June is Pride month in the United States, which is time to celebrate and support the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and asexual (LGBTQIA) community. This month is a great opportunity to teach kids about the different ways people can identify and love one another.  Furthermore, teaching children how to lift their own and others’ voices will contribute to a more inclusive and loving world.  One great way that we can start these conversations with children is through reading. Outlined are several books for different age groups that celebrate different family units.  

Ages baby to 3 years

Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer - This inclusive board book that celebrates one thing that makes a family great: LOVE.  Whether a child has two moms, two dads, one parent or one of each, this simple preschool read-aloud demonstrates that what is most important in each family’s life is the love the family members share. 

All Kinds of Families by Suzanne Lang and illustrated by Max Lang - This is a great board book that illustrates non-traditional family structures.  Kids will love finding their own family represented no matter if they have two moms, one grandpa or just a cousin named Doug.

Families Can by Dan Saks and Art by Brooke Smart - Families come in all shapes and sizes, sizes and colors. This charming board book celebrates the things that make each family unique and special. It’s the perfect book to read to your baby or toddler while they snuggle on your lap. 

Ages 3 to 5 years

Rainbow: A first book of Pride by Michael Genhart and illustrated by Anne Passchier -  This is a sweet ode to rainbow families, and an affirming display of a parent’s love for their child and a child’s love for their parents. With bright colors and joyful families, this book celebrates LGBTQ+ pride and reveals the colorful meaning behind each rainbow strip.

Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslie Newman and Illustrated by Laura Cornell - Heather’s favorite number is two.  She has two arms, two legs, two pets - and two mommies.  When Heather goes to school for the first time, someone asks her about her daddy, but Heather doesn’t have a daddy.  Then something interesting happens.  When Heather and her classmates all draw pictures of their families, not one drawing is the same!

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell / Illustrated by Henry Cole - At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others, but their desire for a family was the same.  And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo got the chance to welcome a baby penguin into the world.

It’s OK to be Different:  A Children’s Picture Book About Diversity and Kindness by Sharon Purtill and Illustrated by Sujata Saha - Every child is unique!  Whether they are big or small, short or tall, like to swim, dance, sing or bike.  Perhaps they have a special need or are from a different ethnic background.  Maybe they wear glasses or talk differently.  The truth is that all children are different and their individuality should be celebrated, not shunned.  This book is an inspiring and brightly illustrated rhyming picture book that highlights the ways that kids are different from one another, and helps children to accept themselves and others as the beautiful and unique individuals that they are. The book encourages kids to be kind and befriend those who are different from themselves, showing young children that they don’t have to look alike or enjoy doing the same activities to be kind to one another.  Young readers will come away with the powerful message:  “You should always be kind to those who are different from you.  Because of them, YOU are different too.” 

Ages 4 to 8 years

Love is Love by Michael Genhart and illustrated by Ken Min -  This is a wonderful book to open a dialogue with the children in your life about the importance of love and acceptance.  It’s the perfect resource to gently discuss discrimination with kids. The book illustrates when a book confides in his friend about a bullies saying he doesn’t have a real family - he discovered that his friend’s parents - a mom and dad- and his two dads are actually very much alike.  The book is a sweet and straightforward story showing that gay families and straight families and everything in between are all different kids of normal.  

Pink is for Boys by Robb Pearlman and illustrated by Eda Kaban - Pink is for boys….and girls….and everyone!  This beautiful picture book rethinks and reframes the stereotypical blue/pink gender binary and empowers kids and their grown ups to express themselves in every color of the rainbow.  The book features a diverse group of relatable characters and young readers will see that uniqueness should be celebrated.  Vibrant illustrations help children learn and identify the myriad colors that surround them every day.

Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love -  This gorgeous Stonewall Award - winning picture book stars Julian, a child coming to understand their gender nonconformity after a joyful encounter with three women dressed as shimmering mermaids.  Julian fantasizes about dressing up like a mermaid too, and wonders what his Abuela will make of it in the celebration of self-love and individuality.