Out on the Shelves: Diverse Genders (Tamariki)

There are so many different kinds of books in this list!

Here you'll find:

  • Books featuring characters who decide that the gender they are doesn't match up with the one they were originally told they were
  • Books featuring characters who are sure in their gender but present in a way that other characters may think is odd
  • Picture books exploring gender identity and gender expression
  • Books with information about gender and identity

There are many other books out there with information about gender identity and with characters who are transgender or gender diverse, but we hope that this list helps get you started.

Updated May 28, 2025
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Wellington City Libraries Children's team at Wellington City Libraries
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What Riley wore
Arnold, Elana K
Paper Book
Gender-creative Riley knows just what to wear for every occasion during a busy week with family and friends in this sweet and timely picture book from Elana K. Arnold and Linda Davick. Riley wears whatever clothes feel right each day. On Monday, Riley feels shy and wears a bunny...
Obie is man enough
Bailar, Schuyler
Paper Book
A coming-of-age story about transgender tween Obie, who didn't think being himself would cause such a splash. For fans of Alex Gino's George and Lisa Bunker's Felix Yz. Obie knew his transition would have ripple effects. He has to leave his swim coach, his pool, and...
Speak up!
Burgess, Rebecca
Paper Book
For fans of Click and Brave, this touching coming-of-age middle grade graphic novel debut follows an autistic girl who finds friendship where she least expects it and learns to express her true self in a world where everyone defines her by her differences. Twelve-year-old Mia...
Skip! : a graphic novel
Burgess, Sarah
Paper Book
Jay often feels that like they are a nobody. Beah, on the other hand, is fierce, charming, athletic--and OBSESSED with the street skipping art, Double Dutch. When the two meet, sparks fly, in this colorful slice-of-life graphic novel about the wonder of platonic friendship and finding your...
A kids book about being nonbinary
Chinn-Raicht, Hunter
Paper Book
A clear explanation of what being non-binary means, and what it means to be outside of the gender binary. This is a kids book about non-binary identities. But what does being non-binary mean? For some people, the question and its answer may be new or a little confusing. It's okay...
The pants project
Clarke, Cat
Paper Book
A touching, humorous story of strong-willed eleven-year-old Liv, who is determined to challenge his school's terrible dress code and change his life. Inspire empathy and compassion (and a few laughs!) in young readers with this stunning middle-grade novel. "My name is Liv (Not Olivia)... I...
The gender book : girls, boys, non-binary, and beyond
Corrigan, Cassandra Jules
Paper Book
Ellie and Casey are back to talk about gender! In this gloriously illustrated guide to gender identity, you'll meet demiboys and demigirls, agender people, greygender people, those who are AFAB and AMAB, and many more as Ellie and Casey guide curious children through the world of people who...
The pronoun book : she, he, they, and me!
Corrigan, Cassandra Jules
Paper Book
"Welcome to The Pronoun Book! Join Ellie and Casey as they introduce you to the wonderful world of pronouns. Learn about what pronouns are, how they relate to us, and why it's so important to get them right!" This fun, engaging and empowering children's book is the perfect...
I am not a prince!
Davis, Rachael
Paper Book
Hopp is a little frog who definitely does NOT want to be a prince! A fairy tale for the 21st century that challenges gender stereotypes and encourages children to be proud to be themselves.On a misty lagoon in a fairy tale land, young frogs wait patiently to be turned into magical princes....
Upstaged
Easter, Robin
Paper Book
★ "Sharply written and evocative" -- Publishers Weekly, starred review "This theater camp has plenty of captivating drama both on stage and off!" --Kayla Miller, New York Times bestselling creator of the Click graphic novel series ...
My own way : celebrating gender freedom for kids
Estrela, Joana
Paper Book
Small children are often asked to choose between a gendered binary-"boy" or "girl", "pink" or "blue". This colorful picture book smashes these stereotypes and encourages the reader to follow their own way! "Girl or Boy?" What brings you joy? ...
Sam!
Gabriel, Dani
Paper Book
