Children's Book Suggestions | Pride Month

Updated May 16, 2024
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County)Oregon City Public Library
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Rainbow : a first book of pride
Genhart, Michael
Paper Book
"A joyous tribute to LGBTQ families." --Publishers Weekly A must-have primer for young readers and a great gift for pride events and throughout the year, beautiful colors all together make a rainbow in Rainbow: A First Book of Pride. This is a...

Ages 1-5

Pride colors
Stevenson, Robin
Paper Book
★ "Awash in messages of love and the celebration of individuality... A rare treat for both Pride Day and everyday sharing."--School Library Journal, starred review ★ "A good thing comes in a small, rainbow package...A joyful, affirming, pride-filled read."--Kirkus Reviews,...

Ages 0-2

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...
Ages 2-5
George
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....

Ages 9-12

Daddy & Dada
Brockington, Ryan
Paper Book
Hi, I'm Rumi. Some of my friends have one mom and one dad. Some have one mom or one dad. I have two dads. Daddy and Dada. Daddy sings songs with me. Dada reads me stories. Every family is different. And that's pretty cool. This sweet,...

Ages 2-5

Prince & knight
Haack, Daniel
Paper Book
"Victorious . . . the premier queer-friendly fairy tale." Kirkus Reviews, starred review "An illuminating fairy tale for young readers to be able to see that not every prince would like to marry a princess." School Library Journal "A colorful and entertaining tale...

Ages 2-7

Sam makes a splash
Melleby, Nicole
Paper Book
From an acclaimed author comes a cheerful, uplifting story of family and belonging, the first in a series perfect for fans of the Vanderbeekers and the Penderwicks. If you want to get to know eleven-year-old Samantha Ali-O'Connor, you need to know three things:...

Ages 7-10

Just shy of ordinary
Sass, A. J.
Paper 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 always go according to plan--especially when they start...

Ages 11-14

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...

Ages 12-14

Be amazing : a history of pride
Desmond Is Amazing
Paper Book
In Be Amazing, drag kid Desmond is Amazing walks you through the history of the LGBTQ community, all while encouraging you to embrace your own uniqueness and ignore the haters. Desmond is amazing--and you are, too. Throughout history,...

Ages 3-6

Juli©Łn 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...

Ages 3-6

Julián at the wedding
Love, Jessica
Paper Book
The star of Julián Is a Mermaid makes a joyful return--and finds a new friend--at a wedding to be remembered. Julián and his abuela are going to a wedding. Better yet, Julián is in the wedding. Weddings have flowers and kissing and dancing and cake. And this wedding also...

Ages 3-6

Strong
Kearney, Rob
Paper Book
Rob dreams of becoming a champion strongman. He wants to flip huge tires, lug boulders, and haul trucks -- and someday be the strongest man in the world! But he feels like he can't fit in with his bright leggings, unicorn T-shirts, and rainbow-dyed hair. Will Rob find a way to step into his true...

Ages 3-6

Ballet kids
Sterling, Holly
Paper Book
In a gentle introduction to ballet, a little boy and his friends gather for their dance class to learn some moves--and get excited about their debut performance. Stretchy leggings on? Ballet shoes in the bag? Let's go! Join Thomas and his fellow dancers as they're welcomed into...

Ages 3-7

'Twas the night before Pride
McClintick, Joanna
Paper Book
A glittering celebration of queer families puts Pride gently in perspective--honoring those in the LGBTQ+ community who fought against injustice and inequality. Pride's . . . a day that means "Together, we are strong!" This joyful picture-book homage to a day...

Ages 4-8

Pride : the story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag
Sanders, Rob
Paper Book
JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION . Celebrate Pride and it's iconic rainbow flag--a symbol of inclusion and acceptance around the world-- with the very first picture book to tell its remarkable and inspiring history! "Pride is a beacon of (technicolor) light." --Entertainment Weekly<...

Ages 3-9

Sharice's big voice : a native kid becomes a congresswoman
Davids, Sharice
Paper Book
This acclaimed picture book autobiography tells the triumphant story of Sharice Davids, one of the first Native American women elected to Congress, and the first LGBTQ congressperson to represent Kansas. When Sharice Davids was young, she never thought she'd be in Congress....

Ages 4-7

The rainbow parade
Neilson, Emily
Paper Book
A sweet and celebratory story of a family's first time at Pride One day in June, Mommy, Mama, and Emily take the train into the city to watch the Rainbow Parade. The three of them love how all the people in the street are so loud, proud, and colorful, but when Mama suggests they...

