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!
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Snutt the Ift, An Intergalactic Love Story
Helen Ward
For scientist and intergalactic explorer Snutt, nature on a new planet is beautiful, wonderful… and empty, with no one to share it with. Then Snutt makes one more discovery that changes everything!
With lush and wondrous illustrations of the flora and fauna of an imagined world, this gender-free story of beauty found—and shared—invites readers of all ages to treasure our relationships and our planet
Sparkle Boy
Lesléa Newman
Casey loves to play with his blocks, puzzles, and dump trucks. He also loves all things that shimmer, glitter, and sparkle. But his big sister Jessie thinks shimmery, glittery, sparkly things are only for girls. When Casey, wearing glittery nail polish, a shimmery skirt, and a sparkling bracelet, ventures out of the house, what will happen? This is a sweet story about acceptance, respect, celebration, and freedom to be oneself. Sparkly things are for everyone and each of us deserves to shine!
Square Zair Pair
Jase Peeples
Square Zair Pair is a children’s picture book about embracing our differences. The story takes place in the magical land of Hanamandoo, a place where square and round Zairs live. Zairs do all things in pairs, one round with one square. But one day when two square Zairs pair for the first time, the others reject them before realizing different pairs of Zairs make their village stronger.
Stella Brings the Family
Miriam B. Schiffer
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 gaggle of other loved ones who make her feel special and supported every day. She just doesn’t have a mom to invite to the party. Fortunately, Stella finds a unique solution to her party problem in this sweet story about love, acceptance, and the true meaning of family.
Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!: The Story of the Trans Women of Color Who Made LGBTQ+ History
Joy Michael Ellison (Author), Teshika Silver (Illustrator)
"Someday girls like us will be able to wear whatever we want. People will call us by the names we choose. They'll respect that we are women. The cops will leave us alone and no one will go hungry."
Sylvia and Marsha are closer than sisters. They are kind and brave and not afraid to speak their truth, even when it makes other people angry.
This illustrated book introduces children to the story of Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, the two transgender women of colour who helped kickstart the Stonewall Riots and dedicated their lives to fighting for LGBTQ+ equality. It introduces children to issues surrounding gender identity and diversity, accompanied by a reading guide and teaching materials to further the conversation.
The Adventures of Little Miss Crazy Hair: The Girl with Curl
Christopher Garcia-Halenar and Alejandro Garcia-Halenar
The Adventures of Little Miss Crazy Hair: The Girl with Curl was inspired by the Garcia-Halenar’s beautiful niece Vivian – their very own Little Miss Crazy Hair. The book chronicles a week in the life of Little Miss Crazy Hair who along with her best friend, her dog Duke, escape on wild and wonderful daily adventures resulting from the decision of how she will wear her wonderful, curly hair. She serves tea as a Princess. She refines her poise and grace as a Prima ballerina. She bravely sails the Nile. She explores the depths of the jungle. She even ventures into the skies to pilot her friends and fly over her home town. But the daily adventures are not just about hairstyles, thrills and excitement.
The Boy Who Cried Fabulous
Leslea Newman
The only thing Roger likes better than exploring the world around him is describing it. And Roger describes most things as fabulous! But his parents have a different view. They want Roger to see things the way they do, so they ban “fabulous” from his vocabulary. Fabulously illustrated by Peter Ferguson, this cheerful tale will have children rejoicing along with Roger at all the fabulous–no, marvelous! no, dazzling!–things that await him when he steps outside.
The Boy with the Rainbow Heart Hardcover
William Mason
If you are looking for a children’s book that teaches acceptance to any child who may be feeling different, this book is for you! This is a children’s story about a young boy with a rainbow heart who turns the town of Gray into the town of Shine – through love, kindness, and by being himself. It is a book that teaches love and acceptance for all people – no matter what color your heart may shine!
The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived
Daniel Errico and Ida M. Schouw Andreasen
Cedric grew up poor and honest on a pumpkin farm and dreamt of becoming a knight. One day he showed his courage by tricking a would-be carriage thief and earned the chance to make his dream come true.
After years of training, Cedric set off to find an adventure of his own by battling a fire-breathing dragon to save a prince and a princess. However, it’s after the adventure that Cedric revealed that he’d like to marry the prince and not the princess.
The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived is a modern fairytale that sets out to prove that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is choose for yourself how your fairytale ends!
The Christmas Truck
J.B. Blankenship
When celebrating a special Christmas tradition things go awry. Papa, Dad, their amazing kid, and one fabulous grandmother work together and implement a plan to save Christmas for a child they have never met. It’s a story where joy is found in giving and selfless acts unite families.
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.