International Literacy Day: 20 fantastic LGBTQ+ books for children

In one of the oldest gay neighborhoods in the United States, the Castro District of San Francisco, Becka Robbins works from a small room in Fabulous bookssending boxes of donated books across the country.

In an initiative she calls “Books, Not Bans,” Robbins sends LGBTQ titles, many of which are under threat of censorship amid a rapidly growing movement by conservative groups and lawmakers to ban them from schools and public libraries.

The alarming rise in book bans across the country extends beyond the queer, trans and non-binary community, with states like Florida triggering a series of “Don’t Say You’re Gay” Bills across the country, shedding light on the battlefield of The place of black history in education.

Last year, more than 4,000 book titles were censored in schools and public libraries, According to a March report from the American Library Association which showed that in 2023 there was a 65% increase in ban attempts compared to 2022, with 2,571 book titles targeted. Of the more than 4,000 titles, almost half integrated voices and lived experiences of LGBTQ and BIPOC people.

These bans not only affect access to diverse literature, but also harm young LGBTQ readers by erasing their experiences from libraries and classrooms. Reading inclusive storiesaccording Minnesota Children’s Home Society and Lutheran Social Servicehelps children develop empathy, engage in self-discovery, challenge stereotypes, foster inclusion, and become community allies.

In addition, banning LGBTQ books sends a harmful message to young people in the community. Toni Moore, a high school librarian in Kentucky, said We need diverse books in 2022 that taking away queer and trans books from those who might see themselves in them “amplifies all the bad feelings they’ve had about their self-worth and how they fit into society.”

Robbins said National Public Radio In June That fiction teaches people to dream.

“It teaches us to connect with people who are not like us, it teaches us to listen and to emphasize,” he said.

This Sunday is International Literacy Daya holiday that honors the expansion of literacy and the enlightenment of young minds. In honor of diversity and wonderful books, here is Count A roundup of must-read LGBTQ titles for kids to help them better understand, appreciate, and celebrate these important stories.

1. “If You’re a Drag Queen and You Know It” by Lil Miss Hot Mess, illustrated by Olga de Dios

Strike a pose, blow a kiss, mouth the words. A fun sing-along book with a drag twist that encourages kids to embrace all the grace of drag culture, written by a founding member of Drag Story Hour.

1. “Nobody Owns the Colors” by Gianna Davy, illustrated by Brenda Rodriguez

Inspired by the author’s own children’s experiences in the schoolyard, this melodic, rhythmic text provides the words and reassurance readers may need if someone tells them their color (whether it’s their skin color, their shirt, their shoes, or just their favorite crayon) is wrong.

1. “Bodies are cool” by Tyler Feder

This cheerful picture book for preschoolers about loving your body is an exuberant read-aloud with cheerful, study-friendly illustrations. Feder writes, “My body, your body, all body types! They’re all good bodies! BODIES ARE COOL!”

1. “Julian is a Mermaid” by Jessica Love

In a lush picture book, one look at mermaids in costume leaves a child awash in wonder and ready to dazzle the world. Fascinating and heartfelt, Jessica Love’s debut as an author and illustrator is a jubilant picture of self-love and a radiant celebration of individuality.

1. “Antonio’s Card” by Rigoberto González, illustrated by Cecilia Álvarez

A tender story about a boy struggling to express his love for his mother and her partner in a non-traditional family. Rigoberto Gonzalez’s bilingual story about a non-traditional family resonates with every child who has been faced with the task of speaking up for themselves or for the people they love.

1. “Federico and all his families” by Mili Hernández, illustrated by Gómez

Jumping from roof to roof, Federico the cat visits all his families every day: Tadeo and his grandparents, Anna and her two mothers; Virginia, with her mother and her father, Paula and her two fathers. All different, all loved by Federico. Unconditionally.

1. “A Family is a Family is a Family” by Sara O’Leary, illustrated by Qin Leng

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 way that matters most.

1. “When Aidan Became a Brother” by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

Winner of the 2020 Stonewall Book Award, this sweet and innovative picture book celebrates the changes in a transgender boy’s life, from coming out to becoming a big brother.

1. “Donovan’s Big Day” by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Mike Dutton

Both of Donovan’s mothers are getting married and he can’t wait for the celebrations to begin. After all, as ring bearer, he has a very important job to do.

1. “Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag” by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Steven Salerno

In this deeply moving and empowering true story, young readers will trace the life of the Gay Pride flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its expansion around the world and its role in today’s world.

1. “From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea” by Kai Cheng Thom and Kai Yun Ching, illustrated by Wai-Yant Li

In this captivating and beautiful picture book about gender, identity, and accepting the differences between us, Miu Lan is faced with many questions about who they are and who they can be. But one thing is certain: no matter what this boy becomes, his mother will love him just the same.

1. “My Maddy” by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Violet Tobacco

My Maddy has hazel eyes, which are neither brown nor green. And my Maddy likes spoon-forks because they are not exactly a spoon or a fork. Most moms are girls. Most dads are boys. But many parents are neither boys nor girls.

1. “Annie’s Plaid Shirts” by Stacy B. Davids, illustrated by Rachael Balsaitis

Annie feels most comfortable when wearing her favorite plaid shirt, not dresses. So she comes up with a plan when she learns that her family wants her to wear a dress to an upcoming wedding.

1. “A Princess of Great Daring!” by Tobi Hill-Meyer, illustrated by Eleanor Toczynski

When Jamie is ready to tell people she’s actually a girl, she becomes a princess of great daring in a game she plays with her best friends to build up her courage. She’s pleased (but not surprised) that her adventure-seeking friends turn out to be as loyal and faithful as any princess could wish for.

1. “Princess, Princess Forever” by K. O’Neill

A sweet and positive fairy tale in which two princesses meet and embark on an adventure to overcome their own personal obstacles.

1. “This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us” by Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby

The first LGBTQA anthology for middle school students featuring stories for every letter of the acronym, including realistic, fantasy, and sci-fi stories from authors like Justina Ireland, Marieke Nijkamp, ​​Alex Gino, and more!

1. “Heartstopper” by Alice Oseman

Charlie, a high-strung, over-the-top homosexual, and Nick, a cheerful, kind-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys secondary school. A friendship quickly develops, but could there be something more?

1. “Bitter” by Akwaeke Emezi

This timely and fascinating novel, which accompanies the National Book Award finalist, Pet—explores the power of youth, protest and art.

1. “When You Look Out the Window” by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Christopher Lyles

Describing the view from Phyllis and Del’s window, this book shows how one couple’s activism transformed their community and had ripple effects around the world.

1. “The Boy and the Bindi” by Vivek Shraya, illustrated by Rajni Perera

A five-year-old South Asian boy is fascinated by his mother’s bindi, the red dot often worn by Hindu women to indicate the point where creation begins, and wishes to have one of his own.