Rainbow Reads - LGBTQIA+ Picture Books

Updated February 23, 2023
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Love makes a family
Beer, Sophie
This fun, inclusive board book celebrates the one thing that makes every family a family . . . and that's LOVE. Love is baking a special cake. Love is lending a helping hand. Love is reading one more book. In this exuberant board book, many different families are...
Téo's tutu
Macias, Maryann Jacob
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...
Pride colors
Stevenson, Robin
★ "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,...
My paati's saris
Gopal, Jyoti Rajan
A Tamil boy explores his love for his grandmother and her colourful sari collection in this tale of expressing your true self. Another exciting day with Paati begins with a host of fun activities done in preparation for tonight's party; threading flowers into...
Pride puppy!
Stevenson, Robin
★"[A] sheer delight and will be a welcome addition to shelves everywhere. Highly--and proudly--recommended." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review ★ "This engaging introduction to Pride parades for the youngest readers successfully testifies to the warmth and power of queer...
Call me Max
Lukoff, Kyle
My parents won't stop talking!
Hunsinger, Emma
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...
Aaron Slater, illustrator
Beaty, Andrea
From the creator of Sofia Valdez comes an uplifting story about the power of art, finding your voice, and telling your story even when you're out of step with your peers.
I love you because I love you
Van, Muon
Author Muợn Thị Văn and Stonewall Book Award-winning artist Jessica Love detail all the big and small reasons why we love the people we do within a call-and-response picture book that features families across the spectrum. "I love you because you tell the best stories...
Bodies are cool
Feder, Tyler
This cheerful love-your-body picture book for preschoolers is an exuberant read-aloud with bright and friendly illustrations to pore over.   From the acclaimed creator of Dancing at the Pity Party and Roaring Softly, this picture book is a pure celebration of all the...
Grandad's camper
Woodgate, Harry
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...
Calvin
Ford, Ronald Martin, Jr.
In this joyful and impactful picture book, a transgender boy prepares for the first day of school and introduces himself to his family and friends for the first time. Calvin has always been a boy, even if the world sees him as a girl. He knows who he is in his heart and in his...
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...
Ho'onani : hula warrior
Gale, Heather (Children's author)
An empowering celebration of identity, acceptance and Hawaiian culture based on the true story of a young girl in Hawaiʻi who dreams of leading the boys-only hula troupe at her school. Ho'onani feels in-between. She doesn't see herself as wahine (girl) OR kane...
'Twas the night before Pride
McClintick, Joanna
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...
What Riley wore
Arnold, Elana K.
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...
Over the shop
Lawson, JonArno
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...
Mama and Mommy and me in the middle
LaCour, Nina
A little girl stays home with Mama when Mommy goes off on a work trip in this tender, inviting story that will resonate with every child who has missed a parent. For one little girl, there's no place she'd rather be than sitting between Mama and Mommy. So when Mommy goes away on...
Julian is a mermaid
Love, Jessica
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...
When Aidan became a brother
Lukoff, Kyle
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...
Plenty of hugs
Manushkin, Fran
Cover may vary Two mommies spend a sunny day with their toddler in this cozy, rhyming picture book that is a loving celebration of family. This cheerful book follows a family from morning to night in lively rhyme that rolls off the tongue. There's a buzz for each...
Bathe the cat
McGinty, Alice B.
It's cleaning day, but the family cat will do anything to avoid getting a bath. So instead of mopping the floor or feeding the fish, the family is soon busy rocking the rug, vacuuming the lawn, and sweeping the dishes. Bouncy rhyme carries the story headlong into the growing hilarity, until...
The every baby book
Preston-Gannon, Frann
The Every Baby Book is a cute, inclusive board book celebrating the things that families of all kinds share--and the love at the heart of each one. Every baby's day is different, but lots of first experiences are shared, too. The youngest reader will...
My moms love me
Membrino, Anna
Cuddle up and celebrate love in this picture book that shines a spotlight on LGBTQ+ moms! "A hug from Mommy, warm and tight. A squeeze from Mama feels just right. This is how my mommies say, 'We love you, baby, night and day!"' Two...
The rainbow parade
Neilson, Emily
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...
We are little feminists : families
Fačy, Bernard
2021 Stonewall Award Winner - the first ever board book to win an American Library Association medal! Beautiful photos of real LGBTQ and ally families showcase all the wonderful forms of family, gender, and sexuality while poetic text builds both vocabulary and empathy. FAMILIES helps families and...
It feels good to be yourself : a book about gender identity
Thorn, Theresa
A picture book that introduces the concept of gender identity to the youngest reader from writer Theresa Thorn and illustrator Noah Grigni. Some people are boys. Some people are girls. Some people are both, neither, or somewhere in between. This sweet,...
Our subway baby
Mercurio, Peter
This gentle and incredibly poignant picture book tells the true story of how one baby found his home. "Some babies are born into their families. Some are adopted. This is the story of how one baby found his family in the New York City subway." So begins the true...
Kapaemahu
Wong-Kalu, Hinaleimoana
An Indigenous legend about how four extraordinary individualsof dual male and female spirit, or Mahu, brought healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii, based on the Academy Award-contending short film. In the 15th century, four Mahu sail from Tahiti to Hawaii and share their gifts of...
My Maddy
Pitman, Gayle E.
A loving, affirming ode to parents who are gender fluid or gender nonbinary. My Maddy has hazel eyes which are not brown or green. And my Maddy likes sporks because they are not quite a spoon or a fork. Most mommies are girls. Most daddies are boys. But lots of parents are...
My friend, Loonie
LaCour, Nina
A gentle story of connection and loss finds a promise in memories after a young child loses her constant companion. With a good friend like Loonie the yellow balloon, anything is possible. From neighborhood walks to reading aloud in bed to dance parties in your room, Loonie makes...

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