Children's Books

By Sofie Beer (Author), 2018, Board Book 

Love is baking a special cake. Love is lending a helping hand. Love is reading one morebook. In this exuberant board book, many different families are shown in happy activity, from an early-morning wake-up to a kiss before bed. Whether a child has two moms, two dads, one parent, or one of each, this simple preschool read-aloud demonstrates that what's most important in each family's life is the love the family members share.

By Joanna McClintick, 2022 Hardcover

Pride’s . . . a day that means “Together, we are strong!”

This joyful picture-book homage to a day of community and inclusion—and to the joys of anticipation—is also a comprehensive history. With bright, buoyant illustrations and lyrical, age-appropriate rhyme modeled on “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” it tackles difficult content such as the Stonewall Riots and the AIDS marches. On the night before Pride, families everywhere are preparing to partake. As one family packs snacks and makes signs, an older sibling shares the importance of the march with the newest member of the family. Reflecting on the day, the siblings agree that the best thing about Pride is getting to be yourself. Debut author Joanna McClintick and Pura Belpré Award–winning author-illustrator Juana Medina create a new classic that pays homage to the beauty of families of all compositions—and of all-inclusive love.

By Emily Neilson, 2022 Hardcover

One day in June, Mommy, Mama, and Emily take the train into the city to watch the Rainbow Parade. The three of them love how all the people in the street are so loud, proud, and colorful, but when Mama suggests they join the parade, Emily feels nervous. Standing on the sidewalkis one thing, but walking in the parade? Surely that takes something special.
 
This joyful and affirming picture book about a family's first Pride parade, reminds all readers that sometimes pride takes practice and there's no "one way" to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community.

By: Mudpuppy (Author), Katy Tanis (Illustrator), 2021, Board Book

Love is love wherever it's found.
 
This fun and inclusive book celebrates all forms of love found within the animal kingdom.
 
The Love in the Wild board book from Mudpuppy features sweet rhyming text and colorful artwork to highlight the many different types of love that can be found in the animal kingdom.
 
This colorful celebration of love is based on scientists' observations of same-sex couples, adoption, non-binary gender expression and more. Author-illustrator Katy Tanis is currently earning a MA in Biology from Miami University of Ohio. Her graduate work, partnering with the Wildlife Conservation Society, explores the promotion of conservation biology through art.

By:  Sophie Beer, 2021, Boardbook

This vibrant board book by the creator of Love Makes a Family and Kindness Makes Us Strong celebrates small acts of green living that make a big impact on the environment.

Change starts with planting trees. It starts with turning off faucets, and reusing and recycling. Most importantly, change starts with us! This encouraging preschool read-aloud demonstrates simple yet mighty examples of environmental activism and ways in which young readers can take care of the earth. Whether it's biking places with family or picking up litter with friends, Change Starts with Us proves that everyone has the power to build a better world.

By:  Megan Madison (Author), Jessica Ralli (Author), & Tequitia Andrews (Illustrator), 2023, Board Book

Based on the research that race, gender, consent, and body liberation should be discussed with toddlers on up, this read-aloud board book series offers adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way.

Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven picture book offers clear, concrete language and beautiful imagery to introduce the concept of BODY LIBERATION. This book serves to celebrate the uniqueness of your body and all bodies, and addresses the unfair rules and ideas that currently exist about bodies. It ends with motivational action points for making the world more fair for all!

While young children are avid observers and questioners of their world, adults often shut down or postpone conversations on complicated topics because it's hard to know where to begin. Research shows that talking about issues like race and gender from the age of two not only helps children understand what they see, but also increases self-awareness, self-esteem, and allows them to recognize and confront things that are unfair, like discrimination and prejudice.

These books offer a supportive approach that considers both the child and the adult. Stunning art accompanies the simple and interactive text, and the backmatter offers additional resources and ideas for extending this discussion.

By: Leslea Newman (Author) & Carol Thompson (Illustrator), 2008, Picture book, Board book

A heartwarming board books about gay parents! A great purchase for new parents and new babies alike, and the perfect gift to show your love for mommy, mama and more!

Rhythmic text and illustrations with universal appeal show a toddler spending the day with its mommies. From hide-and-seek to dress-up, then bath time and a kiss goodnight, there's no limit to what a loving family can do together.

Share the loving bond between same-sex parents and their children in this hearttwearming story of family.

By:  Jessica Love, 2020, Hardcover, Picture Book

The star of Julián Is a Mermaid makes a joyful return—and finds a new friend—at a wedding to be remembered.

Julián and his abuela are going to a wedding. Better yet, Julián is in the wedding. Weddings have flowers and kissing and dancing and cake. And this wedding also has a new friend named Marisol. It’s not long before Julián and Marisol set off for some magic and mischief of their own, and when things take an unexpected turn, the pair learns that everything is easier with a good friend by your side. Jessica Love returns with a joyful story of friendship and individuality in this radiant follow-up to Julián Is a Mermaid.

