Rainbow Reads: LGBTQ+ Books for Kids

Updated May 5, 2023
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Pride : the story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag
Sanders, Rob
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<...
If you're a kid like Gavin
Grimm, Gavin
A celebratory and empowering story from young trans activist Gavin Grimm, two-time Stonewall Award-winning and Newbery Honor-winning author Kyle Lukoff, and illustrator J Yang follows the true story of how a young boy stood up for himself--and made history along the way.  A Publishers...
A song for the unsung : Bayard Rustin, the man behind the 1963 March on Washington
Weatherford, Carole Boston
Winner of the Jane Addams Children's Book Award A singular, richly illustrated picture book biography of Bayard Rustin, the gay Black man behind the March on Washington of 1963, by the acclaimed authors of Unspeakable: the Tulsa Race Massacre and Pride: The Story...
Gay & lesbian history for kids : the century-long struggle for LGBT rights, with 21 activities
Pohlen, Jerome.
2016 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People List Lambda Literary Award Finalist On the Rainbow Book List  Who transformed George Washington's demoralized troops at Valley...
Call me Max
Lukoff, Kyle
Riley Reynolds crushes costume day
Albee, Jay
It's book week at school, and nonbinary fourth grader Riley and their best friends craft hard for the Dress Like Your Favorite Character Day. Colorful fabric! Paint! Glitter! They are ready to make the biggest and best group costume ever! But most of the other kids are having trouble coming up with...
Matteo
Leali, Michael
A 2024 LAMBDA AWARD FINALIST "This enchanting, modern homage to Pinocchio reminds us anything is possible if we're true to ourselves." --Cynthia Leitich Smith, award-winning author of Ancestor Approved and Sisters of the Neversea Eleven-year-old Matteo has never felt like one of the...
Melissa
Gino, Alex
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....
Better Nate than ever
Federle, Tim.
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...
Phoenix goes to school : a story to support transgender and gender variant children
Finch, Phoenix
My Mommy tells me I'm perfect and to be brave. "You know who you are," she says, "Just be yourself and always listen to your heart." With those words of encouragement from her Mom, Phoenix is preparing for her first day of school. She is excited but...
Pink, blue, and you! : questions for kids about gender stereotypes
Gravel, Elise
Simple, accessible, and direct, this picture book is perfect for kids and parents or teachers to read together, opening the door to conversations about gender stereotypes and everyone's right to be their true selves. Is it okay for boys to cry? Can girls be strong? Should...
A kids book about : being non-binary
Chinn-Raicht, Hunter
What does being non-binary mean? For some people, the question and its answer may be new or a little confusing. It's okay to not know what it means! That's where all good conversations start. The journey to understanding starts with an open mind and an open heart.
A kids book about : being transgender
Parr, Gia
People often ask, what does it mean to be transgender? The truth is there isn't one answer. Gender is uniquely beautiful, and each person's experience is individual to them. But at its core, it's all about knowing who you are and having the courage, freedom, and support to live life being your...
A kids book about gender
Mueller, Dale
Gender can be difficult to define, but it's something that's a part of all of us and who we are. This book isn't meant to answer all the questions or tell you how you identify, it's meant to help kids and grownups understand gender and create an open and safe environment for kids to question,...
The revolutionary spirit in France and America
Fačy, Bernard
Pride : the celebration and the struggle
Stevenson, Robin
★ "An indispensable and celebratory primer on the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights. An excellent resource that is as thorough as it is visually appealing." --School Library Journal, starred review Like the original version, this new edition of Pride: The Celebration and the...

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