Understanding Transgender with LGBTQ+ Books for Kids

In searching for LGBTQ books for kids and teens, I realized how many different permutations a child might encounter and tried to find books for all different kids of LGBTQ families. Personally, I found the concept of Gender Fluidity to be the most confusing, so I’ve included Rick Riordan’s Magnus Chase series that does a terrific job of depicting this.

How about you? What LBGTQ books are your favorites? What LGBTQ books are missing from this list or need to be published? Thanks for sharing!

Understanding Transgender with LGBTQ Books for Kids

Picture Books with LGBTQ Parents

The Family Book by Todd Parr

Todd Parr’s inimitable voice assures readers that whether your family has two dads, two moms, or something else, every family is special in its own unique way. [picture book, ages 2 and up]

Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer, illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown

This gentle story of Stella’s dilemma for her school Mother’s Day event showcases her loving family with two dads. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Laura Cornell

Heather has a lot of things that come in pairs: arms, legs, pets … and moms! She has Mama Jane and Mama Kate. When she starts kindergarten, she realizes that she might be the only one without a daddy. But when her class draws a picture of their family, Heather realizes that every family is special and that it doesn’t matter how many mommies or daddies your family has. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson (Author), Peter Parnell (Author), illustrated by Henry Cole

A true story from New York’s Central Park Zoo that illustrates that it only takes love, even in the animal kingdom, to make a family. The penguin house is home to two daddy penguins who adopt an egg and hatch a baby.  [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Mommy, Mama, and Me by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Carol Thompson

With rhyming text, this picture book depicts a loving lesbian couple with their toddler. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

ABC A Family Alphabet Book by Bobbie Combs, illustrated by Desiree & Brian Rappa

This alphabet book celebrates LBGTQ diversity in families but the point of this book is teaching the alphabet. I like how diversity is presented as every day. [picture book, ages 2 and up]

This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten

Join in this celebration of the LGBT community and use this award-winning picture book as a tool for teaching understanding lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and families. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Queer Heroes: Meet 53 LGBTQ Heroes from Past & Present! by Arabelle Sicardi, illustrated by Sarah Tanat-Jones

53 LGBTQ role models are detailed from all over the world in this anthology from Sappho to Audre Lorde to Frida Kahlo to Leonardo Da Vinci to Tim Cook. The short profiles are engaging and informative and the list of 53 notables is eye-opening and inspiring. [nonfiction anthology, ages 8 and up]

Bilingual Spanish LGBTQ Picture Books

One of a Kind, Like Me/Único Como Yo by Laurin Mayeno, illustrated by Robert Liu-Trujillo, translated by Teresa Mlawer

This is a gentle story introducing 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 and courage to be who they are, and an appreciation for people who are different from themselves. [bilingual Spanish picture book, ages 4 and up]

My Dad is a Clown/Mi Papa Es Un Payaso by José Carlos Andrés and Natalia Hernandez Josa Carlos Andras

This charming bilingual Spanish picture book starts off with a boy who is called a clown in anger. He doesn’t mind. His dad is a clown and he knows what important work it is. His other dad is a doctor; together they sneak into clown rehearsal and realize how grueling it is. As the boy ponders his loving fathers and the work they each do, he comes up with a plan to combine both for his future profession. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Understanding Transgender Books for Kids and Teens

Bow-Wow-Meow by Blanca Lacasa, illustrated by GOMEZ

This is a great picture book about a trans cat that was assigned as a dog at birth to introduce transgender to very young readers and their families. His young owner follows his dog at night to try to understand his beloved pet’s confusing behavior. Together, they figure out the pet’s true identity which brings them closer together. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas

Even today, there are kids who tease me, or me by a boy name or ignore me altogether. This makes me feel crummy.

Then I remember that the kids who get to know me usually want to be my friend. They say I’m one of the nicest girls at school.

This gentle story gives a simple and thorough explanation of a trans girl and the loving acceptance of this transition. This picture book is based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings, a spokesperson for transkids. The straightforward honesty makes this the perfect book for kids to understand what it means to be transgender. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Sam! by Dani Gabriel, illustrated by Robert Liu-Trujillo

Pair this with  I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel. Both picture books are based on true stories about coming out to be their true selves. Born as a girl named Isabel, this is an emotional journey for Sam and his family and they learn to embrace and support who he really is.  [picture book, ages 7 and up]

It Feels Good to be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn, illustrated by Noah Grigni

Review by Bluestocking Thinking: “June is Pride Month, so spread some good vibes with books like this! This simple story tackles a topic that people struggle with, and also celebrate, on a daily basis. Add this one to your school and classroom libraries.” It introduced gender identity to the youngest audience. This is an #OwnVoices book via the illustrator. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall

