Resources for ALL: A Look into LGBTQ+ Representation in Picture Books
The Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Plus (LGBTQIA+) community is more visible and accepted in society than ever before. Their history and experience, however, are not widely taught in classrooms and public institutions. Many do not feel they are adequately equipped to talk about the LGBTQIA+ community, but silence can undermine progress made. Picture books are one way that people, regardless of age, can learn about the LGBTQIA+ community.*
Regardless of background, talking about sexual orientation and gender identity can help:
- promote acceptance, empathy, and social awareness
- establish a better understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community
- normalize all genders and sexual identities
- provide children with correct and positive information, stopping the spread of misinformation
- minimize the possibility of bullying or prejudice spurred on from ignorance and fear
- smooth the coming-out process, when applicable
When talking with children about LGBTQIA+ topics:
- Use the information presented in the exhibition as a starting point to get children thinking about the images.
- Answer their questions using simple, positive, and accurate information.
- If you don’t know the answer, don’t be afraid to say so, but look it up and follow through with the answer.
- Continue the conversation after looking at the exhibit.
- Listen to their feelings and concerns. Validate their emotions.
- Reinforce acceptance and respect towards others.
- Encourage children to think about stereotypes.
- Always convey support, love, and acceptance.
Check out these websites for more information and support:
Teaching LGBTQ History: The FAIR Education Act
The Gender & Sexualities Alliance Network
*Information compiled from When You Look Out the Window by Gayle E. Pitman, This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman, and Pride: Celebrating Diversity and Community by Robin Stevenson.
Authors, illustrators and publishers are now sharing their works, activities, and additional resources online. Check out these sites that helped this exhibit:
Charlotte Sullivan Wild Website
Jazz Jennings Virtual Story Time
Lee and Low Publishers: LGBTQ Book List (PDF)
For more information about book bans and challenges, please check out:
The Office of Intellectual Freedom
Unite Against Book Bans- Book Résumés
This is the second iteration of this exhibition. Not all of the books highlighted previously were included. Check them out for more picture books:
10,000 Dresses, by Marcus Ewert, illustrated by Rex Ray, Triangle Square, 2008.
A is for Activist, by Innosanto Nagara, Triangle Square, 2013.
A Family is a Family is a Family, by Sara O’Leary, illustrated by Qin Leng, Groundwood Books, 2016.
Harriet Gets Carried Away, by Jessie Sima, Simon & Schuster Books, 2018.
Home at Last, by Vera B. Williams, illustrated by Chris Raschka, Greenwillow Books, 2016.
Introducing Teddy¸ by Jessica Walton, illustrated by Dougal MacPherson, Bloomsbury, 2016.
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, by Christine Baldacchino, illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant, Groundwood Books, 2014.
My Princess Boy¸ by Cheryl Kilodavis, illustrated by Suzanne DeSimone, Aladdin, 2010.
Neither, by Airlie Anderson, Little, Brown and Company, 2018.
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag, by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Steven Salerno, Random House, 2018.
Red, by Michael Hall, Greenwillow Books, 2015.
Sparkle Boy, by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Maria Mola, Lee & Low Books, 2017.
Stella Brings the Family, by Miram Schiffer, illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown, Chronicle Books, 2015.
This exhibition does not include all picture books addressing LGBTQ+ themes, gender non-conformity, or stereotyping. Check out these related books for more:
Auntie Uncle: Drag Queen Hero, by Ellie Royce, illustrated by Hannah Chambers, POW! Kids Books, 2020.
The Boy Who Cried Fabulous, by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Peter Ferguson, Tricycle Press, 2007.
Daddy’s Roommate, by Michael Willhoite, Alyson Books, 1994.
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, by Jill Twiss, illustrated by E.G. Keller, Chronicle Books, 2018.
The Different Dragon, by Jennifer Bryan, illustrated by Danamarle Hosler, Two Lives Publishing, 2006.
The Family Book, by Todd Parr, Little, Brown and Company, 2012.
From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea, by Kai Cheng Thom, illustrated by Wai-Yant Li and Kai Yun Ching, Arsenal Pulp Press, 2017.
Heather Has Two Mommies, by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Laura Cornell, Candlewick, 2016.
Jack (Not Jackie), by Erica Silverman, illustrated by Holly Hatam, Little Bee Books, 2018.
Jacob’s Room to Choose, by Sarah and Ian Hoffman, illustrated by Chris Case, American Psychological Association, 2020.
Love Around the World, by Fleur Pierets, illustrated by Fathina Ramos, Six Foot Press, 2019.
Maiden & Princess, by Daniel Haack and Isabel Galupo, illustrated by Becca Human, Little Bee Books, 2019.
My Maddy, by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Violet Tobacco, American Psychological Association, 2020.
Our Rainbow, Little Bee Books, 2019.
Our Subway Baby, by Peter Mercurio, illustrated by Leo Espinosa, Penguin Young Readers Group, 2020.
Pink is for Boys, by Robb Pearlman, illustrated by Eda Kaban, Running Press Kids, 2018.
The Princess Knight, by Cornelia Funke, illustrated by Kerstin Meyer, Chicken House, 2004.
Pugdog, by Andrea U’Ren, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2001.
The Rainbow Parade, by Emily Neilson, Penguin Young Readers Group, 2022.
Sewing the Rainbow, by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown, Magination Press, 2018.
The Sissy Duckling, by Harvey Fierstein, illustrated by Henry Cole, Simon and Schuster, 2005.
Stitch by Stitch: Cleve Jones and the AIDS Memorial Quilt, by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Jamey Christoph, American Psychological Association, 2021.
Teo’s Tutu, by Maryann Jacob Macias, illustrated by Alea Marley, Penguin Young Readers Group, 2021.
They She He Me: Free to Be!, by Maya Gonzalez and Matthew Smith-Gonzalez, Reflection Press, 2017.
Two Grooms on a Cake: The Story of America’s First Gay Wedding, by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Robbie Cathro, Little Bee Books, 2021.
Uncle Bobby’s Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books, 2008.
Uncle Bobby’s Wedding, by Sarah Brannen, illustrated by Lucia Soto, Hachette Children’s Group, 2021.
Were I Not a Girl: The Inspiring and True Story of Dr. James Barry, by Lisa Robinson, illustrated by Lauren Simkin Berke, Random House Children’s Books, 2020.
When You Look Out the Window, by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Christopher Lyles, Magination Press, 2017.
William’s Doll, by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Willian Pène du Bois, Harper & Row, 1985.