19 of the best LGBTQIA+ books for kids

best LGBTQIA+ books

by Piper Huxley |
Updated on

For our little ones, learning about the world they're growing up in - and how incredibly diverse it is - is very special. Of all the things to teach our children, a lesson of great importance is love and acceptance. Families come in all different varieties. The books for your child should be reflecting the world we live in today. That's why, this LGBT+ History Month, we've rounded up the best LGBTQIA+ books for little ones.

Books are a fabulous way to nurture your child's curiosity and answer their questions, however, for many LGBTQIA+ parents and carers, these kinds of picture books can be tough to find.

At Mother & Baby, we're celebrating the LGBTQIA+ parents who need all the love and support. So, we've pulled together some of the best LGBTQIA+ books for kids that showcase diverse families and people.

Our top picks - the best LGBTQIA+ books for kids:

Best Book for Celebrating Differences

Description

The Family Book celebrates families and all the different varieties they come in. Whether they're

Best LGBTQIA+ Book for Two Dads

My Two Dads and Me, Michael Joosten
Price: £6.99

Description

This is Michael Joosten's adorable board book for the babies and toddlers of gay fathers. It

Best LGBTQIA+ Book for Trans Parents

Little Seahorse and the Big Question

Rrp: £7.99

Price: £7.35
Alternative retailers
Waterstones£7.99View offer

Description

From journalist and seahorse dad, Freddy McConnell, and illustrator Rosalind Beardshaw... this is

Recommended

Made By Raffi, Craig Pomranz
Price: £7.99

Description

This book is about a boy called Raffi, who is quiet and gets picked on at school. He spends his

Best LGBTQIA+ Book for Two Mums

Mommy, Mama and Me, Leslea Newman

Rrp: £7.99

Price: £6.89
Alternative retailers
Waterstones£7.99View offer

Description

Mommy, Mama and Me is a book that shows the loving bond between same-sex parents and their

Best LGBTQIA+ Book for Children

And Tango Makes Three, Justin Richardson
Price: £15.03

Description

At the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo are different from the others. But their

Best LGBTQIA+ Book for Vocabulary

The Boy Who Cried Fabulous, Leslea Newman
Price: £5.22

Description

Roger likes describing the world around him as "fabulous"! But his parents aren't keen. They want

Best LGBTQIA+ Books for First Words

Description

Spend the day with a busy baby and her two dads. Learn the words for things you do and see along

Best LGBTQIA+ Books about Love

Under the Love Umbrella, Davina Francesca Bell

Rrp: £7.99

Price: £7.35
Alternative retailers
Waterstones£7.99View offer

Description

This is an award-winning book that is a reminder to children that there will be love wherever you

Recommended

Julian Is a Mermaid, Jessica Love

Rrp: £7.99

Price: £6.25
Alternative retailers
Waterstones£7.99View offer

Description

A visual story about a boy who dreams of being a mermaid revealed through images and art.

Best LGBTQIA+ Book about Diversity

Description

This book illustrates that love can be found in all families. It has a mix of peoples, ages, and

Best LGBTQIA+ Book for Pride

Pride 123 by Michael Joosten
Price: £6.18
Alternative retailers
Waterstones£5.99View offer

Description

Celebrate and march along in the Pride Parade with this lively counting board book.

Best LGBTQIA+ Book about Friendship

Introducing Teddy, Jessica Walton

Rrp: £7.99

Price: £7.35
Alternative retailers
Waterstones£7.99View offer

Description

This is a sweet story about Errol and his best friend, Thomas, who is a teddy. Jessica Walton

Best LGBTQIA+ Books on Answering Questions

Who’s Your Real Mum?

Rrp: £11.99

Price: £9.99

Description

When Nicholas wants to know which of Elvi’s two mums is her real mum, she gives him lots of clues.

Best LGBTQ+ Book about Gender

Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl? by Sarah Savage & Fox Fisher

Rrp: £12.70

Price: £12.70
Alternative retailers
Waterstones£12.99View offer

Description

Tiny loves costumes and likes to dress up as an animal, a doctor, or a butterfly. Tiny also

Recommended

Love Makes A Family, Sophie Beer

Rrp: £6.99

Price: £6.50
Alternative retailers
Waterstones£6.99View offer

Description

This book does a great job of introducing different family types to little ones. Whether you have

Recommended

Stella Brings the Family

Rrp: £12.99

Price: £10.71
Alternative retailers
Waterstones£12.99View offer

Description

Stella's class is having a Mother's Day celebration, but what's a girl with two daddies to

Best Book for Explaining LGBT+ Weddings

Worm Loves Worm

Rrp: £12.99

Price: £11.95

Description

When a worm meets a special worm and they fall in love, you know what happens next: They get

Recommended

Pink Is For Boys

Rrp: £13.99

Price: £13.15
Alternative retailers
Waterstones£13.99View offer

Description

Who said blue is for boys and pink is for girls? This picture book rethinks the stereotypical

FAQs

Why are LGBTQIA+ children's books important?

Emily Drabble, Head of Books, BookTrust says:

"Books can be both windows and mirrors to the world – it’s important to be able to learn about the people and environment around you through reading and be able to see yourself within books. That’s why reading to your little ones is an impactful way to teach your child about LGBTQIA+ themes in our world and different situations that they might face as they grow up, or perhaps that is already in your family.”

How to talk to your child about LGBT topics

Not sure where to start to talk to your child about LGBT topics? Here are some tips on how to get the conversation going.

Start early

Having open, age-appropriate discussions with your child at a young age about sexual orientation and gender identity will teach them to be empathic and have respect for others. It will teach them about the world that they are growing up in, plus it will leave the door open for further conversations as your child grows.

Talking to your little one about family structures is a good place to start. You can teach them that all families are different. Some children have two mums or two dads, others may be cared for by grandparents, single parents or adoptive/foster parents.

Be honest

We all know that children are very inquisitive. They're bound to have questions as they learn about something new. Make sure you're listening to what your little one is asking and answer them as truthfully as you can. If they're not asking you questions, encourage them. Keep the conversations age-appropriate and be honest if you don't know the answer.

Have ongoing discussion

Discussing LGBTQIA+ topics with your child shouldn't be a one-time conversation. Use media and/or life experiences as opportunities to re-engage your child in further discussions as they develop.

Offer age-appropriate information

If you're unsure about what is an age-appropriate topic, our best LGBTQIA+ books for kids recommendations will help to guide you and offer great ways to start conversations.

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