Wondering when and how is a good time to introduce ideas about different types of family to your little one? Maybe you have an LGBTQ+ family, or just a family dynamic that is diverse. Perhaps a friend, family member or nursery playmate’s parent has a different family set-up from you or is part of the LGBTQ+ community and your child has begun to ask a few questions. We’re joined by Charlotte Rebbeck, a nursery practitioner with 9 years’ experience, who says the earlier children see diversity in books the better. She’s here to share her top 40 LGBTQ+ books which are accessible and easy for children (and adults!) to enjoy and understand.
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Why Reading Books About LGBTQ+ Families Is Important
As someone who is a part of the LGBTQ+ community and who also works with children, I believe it’s important to introduce children to books that incorporate the community as early as possible. This is both to allow children who are a part of an LGBTQ+ family to have representation of their family dynamic in media and also to promote empathy and understanding whilst allowing children to have an open and honest conversation about different family types.
With this in mind, here are my top 40 books that I highly recommend adding to your children’s reading rota.
Books Containing Female Same-Sex Relationships
Heather Has Two Mummies (1989) by Lesléa Newman
Heather Has Two Mummies is such a wholesome read. When Heather starts school, she is nervous about what her new school friends’ families will look like. She finds that she isn’t the only one with a different family type and that all families are unique in their own way.
Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle (2022) by Nina LaCour
A heartwarming story about a little girl working through the emotions of missing one of her mums whilst she is on a work trip. The ending is super sweet, with the little girl and her mommy talking through how much they missed one another.
Maiden and Princess (2019) by Daniel Haack and Isabel Galupo
This story is set in a fantasy world where the King and Queen of a kingdom are hosting a ball to find their son a bride. The main character, who was a knight, doesn’t want to go to the ball as she sees the Prince as her brother. Convinced by her mother, she does dress up and heads to the ball, only to end up talking to the Princess all night and falling for her instead.
Plenty of Hugs (2020) by Fran Manushkin – LGBTQ+ children’s books
A very simple and sweet book about a queer couple spending time with their toddler. The art style is beautiful and will really draw children into the pictures as you read the story.
Mommy, Mama and Me by Lesléa Newman and Carol Thompson
Mommy, Mama and Me (2009) is a very short story about a toddler’s day with their two mums and the activities they get up to, such as going on a roundabout, having a bath and reading a story together.
My Footprints (2019) by Bao Phi
My Footprints is a very inspiring story about a little girl who is being bullied for being different. The children at school use the fact that she is a Vietnamese American with two mums to bully her. Her mums notice something is wrong when she returns home. Through play, they connect with her to find out what’s wrong.
My Mommy, My Mama, My Brother and Me (2019) by Natalie Meitner
My Mommy, My Mama, My Brother and Me is a very sweet book about two siblings who have two mummies and the things that they find when they go on adventures to the beach.
Ritu Weds Chandni (2020) by Ameya Narvankar – LGBTQ+ children’s books
Ritu Weds Chandni is a wonderfully diverse book about a child who is excited about her cousin marrying her girlfriend, only to find that not everyone is happy about it. This book brought me close to tears when reading it, knowing that a lot of queer couples, especially those of different cultures, do go through the challenges that Ritu and Chandni face.
My Mums Love Me (2022) by Anna Membrino
A simple rhyming book showcasing how two mums show their baby how they love them.
My Two Moms and Me (2019) by Michael Joosten
This is a unique book that depicts a different two mum family on every page as they go through their day-to-day activities. It is lovely to see all the diverse families that are included in this book.
Books Containing Male Same-Sex Relationships
It’s Pride, Baby! (2024) by Allen R Wells
It’s Pride, Baby! is a wonderful book about a queer family going to celebrate Black Pride in Washington D.C. It shows how special the day is through a range of activities, such as watching fireworks, walking in the Pride Parade and painting posters. Learn more here from the author Allen R Wells.
Daddy, Papa and Me (2009) by Lesléa Newman and Carol Thompson
Daddy, Papa and Me is a very sweet look into the day of a typical toddler as they ask their two dads to play with them. The family do a range of games such as ‘colouring the sky’ and ‘acting like a clown’ before ending with a very relatable statement of “ ‘Does anybody need a rest?’. Daddy and Papa say ‘yes, yes, yes.’
My Daddies (2020) by Gareth Peter – LGBTQ+ Children’s Books
A story about how stories come to life when a child and their two dads start telling stories. Through stories, they get to battle dragons, find dinosaurs and float on the moon. But one of their favourite stories to tell is the one that brought her to them..
Uncle Bobby’s Wedding (2008) by Sarah Brannen
A sweet story about how a girl works through her feelings about being replaced by her uncle after he announces his engagement to his boyfriend. Her uncle and partner take her out on lots of adventures to show that she isn’t losing an uncle, but gaining one more.
My Family, My Two Dads (2015) by Claudia Harrington
Lenny, the class reporter, heads home with the student of the week and learns all about her. Including where she lives, her two dads and how to look after horses.