The struggle of a red crayon who doesn’t act like a red crayon is the perfect analogy for transkids. Even with the support of the entire art supply cabinet, red crayon is still blue. It’s not until berry crayon asks red crayon to draw an ocean that red crayon discovers his true self. His community accepts and praises who he truly is inside which makes for a very happy ending. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship by Jessica Walton, illustrated by Dougal MacPherson

A friendship between a little boy and his teddy bear isn’t affected when the teddy bear confesses that he’s feeling in his heart that he’s a girl teddy, not a boy teddy, and wants to be called by Tilly instead of Teddy. Their friend Ava is accepting of this change too. This book is perfect for the youngest of readers to learn and discuss gender identity. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

My Maddy by Gayle Pitman, illustrated by Violet Tobacco

Review by Children’s Books Heal:

“Gayle Pitman has written a celebratory book about parenthood that is both heartwarming and informative. Look at that gorgeous cover filled with an abundance of love, joy, and rainbow pride. It is so inspiring, as is the text which is filled with positive images and concepts of one’s family. Violet Tobacco’s illustrations are vibrant and magical.

Gayle Pitman creates a parent who is a blend between Mommy and Daddy, and gives the parent a name inbetween — Maddy. I didn’t realize that Maddy is oftentimes used in some families to describe a parent who is transgender or gender diverse. Pitman subtly portrays an ordinary and loving relationship between the girl and her parent, emphasizing that a parent can be a little bit of both, like many things in nature.” [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Want To Play Trucks? by Ann Stott, illustrated by Bob Graham

Jack and Alex play together every morning at the local playground. Jack likes trucks and Alex likes dolls with tutus and sparkles. They combine their toys for a game where dolls drive trucks. When Jack decides Alex’s ballerina can’t drive the crane, they get into a big fight. They work it out because it’s not that Jack thinks ballerinas can’t drive a crane, it’s that her tutu won’t fit in the seat. It’s an easy fix because the doll has overalls under her tutu. This picture book has a subtle message about gender roles and identities, with a message about acceptance. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Stacey’s Not a Girl by Colt Keo-Meier, PhD

Thank you to Becky Linderholm of Family Conversation Kits for this great suggestion and book blurb!

Dr. Colt is a psychologist and transgender man who wrote this book to help children understand gender beyond the binary. Stacey doesn’t feel like a girl but is not sure they’re a boy either. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

George by Alex Gino

A coming out story of a boy who identifies as a girl. He really wants to play the role of Charlotte in the school’s play Charlotte’s Web and hopes by doing so, his family will realize and accept that he’s really a girl inside a boy body. [chapter book, ages 8 and up]

Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart

Lily, a transgender girl, and Dunkin, a boy dealing with bipolar disorder. Their powerful story will shred your heart, then stitch it back together with kindness, humor, bravery, and love.

Children’s book author, Tracy Byran, alerted me on Twitter: @tracybryan19 Lily and Dunkin is a MUST READ for every tween, teen, and adult everywhere! [chapter book, ages 1o and up]

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin

Six transgender kids talk candidly about their experience with their transition from childhood through the present time. Each has a unique story to tell. Some are heartbreaking as they also grappled with special needs, foster homes, and unsupportive parents. A few had a surprisingly easy time transitioning to their new gender, and use their positive experience to inspire others. Each story shares a new layer of understanding of being transgender for those of us still learning. Transgender can be straight or gay, something that always confused me. Male privilege reveals itself to those who went from girl to boy. Body dysmorphia is a separate issue. Bystanders can make a huge difference for trans kids between acceptance and bullying. For this reason alone, everyone tween should read this book. [young adult, ages 12 and up]

The Other Boy by M. G. Hennessey

The Other Boy is the fictional story of a 12-year-old transgender boy living in stealth and his journey to acceptance. It shows the different ways people react to a transgender child—fathers, mothers, doctors, teachers, friends, bullies—and also walks the reader through what it feels like to be trans. [chapter book, ages 9 and up]

My Life as a Diamond by Jenny Manzer

Great review by Ms. Yingling Reads:

“10-year-old Caz loves to play baseball and is a big Blue Jays fan, so when his family moves to Seattle, one of the first places he goes is the park. There, he meets Hank, who encourages him to join the baseball league. Caz ends up being on the Redburn Ravens team with Hank but also Kyle, who isn’t very nice. Since Caz has a big secret to hide, he doesn’t want to take the chances of angering any of his teammates. Back in Toronto, Caz was Cassie. Cassie had always felt like a boy and even mentioned this to his best friend, who didn’t seem all that bothered. But things didn’t go well, and the family decided to relocate. Caz’s father and mother are fairly supportive, and his Nana tells him that “pressure makes diamonds” and that he will do fine. It’s nice to be able to live his life, play baseball (which is super important) and not have to worry about having to explain why he was born female but doesn’t feel that way now, but he knows that it won’t last forever. Eventually, people find out about his ball career in Toronto, there have to be explanations, but things go fairly smoothly.” [chapter book, ages 9 and up]

Snapdragon by Kat Leyh

Review by Randomly Reading:

“There’s a rumor that a witch lives in a house on the outskirts of town, but when Snapdragon’s dog Good Boy goes missing, she dares to look for him there. Sure enough, the dog is there, but he’s been injured and is missing a front paw. When the rumored witch returns, she tells Snap that the dog was hit by a car and she patched him up.

