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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Cookies and Cake & The Families We Make
Jennifer L. Egan
Cookies and Cake & The Families We Make is a children’s book about exposure and acceptance of the diverse families that are part of our society: single parents, multicultural parents, two moms, two dads, one of each or even an unrelated guardian. Those families, who may at first seem different are quite similar because what really matters is the love and care they give to their children. The author uses the metaphor of the different cakes and cookies we can bake to help young readers respect, accept and welcome diversity.
Daddy, Papa, and Me
Leslea Newman
Rhythmic text and illustrations with universal appeal show a toddler spending the day with its daddies. 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. Share the loving bond between same-sex parents and their children.
Daddy’s Roommate
Michael Willhoite
A young boy discusses his divorced father's new living situation, in which the father and his gay roommate share eating, doing chores, playing, loving, and living.
Daddy’s Wedding
Michael Willhoite
Nick tells about the wedding of his daddy to Frank, including the gathering of family and friends, the ceremony, the food, and the antics of Clancy.
Donovan’s Big Day
Leslea Newman
Donovan’s two moms are getting married, and he can’t wait for the celebration to begin. After all, as a ringbearer, he has a very important job to do. Any boy or girl with same-sex parents—or who knows a same-sex couple—will appreciate this picture book about love, family, and marriage. The story captures the joy and excitement of a wedding day while the illustrations show a happy occasion from a child’s point of view.
Eli & Jedi’s Super Sky Adventure
Lerone Landis
Eli and Jedi’s Super Sky Adventure follows the quest of a young boy named Eli and his wish to fly. He is faced with an unexpected challenge that will take him on an unforgettable adventure. Eli’s family is a diverse one headed by his two dads. The importance of hard work and family are key to this story, yet the fun and the thrill of this tale is one that all kids and the entire family will surely enjoy.
Every Child Deserves…
Philip McAdoo & family
Early on we realized that there were not many people telling the stories like our son's story and the thousands of kids in foster care whose lives never get fully lived. Every Child Deserves... will be the first in a series of books dedicated to honoring the lives and stories of youth in foster care and LGBTQ families. Written by Zaden and his two dads, this story is about the love, adventure and pure joy that every child deserves and gives voice, color and LIFE to the promise of foster care, LGBTQ families and the hope that Every Child Deserves...
Families
Susan Kuklin
In frank, funny, touching, and often surprising interviews, children from fourteen different families talk about how they identify themselves as a family. The range of families profiled in this engaging book reflects the kaleidoscopic diversity of families in America today: there are mixed-race families and immigrant families; families of gay and lesbian couples and very religious families; families with only children, many children, adopted children, and children with special needs. This book is a celebration of all families and provides young readers with windows into other lives, as well as mirrors in which they can see their own family relationships reflected.
Felicia’s Favorite Story
Leslea Newman
It’s bedtime, but before Felicia goes to sleep she wants to hear her favorite story, the story of how she was adopted by Mama Nessa and Mama Linda. And so Felicia’s parents tell her how they flew off in a big silver airplane to meet the baby girl who was waiting for them, and how they loved her from the very first moment they saw her.
Freeda the Frog and the Two Mommas Next Door!
Nadine Haruni
In this newest entry in the Freeda the Frog Series, Freeda and her family are back again to meet some brand new friends: Jessica and her two mothers, Morgan and Irene. The tadpoles have never had met anyone with two mothers before, but they soon find out that it does not makes any difference. By becoming friends with Jessica’s parents, the tadpoles discover that families don’t all have to be the same, and that no matter what, love really is all that you need
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.