Out on the Shelves: Diverse Sexualities (Tamariki)

The books in this list feature:

  • Characters with different sexualities
  • Characters figuring out who they like
  • Families with two mums or two dads
  • Information about different sexualities.

There are many other books out there with information about sexuality and with rainbow characters, but we hope that this list helps get you started.

Updated May 28, 2025
W
Wellington City Libraries Children's team at Wellington City Libraries
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Rainbowsaurus
Antony, Steve
Paper Book
The year my life went down the toilet
Arlow, Jake Maia
Paper Book
A hilariously honest book about surviving middle school while navigating a chronic illness from the Stonewall Honor-winning author of Almost Flying. Twelve-year-old Al Schneider is too scared to talk about the two biggest things in her life- 1. Her stomach...
Confetti
Atta, Dean
Paper Book
One day, Ari discovers a piece of pink confetti under the sofa. She throws is up into the air and watches it helicopter down: a small, bright moment of celebration. And before long, Ari discovers confetti in other places: at her birthday party; at the Pride parade; in autumn's...
The curse of Eelgrass Bog
Averling, Mary
Paper Book
Dark secrets and unnatural magic abound when a twelve-year-old girl ventures into a bog full of monsters to break a mysterious curse. Nothing about Kess Pedrock's life is normal. Not her home (she lives in her family's Unnatural History Museum), not her interests (hunting for...
ABC pride
Barnes, Elly
Paper Book
A vibrant and inclusive first ABC book that introduces young readers aged 3+ to Pride. A is for Acceptance! B is for Belonging! C is for Celebrate! ABC Pride introduces young readers to the alphabet through the colourful world of Pride. Children can...
Ivy Aberdeen's letter to the world
Blake, Ashley Herring
Paper Book
In the wake of a destructive tornado, Ivy Aberdeen develops feelings for another girl in this stunning, tender novel about emerging identity, perfect for fans of The Thing About Jellyfish. When a tornado rips through town, twelve-year-old Ivy Aberdeen's house...
Uncle Bobby's wedding
Brannen, Sarah S.
Paper Book
Daddy & Dada
Brockington, Ryan
Paper Book
Families can come in all shapes and sizes, and this heartwarming picture book affirms that no matter what your family looks like, love is the most important part! Hi, I'm Rumi. Some of my friends have one mom and one dad. Some have one mom or one dad....
Hurricane child
Callender, Kacen
Paper Book
Prepare to be swept up by this exquisite novel that reminds us that grief and love can open the world in mystical ways.Winner of the Stonewall Book Award!Winner of the Lambda Literary Award!Caroline Murphy is a Hurricane Child.Being born during a hurricane is unlucky, and twelve-year...
To?ku wha?nau rerehua = My beautiful family
Cooper, Rauhina
Paper Book
'How was school today, Huia' her mum asked. 'It was okay ... but our news topic is our family.' Huia feels too shy to talk about her family to her classmates because she has two mums. Will her friends laugh at her and tease her? Over the next days, she learns that...
Two roads home
Cowley, Joy
Paper Book
Join Violet and her little sister Rose as they navigate the complexities of their blended family and embrace Violets love for shoes and her passion for football--Back cover.
Mr. Watson's chickens
Dapier, Jarrett
Paper Book
Interrupting Chicken meets Click, Clack, Moo in this zany classic-in-the-making! With rollicking rhythms, nonsensical refrains, and too many chickens to count, this modern classic will inspire unstoppable giggles and endless rereads. Bawka-bawka! Mr....
Me, my dad and the end of the rainbow
Dean, Benjamin (Children's author)
Paper Book
WINNER OF THE DIVERSE BOOK AWARDS 2022. A rainbow-filled, JOYOUS debut from a hugely exciting new talent. Perfect for 9+ readers and fans of Elle McNicoll, Lisa Thompson and Onjali Rauf's The Boy at the Back of the Class. My name's Archie...
The Lotterys plus one
Donoghue, Emma
Paper Book
The bestselling author of the adult novel Room bursts onto the children's book scene with this cross between Little Miss Sunshine, Cheaper by the Dozen, and Modern Family.Sumac Lottery is nine years old and the self-proclaimed "good girl" of her (VERY) large,...
Better Nate than ever
Federle, Tim
Paper Book
Soon to be a Disney+ Original movie! "The Nate series by Tim Federle is a wonderful evocation of what it's like to be a theater kid. Highly recommended." --Lin-Manuel Miranda, star and creator of the musical, Hamilton A New York Times Notable Book of the...
Rick
Gino, Alex
Ebook
From the award-winning author of Melissa, the story of a boy named Rick who needs to explore his own identity apart from his jerk of a best friend. Rick's never questioned much. He's gone along with his best friend Jeff even when Jeff's acted like a bully and a jerk. He's let his...
My parents won't stop talking!
Hunsinger, Emma
Paper Book
