Annie’s Plaid Shirt
By Stacy B. Davids
Annie loves her plaid shirt and wears it everywhere. But one day her mom tells Annie that she must wear a dress to her uncle’s wedding. Annie protests, but her mom insists and buys her a fancy new dress anyway. Annie is miserable. She feels weird in dresses. Why can’t her mom understand? Then Annie has an idea. But will her mom agree?
Age range: 3-8 years
The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived
By Daniel Errico
Knights, dragons, and princesses are the things all good fairy tales are made of, but what happens when the tale has an LGBTQ ending? Follow Cedric on his journey from his days on a humble pumpkin farm to the adventures that lead him to become a fullfledged knight. Once a knight, discover how he uses his cleverness and courage to vanquish a fire-breathing dragon and rescue a beautiful prince and princess.
Age range: 5-6 years
From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea
By Kai Cheng Thom
In the magical time between night and day, when both the sun and the moon are in the sky, a child is born in a little blue house on a hill. And Miu Lan is not just any child, but one who can change into any shape they can imagine. The only problem is they can’t decide what to be: A boy or a girl? A bird or a fish? A flower or a shooting star?
Age range: 3-8 years
Melissa
By Alex Gino
BE WHO YOU ARE. When people look at Melissa, they think they see a boy named George. But she knows she’s not a boy. She knows she’s a girl.
Melissa thinks she’ll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte’s Web. Melissa really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can’t even try out for the part… because she’s a boy.
With the help of her best friend, Kelly, Melissa comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte — but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.
Age range: 8-12 years
I Am Jazz
By Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl’s brain in a boy’s body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn’t feel like herself in boys’ clothing. This confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way.
Age range: 4-8 years
It Feels Good To Be Yourself
By Theresa Thorn
Some people are boys. Some people are girls. Some people are both, neither, or somewhere in between. This sweet, straightforward exploration of gender identity will give children a fuller understanding of themselves and others.
Age range: 4-8 years
It’s Okay to Be Different
By Todd Parr
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.
Age range: 3-6 years
Julián is a Mermaid
By 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. But what will Abuela think about how Julián sees himself?
Age range: 4-8 years
Marisol McDonald and the Clash Bash
By Monica Brown
Marisol is turning eight, and it’s time to plan a birthday party that will be fabulous, marvelous, and divine. At the party store, Marisol can’t decide what kind of party to have. Nothing seems right for soccer, pirate, princess, unicorn-loving Marisol. Finally she comes up with just the right idea, and when her friends arrive for her Clash Bash birthday, a big surprise awaits.
Age range: 4-7 years
Neither
By Airlie Anderson
In the Land of This and That, there are only two kinds: blue bunnies and yellow birds. But one day a funny green egg hatches, and a little creature that’s not quite a bird and not quite a bunny pops out. It’s neither!
Age range: 4-8 years
One of a Kind, Like Me
By Laurin Mayeno
Tomorrow is the school parade, and Danny knows exactly what he will be: a princess. Mommy supports him 100%, and they race to the thrift store to find his costume. It’s almost closing time – will Danny find the costume of his dreams in time?
Age range: 4-8 years
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag
By Rob Sanders
In this deeply moving and empowering true story, young readers will trace the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its spanning of the globe and its role in today’s world.
Age range: 5-8 years
Red: A Crayon’s Story
By Michael Hall
Red has a bright red label, but he is, in fact, blue. His teacher tries to help him be red (let’s draw strawberries!) and his mother tries to help him be red by sending him out on a playdate with a yellow classmate (go draw a nice orange!). He just can’t be red, no matter how hard he tries! Finally, a brand-new friend offers a brand-new perspective.
Age range: 4-8 years
Sparkle Boy
By Leslea Newman
Casey loves to play with his blocks, puzzles, and dump truck, but he also loves things that sparkle, shimmer, and glitter. When his older sister, Jessie, shows off her new shimmery skirt, Casey wants to wear a shimmery skirt too. The adults in Casey’s life embrace his interests, but Jessie isn’t so sure. Boys aren’t supposed to wear sparkly, shimmery, glittery things. Then, when older boys at the library tease Casey for wearing “girl” things, Jessie realizes that Casey has the right to be himself and wear whatever he wants.
Age range: 5-8 years
When Aidan Became a Brother
By Kyle Lukoff
This sweet and groundbreaking #ownvoices picture book celebrates the changes in a transgender boy’s life, from his initial coming-out to becoming a big brother.
Age range: 4-7 years