Today my guest author is Laurin Mayeno. She’s an activist mom at OutProudFamilies, and a Huffington Post blogger. Her new children’s book, One of a Kind Like Me/Único como yo (oneofalikeme.com), is illustrated by Robert Liu-Trujillo and translated by Teresa Mlwar. You might recognize Robert Liu-Trujillo’s work from his poster for Multicultural Children’s Book Day.
One of a Kind Like Me/Único como yo by Laurin Mayeno, illustrated by Robert Liu-Trujillo
This bilingual Spanish picture book gently introduces gender diversity. Danny wants to be a purple princess for the school parade, and his family helps him create a costume from thrift store finds. The author hopes that her book gives children a sense of belonging, courage to be who they are, and an appreciation for people who are different from themselves. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
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Great news! The list of LGBTQ-themed children’s books is growing! Here are some of my favorite releases from the past two years, with a special focus on those that reflect many types of diversity in our families and communities.
10 Groundbreaking LGBTQ Children’s Books
1. The Boy and the Bindi by Vivek Shraya, illustrated by Rajni Perera
A boy asks his Ammi about the dot above her nose. When she gives him his own bindi, he discovers that it watches over him and allows him to explore and express who he is. This book is nothing short of magical! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
2. Call Me Tree/Llamame árbol by Maya Christina Gonzalez, translation by Dana Goldberg
Just as a tree, a child grows tall and strong, reaches out, belongs, and is free to be. I love the carefree child in this book, who could be any gender. English, and Spanish words and vivid illustrations flow together like a song. [picture book, for ages 3 and up]
3. Who You Are? The Kid’s Guide to Gender Identity by Brook Pessin-Whedbee, illustrated by Naomi Bardoff
Hooray for this book that helps explain gender to children and supports them to be who they are! It breaks down concepts like expression, and gender identity using language and vivid illustrations that make it easy to understand. [non-fiction picture book, ages 3 and up]
4. Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall
This book is a fantastic way to send a powerful, yet simple message. Everyone in this humorous story wants to the crayon to be red, just like the paper it is wrapped in. Will the crayon eventually learn to embrace its true color? [picture book, ages 4 and up]
5. George by Alex Gino
George is a fourth grader who everyone thinks is a boy, but she realizes that she’s a girl. Readers follow George’s journey as she comes to terms with, and finds ways to express, who she is. The fun story line keeps us wondering what will happen next. [chapter book, ages 8 and up]
6. Sex is a Funny Word: A Book About Bodies, Feelings, and You by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smith (Middle Grades)
This books is a great a tool for talking with children about a range of topics including the word “sex”, bodies, crushes, consent, and more. Written and illustrated in a playful, engaging, and empowering way, it is inclusive of many types of diversity. [comic book, ages 7 and up]
7. Meet Polkadot by Talcott Broadhead
Yay for a book that highlights a child whose identity is neither boy or girl. Told through the eyes of a child named Polkadot, it is an information-packed resource that can help us learn about gender, explore who we are, and become better allies. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
8. El Dragon Diferente by Jennifer Bryan, illustrated by Danamarie Hosler, translation by Alba Clarke
In this Spanish translation of The Different Dragon, a child named Noé and one of his moms make up a magical bedtime story about a ferocious, but sad dragon. They bring us into a loving home, and encourage us to celebrate our differences. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
9. Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Laura Cornell
This new edition of a classic, is an affirming story about Heather, who lives happily with two mommies. At school, she realizes her family is different. She and her classmates discover the beauty of family diversity through art. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
10. Introducing Teddy by Jessica Walton, illustrated by Dougal MacPherson
Errol and Thomas the teddy play together every day. Thomas is afraid to tell Errol that she’s really Tilly, a girl teddy. This story about friendship and being who you are can help young children understand and appreciate gender diversity. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Win One of a Kind Like Me/Único como yo GIVEAWAY!
Please fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter. We can only mail to U.S. addresses due to the high cost of shipping.
Laurin Mayeno is a consultant, blogger, and first-time children’s book author, who is inspired by her gay, gender-expansive son. She helps organizations work effectively with children across the gender spectrum and their families.
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.
I am an Amazon affiliate which means if you buy anything through my blog, I get a very small kickback at no cost to you. I use this money to pay for postage and handling for my giveaways.
Related posts:
Favorite Children’s Books Featuring an LGBTQ Character
Diverse Children’s Book Linky: LGBTQ #DiverseKidLit & More
Understanding Transgender with LGBTQ Books for Kids
Multicultural Children’s Book Day: Celebrating Diversity in Children’s Literature
Today is Multicultural Children’s Book Day!
Link Up at the Diverse Children’s Books LINKY
Highlighting Multicultural Children’s Books & Kid Lit Blog Hop
Diverse Children’s Books Linky
We loved RED; it was such a fun book.
Mother of 3 recently posted…30 History Movies for Middle School
Hi Mother of 3,
I need to read that again! I feel like I get it confused with other crayon books.
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…The Nian Monster Chinese New Year Author Event
Thanks for the list, Laurin! I loved George! It was so moving.
And I would add Worm Loves Worm to your PB list. It’s just so spot on!
Thanks Maria! Glad you loved George.
Thanks Maria! I am grateful to Laurin because surprisingly, I didn’t have a LGBTQ list before!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…The Nian Monster Chinese New Year Author Event
I’m embarrassed to say I’ve only read one of the books listed. I love the cover of ONE OF A KIND LIKE ME and the theme of the book. I need to review more LGBTQ books.
Patricia Tilton recently posted…Loving Vs. Virginia by Patricia Hruby Powell
Hi Patricia,
I honestly think that there aren’t enough of LGBTQ books for kids out there which is why you haven’t run across them more often.
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…The Nian Monster Chinese New Year Author Event
Thank you for the great list! Just a small world-ism – I used to live in Berkeley and knew Rebecca Mayeno.
Joan Gladstone Kramer recently posted…#IStand4Hijab #IStandWithHijabis
Fantastic! Maybe you know that she was my mother. I dedicated the book (about her grandson) to her. 🙂
I love that you are able to tell her story now without diluting it down. It’s very impactful and hers is an important story for everyone to know about. It’s shocking how recent these boarding schools operated as well, both in Canada and in the United States. The politicians have a lot to answer for.
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…The Nian Monster Chinese New Year Author Event
What a small world!! I love that!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…The Nian Monster Chinese New Year Author Event
Red was a great story. I will look into the others on the list as well! 🙂
Erik Weibel recently posted…Blog Tour and GIVEAWAY! Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He’s the Favorite by Stacy McAnulty
Hi Erik,
I am the opposite; I need to re-read Red. I feel like I’ve read it standing at the book store, but the crayon books are starting to run together for me.
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…The Nian Monster Chinese New Year Author Event