By: Robin Stevenson (Author), Julie McLaughlin (Illustrator), 2021, Board Book

A young child and their family are having a wonderful time together celebrating Pride Day―meeting up with Grandma, making new friends and eating ice cream. But then something terrible happens: their dog gets lost in the parade! Luckily, there are lots of people around to help reunite the pup with his family.

This rhyming alphabet book tells a lively story, with rich, colorful illustrations that will have readers poring over every detail as they spot items starting with each of the letters of the alphabet. An affirming and inclusive book that offers a joyful glimpse of a Pride parade and the vibrant community that celebrates this day each year.

By: Greg Paprocki (Illustrator), 2024, Board Book

Read with your toddler from A to Z about the LGBTQ+ community in the board book P is for Pride while supporting diverse families with kindness and love.

Greg Paprocki’s P is for Pride introduces toddlers to the alphabet by pairing each letter with a word associated with the LGBTQ+ community and supporters in an age-appropriate way. Learn how to be inclusive with words like Courage, Equality, Gay, Nonbinary, Rainbow flag, and Hug, Kindness, and Love in scenes showcased with Paprocki’s classically retro mid-century art style that’s proven to be a hit with both toddlers and adults.

By: Megan Madison (Author), Jessica Ralli (Author), Isabel Roxas (Illustrator), 2022, Board Book, Picture Book

Based on the research that race, gender, consent, and body positivity should be discussed with toddlers on up, this read-aloud board book series offers adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way.

    Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood development and activism against injustice, this topic-driven book offers clear, concrete language and imagery to introduce the concept of consent. This book serves to normalize and celebrate the experience of asking for and being asked for permission to do something involving one's body. It centers on respect for bodily autonomy, and reviews the many ways that one can say or indicate "No."
    While young children are avid observers and questioners of their world, adults often shut down or postpone conversations on complicated topics because it's hard to know where to begin. Research shows that talking about issues like race, gender, and our bodies from the age of two not only helps children understand what they see, but also increases self-awareness, self-esteem, and allows them to recognize and confront things that are unfair, like discrimination and prejudice.
    These books offer a supportive approach that considers both the child and the adult. Illustrative art accompanies the simple and interactive text, and the backmatter offers additional resources and ideas for extending this discussion.

By: Deborah Hopkinson (Author) & Monique Dong (Illustrator), 2021, Hardcover, Picture Book

Help your little one dream big with a Little Golden Book biography all about beloved entertainer Dolly Parton! The perfect introduction to nonfiction for preschoolers!

What's not to love about Dolly Parton? The multi-talented entertainer is generous, humble, smart, and funny. This Little Golden Book biography shares how someone from incredibly poor beginnings can blossom and persevere to become an award-winning songwriter and singer, actress, author, literacy advocate--and she even has her own theme park! Young girls and boys will definitely feel inspired after hearing Dolly's story.

By:  Lil Miss Hot Mess (Author), Olga de Dios Ruiz, 2020, Hardcover, Picture Book

The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish encourages readers to boldly be exactly who they are. Written by a founding member of the nationally recognized Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH), this playful picture book offers a quirky twist on a classic nursery rhyme by illustrating all of the ways to "work it". The story plays off "The Wheels on the Bus" as it follows a drag queen who performs her routine in front of an awestruck audience. A fun frenzy of fierceness, this book will appeal to readers of all ages.

By: Steve Anthony (Author), 2024, Hardcover, Picture Book

A joyful and fun read-along tale of one family's quest to find the Rainbowsaurus, featuring lots of colorful creatures.

A joyful and fun read-along tale of one family's quest to find the Rainbowsaurus, featuring lots of colorful creatures.

We're following a rainbow to find the Rainbowsaurus.

We're following a rainbow. Would you like to join us?

Join two dads and their three children as they set off on an adventure to find the Rainbowsaurus. On their way, they meet animals that are all the colors of the rainbow who all want to find the Rainbowsaurus too.

From the author and illustrator of the Mr Pandaseries and The Queen's Hat collection, comes this instantly classic-feeling adventure. A perfect story to read at bedtime again and again.

By: Nico Medina (Author), Who HQ (Author), Jake Murray (Illustrator), 2019, Paperback, Illustrated

How did a spontaneous protest outside of a New York City bar fifty years ago spark a social movement across America? Find out about the history of LGBTQ rights in this Who HQ title.

In the early-morning hours of June 28, 1969, police arrived at the Stonewall Inn's doors and yelled, "Police! We're taking the place!" But the people in this New York City neighborhood bar, members of the LGBTQ community, were tired of being harassed. They rebelled in the streets, turning one moment into a civil rights movement and launching the fight for equality among LGBTQ people in the United States