Snap is a fierce, fearless, precocious black middle schooler not afraid to take on bullies, often standing up for her neighbor and best friend Lu, who is also black and transgender. Living in a trailer park, Snap is the only child of a mother who must work lots of hours to support them, and who is also getting her degree at night.”

Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker

She writes about her book on From the Mixed Up Files of Middle Grade Authors:

“The dark thread was the tragic history of Leelah Alcorn, a trans girl who committed suicide in Ohio in 2014. She left behind an eloquent note on Tumblr, in which she wrote, among other things, “My death needs to mean something,” and “Fix Society. Please.” Leelah’s death hit me hard, and writer brain started working on this question: what needed to be different in order for her to survive? Out of that work came Zen’s backstory. I gave her a family of origin something like the family Leelah described in her note, but I also gave her an escape that Leelah didn’t have—cool Lesbian aunties who become her guardians.

As part of this thread, I have included characters who are transphobic, but I took care not to write them as cartoon villains. No demons. All humans. You can only change hearts and minds, I firmly believe, if you refrain from returning the fear and hate that get pointed at you. And Zen herself feels pulled between worlds. Her old life was killing her, but it was still her life, and she loved her parents.” [middle grade, ages 9 and up]

Nothing Ever Happens Here by Sarah Hagger-Holt

Review by Ms. Yingling Reads:

“Representation matters. There are children dealing with all sorts of family dynamics, and if we don’t have books that show those experiences, some children will feel left out. Izzy’s father’s experience is not new or that unusual– when my mother was teaching in a small town in North Eastern Ohio in the 1970s, she had a boy whose father transitioned. It seemed odd at the time, since no one I knew even used the term transgender, but the focus was still on helping the student adjust to change and continue on. Hagger-Holt does a good job at showing the challenges as well as the positives of the family dynamics, and paints a sympathetic portrait of a family going through changes. The fact that Izzy is also involved in a time consuming school activity like a play and is also having some friend drama makes this perfect.” [middle grade, ages 9 and up]

Understanding Gender Fluidity

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan

Riordan introduces a gender-fluid newcomer to Valhalla, Alex Fierro. Sometimes identifying as a girl, and sometimes as a boy, somehow Magnus is able to discern her gender fluidity. That her father is Loki, a shapeshifter that also has assumed both male and female identities in many forms including animals, this character really helps the reader to understand what it means to be gender fluid. [chapter book, ages 9 and up]

Spin With Me by Ami Polonsky

Review by Ms. Yingling Reads:

“Essie is NOT happy when her father takes a four month temporary post at a university in North Carolina and her mother, an artist, inexplicably stays behind in St. Lewis. She’s angry that she has to leave her friends behind and enter 7th grade as a new student. Luckily, she is fortunate enough to find friends right away, since Savannah reaches out in the cafeteria. She also connects with Ollie and has a little bit of a crush on him. When Ollie shows up in her gym class locker room, Essie is confused. She finds out that Ollie is nonbinary and uses the pronouns they/them, but still finds herself attracted. Ollis has supportive family, and the school has been okay with a Gender and Love Open-Minded Warriors (GLOW) club. Ollie enlists Essie in helping them increase membership and plan activities for the club. Meanwhile, Essie is struggling with her friends back in St. Louis, who at first seem supportive of her crush on Ollie but who eventually show their true colors. Essie is also dealing with her mother being very aloof, her father making new connections with women in North Carolina, and the uncertainty of her parents’ relationship. As her time with Ollie draws to a close, Essie tries to get her parents to allow her to stay for the whole year. We then see the story recounted from Ollie’s perspective, and shedding more light on their perspective and feelings was great.” [middle grade, ages 9 and up]

LGBTQ Transition of Parent with Divorce

Love is What Makes Us a Family by Julia E. Morrison and Laura Knauer

This self-published picture book has drawings that seem like a child drew them. It has an important story that isn’t represented in other picture books. In this book, the parents — dad and mom — get divorced, but both end up getting a new girlfriend. This is a great book for anyone experiencing this family transition as well as for others just to learn about the diversity of families. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

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