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 29, 2025
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Wellington City Libraries Children's team at Wellington City Libraries
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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 ...
Melissa
Gino, Alex
Paper Book
BE WHO YOU ARE. When people look at Melissa, they think they see a boy named George. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl. Melissa thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. Melissa...
Red : a crayon's story
Hall, Michael
Ebook
Julián is a mermaid
Love, Jessica
Paper Book
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 one day, Julián notices three women...
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...

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