Ages 2-5

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...

Ages 10-14

The Fairest in the Land
Newman, Leslea.
Paper Book
Fairest in the Land is a heartwarming, inclusive picture-book story about self-expression and friendship, from Stonewall Honor-winning author Lesléa Newman with full-color illustrations by Joshua Heinsz. When it comes to playing dress-up, best friends...

Ages 4-8

Pride puppy!
Stevenson, Robin
Paper Book
Key Selling Points An LGBTQ+ inclusive picture book where identity is not the focus of the story but queer community is centered. The family is intentionally not gendered. The author is part of the LGBTQ+ community and has spoken extensively about Pride with kids of...

Ages 3-5

The good hair day
Trimmer, Christian
Paper Book
Noah has a special day coming up, and he has a very long wish list. But there's one thing missing from it, the thing he wants more than anything else in the world: long, beautiful, wavy hair.

Ages 4-8

Not he or she, I'm me
Wild, A. M.
Paper Book
A Stonewall Book Award Honor Book "The warmth of everyday gender euphoria is burnished to brilliant radiance" (BCCB, starred review) in this joyous picture book about a day in the life of a non-binary child. A child gets ready for a wonderful day. They...

Ages 3-6

Rick
Gino, Alex
Paper Book
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...

Ages 9-12

The flower girl wore celery
Gordon, Meryl G.
Paper Book
Emma can't wait for her cousin Hannah's wedding. She's going to be the flower girl. That means she'll wear a celery dress and walk down the aisle with the ring bear, leading the way for the happy bride and groom. Or at least, that's what Emma assumes. But nothing turns out to be quite what she's...

Ages 4-11

Ritu weds Chandni
Narvankar, Ameya
Paper Book
Ayesha is excited to attend her cousin Ritu's wedding. She can't wait to dance at the baraat ceremony! But not everyone is happy that Ritu is marrying her girlfriend Chandni. Some have even vowed to stop the celebrations. Will Ayesha be able to save her cousin's big day? Centering Ayesha's love for...

Ages 5-7

The language of seabirds
Taylor, Will (Children's literature author)
Paper Book
A sweet, tender middle-grade story of two boys finding first love with each other over a seaside summer. Jeremy is not excited about the prospect of spending the summer with his dad and his uncle in a seaside cabin in Oregon. It's the first summer after his parents' divorce, and he hasn't...

Ages 11-14

Grandad's pride
Woodgate, Harry
Paper Book
Grandad and Milly are back for another adventure, this time honoring the past and celebrating the future with a pride parade. This heartwarming tale continues to wonderful journey that began with the Stonewall Honoree, British Book Award winner, and Waterstones Best Illustrated Book, Grandad's...

Ages 3-8

Second dad summer
Klas, Benjamin
Paper Book
Jeremiah just wants a normal summer with his dad. But his dad has moved in with his new boyfriend Michael who serves weird organic food and is constantly nagging him. Worst of all, Michael rides a bicycle decorated to look like a unicorn. This is not the summer Jeremiah wanted. But Jeremiah soon...

Ages 7-11

What you don't know : a story of liberated childhood
Higginbotham, Anastasia
Paper Book
FEATURED IN MS. MAGAZINE'S "15 BOOKS FOR KIDS THAT PROVE YOU CAN BE A FEMINIST AT ANY AGE" Anastasia Higginbotham's What You Don't Know: A Story of Liberated Childhood delves into queerness, Blackness, and the love that dismantles whiteness. It's a book about knowing deeply that you...

Ages 8-12

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...

Ages 9-12

The real Riley Mayes
Elliott, Rachel
Paper Book
A Stonewall Book Award Honor * A Sid Fleishman Humor Award Honor Funny and full of heart, this debut graphic novel is a story about friendship, identity, and embracing all the parts of yourself that make you special.   Fifth grade is just not Riley's vibe....

Ages 8-12

This is our rainbow : 16 stories of her, him, them, and us
Locke, Katherine
Paper Book
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...

Ages 8-12

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...

Ages 8-12

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...

Ages 8-12

Eli over easy
Stamper, Phil
Paper Book
From the acclaimed author of Small Town Pride, Phil Stamper, comes a heartfelt coming-of-age middle grade novel about grief, love, loss, and finding your way forward in the vein of Kate Allen's The Line Tender and Jules Machias's Both Can Be True. The last few months have...