A child's plans are ruined when her parents have the gall to stop to talk to the neighbors in My Parents Won't Stop Talking!, a laugh-out-loud picture book about patience by Emma Hunsinger and Tillie Walden. It's time to go to the park, and Molly can't wait! It's going...
Things in the sea are touching me!
Keegan, Linda Jane
Paper Book
'Look in the water, Ma! Golly, oh gee! Some THING in the sea is TOUCHING ME!' Youll squawk, screech, yelp... and laugh out loud at the surprises for all on this funny-sunny family day at the beach. When a small child goes to the seaside with her Mum and Ma, she is unprepared for 'things' floating in...
LGBTQ+ icons : a celebration of historical LGBTQ+ icons in the arts
Keehnen, Owen
Paper Book
From music to movies, literature to dance - the arts have always been influenced by the workof LGBTQ people. LGBTQ+ Icons spotlights the history and contributions of 50 pioneering artists who lived and worked around the world. Bold, whimsical illustrations by David Lee...
Mama and mummy and me in the middle
LaCour, Nina
Paper Book
Answers in the pages
Levithan, David
Paper Book
A bold, timely novel about speaking up and coming out as parents lobby to ban a beloved book from the school curriculum by New York Times-bestselling author David Levithan. When Donovan left his copy of The Adventurers on the kitchen counter, he didn't think his mom...
Snapdragon
Leyh, Kat
Paper Book
Kat Leyh's Snapdragon is a magical realist graphic novel about a young girl who befriends her town's witch and discovers the strange magic within herself. Snap's town had a witch. At least, that's how the rumor goes. But in reality, Jacks is just a crocks...
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...
The prince and the frog
Pike, Olly
Paper Book
One day, Oskar and his sister Caroline meet a prince who was turned into a frog by an evil wizard. Only true love's kiss can break the spell - both Caroline and Oskar want to help, but which of them will be the frog prince's true love? This brightly illustrated, heart-warming take on...
Maiden voyage
Poipoi, Jaimee
Paper Book
"When a fisherman's daughter inherits a map and joins the crew of a courageous female captain, a bond between them soon forms into love. Pursuing them on their high seas adventure is a fierce band of pirates, bewitched by a wicked Queen who is determined to keep her dark secret from surfacing."-...
Promised land
Reynolds, Adam
Paper Book
"A young Prince and a farm boy meet by chance in the forest and their newfound friendship soon blossoms into love. However, things get complicated when the Queen's sinister new husband seeks control over the enchanted forest that the farm boy's family are responsible for protecting"--Publisher's...
And Tango makes three
Richardson, Justin
Paper Book
And Tango Makes Three is the bestselling, heartwarming true story of two penguins who create a nontraditional family. At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family...
Magnus Chase and the sword of summer
Riordan, Rick
Paper Book
My name is Magnus Chase. I'm orphaned and living rough on the streets of Boston. And things are about to get much worse. My day started out normally enough. I was sleeping under a bridge when some guy kicked me awake and said, 'They're after you.' Next thing I know, I'm reunited with my...
The sun and the star
Riordan, Rick
Paper Book
Demigods Nico di Angelo and Will Solace must endure the terrors of Tartarus to rescue an old friend in this thrilling adventure co-written by New York Times #1 best-selling author Rick Riordan and award-winning author Mark Oshiro. Percy Jackson fans, rejoice! Nico and Will...
Ellen outside the lines
Sass, A. J.
Paper Book
Winner of a Sydney Taylor Book Award Honor! A heartfelt novel about a neurodivergent thirteen-year-old navigating changing friendships, a school trip, and expanding horizons for fans of Rain Reign and Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World. ...
A plan for Pops
Smith, Heather
Paper Book
"A positive and realistic representation of both a wheelchair user and an elderly, interracial gay male couple." --Kirkus Reviews "A beautiful and uplifting book." --School Library Journal Lou spends every Saturday with Grandad and Pops. They...
Pride Families
Taylor, Amie.
Paper Book
Families come in all different shapes and sizes, and each one is perfect! Come and celebrate what it means to be a PRIDE FAMILY in this beautifully illustrated book written by LGBTQIA+ author, Amie Taylor and Illustrated by Kaspa Clarke. LGBTQIA+ families come in all the...
Love Frankie
Wilson, Jacqueline
Paper Book
GROWING UP. FALLING IN LOVE. COMING OUT. Frankie is nearly fourteen and teenage life certainly comes with its ups and downs. Her mum is seriously ill with MS and Frankie can feel herself growing up quickly, no thanks to Sally and her gang of bullies at school. When...
Grandad's camper
Woodgate, Harry
Paper Book
A Stonewall Honor Book Children's Illustrated Book of the Year--British Book Awards Best Illustrated Book -- Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2022 Discover a wonderful grandfather-granddaughter relationship, as a little girl hatches the...

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