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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Hugs of Three: My Daddies and Me
Dr. Stacey Bromberg and Dr. Joe Taravella
Hugs of Three: My Daddies and Me celebrates a respect for all families, with an emphasis on infant and toddler development and the important joys and comforts of everyday routines in the context of caregiving relationships.
Hugs of Three: My Mommies and Me
Dr. Stacey Bromberg and Dr. Joe Taravella
Hugs of Three: My Mommies and Me celebrates a respect for all families, with an emphasis on infant and toddler development and the important joys and comforts of everyday routines in the context of caregiving relationships.
I Am Loved Right Where I Am
Jason Galvez
Sylvia is a special girl who knows all about how family love comes in different colors, forms, types, and sizes. She has a lot of friends–each with a unique family makeup. Maybe your family has some things in common with that of Sylvia’s friends, or maybe yours is very different. No matter what type of family you come from, Sylvia wants you to know that is exactly where you belong, and that you are LOVED!
I am Perfectly Designed
Karamo Brown
I Am Perfectly Designed is an exuberant celebration of loving who you are, exactly as you are, from Karamo Brown, the Culture Expert of Netflix’s hit series Queer Eye, and Jason Brown―featuring illustrations by Anoosha Syed.
In this empowering ode to modern families, a boy and his father take a joyful walk through the city, discovering all the ways in which they are perfectly designed for each other.
In Our Mothers’ House
Patricia Polacco
Marmee, Meema, and the kids are just like any other family on the block. In their beautiful house, they cook dinner together, they laugh together, and they dance together. But some of the other families don?t accept them. They say they are different. How can a family have two moms and no dad? But Marmee and Meema?s house is full of love. And they teach their children that different doesn?t mean wrong. And no matter how many moms or dads they have, they are everything a family is meant to be.
Here is a true Polacco story of a family, living by their own rules, and the strength they gain by the love they feel.
Introducing Teddy
Jessica Walton
Errol and his teddy, Thomas, are best friends who do everything together. Whether it's riding a bike, playing in the tree house, having a tea party or all of the above, every day holds something fun to do together. One sunny day, Errol finds that Thomas the Teddy is sad, and Errol can't figure out why. Then Thomas the Teddy finally tells Errol what Teddy has been afraid to say: 'In my heart, I've always known that I'm a girl teddy, not a boy teddy. I wish my name was Tilly.' And Errol says, 'I don't care if you're a girl teddy or a boy teddy! What matters is that you are my friend.' A sweet and gentle story about being true to yourself and being a good friend, Introducing Teddy can also help children understand gender identity.
It’s Okay to Be Different
Todd Parr
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.
Jacob’s School Play: Starring He, She & They!
Ian Hoffman, Sarah Hoffman, Chris Case
Jacob—star of one of the most banned books of the decade—is back, and ready to put on a school play! While learning their lines and making their costumes, Jacob’s class finds itself unexpectedly struggling with who is “he,” “she,” or “they.” Jacob’s School Play is an engaging way to introduce young readers to non-binary people and the pronoun options available to us all. Learning that individuals are more nuanced than how others see them is a developmentally important milestone, and helps foster respect of one’s self and one’s peers.
Julián Is a Mermaid
Jessica Love
While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he’s seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes — and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself? Mesmerizing and full of heart, Jessica Love’s author-illustrator debut is a jubilant picture of self-love and a radiant celebration of individuality.
Katy Has Two Grampas
Julie Schanke Lyford
Katy's school is celebrating Grandparents Day, and Katy is nervous. She doesn't want to introduce her grandpas in front of the class because she's worried that nobody will understand her lisp. To make matters worse, when Katy tells her teacher that she's inviting her gay and married ''grampas,'' her teacher thinks she means to say grandma and grandpa instead of grandpa and grandpa.
Will Katy build the confidence to speak in front of the class and challenge stereotypes?
Katy Has Two Grampas is based on a true story about love, support, and representation of a modern family
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.