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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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...
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 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...
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
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? ...
Ho'onani : hula warrior
Gale, Heather (Children's author)
Paper Book
Based on a true story, Ho'onani: Hula Warrior is a celebration of Hawaiian culture and an empowering story of a girl who learns to lead and learns to accept who she really is - and in doing so, gains the respect of all those around her.
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...
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 multiple...
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...
Julian is a mermaid
Love, Jessica
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! Winner of a 2019 Stonewall Book Award In an exuberant picture book, a glimpse of costumed mermaids leaves one boy flooded with wonder and ready to dazzle the world. While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela...
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...
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...
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...
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
In the woods of a small town, Aubrey sets off on a journey about growing up, self-discovery, and acceptance while searching for their missing best friend. Aubrey and Joel are like two tomato vines that grew along the same crooked fence - weird, yet the same kind of weird. But lately, even their...

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