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Out on the Shelves: Rainbow Picture BooksUnpublished

The number of picture books featuring rainbow families, gender-diverse characters, and depictions of diverse sexualities keeps growing and growing so we've put some of them together in this list.

There are many other picture books out there featuring rainbow characters and families, but we hope that this list helps get you started.

Updated May 28, 2025

Wellington City Libraries Children's team at Wellington City Libraries

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Out on the Shelves: Rainbow Picture Books

The number of picture books featuring rainbow families, gender-diverse characters, and depictions of diverse sexualities keeps growing and growing so we've put some of them together in this list.

There are many other picture books out there featuring rainbow characters and families, but we hope that this list helps get you started.

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Rainbowsaurus

Antony, Steve

Paper Book

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...

Uncle Bobby's wedding

Brannen, Sarah S.

Paper Book

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...

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....

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....

My own way : celebrating gender freedom for kids

Estrela, Joana

Paper Book

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...

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

Introduces readers to nonbinary, gender-fluid people and the use of pronouns of their own choosing while all along reinforcing that an individual is much more layered and unique then how others may see him, her or them. "An empowering and uplifting tale...perfect icebreaker for young...

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...

Mama and mummy and me in the middle

LaCour, Nina

Paper Book

The pirate mums

Lancet-Grant, Jodie

Paper Book

Billy's family is not what you'd call ordinary. His mums won't listen to NORMAL music. They love to sing sea shanties and dance jigs in the lounge. Their clothes are highly unusual, they have a rude parrot for a pet, and their taste in house design is, well . . . FISHY.Billy wishes his family could...

Over the shop

Lawson, JonArno

Paper Book

In a beautifully detailed wordless picture book, a tumbledown building becomes home sweet home for a found family. A lonely little girl and her grandparent need to fill the run-down apartment in their building. But taking over the quarters above their store will mean major...

When Aidan became a brother

Lukoff, Kyle

Paper Book

Stonewall Book Award Winner - American Library Association (ALA) This sweet and groundbreaking picture book, winner of the 2020 Stonewall Book Award, celebrates the changes in a transgender boy's life, from his initial coming-out to becoming a big brother. When Aidan was born...

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...

My Moms Love Me

Membrino, Anna.

Paper Book

Now available in a sweet board book edition, cuddle up and celebrate love in this beautiful story that shines a spotlight on LGBTQIA+ moms! "A hug from Mommy, warm and tight. A squeeze from Mama feels just right. This is how my mommies say, 'We...

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,...

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

An empowering and educational picture book by a New York Times bestselling author, proving that colors are for everyone, regardless of gender. Pink is for boys ... and girls ... and everyone! This timely and beautiful fully illustrated book rethinks and...

My daddies!

Peter, Gareth

Paper Book

A funny, heartfelt picture-book celebrating same-sex parents and shared story time, perfect for introducing children to the different kinds of family in the world today. Set off on a series of incredible adventures with an adorable family as the stories they read burst into...

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

When a young Prince and a farm boy meet in the forest, a growing friendship between them blossoms into love. However, when the Queen re-marries, her sinister new husband seeks control of the enchanted forest and the land the farm boy's family are responsible for protecting. In a Kingdom where all...

Une ide?e pour Papi

Smith, Heather

Paper Book

Lou passe tous ses samedis avec Grand-Papa et Papi. Ils se rendent à la bibliothèque main dans la main, comme une guirlande de personnages en papier. Grand-Papa lit des livres sur la science et le design, Papi écoute des disques de rock and roll et Lou va de l'un à l'autre. Mais un jour, tout...

My shadow is pink

Stuart, Scott (Children's author)

Paper Book

My Shadow Is Pinkis 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 (through...

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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https://librarian.syndetics.com/syndeticsunbound/lp/1043.1411/list/5826

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