Children’s and teen books that feature LGBTQ+ stories are a wonderful way to help kids understand different experiences, celebrate individuality, and see the world through others’ eyes. Whether you're looking for picture books for younger readers, stories that reflect your family's experiences, or books that spark conversations about kindness and empathy, this collection of LGBTQ+ books for kids and teens offers meaningful reads for a wide range of ages.
Pride Month, celebrated each June, is a time to honor the history, achievements, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. It commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising, a pivotal moment that helped energize the modern movement for LGBTQ+ rights and inspired generations to work toward a future where everyone can live authentically and without discrimination.
Today, Pride Month is celebrated with parades, festivals, concerts, family events, and community gatherings across the country. It's also an opportunity to learn about LGBTQ+ history, celebrate diversity, and encourage understanding and acceptance.
Be sure to check the Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas event calendar for the latest Pride events and activities happening in Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Oak Park, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, and nearby communities throughout Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Please note that not all Pride celebrations are family-friendly or designed for all ages, so we encourage parents to use their own discretion.
While Pride Month shines a spotlight on the LGBTQ+ community, the values of kindness, compassion, and understanding can be celebrated all year long. Reading together is a wonderful way to spark meaningful conversations, appreciate different perspectives, and help children grow into caring and respectful members of their communities.
Together, we can help create a future where every child feels seen, heard, celebrated, and loved for who they are.
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LGBTQ+ Book Recommendations for Kids and Teens
Many of these books are available at your local community library as well as online. Your local librarian is also a great resource for finding just the right book.
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By Todd Parr
While not specifically a Pride themed book, I felt it was important to include since it's simple messaging expresses the same ideas. It's also one of my favorites - I love the childlike drawings, vibrant colors and simplicity that any reader, young or old can relate to. This really is a must have picture book for your diverse home library. I think you will enjoy any of his books as they all have such a positive message.
From the Todd Parr website:
Told with Todd Parr’s signature wit and wisdom, It’s Okay to Be Different cleverly delivers the important messages of acceptance, understanding, and confidence in an accessible, child-friendly format. The book features the bold, bright colors and silly scenes that made Todd a premiere voice for emotional discussions in children’s literature. Targeted to young children first beginning to read, this book will inspire kids to celebrate their individuality through acceptance of others and self-confidence–and it’s never to early to develop a healthy self-esteem.
It’s Okay to be Different is designed to encourage early literacy, enhance emotional development, celebrate multiculturalism and diversity, and promote character growth.
Recommended ages: 0-8
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Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle
By Nina LaCour, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
From the publisher: For one little girl, there’s no place she’d rather be than sitting between Mama and Mommy. So when Mommy goes away on a work trip, it’s tricky to find a good place at the table. As the days go by, Mama brings her to the library, they watch movies, and all of them talk on the phone, but she still misses Mommy as deep as the ocean and as high as an astronaut up in the stars.
Recommended ages: 3-7
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When Aidan Became a Brother
By Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
From the publisher: When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl. His parents gave him a pretty name, his room looked like a girl's room, and he wore clothes that other girls liked wearing. After he realized he was a boy, Aidan and his parents fixed the parts of his life that didn't fit anymore, and he settled happily into his new life. Then Mom and Dad announced they're going to have another baby and Aidan wants to do everything he can to make things right for his new sibling from the beginning ... what happens if he messes up? With a little help, Aidan comes to understand that mistakes can be fixed with honesty and communication and that he already knows the most important thing about being a big brother: how to love with his whole self.
Recommended ages: 5-8
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Stella Brings the Family
By Miriam Schiffer, illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown
From the publisher: Stella’s class is having a Mother’s Day celebration, but what’s a girl with two daddies to do? It’s not that she doesn’t have someone who helps her with her homework or tucks her in at night. Stella has her Papa and Daddy who take care of her and a whole group of other loved ones who support her every day. She just doesn’t have a mom to invite to the party. Fortunately, Stella finds a unique solution to her party problem.
Recommended ages: 4-8
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Jacob's New Dress
By Sarah Hoffman and Ian Hoffman, illustrated by Chris Case
From the publisher: Jacob loves playing dress-up, when he can be anything he wants to be—a pirate, a bird, a firefighter. But he also wants to just be himself and wear his favorite thing… a dress! Now Jacob has a new dress that he made himself and what he wants most of all is to wear it to school. Will Mom and Dad let him? This heartwarming story speaks to the unique challenges faced by boys who don’t identify with traditional gender roles and promises to spark discussions of gender, identity and self-confidence.