Ages 8-12

The girl from Earth's end
Dairman, Tara
Paper Book
Gifted gardener Henna embarks from her island home to search for the plant that might save her papa's life in this vibrant story of love, grief, and growth. Twelve-year-old Henna loves living with her two papas and cultivating her beloved plants on the tiny island of Earth's End-...

Ages 9-12

Nikhil out loud
Pancholy, Maulik
Paper Book
Lambda Literary Award Winner for LGBTQ+ Middle Grade From the acclaimed actor and Stonewall Honor-winning author of The Best at It, Maulik Pancholy, comes a new middle grade novel about a gay Indian American boy who learns the power of using his voice. For fans of Merci Suárez Changes...

Ages 10-14

Small town pride
Stamper, Phil
Paper Book
From acclaimed author Phil Stamper (The Gravity of Us and As Far as You'll Take Me) comes a poignant coming-of-age, contemporary middle grade debut novel about finding your place, using your voice, and the true meaning of pride. Perfect for fans of Rick by Alex Gino and The...

Ages 11-14

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...

Ages 10-12

Emma and the love spell
Ireland, Meredith
Paper Book
Witchlings meets The Parent Trap in this contemporary fantasy about a girl who tries to use her fickle witchy powers to keep her best friend (and secret crush!) from moving away. Twelve-year-old, Korean American adoptee Emma Davidson has a problem....

Ages 10-14

The list of things that will not change
Stead, Rebecca
Paper Book
EIGHT STARRED REVIEWS! The reassuring book kids and families need right now. "An absolute original . . . a story that kids will love." --R. J. Palacio, bestselling author of Wonder At a time when everything is changing for Bea and her family, the important things...

Ages 10-14

Just Lizzie
Wilfrid, Karen
Paper Book
A 2024 LAMBDA AWARD FINALIST In this beautifully written contemporary middle grade debut, an eighth grader's study of asexuality in science class leads her to understand her own asexual identity as she embarks on a journey toward self-discovery and self-advocacy. For readers of Alex Gino...

Ages 11-15

The best at it
Pancholy, Maulik
Paper Book
From award-winning actor Maulik Pancholy comes a hilarious and heartfelt middle grade debut about a gay Indian American boy coming into his own. One of Time Out's "LGBTQ+ books for kids to read during Pride Month," this is perfect for fans of Tim Federle's Nate series. A ...

Ages 10-14

The beautiful something else
Van Otterloo, Ash
Paper Book
Full of humor and heartbreak, this story about a nonbinary character navigating a binary world is perfect for fans of Alex Gino and Kyle Lukoff. It's exhausting trying to be the perfect daughter. Still, getting good grades without making any waves may be the only way to distract from the...

Ages 11-14

Lumberjanes : unicorn power!
Tamaki, Mariko
Paper Book
Welcome to Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady Types. The five scouts of Roanoke cabin - Jo, April, Molly, Mal, and Ripley - love their summers at camp. They get to hang out with their best friends, earn Lumberjane scout badges, annoy their no-nonsense...

Ages 11-14

A-Okay
Greene, Jarad
Paper Book
A-Okay by Jarad Greene is a vulnerable and heartfelt semi-autobiographical middle grade graphic novel about acne, identity, and finding your place.   When Jay starts eighth grade with a few pimples he doesn't think much of it at first...except to wonder if the...

Ages 11-15

Gender identity for kids : a book about finding yourself, understanding others, and respecting everybody!
Passchier, Andy
Paper Book
Help kids make sense of who they are and how they feel with this illustrated guide to understanding and answering questions about gender.  What is gender and what does it mean to you? What are ways people express their gender? What if you don't feel like the...

Ages 8-12

The girl from the sea
Ostertag, Molly
Paper Book
From the author of The Witch Boy trilogy comes a graphic novel about family, romance, and first love.Fifteen-year-old Morgan has a secret: She can't wait to escape the perfect little island where she lives. She's desperate to finish high school and escape her sad divorced mom, her volatile little...

Ages 12-16

The meaning of pride
Thor, Rosiee
Paper Book
A vibrant ode to the culture and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community, The Meaning of Pride, written by Rosiee Thor and illustrated by Sam Kirk, celebrates the beauty, significance, and many dimensions of the concept of Pride as celebrated by millions of people around the world! ...

Ages 4-7


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