Chalk rainbow on asphalt.

Easy Books for Pride Month

| Pinelands Library

FICTION

Neither by Arlie Anderson
Because Neither is unlike both the rabbits and birds of the Land of This and That, it sets out to find a new place where all kinds of creatures are welcome.

Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian and Mike Curato
Two worms in love decide to get married and, with help from Cricket, Beetle, Spider and the Bees, they have everything they need and more, but which one will be the bride and which the groom?

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino
A young boy faces adversity from classmates when he wears an orange dress at school.

Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
Whether you have one parent, two moms, two dads, a mom and a dad, or another wonderful caregiver, there's one thing that makes a family a family ... and that's love.

Uncle Bobby’s Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen
Chloe is jealous and sad when her favorite uncle announces that he will be getting married. However, she discovers that she will always be special to Uncle Bobby —and to Uncle Jamie, too.

A Peacock Among Pigeons by Tyler Curry
Peter the peacock learns how to fly on his own when he can’t blend in and meets new bird friends along the way. 

10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewert
Bailey longs to wear the beautiful dresses of her dreams but is ridiculed by her unsympathetic family, which rejects her true perception of herself.

Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall
Red's factory-applied label clearly says that he is red, but he cannot seem to do anything right until a new friend offers a fresh perspective.

Jacob’s School Play: Starring He, She and They by Ian Hoffman
Jacob's class learns about the use of pronouns of their own choosing when, while preparing for a school play, they learn that their non-binary and gender-fluid classmate, Ari, prefers "they."

My Two Moms and Me by Michael Joosten
Families with same-sex parents are celebrated in this board book that follows busy moms and their kids throughout their day.

Real Sisters Pretend by Megan Dowd Lambert
Told with simple words and playful illustrations, this book touches on the topics of adoption, two moms, and multiracial family life.

The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish by Lil Miss Hot Mess
This playful picture book offers a quirky twist on a classic nursery rhyme by illustrating all of the ways to "work it." The story plays off "The Wheels on the Bus" as it follows a drag queen who performs her routine in front of an awestruck audience. A fun frenzy of fierceness, this book will appeal to readers of all ages.

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
This story about a boy who wants to be a mermaid will resonate with all kids who have secret dreams. Julián shares his dream and identity with his abuela, but when he first tries dressing as a mermaid, he does it when he's alone.

When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff
Aidan, a transgender boy, experiences complicated emotions as he and his parents prepare for the arrival of a new baby.

My Rainbow by Trinity Neal
A dedicated mom puts love into action as she creates the perfect rainbow-colored wig for her transgender daughter, based on the real-life experience of mother-daughter advocate duo Trinity and DeShanna Neal.

Donovan’s Big Day by Lesléa Newman
From the moment Donovan wakes in the morning, he painstakingly prepares for his special role in the wedding ceremony of his two mothers.

Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman
When Heather goes to playgroup, she feels bad at first because she has two mothers and no father, but then she learns that there are lots of different kinds of families and the most important thing is that all the people love each other.

A Tale of Two Daddies (2010), A Tale of Two Mommies (2011) by Vanita Oelschlager
These stories focus on conversations between children about their parents. True to a child’s curiosity, practical questions follow.

A Family is a Family is a Family by Sara O’Leary
When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different in many ways – but the same in the one way that matters most of all.

My Footprints by Bao Phi
Upset after being bullied, Thuy, a Vietnamese American, pretends she is different creatures, including an especially strong, wonderful being made up of her two mothers and herself.

My Maddy by Gayle Pitman        
A child celebrates her Maddy, who is neither mommy nor daddy but a little bit of both, like so many things in nature. This book Includes a note to parents.

This Day in June by Gayle Pitman
This picture book illustrates a Pride parade. The end serves as a primer on LGBT history and culture, and explains the references made in the story.

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson
At New York City's Central Park Zoo, two male penguins fall in love and start a family by taking turns sitting on an abandoned egg until it hatches.

Jack (not Jackie) by Erica Silverman
Susan loves her baby sister, Jackie, but as Jackie grows older and behaves more and more like a boy, Susan must adjust to having a brother, Jack, instead.

Harriet Gets Carried Away by Jessie Sima
While shopping with her two dads for supplies for her birthday party, Harriet, who is wearing a penguin costume, is carried away by a waddle of penguins and must hatch a plan in order to get herself back to the store in the city.

A Plan for Pops by Heather Smith       
In this illustrated picture book, a child helps their grandparents deal with a difficult change in abilities.

Pride Colors by Robin Stevenson
In this photographic concept book, babies and toddlers are introduced to the PRIDE flag and the meaning behind each color.

It’s Okay to Be a Unicorn! by Jason Tharp
Cornelius J. Sparklesteed is known among all the other horses in Hoofington for his beautiful and creative handmade hats, but Cornelius is hiding a secret under his own tall, pointy hat; he is really a unicorn. When Cornelius is chosen to perform in the annual Hoofapalooza, can he find the courage to reveal his true self?

Introducing Teddy by Jessica Walton
Errol's best friend and teddy, Thomas, is sad because he wishes he were a girl, not a boy teddy, but what only matters to both of them is that they are friends.

Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate
A child who enjoys Grandad's stories of his travels and adventures with Gramps persuades him to fix up their old camper and take another trip, in honor of Gramps.

 

NON-FICTION

Being You: A First Conversation About Gender by Megan Madison
Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven board book offers clear, concrete language and beautiful imagery that young children can grasp and adults can leverage for further discussion.

Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution! : The Story of Trans Women of Color Who Made LGBTQ+ History by Joy Michael Ellison
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.

Sewing the Rainbow: The Story of Gilbert Baker and the Rainbow Flag by Gayle Pitman
This is the story of Gilbert Baker, the man who created the rainbow flag, set against the backdrop of San Francisco in the 1970s at the height of the gay rights movement.

Kind like Marsha: Learning from LGBTQ+ Leaders by Sarah Prager
This nonfiction book for kids profiles 14 influential and inspiring leaders in the LGBTQ+ community throughout history and the world with an author's note at the back.

Two Grooms on a Cake: The Story of America’s First Gay Marriage by Rob Sanders
Two wedding cake toppers tell the love story of the men they represent, Michael McConnell and Jake Baker, and their difficult journey to become the first married gay couple in the United States.

It Feels Good to be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity 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.

The Meaning of Pride by Rosiee Thor
Celebrating the culture and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community, this vibrant picture book shows young readers that there are many ways to show your pride and make a difference.

Rainbow: A First Book of Pride by Michael Genhart
Children from different kinds of families demonstrate the original meanings of the colors in the rainbow flag, and then come together at a Pride parade.

Sports by Emile Dufresne
Learn about people from across the LGBTQIA+ community who celebrate who they are and never stop fighting for what they believe in. Wear your colors proud! It's time to have pride in sports!

This Little Rainbow: A Love-is-Love Primer by Joan Holub
Learn all about important leaders who represent, empower, and support the LGBTQIA+ community in this engaging board book perfect for proud leaders-in-training!

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders
This book traces the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker, to its spanning of the globe and its role in today's world.

I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel
This is the story of a transgender child who traces her early awareness that she is a girl in spite of male anatomy and the acceptance she finds through a wise doctor who explains her natural transgender status.

Strong by Rob Kearney
This fresh, charming picture book shows there are lots of ways to be strong.

Bayard Rustin by J.P. Miller
Bayard learned from an early age how important equal rights were. He knew how to help people work together for equality without violence. He even played an important role in one of the most important civil rights events in American history.

Audience: Kids Family Babies & Toddlers
Category:
Kids & Parents
Reading Lists