Sam loves riding his bike and learning about the American Revolution. He is full of laughter and joy. There's just one problem: Sam's family knows him as a girl named Isabel. Sam feels a sense of relief when he finally confides in his annoying but caring sister Maggie, and then his...
Ho'onani : hula warrior
Gale, Heather (Children's author)
Paper Book
An empowering celebration of identity, acceptance and Hawaiian culture based on the true story of a young girl in Hawaiʻi who dreams of leading the boys-only hula troupe at her school. Ho'onani feels in-between. She doesn't see herself as wahine (girl) OR kane...
Alice Austen lived here
Gino, Alex
Paper Book
From the award-winning author of Melissa, a phenomenal novel about queerness past, present, and future. Sam is very in touch with their own queer identity. They're nonbinary, and their best friend, TJ, is nonbinary as well. Sam's family is very cool with it... as long as Sam...
Green
Gino, Alex
Paper Book
From the bestselling author of MELISSA, a new book putting a non-binary kid named Green at center stage. CRUSHES ARE CONFUSING. Green is very lucky. They've got a supportive dad, friendly neighbors, and good friends. They've figured out a lot of things... but they can't...
Melissa
Gino, Alex
Paper Book
  Formally titled George, this is the unforgettable debut from Alex Gino "Allow me to introduce you to a remarkable book, full of love, wonder, hope, and the importance of getting to be who you were meant to be. You must read this."- David Levithan, author of Every Day and...
Red : a crayon's story
Hall, Michael
Paper Book
A blue crayon mistakenly labeled as "red" suffers an identity crisis in this picture book by the New York Times-bestselling creator of My Heart Is Like a Zoo. This funny, heartwarming, colorful picture book about finding the courage to be true to your inner self can be read on...
Jacob's school play : starring he, she, and they
Hoffman, Ian
Paper Book
"An empowering and uplifting tale . . . perfect icebreaker for young students to have meaningful conversations about gender identity and community."--The Advocate Jacob--star of one of the most banned books of the decade according to the American Library Association--is back in his third...
Jamie
Lapinski, L. D
Paper Book
One of the Guardian's best children's and YA books of 2023 'FABULOUS, HOPEFUL, IMPORTANT' - Emma Carroll 'A sensitive, moving 9+ story about fighting for acceptance and change' - Guardian 'An inspirational story of a young person finding...
Mallory in full color
Leahy, Elisa Stone
Paper Book
A funny, poignant middle grade novel about a tween who navigates questions of identity and friendship when her anonymous web comic goes viral, from the acclaimed author of Tethered to Other Stars. Mallory Marsh is an expert at molding into whatever other people want her to be. Her true...
This is our rainbow : 16 stories of her, him, them, and us
Locke, Katherine
Ebook
The first LGBTQA+ anthology for middle-graders featuring stories for every letter of the acronym, including realistic, fantasy, and sci-fi stories by authors like Justina Ireland, Marieke Nijkamp, Alex Gino, and more! A boyband fandom becomes a conduit to coming out. A former...
Julián is a mermaid
Love, Jessica
Paper Book
Mesmerizing and full of heart, this is a picture book about self-confidence and love, and a radiant celebration of individuality. While riding the subway home with his Nana one day, Julian notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in...
Different kinds of fruit
Lukoff, Kyle
Paper Book
In this funny and hugely heartfelt novel from the Newbery Honor-winning author of Too Bright to See, a sixth-grader's life is turned upside down when she learns her dad is trans Annabelle Blake fully expects this school year to be the same as every other- same teachers,...
Too bright to see
Lukoff, Kyle
Paper Book
A Newbery Honor Book . Winner of the Stonewall Book Award . A National Book Award Finalist "A gentle, glowing wonder, full of love and understanding." -The New York Times Book Review It's the summer before middle school and eleven-year-old Bug's best friend...
I'm not a girl
Lyons, Maddox
Paper Book
Based on a true transgender identity journey, the picture bookI'm Not a Girl is an empowering story from writers Maddox Lyons and Jessica Verdi about a boy who is determined to be himself, illustrated by Dana Simpson. Nobody seems to understand that Hannah is not a girl...
Te?o's tutu
Macias, Maryann Jacob
Paper Book
This story of a boy's first ballet recital celebrates gender-creativity, the joy of dance, and being yourself Teo loves to dance, whether it's the cumbia with Papi, the bhangra with Amma, or ballet class with Miss Lila. He also loves the way his tutu makes him feel, inside and...