Cinderelliot (2022) by Mark Ceilley and Rachel Smoka-Richardson
A modern take on Cinderella. A young boy who loves baking is forced to bake for his two step-siblings. When the castle announces that Prince Samuel is looking for a royal baker, they tell him he is not welcome there. Cinderelliot’s fairy godfather grants his wish to head to the competition, which he wins, but oh no! On his way out, he loses his chef’s hat. Will Prince Samuel find his mysterious baker? (Spoiler: he does)
Papa, Daddy and Riley (2020) by Seamus Kirst, Devon Holzwarth
This book explains, in a child-like manner, about what really makes a family; no matter what they look like. Riley goes through all the emotions and, with the help of her daddies, comes to the realisation that a family is the people who love you.
Prince and Knight (2018) by Daniel Haack – LGBTQ+ children’s books
Prince and Knight is a cute rhyming book about a Prince who is about to take over the throne. His parents try to find him a bride but whilst they are away, a dragon attacks their kingdom! As the Prince races home to fight the dragon, a knight in shining armour arrives to help out and the Prince realises that this was the person he was looking for all along.
Stella Brings the Family (2015) by Miriam B. Schiffer
As a nursery practitioner this book hit hard as we have had to have this conversation with a few of the children. With Mother’s Day approaching, Stella’s teacher tells them about an event for their mums, which Stella doesn’t have. She invites both her daddies and some other members of her family, having the most fun time.
Grandad’s Camper (2021) by Harry Woodgate – LGBTQ+ children’s books
A very popular and wonderful book about a little girl’s Grandpa who tells her stories about him and his adventures with Gramps. It’s so sweet, and the interaction between the Grandad and his granddaughter feels very warm and heartfelt.
Books Containing Themes On Gender
Sparkle Boy (2017) by Lesléa Newman – LGBTQ+ Children’s Books
One of my personal favourites. Sparkle Boy shows that, regardless of gender, everyone is able to enjoy sparkling things. The little boy in this story adores things that aren’t stereotypically male. With the help of his sister, who is initially against it at first, he comes to the realisation that he can decide and is allowed to like whatever he wants.
Phoenix Goes to School (2018) by Michelle and Phoenix Finch
Phoenix is a transgender girl who is starting her first day of school, but she is worried about how the bigger kids will react to her. Her mum reassures her and, on the day of school, finds that everyone is accepting of her.
Fred Gets Dressed (2021) by Peter Brown
Whilst running around in his parents’ room, Fred opens the wardrobe and looks through the clothes his parents have. After trying and failing to put on dad’s clothes, he tries on mum’s, which fit much better. When his parents find him, make up all over his face, they join in with him and all get dressed up, supporting and encouraging him to explore different clothing options.
Calvin (2021) by JR and Vanessa Ford – LGBTQ+ Children’s Books
Calvin is a heartfelt story about a child coming out to his parents about being a boy. During his holiday to Gigi and Papa’s, he is thrilled when everyone starts using his new name. However, he’s scared when heading back to school, unsure as to how his friends will react to the change.
My Shadow Is Pink (2020) (And My Shadow is Purple) (2022) by Scott Stuart
My Shadow Is Pink is another one of my favourite books on this list. One, because Stuart wrote it about his son, who was made fun of for taking his Elsa doll to pre-school. Two, because it’s a touching story about how we should encourage children to enjoy things that they like, regardless of gender stereotypes.
Above: Charlotte reading with one of the children (Ava-Mai) at nursery.
I Am Jazz (2015) by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
The story of Jazz! This book explains how Jazz came to become Jazz, from feeling like a girl, convincing her parents she is a girl, seeing a doctor and going through the changes at school. Super sweet and a simple way of explaining transgender to children.
You can learn more about Jazz and her family’s journey here, including how her parents felt when she said she had a girl’s brain in a boy’s body.
They, She, He, Me. Free to Be (2017) by Matthew and Maya
Super simplistic book going through different pronouns and showing a range of different people with these pronouns. It includes a range of pronouns and a few child-friendly information pages that accompany the book.
When Aidan Became A Brother (2019) by Kyle Lukoff
Aiden, a transgendered boy, learns that his mummy is going to have another baby. He is determined to show his baby sibling how loved they are as soon as possible, not wanting them to go through the worry he had to go through when he was little.
10,000 Dresses (2008) by Marcus Ewert
I was in two minds to add this book to the list. On one hand, it does speak about Bailey’s feelings of being a girl and dreaming of dresses, but on the other hand, the way that her parents and brothers react to it isn’t the most positive, with statements like ‘You’re a boy. Boys don’t wear dresses,’ coming from both parents. If I were to read this book, I would ensure that I use it as a teaching point as to what they could have done/acted.
And here’s a list of picture books from the Book Trust which celebrate LGBTQ+ families.
Want some reading strategies and ideas to use with your child? Check out the phonics, sounds and first words resources at Twinkl, one of Happity’s current partners.
Thanks To Our Guest Expert: Charlotte Rebbeck
Charlotte Rebbeck is a trained nursery practitioner with 9 years of experience working with children. When she’s not at the nursery, she spends her time cosying up with a book, getting creative with a range of different arty hobbies, or hanging out with her dog Lance.
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