Now more than ever it is important that we expose and educate our children to individuals, families, and cultures that look different than our own. One of the best (and easiest) ways to do this is in the books we read to our children. Here I have compiled a list to diversify your kids bookshelf. This list features diverse families with two moms, two dads, that encourage gender diversity and celebrate PRIDE. For my own family and daughter’s bookshelf it is vital to me that Amelia see her family represented in the books we read her as well as see representation of the world we live in, only then can we teach diversity and acceptance.
- Love Makes A Family by Sophie Beer
- Pickles + Ocho by Dan Wellik and Tou Yia Xiong
- And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson
Books that feature two woman families:
- Mommy, Mama, and Me by Leslea Newman
- Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
- A Tale of Two Mommies by Vanita Oelschlager
- Mighty May Won’t Cry Today by Kendra Ocampo, Claire-Voe Ocampo
- My Two Moms and Me by Michael Joosten, Izak Zenou
Books about donor conception:
- You Began as a Wish by Kim Bergman
- You Were Made For Me (several versions) by Sheri Sturniolo
Books about two men families:
- A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Marlon Bundo & EG Keller
- Uncle Bobby’s Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen
- Daddy, Papa, and Me by Leslea Newman
- Pappa, Daddy, and Riley by Seamus Kirst, Devon Holzwarth
- Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack
Books that celebrate PRIDE:
- PRIDE: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders
- This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman
- Rainbow Alphabet Legends by Beck Feiner
- Rainbow: A First Book of Pride by Michael Genhart PhD
- Our Rainbow by Little Bee Books
Books that encourage gender diversity:
- The Hips on the Drag Queen go Swish, Swish, Swish by Lil Miss Hot Mess
- Auntie Uncle: Drag Queen Hero by Ellie Royce
- Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
- Pink is for Boys by Robb Pearlman
- Sparkle Boy by Leslea Newman
- Dazzling Travis: A Story About being Confident & Original by Hannah Carmona
- Sissy: A Coming of Gender Story by Jacob Tobia
- The Fighting Infantryman: The Story of Albert D.J. Cashier, Transgender Civil War Solider by Rob Sanders
Other Resources:
Read with Pride | 100 LGBTQ Books for Adults & Kids
What books are you reading that feature LGBTQ+ individuals or families to diversify your bookshelf?
