6 Picture Books We Love that Feature LGBTQ+ Families
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If you're searching for some wonderful picture books that feature LGBTQ+ families for the special children in your world, you're in the right place! Enjoy just a few examples from our expert-curated collection below, and if you like these stories, consider purchasing from OurShelves to receive other similar titles!
Interested in these amazing books? You can support these and other LGBTQ+ books and our LGBTQ+-owned business by purchasing these books as part of our Build-Your-Own Pride Boxes offering!
Want us to select for you? You can purchase our Expert-Curated Pride Book Box and/or subscribe to our regular quarterly diverse kids' book boxes to receive LGBTQ+ and other diverse books year-round! Our Curation Team ensures there is at least one LGBTQ+ book in every 3-book subscription box that goes out to our members each quarter.
Also make sure to check out Pride Book Bingo for more types of LGBTQ+ children's books you may already have or may be seeking! What books are easy for you to find? What books are harder to find? Let us know by emailing your completed Pride Bingo to support@OurShelves.com, and know we are here to help as a trusted source for diverse children's books!
Without further delay, check out these six amazing picture books below!
1. THE GIRL WHO LOVES BUGS authored by Lily Murray, illustrated by Jenny Løvlie
"Evie LOVES bugs, but no one around her seems to understand. While Evie would rather spend all her time outside studying insects, her moms hurry her indoors to prepare the house for company. Everything needs to be PERFECT for her Great-Gran and the rest of their extended family.
But Evie doesn’t want the fun to be over, and she has a great idea… to bring her bugs inside! Despite her best efforts to keep her little friends hidden, before she knows it the family reunion is totally ruined! With the unexpected help of Great-Gran –who turns out to be a bug-enthusiast too—Evie learns that her interest in bugs is what makes her special (and that the happiest place for bugs to be is outside where they belong)."
(This description comes from this book's publisher, Penguin Random House.)
2. MR. WATSON'S CHICKENS authored by Jarrett Dapier, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi
This book is a member favorite as well! We're excited to share illustrator Andrea Tsurumi's wonderful video for OurShelves which mentions the special LGBTQ+ subtle references throughout the book.
"With rollicking rhythms, nonsensical refrains, and too many chickens to count, this modern classic will inspire unstoppable giggles and endless rereads. Bawka-bawka!
Mr. Watson has 456 chickens in the sink, on the bed, in the bread box. When his partner, Mr. Nelson, threatens to leave, Mr. Watson takes his chickens to town to sell only for them to escape! Young readers will follow Mr. Watson all around town as he gathers up his chickens. But, when they're all rounded up, does he have the heart to sell them? Does a different fate await these chickens?"
(This description comes from this book's publisher, Chronicle Books.)
3. MARLEY'S PRIDE by Joëlle Retener and DeAnn Wiley
(This description comes from this book's publisher, Barefoot Books.)
Great news! MARLEY'S PRIDE is already included in summer OurShelves book boxes! If you have questions about whether your summer book box already includes this book, please email us at support@OurShelves.com. Or if you'd like to order additional copies of this title in hardback or paperback, please email us.
4. MAMA AND MOMMY AND ME IN THE MIDDLE authored by Nina LaCour, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
"A little girl stays home with Mama when Mommy goes off on a work trip in this tender, inviting story that will resonate with every child who has missed a parent.
For one little girl, there’s no place she’d rather be than sitting between Mama and Mommy. So when Mommy goes away on a work trip, it’s tricky to find a good place at the table. As the days go by, Mama brings her to the library, they watch movies, and all of them talk on the phone, but she still misses Mommy as deep as the ocean and as high as an astronaut up in the stars. As they pass by a beautiful garden, the girl gets an idea . . . but when Mommy finally comes home, it takes a minute to shake off the empty feeling she felt all week before leaning in for a kiss. Michael L. Printz Award winner Nina LaCour thoughtfully renders a familiar, touching story of a child who misses a parent, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita, whose distinctive style brings charm and playfulness to this delightful family of three."
(This description comes from the book's publisher, Penguin Random House.)
5. HARRIET GETS CARRIED AWAY by Jessie Sima
"From the author and illustrator of the bestselling Not Quite Narwhal comes a sweet and funny story about remembering where you belong, no matter how far you roam, or what you’re wearing when you get there.
Harriet loves costumes. She wears them to the dentist, to the supermarket, and most importantly, to her super-special dress-up birthday party. Her dads have decorated everything for the party and Harriet has her most favorite costume all picked out for the big day. There’s just one thing missing—party hats!
But when Harriet dons her special penguin errand-running costume and sets out to find the perfect ones, she finds something else instead—real penguins! Harriet gets carried away with the flock. She may look like a penguin, but she’s not so sure she belongs in the arctic. Can Harriet manage her way back to her dads (and the party hats!) in time for her special day?"
(This description comes from this book's publisher, Simon and Schuster.)
6. PLENTY OF HUGS authored by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Kip Alizadeh
"Two mommies spend a sunny day with their toddler in this cozy, rhyming picture book that is a loving celebration of family.
This cheerful book follows a family from morning to night in lively rhyme that rolls off the tongue. There’s a buzz for each bug, and a breeze for each tree, and plenty of hugs for you and me. The toddler and mommies take a morning bike ride to a farm stand, they visit a zoo in the afternoon, and in the evening there’s the bath and storybook routine before the child is tucked cozily into bed. There are seas for ships and kisses for lips, so we can whisper I love you! This is sure to become a preschool favorite, for bedtime and any time."
(This description comes from this book's publisher, Penguin Random House.)
Interested in purchasing these and other similar amazing books? You can support these LGBTQ+ books and our LGBTQ+-owned business by purchasing these and similar books as part of our Build-Your-Own Pride Boxes offering!
Want us to select for you? You can purchase our Expert-Curated Pride Book Box and/or subscribe to our regular quarterly diverse kids' book boxes to receive LGBTQ+ and other diverse books year-round! Our Curation Team ensures there is at least one LGBTQ+ book like the ones above in every 3-book subscription box that goes out to our members each quarter.
Join our e-list. Join the movement. FIRST access to NEW resources + NEW products. FREE videos, activities, guides, how to's.
