Pride Books for Every Age and Stage That Help Kids Celebrate Who They Are

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As a queer who came of age in the early 2000s, I could never have imagined Pride books for kids even existing, let alone the sheer number and quality of the books available. It's truly amazing, and I feel overjoyed that I got to research, read, and review all of the amazing Pride books for kids and teens that are on this list.

But if I'm being honest, I'm also terrified these important books won't get into the hands of those who need them due to the new Don't Say Gay bills and book bans sweeping across the United States. It's my sincerest hope as a queer mom, journalist, and mother to a gay child that these books find their way into the minds and hearts of kids everywhere, no matter how they identify. Curious about what other writers were thinking, I asked Laura Gao, the author of Messy Roots, a graphic novel about a queer kid emigrating from Wuhan, China to Texas during the pandemic what inspired her. She tells Best Products that she "wanted to give a voice to young folks, especially in light of today's world." She added that "It's harder than ever to dare to be yourself."

For this list, I chose books with tons of different representations, all about people (and animals) who like Gao said, dare to be themselves. There are nonfiction books for young readers, ABC books for babies, YA novels that are heart-wrenching, and middle-grade novels that are silly (in the best way). There are teen romance books, books about penguins, and even coloring books — and every one of them is amazing. Since many of these books are unfortunately banned in tons of school libraries, buying is often your best bet.

'Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American' by Laura Gao

Ages: 12 and up

One of the most topical books of the past 5 years, Messy Roots is a bewitching and essential graphic novel. It's about a young, queer girl from Wuhan, China who emigrated with her family to Texas during the pandemic. It deftly maneuvers through the intersections of race, xenophobia, sexual identity, and homophobia. Gao does this while showing all of the awkwardness and normalness that is discovering yourself, growing up, and meeting a cute girl.

More: Celebrate Pride With This Great Stuff

'Ellie Engle Saves Herself' Leah Johnson

Ages: 7 and up

Ellie feels like the most ordinary, and maybe even boring girl in the world. Until one day, a freak earthquake gives her the power to bring things back to life with just a touch. Having that happen is enough to complicate your otherwise normal existence, but for Ellie, that's just the tip of the iceberg, because she's suddenly not so sure that she feels only friendship for her BFF.

My daughter and I read this book together as a bit of a mother-daughter book club situation, and we both finished it in a day. It's so engaging and heartwarming, and yes, queer.

'Witchlight' by Jessi Zabarsky

Ages: 12 and up

It's amazing how much you can learn in the quiet moments, and how meaningful those can be. Not every book has to be a wicked adventure with nothing but nonstop action, some of the best books highlight the smaller interactions and times of growth. That's exactly what Witchlight does, and it does it really well. Yes, it's queer, but it's not really about coming out. Yes, it's magical, but the way its written, the subtlety of the fantasy lets the reader slip into the world instead of tumbling headfirst. It's a relaxing read, especially for young queer kids.

'My Cat Fred Wears a Skirt' by Katrina W. Gidstedt, illustrated by Paige Williams

Ages: 2 and up

Ted and his cat, Fred, are besties. Ted learns that Fred, too, likes to wear skirts, even when people tell them that "boys don't wear skirts."

This is a book about self-acceptance that is understandable even to the youngest of audiences. It's absolutely a book that should be on your shelf for easy bedtime reads.

'Project Nought' by Chelsey Furedi

Ages: 13 and up

I think I loved this book even more than my daughter, and since she's still talking about it months after reading it, that's saying something. Probably because it's about a queer teen from the 1990s time traveling to 2122. As I was a queer teen in the '90s, this hit home. (Imagine going from the homophobia of the '90s to a much more accepting world overnight!)

Project Nought is a wild tour de force of the time-travel genre that is as gorgeous to look at as it is engaging to read.

'The House That Whispers' by Lin Thompson

Ages: 8 and up

When you go to your aging grandmother's house, you don't expect the screeching behind the walls, or tales of great aunts with terrible circumstances. If that wasn't enough of a challenge, 11-year-old Simon is the only one who knows that his name is Simon, and that he/him pronouns feel right.

I loved the strangely gothic feel to this middle grade book that so wonderfully describes a trans experience. Ghost stories have long been vessels for explaining things in real life that many don't understand, and this achieves that in a kid-friendly way.

‘ABC: A Family Alphabet Book’ by Bobbie Combs, illustrated by Brian and Desiree Rappa

Ages: Birth - 2 years

Not every Pride book is about coming out, gender terms, or civil rights. Some are just sweet ABC books that happen to have a ton of queer representation. ABC: A Family Alphabet Book by Bobbi Combs is just that book. It simply exists with its fun prose, cute illustrations, and mischievous animals.

‘And Tango Makes Three’ by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, illustrated by Henry Cole

Ages 3 - 7 years

This book does nothing but tell a true story about a couple of cute, gay zoo penguins who adopt an egg from another pair of penguins, but telling the truth has gotten this book banned since its release in 2005.

It's one of the cutest books you'll ever read. My kids quite literally wore out their copy.

