You Can’t Have Too Many LGBTQ+ Children’s Books

This highly illustrated middle grade series starter is hilarious. Villains Academy guarantees all student monsters will leave as first-class villains. Werewolf Bram Moon doesn’t feel very villainous. He wants to make his parents, teachers, and friends happy and proud of him, but doing so means going against who he is. Can he figure out how to be a villain and be himself? This middle grade fantasy is written at an easier reading level, so it’s perfect for middle graders needing something more accessible, or early readers who are a bit more advanced.

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Marley loves spending time with their grandparent Zaza, who attends the Pride parade every year. But crowds make Marley feel anxious, so they never attend with Zaza. This year, however, Zaza is receiving an award for helping transgender people like Marley and Zaza. Marley has to figure out a way to attend. This is an affirming, colorful picture book. Back matter includes a history of Pride and frequently asked questions about being queer.

This picture book is great for siblings whose caregivers are expecting a baby. Harper loves hanging out with her dads, whether it’s time for Taco Tuesday, watching Saturday morning cartoons, or playing at the playground. When her dads tell Harper that they’re adopting a baby and she’s soon going to be a big sister, she’s elated. She can’t wait to do all her favorite things with her new sibling. However, when the baby arrives, he can’t do anything but eat, sleep, cry, and poop. Worst of all, her dads are too exhausted to do any of their normal daily activities with Harper. She feels left out and unloved. But by communicating their feelings, the family is able to find a solution.

This is a lovely gender-bent retelling of “The Little Mermaid” that eliminates the ableism from the original tale. Nen is a merman who loves watching the human world, especially Ernest the fisherman. One day Ernest follows Nen’s song into the ocean, and the two begin to talk and fall in love. But this angers Nen’s father, who causes a storm that throws Ernest into the sea. Another similar book to check out is A Match for a Mermaid.