LGBTQ+ Books for Young Kids

Florida passed the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” yesterday and I felt my heart clench and lungs deflated like a balloon. Maybe it’s because it’s the first time I’ve been legislated against as an out queer person and WOW is it scary. Maybe it’s because I have a son in 3^rd grade. You know, the age where it’s still “age inappropriate” for him to know that our family exists. But I think the biggest thing that hurts is how many people I know that support this bill because of the way that it was explained to them. We have so many people scared of the boogieman that is LGBTQ+ because they have no idea what being LGBTQ+ is like. Shame. Maybe some education would have helped that.

The Importance of LGBTQ+ Education

I got a note recently from a dear friend of mine the other day asking for recommendations on LGBTQ+ books for kids. The purpose was not because her kids were questioning themselves, nor because they had anyone recently in their family or friend circle that came out. She realized a need for the books when she mentioned to her 5- and 7-year-old that some families have two moms and “their heads about exploded.” It was something that was not even in their realm of awareness at the time. (I know that feeling).

So, in an effort to protect young craniums, I’ve compiled a list of children’s books that show just how normal LGBTQ families are and how easy it is to let children know that LGBTQ people exist. And rest assured, just as we can let children know that nurses, and axolotls, and Hindu people exist without believing that our children will automatically turn into a nurse, axolotl, or Hindu because of such learning, children can also learn about the LGBTQ+ without it changing their natural attraction or gender identity. (But if your child becomes a lesbian nurse in an axolotl costume who celebrates Holi, that is incredibly okay too!)

The Spectrum of LGBTQ+ Books

Just as sexuality and gender expression exists on a spectrum, so do the books that go along with them. Cool, eh?! There are books like Rainbow Revolutionaries: Fifty LGBTQ+ People Who Made History by Sara Prager, which are very clearly, 100% queer content. And then there are books like What Makes a Baby by Cory Silverberg that just use general and inclusive terms.

I’m fortunate that even in turn-back-time Florida, I was able to find MANY LGBTQ+ titles through my library system (you may have to request them in advance). Here are just a handful that I was able to peruse this week. My recommendation is to check them out, read them yourself, and decide if the story fits with the lessons and language you want your children to be familiar with.

What Makes a Baby by Cory Silverberg- A story of human conception that speaks in general terms of bodies that have sperm and bodies that have eggs. It also discusses the various ways babies are delivered.

The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O’Neill- A sweet graphic novel about villagers and dragons that also touches upon gender outside of the binary through small, subtle details. On one page an uncle says, “There’s my favorite nibling” and on another page a dragon explains how they can shift from dragon to human and male to female forms. If you’re not familiar with non-binary terms, they will most likely slide right by. But if you or your children are, you’ll feel seen in this story.

Princess Princess Ever After by Katie O’Neill- A graphic novel that features two princesses and a “butthead” working together to be brave and fight evil. In the main story, the two princesses hold hands at the end. If you read the epilogue, they get married and live happily ever after. If you’re sensitive to having a discussion about name-calling with your children, this is not the book for you. But if you’re willing to dive into fatphobia, toxic masculinity, and the fact that not everyone is attracted to a different gender, you will probably enjoy this humorous tale.

I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel & Jazz Jennings- A simple story about the true life of a transgender girl named Jazz. It includes a list of all of the things Jazz has loved and been interested, like the color pink and mermaids. Jazz describers herself by saying “I have a girl brain but a boy body.” Jazz describes how that can be confusing for people, including teachers and family members. She also discusses being teased but says at the end of the day she’s happy to be who she is.

Maiden & Princess by Daniel Haack & Isabel Galupo- For the younger crowd, this is the simple tale of a maiden who views the prince has her friend and doesn’t want to become his wife. As she cries outside of the royal ball, the prince’s sister comes out to console her. They fall in love. The family sees and supports that love, and the maiden and princess marry happily ever after.

Tale of the Shadow King by Daniel Haack- A married gay couple (knight and prince) work to fight a shadow king whose sadness spread darkness across the land. The couple holds hands and one kisses the other’s forehead. They say they love each other. The shadow king revels his sadness came from having to feel bad about who he was. They all learn to feel pride in their identities. And the final page pictures couples of all types holding hands.

Rainbow Revolutionaries: Fifty LGBTQ+ People Who Made History by Sarah Prager- written in the style of “Rebel Girls” and “Boys Who Dare,” this book covers historical figures representing each letter of the LGBTQ+ acronym. Each page features an easy-to-digest bio about the accomplishments of the person and how their identity impacted their life, along with an illustration of them. Watch my video review HERE.