Celebrate Pride Month with stories that uplift, educate, and inspire readers of all ages. These vibrant children’s books center LGBTQ+ characters, history, and themes in ways that are joyful, inclusive, and age-appropriate. From playful board books to powerful biographies and retellings of queer mythology, this list offers something meaningful for every reader — during Pride and all year long.
With recommendations from Laura Sager at Third Place Books, these standout LGBTQ+ children’s books highlight the joy, creativity, and resilience of the community across genres and generations.
“If It’s Pride and You Know It…”
By Andy Passchier
Sing along and celebrate with the littlest readers. With sliders that make every page fun.
(Image courtesy Nosy Crow)
“Pride Puppy!”
Written by Robin Stevenson | Illustrated by Julie McLaughlin
A rollicking, rhyming story of a family at the Pride parade. Then – whoops! – the puppy takes off amid the crowds who are celebrating and enjoying the day!
(Image courtesy Orca Book Publishers)
“Grandad’s Camper”
By Harry Woodgate
Grandad tells his granddaughter all about his adventures with Gramps. But now that Gramps has died, Grandad just doesn’t want to travel any longer. Maybe with a little help from his granddaughter, they can find a way to get on the road again. Love a book shaped like a vehicle!
(Image courtesy little bee books)
“One Day in June”
Written by Tourmaline | Illustrations by Charlot Kristensen
Marsha P. Johnson was a beloved Black trans activist. Her generosity, friendship and relentless belief in her own identity inspired this picture book biography.
(Image courtesy G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers)
“The Bi Book”
Written by A.J. Irving | Illustrated by Cynthia Alonso
With lovely soft drawings from a beautiful sunny day, we learn about words like bicycle, binoculars, bilingual, biracial, bisexuality and more!
(Image courtesy Knopf Books for Young Readers)
“O.K. is Gay”
By Vincent X. Kirsch
This book is everything! It is incredibly sweet and funny, with charming, clever and hilarious illustrations. O.K. has something to tell all his friends, and they rush to assure him that they know he’s gay and that he is also good at badminton, and knows scary stories, and has a pet, and so much more! But is that really what he meant to tell them?
(Image courtesy Abrams Books for Young Readers)
“Make Your Own Rainbow: A Drag Queen’s Guide to Color”
Written by Lil Miss Hot Mess | Illustrated by Olga de Dios
Starting with the rainbow, this book bursts with gorgeous shades, like periwinkle, fuchsia, taupe, grape, olive, teal, lemon, ochre and many more colors to learn about. All about expression, artistry and fabulousness.
(Image courtesy Running Press Kids)
“Are You a Friend of Dorothy?”
Written by Kyle Lukoff | Illustrated by Levi Hastings
Award-winning trans author Kyle Lukoff’s newest picture book traces the history of this phrase, which was used as a code word among queer people in the 20th century. Lukoff gently explains the ways in which the LGBTQ community suffered from bias and bigotry, but also that in spite of it, there was connection, love and joy.
(Image courtesy Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
“Queer Heroes: Meet 52 LGBTQ Heroes from Past & Present”
Written by Arabelle Sicardi | Illustrated by Sarah Tanat-Jones
Colorful and easy to read, with one short bio per page, this is a great option that covers a lot of history. Sappho, James Baldwin, Yotam Ottolenghi, Johanna Sigurðardóttir, Manvendra Singh Gohil – it’s an exciting collection!
(Image courtesy Wide Eyed Editions)
“Queer Mythology: Epic Legends from Around the World”
Written by Guido A. Sanchez | Illustrated by James Fenner
Author and teacher Guido Sanchez created this book knowing that queer identity has always been expressed in mythology and wanting to share and preserve queerness in his own retellings. A gorgeous collection of myths.
(Image courtesy Running Press Kids)
“Beyond They/Them: 20 Influential Nonbinary and Gender-Diverse People You Should Know”
Written by em dickson | Illustrated by Cameron Mukwa
This collection of well-organized contemporary biographies draws from diverse fields including books, music and the arts, sports, politics and activism. It’s so important to have these positive role models – both for kids to see themselves and to see their wider communities.
(Image courtesy Andrews McMeel Publishing)
“A Year of Pride and Joy: 52 LGBTQ+ Voices Share Their Life Passions”
Curated by Simon James Green | Illustrated by Ruth Burrows
Every week, all year, you can read about someone amazing while celebrating fun days like National Beach Day, International Magicians Day and National Jam Day. Not filled with long-ago historical figures, but living accomplished folks, like Lawyer Nancy Kelley, Well-Being Officer Dòmhnall Idris, and Curator of Arachnology Lauren Esposito. A terrific way to celebrate Pride all year!
(Image courtesy Magic Cat)
These LGBTQ+ children’s books are more than just great reads — they’re meaningful tools for fostering understanding, joy, and pride all year long.
