer adults, teens, kids, and families are sure to delight all readers. This pick of books comes from librarians at Seattle Public Library and King County Library System.
Related: Guide to Seattle Pride Weekend: colorful, joyful and family-friendly
Books for kids ages 2 to 3
My Two Moms and Me & My Two Dads and Me
Written by Michael Joosten; Illustrated by Izak Zenou
Ages 2-3
This gorgeously illustrated picture-book series celebrates same-sex parents and their children. LGBTQ+ parents and their friends and families will welcome these cheerful books that reflect their own lives as the families spend a fun day together.
Books for kids ages 3 to 7
The Sublime Ms. Stacks
Written by Robb Pearlman; Illustrated by Dani Jones
Ages 3-6
Mr. Stephen is a great librarian, but when it comes to crafts and story time, no one does it better than substitute librarian Ms. Stacks.
Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle
Written by Nina LaCour; Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
Ages 3-7
When her mother goes on a business trip, a little girl, who loves to sit between Mama and Mommy at the table, misses her a lot and feels empty until Mommy finally comes home, filling the void with love.
Pride Puppy!
Written by Robin Stevenson; Illustrated by Julie McLaughlin.
Ages 3-5
This rhyming alphabet book tells a lively story, with rich, colorful illustrations that will have readers poring over every detail as they spot items starting with each of the letters of the alphabet. An affirming and inclusive book that offers a joyful glimpse of a Pride parade and the vibrant community that celebrates this day each year.
It’s Pride, Baby!
Written by Allen R. Wells; Illustrated by Dia Valle
Ages 3-5
Join a queer family as they celebrate Black Pride in Washington, D.C. From painting posters to walking in a Pride Parade with neighbors to watching fireworks, this special day is packed with fun.
Books for kids ages 4-8
My Rainbow
Written by Trinity and DeShanna Neal; Illustrated by Art Twink
Ages 4-8
A dedicated mom puts love into action as she creates the perfect rainbow-colored wig for her transgender daughter, based on the real-life experience of mother-daughter advocate duo Trinity and DeShanna Neal
True You
Written by Gwen Agna and Shelley Rotner; Photographs by
Shelley Rotner
Ages 4-8
This affirming and inclusive photographic picture book offers a celebratory and informative look at kids and their wide-ranging gender identities.
Leo And The Pink Marker
By Mariyka Foster
Ages 4-8
Leo LOVES doodling away with his pink marker, but coloring inside the lines isn’t any fun. So when Mom and Mama aren’t looking, he finds an opportunity to liven up the dusty, gray scrapyard. Uh-oh! Leo got carried away. Will his moms be upset?This affirming and inclusive photographic picture book offers a celebratory and informative look at kids and their wide-ranging gender identities.
Nen and the Lonely Fisherman
Written by Ian Eagleton; Illustrated by James Mayhew
Ages 4-8
Far out at sea and deep below whispering waves lives a merman searching for a partner. In the forbidden world above, a kind fisherman wonders if something more is waiting for him beyond the horizon. When they find each other under a star-filled sky, their love will change both of their worlds. Celebrate queer joy and the uniting power of love with this award-winning, inclusive retelling of a classic fairy tale.
Circle of Love
Written by Monique Gray Smith; Illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt
Ages 4-8
In this heartwarming story with vibrant artwork, Molly takes readers to the intertribal community center where she introduces the people she knows and loves, sharing how each person makes her feel–and reminding us that love is love.
Books for kids ages 5 to 8
My Culture, My Gender, Me
Written by
Cassandra Jules Corrigan; Illustrated by Moe Butterfly
Ages 5+
Exploring identities that span the Indigenous Two Spirit people, the hijras of the Indian subcontinent, the māhū people of Hawaii, the female husbands of the Igbo tribe, and many more, Cassandra Jules Corrigan beautifully demonstrates that gender identities beyond the binary are a worldwide phenomenon. This lovingly illustrated guide is an important testament that genders other than male and female have always existed—around the globe—and comes with additional materials to help children uncover gender identities from their own cultures.
Stonewall
Written by Rob Sanders; Illustrated by Jamey Christoph
Ages 5-8
Describes the Stonewall Riots in New York City in 1969, which sparked the gay liberation movement in the United States, and details the history of LGBTQ rights since the riots.
Julián is a Mermaid
By Jessica Love
Ages 4-8
Winner of the American Library Association’s 2019 Stonewall Book Award. Julián sees three mermaids on the subway and wants to be just like them. But what will his Abuela think? Mesmerizing and full of heart, this colorful, beautiful book celebrates self-love and individuality.
