Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
Grade: pre-school-K
Themes: different kinds of families, love
This board book shows a different family on each page along with a statement like, “love is baking a special cake.” Family love is the focus of this book, set against a backdrop of diverse parents and children.
Optional Discussion Question: What makes your family special?
Pink is for Boys by Robb Pearlman
Grade: pre-school-1st
Themes: self expression
This simple book states that every color of the rainbow is for both boys and girls on each page. These sentences are accompanied by beautiful illustrations of children playing sports, making art, dressing up and all sorts of other exuberant activities.
Optional Discussion Question: Can you think of examples of when there were/are things for “boys” and “girls” separately? Why do you think that is?
Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Grade: K-2nd
Themes: different kinds of families, love, self expression, allyship
On a subway ride, Julian sees people dressed as beautiful mermaids and decides that he would like to be a mermaid too. This book features the joy of self-expression as well as the beauty of having a supportive abuela.
Optional Discussion Question: How do you think Julian feels in his costume? Is there anything you wear that makes you feel amazing?
It Feels Good To Be Yourself by Theresa Thorn
Grade: 2nd-5th
Themes: self expression
This straightforward book explains gender identity. Alongside gorgeous illustrations this book says, “no matter what your gender identity is, you are ok exactly the way you are. And you are loved.”
Optional Discussion Question: What is your gender identity?
Annie’s Plaid Shirt by Stacy B. Davids
Grade: K-3rd
Themes: self expression, allyship
This book tells the story of a girl who does not feel comfortable in the fancy dress her mom buys her for a wedding and how she would much rather wear her favorite plaid shirt.
Optional Discussion Question: Why do you think Annie’s mom wants her to dress differently? Do you have favorite clothing?
The Boy Who Cried Fabulous by Leslea Newman
Grade: 1st-3rd
Themes: self expression, allyship
Roger loves exploring the world and loves to proclaim how fabulous everything is! His parents find his favorite word to be unacceptable and ban it from his vocabulary. This story is about the beauty in the world around us and how we can use our voices to celebrate it.
Optional Discussion Question: What do you think are the most fabulous things?
Who Are You? by Brook Pessin-Whedbee
Grade: 1st-4th
Themes: different kinds of families, self expression
This book presents clear, straightforward language about how we experience gender. An interactive wheel in the book illustrates the three layers of our bodies, our expression of gender, and our identities.
Optional Discussion Question: What is your gender identity?
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss
Grade: 1st-5th
Themes: different kinds of families, love, allyship
Marlon Bundo is a lonely bunny until he meets another bunny and falls in love. This book covers marriage equality and what it looks like for Marlon Bundo’s friends to stand up for his equal rights.
Optional Discussion Question: Why is it important that Marlon’s friends stand up for him? How can you stand up for people who are different?
Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall
Grade: K-3rd
Themes: self expression, allyship
Red tells the story of a blue crayon in a red wrapper. This allegory can be used to explain the transgender experience as well as other human struggles to have the world see you for what you are on the inside. Red is a story of self acceptance and the joy of being seen and validated for who you truly are.
Optional Discussion Question: What is something that people can’t tell about you just by looking at you?
Seeing Gender: An Illustrated Guide to Identity and Expression by Iris Gotleib
Grade: 5th +
Themes: self expression, allyship, love
This illustrated book focuses on the many ways gender manifests across cultures and time periods. Each page investigates a different way we express and understand gender. This book features David Bowie, Marsha P. Johnson, gendered privilege, Matthew Shepherd, pronouns explained, the pink tax, and more!
Optional Discussion Question: What are some gender inequalities you’ve noticed in our society? How can we push back on them?
Call Me Max by Kyle Lukoff
Grade: K-3
Themes: self expression, self acceptance
This story is told from the point of view of Max, a boy sharing his experience as a trans person. Max tells about his feelings when he has to decide which bathroom to use, how it felt to come out to his friends and family, and how finding support is so important.
Optional Discussion Question: Have you ever been asked to wear something that felt wrong to you? What did that feel like?
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