June is Pride Month, which means it's a great time to teach our children about the LGBTQ community. If they're lucky, they're probably already familiar with the topic. In fact, they likely already accept that attraction and sexuality come in many different forms.
Still, it's always good to brush up on the topic, as the LGBTQ community is always evolving. And it's important for your children to know that while our world has become more open and accepting, the LGBTQ community has had to wait a long time for rights such as marriage to become available to them. To fully appreciate a group, it's important to know their history. It's also a great way to kick-start why the month is so important.
Pride actually started due to the Stonewall riots in 1969. Many members of the gay community frequented the Stonewall Inn bar in New York City. It was one of the places they felt accepted for who they were. However, the police raided it, which started the gay pride movement. These days, neighborhoods all over the world march to celebrate gay pride. It's a wonderful event for those in the LGBTQ community, along with their allies.
These days, there are plenty of wonderful books on the topic for kids. And it's never too early to dive in and read them. Here are 10 of the best children's books to help your children really understand the importance of LGBTQ pride.
'A Family Is a Family Is a Family'
Written by Sara O'Leary and illustrated by Qin Leng, this book easily explains that families can come in many forms. Some people might have two dads. Some may have four parents and step-siblings. The real definition of family is a group of people who love you and make you feel safe. This is a great story that teaches kids that every family is special in their own way.
Shop Now: A Family Is a Family Is a Family ($12.85, Amazon)
'I Am Jazz'
You might have heard about this book before — and that's probably because it spun into a reality television series. The book, penned by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, discusses the life of a transgender child. Based on the true story of Jazz Jennings, it's a great way to introduce the topic to your children.
Shop Now: I Am Jazz ($11.79, Amazon)
'Pink Is for Boys'
Isn't it a little ridiculous that we still live in a world where girls are expected to like pink and boys are expected to like blue? This story by Robb Pearlman and illustrated by Eda Kaban reminds children that colors are for everyone, and nothing should be off-limits.
Shop Now: Pink Is for Boys ($11.97, Amazon)
'The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher'
These books are so popular that the Family Fletcher have their own series. So what's the concept? The family is based on two fathers and four young boys. It's yet another reminder that all families are a little different, but they're all still filled with love and adventure.
Shop Now: The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher ($6.99, Amazon)
'Mommy, Mama, and Me'
Mommy, Mama, and Me is one of the very first children's books to cover the topic of having two moms. And it's still a classic. Written by Lesléa Newman, it's a great addition to any young child's library.
Shop Now: Mommy, Mama, and Me ($7.40, Amazon)
'Auntie Uncle: Drag Queen Hero'
This brave book is all about a young boy's fascination with his uncle. By day, he's Uncle Leo — an accountant. By night, he's a performer named Lotta. The story, by Ellie Royce, is a reminder that we all have layers, and nobody should ever feel ashamed for being who they truly are.
Shop Now: Auntie Uncle: Drag Queen Hero ($17.99, Amazon)
'Harriet Gets Carried Away'
Harriet Gets Carried Away is another great story involving two dads. Both are fathers to Harriet, a young girl who loves costumes. She's excited about her birthday party that's coming up, but she gets into a misadventure that may end up making her miss her big day.
Shop Now: Harriet Gets Carried Away ($12.79, Amazon)
'From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea'
This beautiful book, which was written by authors Kai Cheng Thom and Kai Yun Ching, currently has a solid five-star rating on Amazon. Some of the topics it covers include love, acceptance, and nonbinary gender identities.
Shop Now: From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea ($12.95, Amazon)
'Julián Is a Mermaid'
Julián Is a Mermaid was written by Jessica Love, and it focuses on a young boy who loves to dress up. This book is all about self-love, and it's a reminder that boys shouldn't feel guilty for dressing up if it's something they feel passionately about. It's important for all children to realize what makes them unique.
Shop Now: Julián Is a Mermaid ($10.43, Amazon)
'Stella Brings the Family'
Stella Brings the Family is a story about a young girl who doesn't know what to do when Mother's Day comes up. Her school is encouraging her classmates to bring their moms, but she has two fathers. This story is a wonderful way to remind kids that not everyone has a mom, but they still have parents who love and support them.
Shop Now: Stella Brings the Family ($14.02, Amazon)
'My Grown-Ups'
My Grown Ups isn't out just yet — it's set to be released on July 20. But, it's a great title to put on your list. Written by Kate Costigan, it explores families that look different from "mom and dad." Some kids are raised by two mothers, two fathers, a single parent, or grandparents, and it's important to normalize all family structures. It's targeted for children between the ranges of kindergarten and 4th grade.
Psst: If you choose to purchase an item on this list, LittleThings may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
*At Wild Sky Media, we recognize that not all pregnancies and parenting journeys look the same. That’s why across all our sites — CafeMom, LittleThings, Mom.com, and MamásLatinas — we are committed to using inclusive language as much as possible, recognizing that all forms of parenting are valid and celebrating the shared experiences and unique differences among moms, dads, nonbinary and noncisgender parents, and all forms of caregivers.
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*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, LittleThings may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