Books for kids ages 6 to 10
Me & My Dysphoria Monster
Written by Laura Kate Dale; Illustrated by Ang Hui Qing
Ages 6-10
Nisha’s dysphoria monster follows her everywhere. And as her monster gets bigger and bigger, Nisha feels more and more unlike herself. When people refer to her as a boy or when she tries to hide her true gender identity, Nisha’s dysphoria monster grows larger and larger. This touching story is the perfect book for discussing gender dysphoria with children, explaining what it is and how they and their families can deal with it. It also includes an accompanying guide for parents with further information about gender dysphoria, terminology, and first-hand examples of the author’s own experiences.
Glenn Burke, Game Changer
Written by Phil Bildner; Illustrated by Daniel J. O’Brien
Ages 6-9
An inspiring picture book biography about Glenn Burke, the first Major League Baseball player to come out as gay, and the story of how he created the high five, the world’s most recognizable handshake. Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Glenn Burke could do it all–hit, throw, run, field. He was the heart of the clubhouse who energized his teammates with his enthusiasm and love for the game.
Books for kids ages 7 to 12
Lunar Boy
Written and illustrated by Jes and Cin Wibowo
Ages 8-12
Indu, a boy from the moon, feels like he doesn’t belong. He hasn’t since he and his adoptive mom disembarked from their spaceship–their home–to live on Earth with their new blended family. The kids at school think he’s weird, he has a crush on his pen pal who might not like him back, and his stepfamily doesn’t seem to know what to do with him. Worst of all, Indu can’t even talk to his mom about how he’s feeling because she’s so busy.
The Best Man
By Richard Peck
Ages 9-12
A big-hearted novel about gay marriage from a kid’s endearing perspective. Archer has just started middle school and puzzles over what kind of person he wants to become, and helps his beloved Uncle Paul become his best self as well.
Kapaemahu
Written by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson; Illustrated by Daniel Sousa
Ages 7-12
Four individuals of dual male and female spirit bring their healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii, where they are beloved for their gentle ways and miraculous cures and where they imbue four giant boulders with their powers.
Books for kids ages 10 to 14
Different Kinds of Fruit
By Kyle Lukoff
Ages 10-14
Annabelle Blake fully expects this school year to be the same as every other: same teachers, same classmates, same, same, same. So she’s elated to discover there’s a new kid in town. To Annabelle, Bailey is a breath of fresh air. She loves hearing about their life in Seattle, meeting their loquacious (and kinda corny) parents, and hanging out at their massive house. And it doesn’t hurt that Bailey has a cute smile, nice hands (how can someone even have nice hands?) and smells really good. Suddenly sixth grade is anything but the same.
Across a Field of Starlight
By Blue Delliquanti
Ages 12+
Lu and Fassen are from different worlds and separate solar systems, so when the war of Fassen’s world invades Lu’s peaceful home, they find themselves at the forefront of a battle they hoped would never happen.
Seafire
By Natalie C. Parker
Ages 12+
After Aric Athair kills her family, Caledonia Styx and her crew of all-female pirates must chart their own course on the dangerous seas. Will one of Athair’s defectors be the key to taking down the corrupt warlord once and for all?
Book for kids ages 14 to 17
Other Ever Afters
By Melanie Gillman
Ages 12-17
In this new feminist, queer fairy tale collection, the princesses, mermaids, barmaids, children, and wise old women who have been forced to sit on the sidelines in classic stories take center stage to fulfill their own dreams and find the love, power, and happiness they deserve.
The Henna Wars
By Adiba Jaigirdar
Ages 14+
Nishat doesn’t want to lose her family, but she also doesn’t want to hide who she is, and it only gets harder once a childhood friend walks back into her life. Flávia is beautiful and charismatic, and Nishat falls for her instantly. But when a school competition invites students to create their own businesses, both Flávia and Nishat decide to showcase their talent as henna artists.
The Heartbreak Bakery
By A. R. Capetta
Ages 14+
Teenage baker Syd sends ripples of heartbreak through Austin’s queer community when a batch of post-being-dumped brownies turns out to be magical–and makes everyone who eats them break up. Syd (no pronouns, please) has always dealt with big, hard-to-talk-about things by baking. Being dumped is no different, except now Syd is baking at the Proud Muffin, a queer bakery and community space in Austin. And everyone who eats Syd’s breakup brownies…breaks up. Even Vin and Alec, who own the Proud Muffin. And their breakup might take the bakery down with it.
Read More:
Pride Month in Seattle: How your family can celebrate
What’s working and what’s not at Seattle Public Libraries?
Book picks for kids: Middle-school tale packs a diversity message
