7 Children’s Books With LGBT Characters

These days, authors go far beyond the established standards and add diverse heroes. Read the post and find popular children’s books with LGBT characters.

For most kids, children’s books are a helpful source of information about the world we live in. These stories help children learn about other people who might be different from them such as 7 Children’s Books With LGBT Characters. Let’s take a look at some popular ones.

7 Children’s Books With LGBT Characters

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, illustrated by Henry Cole

This is a heartwarming true story about two male penguins who live at the Central Park Zoo. Thanks to a kind zookeeper Roy and Silo, the two male penguins, got the chance to adopt a baby penguin and raise him together. [picture book, ages 2 and up]

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

This is a real-life narrative about Jazz, a transgender person. Jazz, the main character, is a boy who doesn’t feel comfortable in his body. She liked unicorns, pink clothes, and cosmetics from a very young age. Jazz’s family was confused by such behavior. They decided to bring her to a physician who claimed that she was a girl born in a boy’s body.

This book is helpful for adults who wish to learn more about the issues that transgender kids face. If you’re a student who needs to write a research paper about transgender kids, read this book. You can get essay writer help if you pay someone to write essay for you and you will get a stress-free draft. If you are worried about the price, many companies can pay someone to write an essay for me. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

In Our Mothers’ House by Patricia Polacco

This book is aimed at breaking stereotypes by showing the life of a family with same-sex parents. The book tells the story of two women who live together in a big house with multiracial adopted kids. Their home is full of love and happiness. [picture book, ages 6 and up]

Families, Families, Families! by Suzanne Lang

All kids know the word “Family.” They associate it with a father, mother, sisters and brother, grandparents, and even cousins. However, the truth is that families don’t always look the same way. Family members can be the same gender, multiracial, and adopted.

The book showcases the different types of families that also exist. The author used silly and funny animals to show the diversity of families that a kid can meet. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

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

This is a popular LGBTQ+ picture book showcasing Heather and her same-sex parents. When she draws her family at school, she learns that there are all kinds of families just like hers. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack, illustrated by Stevie Lewis

Fairy tales always seem to be about a brave knight who fights a monster to save a princess. However, in this story, a prince refuses to marry any of the women that his parents chose for him. The prince meets a brave knight and starts an adventure with him. They defeat a dangerous creature and fall in love with each other. This LGBTQ-inclusive book also has a surprising ending that implies non-heterosexual love. of time. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

The Real Riley Mayes by Rachel Elliott

Review by Ms. Yingling Reads:

“ Even though Riley is having problems, she still is fairly upbeat, and the color palette reflects that with sunny yellows and blues. Her parents don’t quite understand her, but try to work with her rather than punish her for things like cutting her own hair. (They offer to help trim it a bit, and put forward the opinion that it’s a bit drastic, but are otherwise okay with it.) While a good number of the children in her class are mean, she does at least have support from Aaron, who gets her sense of humor, and Cate, who sticks up for her with the mean girls. Riley’s questioning, and wanting to seek help from Aaron’s dads, seems realistic, and the treatment she receives at school is also, sadly, probably true to form. ” [middle grade, ages 8 and up]

What are your favorite LGBTQ+ books for kids? I have a few more posts here:

Understanding Transgender with LGBTQ+ Books for Kids

10 Groundbreaking LGBTQ Children’s Books

Diverse Children’s Book Linky: LGBTQ #DiverseKidLit & More

Favorite Children’s Books Featuring a LGBTQ Character

Meet Asian Pacific American Hero Niki Nakayama

Meet Asian Pacific American Hero Margaret Cho

Meet Asian Pacific American Hero Prabal Gurung

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My books:

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación

⭐ Starred review from Kirkus
⭐ Starred review from Publishers Weekly
⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal
Kirkus: The Most Anticipated Children’s Books of Spring 2026

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Fortune Cookies for Everyone! (Smithsonian): The Surprising Story of the Tasty Treat We Love to Eat

California Eureka Non-Fiction Gold Award
Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)

The Traveling Taco: The Amazing and Surprising Journey of Many of Your Favorite Foods

California Eureka Non-Fiction Silver Award
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court

ALSC Notable Children’s Book
2025 Carter G. Woodson Book Award Middle Level Honoree
Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
2024 Julia Ward Howe Prize for Children’s Literature Winner
California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2025
Recommended Reading for the Social Justice Literature Award 2025 (International Literacy Association)
Pennsylvania Mountain Laurel Book Award Nominee 2026-27
Junior Library Guild Gold Selection