‘Peanut Goes for the Gold’ by Jonathan Van Ness, illustrated by Gillian Reed

Ages 2 -5 years

I had the honor of interviewing Jonathan Van Ness with my daughter when this book was released a few years ago — and the joyous way they spoke about Peanut, the nonbinary ribbon dancing guinea pig, will live with me forever.

Peanut just wants to dance, and silly things like tying their shoes can really trip them up. Watch Peanut as they learn while having fun.

‘Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag’ by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Steven Salerno

Ages: 3 - 9 years

How many of us really know the history of how the Pride flag came to be? It’s something we should know, and this illustrated book tells the story in an easy way for kids to digest. Harvey Milk doesn’t have the happiest story, but there is triumph and spirit through tragedy, and now? A flag that’s used all over the world.

‘Kind Like Marsha: Learning from LGBTQ+ Leaders’ by Sarah Prager, illustrates by Cheryl “Ray” Thursday

Ages: 3 - 5 years

DaVinci, Frida Kahlo, Marsha P. Johnson, and 11 other heroes in the LGBT community throughout history are celebrated in this book. With riotous illustrations and easy-to-read language, Kind Like Marsha should be on every child's shelf.

‘The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish’ by Lil Miss Hot Mess, illustrated by Olga de Rios

Ages 2 and up

A queering of “The Wheels on the Bus,” The Hips on the Drag Queen is every bit as hilarious and absurd as you're thinking, and darn if kids don't love it. It's ridiculous, it rhymes, and there's action to it. It's a book to get your kid interested, moving, and laughing until their sides hurt.

LGBTQ Kids Coloring Book

Ages 4 - 12

You could look at this coloring book and think, “this is just for queer families,” but that’s not the case. While this coloring book does feature queer families, how many books are strictly heteronormative? And I can tell you, my queer behind still colored in all of them. (Much of it outside the lines.)

‘Spin with Me’ by Ami Polonsky

Ages: 9 - 13

My little one tends to prefer graphic novels like Heartstopper, but this book spoke to her. Like her Mama, my girl loves a romance, and this syrupy sweet romance between cis girl, Essie, and her nonbinary theyfriend, Ollie? It's nothing short of magical. It's one of my daughter's favorite books, and I know it will be one of your kids' favorites too.

‘Lily and Dunkin’ by Donna Gephart

Ages: 11 and up

I don't know what it is about middle-grade coming-of-age novels, but so many of them are absolute tear-jerkers. (Remember Where the Red Fern Grows?) This book continues the trend in a devastatingly beautiful way.

Jewish teen Dunkin struggles with bipolar disorder. Lily, his friend, is a transgender girl. Lily and Dunkin explores the need and struggles for self-acceptance even amongst those who would rather you not. It's remarkably potent, compulsively readable, and a great work of our time.

‘Both Can Be True’ by Jules Machias

Ages: 9 - 12

What happens when you team up to rescue a dog, but you end up rescuing each other? That's just what happens in Both Can Be True. Ash and Daniel go through their happy pet journey learning a lot about themselves, their capacity for love, and why gender just isn't really a big deal when you click with another person.

‘All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto’ by George M. Johnson

Ages 14 and up

This is the best memoir I've read in several years. All Boys Aren't Blue is told through a series of essays that will inspire you with their candor, their eloquence, and their power.

Already one of the most banned books of the past several years, Johnson discusses topics from violent childhood bullying to first sexual experiences to gender expression with the aplomb of a master storyteller.

‘When You Call My Name’ by Tucker Shaw

Ages: 15 and up

Arguably one of the hardest books to read on this list, but essential, beautiful, and utterly engaging, When You Call My Name takes place in 1990, the height of the AIDS crisis. It's about two young men figuring out their own queerness, family, and sense of place in a time when nothing seems safe or certain.

While this was written for adults, it was suggested to me by no fewer than four teenagers who absolutely loved it.

‘Mooncakes’ by Suzanne Walker, illustrated by Wendy Xu

Ages: 8 and up

I've had to replace this book because my daughter read it until the binding split, and she lost pages on the train. It's a graphic novel about werewolves, witches, and the magic of friendship and young sapphic love.

It's pure saccharine sorcery, and when you combine the story with the illustrations, it's almost perfect.

‘Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms’ by Crystal Frasier, illustrated by Val Wise and Oscar O. Jupiter

Ages: 12 and up

A young curmudgeonly lesbian and a bubbly trans girl join cheer not because they want to, but because they feel like they need to.

For Annie, it’s to make friends and have a better college application, and for Bebe, it’s a way to have her parents understand her and support her transition. Together, they deal with the “it girls,” the difficulty of the sport, and their growing feelings towards each other, all in a stunning graphic illustrated novel.

‘Heartstopper’ by Alice Oseman

Ages: 12 and up

Of course Heartstopper is on this list. Yes, it's now a Netflix series, but it's still worth the read. It's genuinely, happily, low-angst queerness that the old gays like me only could have dreamed of. It has nonbinary, lesbian, gay, pan rep with all sorts of cultures and ethnicities, and so much kissing and high school shenanigans.

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