LGBTQ Picture Books: 10 Inclusive Books For Children

It’s so important to teach children about inclusivity and to introduce LGBTQ pride, acceptance and inclusion at a young age. Here are some wonderful books that will help you start the conversation about inclusive families with your small children or students. Because love is love.

LGBTQ+ Picture Books for Elementary school

I’m a firm believer that we need to start the conversation about inclusion and acceptance when it comes to all things. From race to LGBTQ acceptance and inclusion, women’s rights and everything in-between.

So often parents and teachers are worried about introducing these concepts to their young children or students. This post is for you if you’ve ever thought:

Can’t we wait until they are older?

What if I say the wrong thing? (FYI you WILL say the wrong thing sometimes and that’s ok. You are allowed and encouraged to learn and grow with your children)

Aren’t my kids too young to understand?

Will I get in trouble with parents or admin if I teach about LGBTQ pride, gender diversity and inclusion?

I’ve definitely asked myself these questions in the past and still sometimes worry, but I figure we have to start somewhere right? I believe that if we start conversations about inclusivity NOW with our kids, they will grow into more empathetic, kind, and inclusive adults…and that’s what we all want, right? One of my favourite ways to start teaching about diversity is picture books. Check out this post on books to read during Black history month too.

Words to live by:

Kids don’t know which subjects are “taboo.” They know what we teach them and show them.

LGBTQ books for elementary school

I find that the best way to start any difficult conversation with children is to use a picture book. That way, we are able to get our feet wet by allowing someone else’s words to guide us. Plus pictures make everything better!

Julian Is A Mermaid - Written by Jessica Love
This book is about a little boy who wants to dress up like a mermaid. I totally vibe with little Julian on this one because I want to be a mermaid too. He dresses up all fancy and his Nana finds him and SUPPORTS him. YES!

Except When They Don’t - Written by Laura Gehl
I read this book a couple of months ago to my kids at home and they loved it. It talks about how a lot of girls like things like ballet and tea parties but that boys can like those things too! This book shows how boys often like things like trucks and superheroes but girls can like those too. My own kids tend to gravitate to “girly” things so I really appreciate how this book explains that there are no girl toys or boy toys. They’re just toys.

The Family Book - Written by Todd Parr
I read this book to my class Every. Single. Year.
Every year I get a similar response. Kids are so surprised to see that sometimes a child can have 2 dads or 2 moms.
One year though, the most precious thing happened. I had a boy in my class who had 2 dads and his face literally LIT UP at the page about 2 days. He was such a quiet child and he called out, “I HAVE 2 DADS!” with the biggest smile on his face. Imagine finally seeing a family in a picture book that was like yours. Magic.

Our Fabulous Clothes
This is a reader/lesson I created for my students. I use it to teach the kids that children of all genders can wear whatever they want. Be it a skirt, dress, pants or anything in between.
Clothes keep us warm or cold and protect our bodies but are also a way for us to express our individuality… and that is a fabulous thing!
I extend the lesson by using this Digital Gender-Inclusive Dress-up game in English or Digital Gender-Inclusive Dress-up game in FRENCH.

Be Who You Are - Written by Todd Parr
Did I mention I LOVE Todd Parr?
This book can be read at any time of the year. It’s about expressing individuality and embracing our differences. The world would be such a boring place if we were all the same, n’est-ce pas? I’ve read this book to talk about inclusiveness and diversity when it comes to race, LGBTQ initiatives and disabilities. Our differences are what make our world more fun.

The Hips On The Drag Queen Go Swish Swish Swish - Written by Lil Miss Hot Mess

I am a huge fan of drag. It started when I was on maternity leave and discovered RuPaul’s Drag Race on Netflix and has continued since then. My husband even took me to a live drag show for our anniversary a couple of years ago and it was soooo much fun.

My kids and I watch the runway part of drag race and they have become fans as well. Sometimes they play “lip sync for your life” and dance around and my husband and I need to pretend to be the judges. It’s a good time.

Anyways, this book is about what drag queens wear and is sung to the tune of the wheels on the bus. I LOVE IT.

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag - Written by Rob Sanders

You may have a rainbow crosswalk in your neighbourhood or your kids may have seen rainbow flags around. This book is the story of Harvey Milk written in kid-friendly language. It talks about how the rainbow flag is a symbol of accepting all kinds of love.

I would say that this book is more of a grade 1-3 read-aloud level than for Kindergarten.

My Princess Boy - Written by Cheryl Kilodavis

This book is about a boy who loves pink and dancing. He wears dresses and carries purses and people sometimes laugh at him, but he has a brother and 2 parents who love and accept him.

I got actual shivers when I read this book for the first time. It made my sad because I can’t imagine how it would feel to be a boy who wants to be a princess and doesn’t understand why people think he shouldn’t. I also thought about all of the Drag Race cast members who have shared there stories of difficulty growing up and coming out.

At the same time though, it makes me happy to know that with a book like this I can help kids become inclusive and accepting little humans.

This would be a great book to connect to Julian is a Mermaid or Except When They Don’t.

A Fire Engine For Ruthie - Leslea Newman
This book is similar to some of the others I’ve mentioned so far. It’s about a girl named Ruthie whose nana wants her to play dress-up and dolls… but Ruthie just wants to play with a firetruck. Can we please just let kids play with whatever toys like already??? I feel like that would make the world a much happier place.

People of Pride: RuPaul Charles - Illustrated by Vincent Chen
I might be slightly biased here because I love all things RuPaul and started my TpT business while going through postpartum depression and binge-watching Drag Race BUT this book is adorable.
I love how it puts Mama Ru’s journey to becoming a mainstream drag queen in terms even your littlest toddler can understand.
Highly recommend.

PS You don’t want to miss out on these FREE posters for LGBTQ acceptance and pride for your elementary school.

This list of books is just a start! There are so many more books about inclusivity and LGBTQ2IA goodness. Please comment with your favourite books below! Here are some of my favourite Black history month read-alouds (I think you’ll love them too). I also have an entire unit plan on how to teach about diversity and anti-racism in your primary class if you’re interested!

Peace and love,

Breyen