In the past few years, many outstanding picture books have been published featuring trans, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and queer people and stories. In light of recently introduced legislation and a surge in challenges to and bans of such books, I would love to share some of my favorites here now.
These are excellent titles for exploring gender and sparking conversation:
It Feels Good to Be Yourself, by Theresa Thorn, illustrated by Noah Grigni
A House for Everyone, by Jo Hirst, illustrated by Naomi Bardoff
Pink, Blue, and You: Questions for Kids About Gender and Stereotypes, by Elise Gravel
Except When They Don’t, by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Joshua Heinsz
What Are Your Words?, by Katherine Locke, illustrated by Anne Passchier
What Riley Wore, by Elana K. Arnold, illustrated by Linda Davick
The Pronoun Book, by Cassandra Jules Corrigan, illustrated by Jem Milton
Bodies Are Cool, by Tyler Feder
And these titles center and celebrate trans and gender nonconforming characters:
Calvin, by Vanessa and Ronald Ford, illustrated by Kayla Harren
My Rainbow, by Trinity and DeShanna Neal, illustrated by Art Twink
Julián is a Mermaid, by Jessica Love
When Aidan Became a Brother, by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
Pride Puppy, by Robin Stevenson, illustrated by Julie McLaughlin
Phoenix Goes to School, by Michelle and Phoenix Finch, illustrated by Sharon Davey
And finally, here are my favorite titles in which there is incidental queer representation (there are queer characters but that fact is not a central part of the story):
Mr. Watson’s Chickens, by Jarrett Dapier, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi
Bathe the Cat, by Alice B. McGinty, illustrated by David Roberts
Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle, by Nina LaCour, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
A Family is a Family is a Family, by Sara O’Leary, illustrated by Qin Leng
I Love You Because I Love You, by Mượn Thị Văn, illustrated by Jessica Love
My Parents Won’t Stop Talking, by Emma Hunsinger