Here we recommend you different books dealing with sexual diversity.
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10,000 dresses
Bailey loves dresses of all kinds — dresses that sparkle, dresses that shine, dresses that have all the colors of the rainbow — but his parents are there constantly reminding him that he’s a boy, and boys don’t wear dresses. Luckily, he befriends Laurel, who shows him that it’s OK to be whoever he is. This imaginative and cheerful picture book is an inspiring story any kid can relate to, but especially those those who refuse to conform.
And Tango Makes Three
Two male penguins, Roy and Silo, start their own family when a zoo keeper gives them an egg all their own to hatch. Though frequently banned for “promoting a homosexual agenda,” And Tango Makes Three is charming tale based on a true story celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, and its message about the meaning of family is just as heartwarming as ever.
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out
A great book for older children in their early teenage years, Beyond Magenta is a sharply honest and personal book containing accounts from six transgender teens. It charts everything from coming out and pronouns, to attending proms and clothes shopping. Each teenager’s personal story sheds light on what can be a complex and challenging time for many transgender young people and their families, while offering advice, wisdom and hope.
The Last Beginning
Ideal for teenagers, this epic novel is the follow-up to author Lauren James’s debut, The Next Together. This latest release follows themes of reincarnation and endurance through time-travel and the enduring love between protagonists Clove and Ella. James has been vocal about her conscious decision to open more young adult fiction to more diverse characters, writing in a recent blog post: “When I started writing, it was immediately clear to me that I needed to do things with my writing beyond telling a story. The right book can shape a childhood, and if I was going to have even the smallest chance (and honour) of writing that book, I needed to live up to the responsibility I was being given.”
The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler
This short novel is aimed at older children who are confident readers and is one of the books which gives a subtle reference to LGBT identities, without it being the main focus. Our protagonist Tyke is boisterous and bold, getting up to various scrapes with best friend and partner in crime Danny as they run amok in the village school. However, throughout their many adventures, Tyke’s gender isn’t revealed until a surprise twist on the very last page, suggesting gender identity is more fluid than we might think. First published in 1977, the book was awarded the prestigious British Carnegie Medal.
Families, families, families!
Another all-encompassing picture book, Families, Families, Families! uses lovable and utterly adorable animals to demonstrate all the different shapes and sizes that families come in. Colorful spreads depicting family portraits of chickens, turtles, bears and more celebrate every kind of family — because whether yours have two moms or one dad, a family is a family.
All I Want To Be Is Me
Every child should have a chance to read Phyllis Rothblatt’s beautifully written picture book about learning to accept and express your own gender identity. Touching and inspirational, All I Want To Be Is Me encourages children to explore who they are and to honor their true selves.
The Different Dragon
Author Jennifer Bryan was “tired of reading LGBT books that ‘explained’ or ‘defended’ our type of family. Those books have served an important purpose, but I wanted to read a book to my kids that is FUN and MAGICAL, a great story,” so instead she made a fantastical book about a boy at bedtime, who just so happened to have two moms. By incorporating that fact into the story in an incidental way, Bryan’s book shows children just how perfectly normal a same-sex household, or any other nontraditional family make up, is.
Totally Joe
The second installment of the hit Misfits series Totally Joe focuses on the trials and tribulations of gay 7th grader Joe Bunch. Not only does Joe have to deal with the normal headaches and heartaches of middle school, but he also has to face homophobia and bullying. Luckily, he has a tight-knit group of friends who assure him he has every right to kiss whom he wants to. A great tale of tolerance, diversity, and, ultimately, acceptance.
Turning 16
Sam never liked his birthdays because not a single one of them was happy… When he turned 1, he fell face-down into his birthday cake; when he turned 5, he broke his left arm and when he turned 7, he broke his right arm and his left leg; when he turned 12, his house caught fire. Now Sam is about to turn 16 and he is dreading the day. The only birthday wish he has is for Jake who is the Mr. Popular of Arcadia High to even acknowledge his existence, or better yet give him a happy-birthday kiss.
But Sam knows that it’s not gonna happen. Or is it?
