Welcome to Family Equality’s Book Nook, a comprehensive list of the best LGBTQ+ books for the whole family!
Whether you’re searching for your child’s first picture book or a young adult novel that your tween will devour, Family Equality’s Book Nook is a list of our favorite books that represent diverse families in a loving and respectful way.
Check out the search portal below to discover what new LGBTQ+ books you need to add to your at-home, local, or school libraries!
Explore the Book Nook
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King & King
Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland
Originally published in the Netherlands, a contemporary tale of a lovelorn prince who begins his search for a mate after his mother, the queen, decrees he must marry by the end of the summer. On his search, he finds his perfect match — a prince named Lee. The two marry and live happily ever after as king & king in this barrier-breaking fairy tale.
King & King and Family
Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland
Join newlyweds King Lee and King Bertie on their journey into the noisy jungle. The kings are greeted by wild animal families, but the royal travelers suspect that something more significant awaits them in the trees. King & King soon discover that there’s no adventure more wonderful than starting a family of their own. Jubilant sequel to Lambda Literary Award nominee KING & KING. Subtle clues on each page lead readers to a surprise ending. In a starred review, Kirkus called KING & KING “A joyful celebration that . . . firmly challenges the assumptions established and perpetuated by the entire canon of children’s picture books.” An adoption story for everyone.
Made by Raffi
Craig Pomranz
Raffi is a shy boy who feels different from the other children at school. He doesn’t like rough play and noisy games and sometimes is teased. But when Raffi discovers knitting and sewing, everything changes. He is full of enthusiasm, even though the other children think it is “girly” to knit. Then Raffi has his most brilliant idea of all – to make a prince’s cape for the school play… and the cape is magnificent! After that everyone wants to have something that is – Made by Raffi
Magic of You
Sensitive Matters with illustrations by Fiona Macpherson
The Magic of You is a book for LGBTQ or straight parents to help explain donor conception and surrogacy to young children
The Magic of You is fully customizable and will help:
Gay or single dads talk to their child about donor egg and surrogacy
Gay mums explain donor sperm to their child
Single mums explain donor sperm / a gestational surrogate
Straight couples tell their child that they used IVF or donor eggs / donor sperm / a gestational surrogate
You create avatars for the people involved in your story and edit the text to fit your family’s own set of circumstances.
Aimed at toddlers and pre-schoolers, the books are beautifully illustrated, printed on gorgeous paper and bound in a hardback cover. Each story has a photo section at the end which is a great place to add cherished photos of donors (if known), surrogates, other children in the family, godparents etc.
Meeting My Brother
Jennifer Dukoff
“Meeting My Brother” is a heartwarming, one of a kind children’s book about donor-conceived siblings meeting and becoming a family. It is written for children approximately 9 years old and under, through the eyes of a child, introducing them to the concept and notion that they have siblings. It explains in a simplistic, playful, and easy to grasp manner how they are related to one another but don’t live in the same house.
Mighy May Won't Cry Today
Kendra & Claire-Voe Ocampo
This vibrant children’s picture book features May, an imaginative and determined girl who tries not to shed a tear on her first day of school. With the help of her two moms, May learns that it's okay to cry! May navigates the unexpected, resolves challenges with positivity, and utilizes mindful techniques to work through her emotions. But when May comes across an insurmountable challenge, will she be able to hold back the tears?
Mini Mia and Her Darling Uncle
Pija Lindenbaum
Mini Mia loves her Uncle Tommy. They hang out in coffee bars, go for walks, swim, and do other fun stuff. But one day Fergus appears in her uncle’s kitchen. Mini Mia does not want to share Tommy with his new boyfriend. She thinks Fergus should go back to where he came from in Scotland. But Fergus doesn’t disappear that easily . . .
Molly’s Family
Nancy Garden
Molly’s class at school is drawing pictures of their families for Open School Night, and Molly is so excited about her picture of herself, Mommy, Mama Lu, and their dog. But when Tommy says her picture isn’t of a family at all – because you can’t have two mommies – Molly and her school will learn that even when a family is different, it can still be loving and real.
Momma Days, Mommy Days
Isabella Moreno
For one little girl, life is good living with her two moms in a big beautiful house. They are a family. However, the moms begin to fight, and they decide that living apart and getting a divorce is the best option. They love their little girl just the same. Momma Days, Mommy Days captures one little girl’s experiences, feelings and thoughts as she navigates the new world her moms’ separation and subsequent divorce creates.
Mommy, Mama, and Me
Leslea Newman
Rhythmic text and illustrations with universal appeal show a toddler spending the day with its mommies. From hide-and-seek to dress-up, then bath time and a kiss goodnight, there’s no limit to what a loving family can do together.
More Resources for LGBTQ+ Families
Once you put down your most recent purchase, check out all the other activities, resources, and programs we create to support and connect LGBTQ+ families like yours across the country!
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Have an LGBTQ+ book you’d like to submit to our list?
If you know about an LGBTQ+ book that isn’t on our list, but should be—let us know! Use the form below to contact a staff member, and we’ll be in touch about next steps.