June is the time of year when we celebrate Pride Month by commemorating the LGBTQ Civil Rights movement and celebrating the lives and accomplishments of LGBTQ+ folks. It has been such a happy month -- seeing Pride celebrations across the state and all over the country! June is a great time of year to read and talk about books by and about LGBTQ+ people with your family, but just because the month is coming to an end doesn't mean you can't still read great LGBTQ+ books with your kids, or celebrate Pride, throughout the year.
Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring
King and the Dragonflies
Here are some Pride books your family can enjoy all year long!
PICTURE BOOKS
By Seamus Kirst
Illustrated by Devon Holzwarth
Washington, D.C.: Magination Press, 2020.
After a classmate tells her that families must include a mother and a father, Riley is worried she'll have to choose between her two dads. Her parents help her understand that there are all kinds of families, and the most important thing that a family needs is love.
By Jessica Love
Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2018.
After seeing three fabulously dressed women on the subway one day, JuliƔn decides to make his own spectacular mermaid costume from things he finds around the house. JuliƔn is nervous for his Abuela to see him all dressed up, but his nerves are quickly settled when Abuela responds with love and kindness. If your family loves this recent classic, be sure to read the sequel JuliƔn at the Wedding.
By Fran Manushkin
Illustrated by Kate Alizadeh
New York: Dial Books, 2020.
This is a cozy and sweet story of the day in a life of two loving moms and their energetic toddler. The bouncing cadence and warm visuals make for a love-filled read aloud for parents to share with their children.
INFORMATIONAL BOOKS
By Theresa Thorn
Illustrated by Noah Grigni
New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2019.
This is a sensitive and child-friendly book designed to introduce young readers to the idea of gender identity. This is a positive and uplifting book that celebrates joy and self-discovery and the importance of treating others with love.
By Rob Sanders
Illustrated by Robbie Cathro
New York: Little Bee Books, 2021.
This informative picture book tells the unbelievably true story of the first legally married gay couple in America... in 1971. Their story is shared in simple and easy to understand language and is complemented by fun, retro illustrations and a framing device of the creation of their wedding cake. An awesome history lesson from a little-known moment.
By Matthew Burgess
Illustrated by Josh Cochran
Brooklyn: Enchanted Lion Books, 2020.
In the 1980s, graffiti artist Keith Haring decorated New York City with bright, distinctive line drawings in his signature style. Sadly, Keith Haring, who was a famous member of the LGBTQ community, died of complications from AIDS when he was just thirty-one. This book is a celebration of Keith Haring's life and legacy -- including his efforts to bring art to everyone (even kids!) -- with a lot of great backmatter about AIDS.
CHAPTER BOOKS
By Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer
New York: Dutton Books, 2019. 295 pgs.
When their fathers start dating, two 11-year-old girls are sent away to the same summer camp where they are determined NOT to be friends and to thwart their dads' relationship at all costs. But once their scheming brings them together, the girls become friends determined to become sisters -- eventually trying to get their dads' back together after a break-up. This is a hilarious "Parent Trap" send-up that normalizes and celebrates unconventional families.
By Emma Donoghue
New York: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2017. 303 pgs.
After winning the lottery, four best friends, a gay couple and a lesbian couple, move into a giant house with their seven homeschooled children. Life is chaotic, but blissful for the Lotterys until the day that PopCorn's father, called Grumps by the family, arrives and stirs up trouble. Slowly, through a lot of compassion and love, the family is able to grow in understanding. This is a charming story about a big, loving family in line with other classic family narratives.
By Kacen Callender
New York: Scholastic Press, 2020. 259 pgs.
Still reeling from the death of his beloved older brother, 13-year-old King is struggling in school and at home. King is hiding a big secret from his parents and are worried they won't love him anymore if they find out -- King thinks he might be gay. His life only gets more complicated when his former best friend Sandy, the gay, white son of the town sheriff, runs away from home leaving King wondering what to do. This National Book Award winning novel shares a powerful message about how hard it can be for children to find their own way in the world.
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