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Help children navigate their feelings, realities, and curiosities within the LGBTQ+ experience.
Whether they identify with this group themselves or love someone who does, these books are a great place to start in building awareness, empathy, and understanding.
Antonio's Card / La Tarjeta de Antonio
Antonio's Card / La Tarjeta de Antonio
Written by Rigoberto González
Illustrated by Cecilia Concepción Álvarez
Published by Children's Book Press (2005)
A bilingual story about a boy with two very special women in his life; his mother and her partner, Leslie. Who should he write a mothers day card for? Antonio struggles with this question, especially after classmates tease him for Leslie's appearance.
Resources:
Teacher's guide from Lee & Low Books
Cultural Representation Reflection from TeachingBooks
Diverse Families on Mother's & Father's Days lesson plan from Welcoming Schools
Julián Is a Mermaid
Julián Is a Mermaid
Written & Illustrated by Jessica Love
Published by Candlewick Press (2018)
Inspired on the subway by fantastically dressed up women on their way to the Coney Island Mermaid Parade, Julián crafts a mermaid costume of his own at home. Worried about what his Abuela will think when she sees him, Julián finds only love and support from her.
Resources:
Understanding Gender Expression lesson plan from Welcoming Schools
Make a mermaid tail activity, from Tandem, Partners in Early Learning
Author Q&A with JESSICA LOVE! from Queer Kid Stuff Storytime
A celebration of inclusive love and the importance of community, this book also gently tells the history of Pride. With bright colors and rhyming text, the story is sure to engage listeners of all ages.
Resources:
'Twas the Night Before Pride Activity Kit from Candlewick
A Look at LGBTQ+ History and Prominent LGBTQ+ People from Welcoming Schools
Read aloud from Drag Story Hour NYC on KidLit TV
Kapaemahu
Kapaemahu
Written by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, & Joe Wilson
Illustrated by Daniel Sousa
Published by Kokila Books (2022)
This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the legend of four mahu healers who settled in Waikiki in the 1500s. Mahu means extraordinary beings of dual male and female spirit. They were revered for their gentle ways and healing skills. Their powers were imbued into 4 boulders that rest now on Waikiki Beach. After centuries of being forgotten, their story of inclusion is now being told.
Resources:
kapaemahu.com This website is a multimedia education and community engagement project dedicated to bringing awareness about the stones and message of healing and inclusion that they share. From kapaemahu.com/legend , scroll down to link to the award-winning short film that the book was based on.
Virtual tour of The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu exhibition at Bishop Museum in Waikiki
Teaching activities in both English and Olelo Hawaiian.
When Aidan Became A Brother
When Aidan Became A Brother
Written by Kyle Lukoff
Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
Published by Lee & Low (2019)
Aidan was born a girl, but it didn't sit quite right! This story tells of how, together with his supportive parents, Aidan settles into his identity as a trans boy. It also looks at his thought process after learning that his parents were expecting another baby. He wants to get "it all right" for his new little sibling, but what does "right" look like? Children reading this book will learn the power of honesty, love, and communication.
Resources:
Lesson Plans to Create Gender Expansive Classrooms and Support Transgender and Non-Binary Students from Welcoming Schools
Literature Guide from Learning to Give
Read Aloud on Learn Conmigo
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