Recommended ages: 4-8
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Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag
By Rob Sanders, illustrated by Steven Salerno
From the publisher: On June 25, 1978, history was made when a new flag unfurled in San Francisco. From that moment forward, the flag and its rich, beaming colors of the rainbow would serve as a symbol of hope and pride for the millions of LGBTQ individuals across the world. Learn about the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its spanning of the globe and its role in today's world.
Recommended ages: 5-8
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Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World
By Ashley Herring Blake
From the publisher: When a tornado rips through town, twelve-year-old Ivy Aberdeen's house is destroyed and her family of six is displaced. Ivy feels invisible and ignored in the aftermath of the storm—and what's worse, her notebook filled with secret drawings of girls holding hands has gone missing. Mysteriously, Ivy's drawings begin to reappear in her locker with notes from someone telling her to open up about her identity. Ivy thinks — and hopes — that this someone might be her classmate, another girl for whom Ivy has begun to develop a crush. Will Ivy find the strength and courage to follow her true feelings?
Recommended ages: 8-12
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Hurricane Child
By Kacen Callender
From the publisher: Being born during a hurricane is unlucky, and twelve-year-old Caroline, who lives on Water Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, has had her share of bad luck lately. But when a new student arrives, Caroline believes her luck is turning around. Kalinda soon becomes Caroline’s first friend. Together, the two girls must brave their own feelings of friendship — and love — while they seek to discover why Caroline’s mother has disappeared, or risk losing her forever.
Recommended ages: 8-12
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Melissa - previously published as George
By Alex Gino
From the ADL: 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. Melissa really, really, really wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part... because she's a boy. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, Melissa comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.
Recommended ages: 8-12
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Too Bright to See
By Kyle Lukoff
From the publisher: It's the summer before middle school, and eleven-year-old Bug's best friend Moira has decided the two of them need to use the next few months to prepare. For Moira, this means figuring out the right clothes to wear, learning how to put on makeup, and deciding which boys are cuter in their yearbook photos than in real life. But none of this is all that appealing to Bug, who doesn't particularly want to spend more time trying to understand how to be a girl.
Recommended ages: 9-12
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The Best Man
By Richard Peck
From the publisher: Archer Magill has spent a lively five years of grade school in search of grown-up role models. Three of the best are his grandpa, the great architect; his dad, the great vintage car customizer; and his uncle Paul, who is just plain great. These are the three he wants to be like. Along the way he finds a fourth — Mr. McLeod, a military-based student teacher who both disrupts Archer’s class and enriches it. In response to antigay bullying, Mr. McLeod gives the students a lecture in which he publicly outs himself, a particularly poignant moment.
Recommended ages: 9-12
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Gracefully Grayson
By Ami Polonsky
From the publisher: Grayson Sender has been holding onto a secret for what seems like forever: "he" is a girl on the inside. The weight of this secret is crushing, but sharing it would mean facing ridicule, scorn, rejection, or worse. Despite the risks, Grayson's true self itches to break free. Will new strength from an unexpected friendship and a caring teacher's wisdom be enough to help Grayson step into the spotlight she was born to inhabit?
Recommended ages: 10-14
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More LGBTQ+ Books to Explore
- L.A. County Library: LGBTQ+ Books selections for Kids | Teens | Adults
- Santa Monica Library: LGBTQIA+ Picture Books for Kids | Read with Pride books for youth | Books for Elementary School Students | Lit for Young Adults
- Brightly: 30 Great LGBTQIA+ Books for Kids
- Today: 20 picture books to help you raise kind, tolerant kids - Books that celebrate pride and have a powerful message for any child
- Colours of Us: 90 Multicultural LGBTQIA Books for Children & Teenagers
- Stonewall Children's and Young Adult Literature Award, 2010-2026
Note: Keep in mind that not all books are appropriate for all ages, use your own discretion.
- Many books have age recommendations available online.
- Visit Common Sense media for helpful reviews and detailed information about books, movies, TV and other media.
LGBTQ+ resources
- The ADL's LGBTQ Pride Month and Education Resources page includes lesson plans and blog suggestions for families and educators.
- 🏳️🌈 Celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month!
- Pride Month: LGBTQIA+ Young Adults Share Inspiring Stories
Kara Murphy is the publisher of Macaroni KID Erie, PA
Brenna G. is the Publisher of Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas, CA
Publisher's Note: This article has been updated, but no book list is ever truly complete! If your family has a favorite LGBTQ+ book you'd like to share, I'd love to hear about it. Send your recommendations to brennag@macaronikid.com - they may be included in a future update.