The name I call myself
Namir, Hasan
Paper Book
Meet Ari, a young person who doesn't like to be called by their birth name Edward: "When I think of the name Edward, I imagine old kings who snore a lot." Throughout this beautiful and engaging picture book, we watch Ari grow up before our very eyes as they navigate the ins and outs of their gender...
My rainbow
Neal, Trinity
Paper Book
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. Warm morning sunlight and love fill the Neal home. And on one quiet day,...
A song for you & I
O'Neill, Kay (Cartoonist)
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * Being a ranger means adventure, action, and protecting the weak. But who protects the ranger when they lose their way? From the bestselling author of The Moth Keeper and the Tea Dragon Society comes a must read MG graphic novel for fans of soft sweeping fantasy...
Camp Prodigy
Palmer, Caroline
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Victoria Jamieson and Raina Telgemeier, this heartwarming middle grade graphic novel follows two nonbinary kids who navigate anxiety and identity while having fun and forming friendships at their summer orchestra camp. After attending an incredible concert,...
The spectacular suit
Patrick, Kat
Paper Book
'What a spectacular story' Phoebe Bridgers A buoyant and heartwarming celebration of individuality, identity, and dressing to suit yourself! It's almost Frankie's birthday and everything is ready--except for something to wear. All of her party dresses feel wrong. Her family tries to...
Rere atu taku poi! = Let my poi fly!
Paul, Tangaroa
Paper Book
Written in te reo Maori and translated by the author, Rere Atu Taku Poi! is a beautifully illustrated story about gender fluidity in a school setting. Rangi loves doing haka but performing poi is his favourite - even though his classmates say it's just for girls. When the lead poi performer falls...
Pink is for boys
Pearlman, Robb
Paper Book
Pink is for boys . . . and girls . . . and everyone! This timely and beautiful board book rethinks and reframes the stereotypical blue/pink gender binary and empowers kids-and their grown-ups-to express themselves in every colour of the rainbow. Featuring a diverse group of relatable characters,...
Ana on the edge
Sass, A. J.
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Melissa and Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World, this heartfelt coming of age story introduces a nonbinary athlete navigating a binary world. Twelve-year-old Ana-Marie Jin, the reigning US Juvenile figure skating...
Just shy of ordinary
Sass, A. J.
Paper Book
A SYDNEY TAYLOR HONOR BOOK ★ In this heartfelt novel about family, friendship, and identity perfect for fans of The List of Things That Will Not Change and Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World, a thirteen-year-old nonbinary kid discovers that life doesn't...
Jack (not Jackie)
Silverman, Erica
Paper Book
In this heartwarming picture book, a big sister realizes that her little sister, Jackie, doesn't like dresses or fairies-she likes ties and bugs! Will she and her family be able to accept that Jackie identifies more as "Jack"? Susan thinks her little sister Jackie has the best...
Raven wild
Spice, Caitlin
Paper Book
My shadow is pink
Stuart, Scott (Children's author)
Paper Book
My Shadow Is Pink is a beautifully written rhyming story that touches on the subjects of gender identity, self acceptance, equality and diversity. Inspired by the author's own little boy,  the main character likes princesses, fairies and things "not for boys." He soon learns...
Sir Callie and the champions of Helston
Symes-Smith, Esme
Paper Book
In a magical medieval world filled with dragons, shape-shifters, and witches, a twelve-year-old nonbinary hopeful knight battles for the heart of their kingdom. This USA Today bestselling series explores identity and gender amid sword fights and magic, and proves anyone can be a hero.
The best liars in Riverview
Thompson, Lin
Paper Book
Sometime in the last day or so, ever since Joel Gallagher disappeared, I became a liar. Aubrey and Joel are like two tomato vines growing along the same crooked fence-weird, yet the same kind of weird. Then Joel disappears. Vanishes. Poof. And Aubrey was the last person to...
The house that whispers
Thompson, Lin
Paper Book
A subtle exploration of gender identity, family, and the personal ghosts that haunt us all, perfect for fans of Kyle Lukoff.   Eleven-year-old Simon and his siblings, Talia and Rose, are staying the week at Nanaleen's century-old house. This time, though, it's...

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