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Reading with Pride

LGBTQ2S Families

ABC: A Family Alphabet

This inclusive alphabet book includes families of all kinds including two moms, two dads, disabled parents, as well as gender non-conforming and multicultural families.
And Tango Makes Three

Based on a true story set in New York City's Central Park Zoo, two male penguins, Roy and Silo, nurture an egg that hatches into a penguin named Tango.
I Promise

Before bedtime, a little girl asks her mother questions about the families she sees, which all look different from her own. A beautifully diverse look at what it means to be a family.
A Church for All

Join a diverse community of families and individuals on a Sunday morning as they attend a church that welcomes all people despite age, race, gender identity and sexual orientation.

The Disappearing Boy

While adjusting to life in a new city, Neil searches for his father but his mother refuses to tell him the truth about the father he never met, along with her own secret about her gender identity.

A Family is a Family is a Family

A teacher explores with her class different kinds of families - families made up of two moms, two dads, grandparents and foster parents – and celebrates the love in every single one of them.

The Family Book

Bright illustrations and simple text explore how families are different using human, animal and even fun alien characters reaffirming that families make us strong.
Harriet Gets Carried Away

On the morning of her dress-up birthday party, Harriet and her dads set off to complete some last minute errands only to be carried away – literally - on a northern adventure with a group of penguins.

Heather has Two Mommies

Heather reveals she has two moms and inspires the kids in her class to draw pictures of their own diverse families.
What Makes a Baby?

A simply worded, easy to read book about the reproductive organs and the making, growing, and birth of a baby. With colourful pages and a storybook sentence structure, this book is great choice for younger children.

Hurricane Season

While trying to understand the world through her father’s eyes, Fig navigates the growing relationship between her father and a neighbour and her own feelings for a girl.
In Our Mothers’ House

A young girl celebrates her family made up of two moms and two other adopted siblings through everyday life and organizing a neighbourhood festival that brings families together in joy and love.

The Lotterys Plus One

Sumac lives in a giant Victorian house with her two pairs of same-sex parents and her six siblings, but when her lost grandfather come to live with them everything changes.
Love is in the Hair

Too excited to sleep, anticipating the birth of her baby sister, Carter asks her gay uncle to tell soothing stories based on memories represented by beads and string woven through his dreadlock hair.

Love is Love

A boy shares with a friend about being bullied for having two dads and realizes that their love is the same kind of love his friend’s mom and dad share. Includes a note for parents and discussion questions.
My Chacha is Gay

Set in Pakistan, Ahmed discovers that the love that his uncle (Chacha) has for his boyfriend is the same kind of love that his mom and dad have for one another.
The Newspaper Pirates

When his fathers’ newspaper starts going missing every morning, Anthony scours his apartment building for clues and interviewing tenants to try and find the thieves.
A Plan For Pops

Lou loves spending Saturdays with his granddads – building things with Grandad and listening to Pops’ stories. But when Pops has a terrible fall, Lou and Grandad have a plan to cheer up Pops.

Sapphire the Great and the Meaning of Life

Sapphire the hamster searches for meaning just when her adoptive family needs to find their way to a new reality and acceptance.

Stella Brings the Family

When her teacher tells her students they will be having a Mother’s Day celebration, Stella worries she can’t participate because she has two dads.

Two Dads

Told from the perspective of an adopted child, this rhyming tale highlights the many benefits of being adopted by two loving dads including having two dads to tuck you in at night.
What Does a Princess Really Look Like?

Chloe wants to impress her two dads with her ballerina princess art and wants it to be perfect but she learns that real princesses aren’t perfect and what’s inside is more important than a sparkly dress.

Worm Loves Worm

Two worms fall in love and decide to get married but they are asked who will be the bride and who will be the groom – the answer is both!
These are the things we found by the sea

Lyrical text reflects a day of beachcombing for this queer, biracial family and their two kids. Together, they discover the tiny treasures of the beach and share the big wonderous love of family, friends, and belonging.

Gender Creativity

Angus All Aglow

After his classmates deem his sparkly necklace too much, Angus is upset and accidently breaks it but his friend Melody encourages him to make a new necklace with her help and wear it proudly.

Be Who You Are

Bold illustrations show all the ways to express who we are and to celebrate each others differences including being silly, showing feelings and standing up for ourselves.
Middle School's a Drag

Young entrepreneur Mikey Pruitt learns to navigate being gay in middle school with the help of drag queen Coco Caliente, an eighth grader who hires Mikey as a talent agent.
The Boy and the Bindi

When a boy questions his Ammi about the red dot on her forehead, she encourages him to wear his own bindi and express his gender fluid identity.
Felix's New Skirt

Felix loves his new red pleated skirt but his classmates tease him making him want to leave school until his father buys his own skirt and joins his son wearing it to school.
From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea

When their fellow classmates question Miu Lan, who can shapeshift into different creatures, about their gender their mother’s love helps them to understand they can inspire others.
I Love My Purse

Despite the idea that boys don’t wear purses, Charlie is proud of his and inspires his father, classmates and his flamboyant crossing guard to express themselves uniquely and proudly.
I’m a Girl!

A young girl’s shenanigans lead amused onlookers to mistake her for a boy. Undeterred, she continues doing whatever activities make her happy, all the while proclaiming “I’m a girl!”
It’s Okay to be Different

Bold illustrations and relatable text demonstrate that we’re all different in some very ordinary ways and the importance of acting kind to yourself and others.

Julian is a Mermaid

Inspired by women dressed as mermaids for Carnival, Julian transforms household items into costume and with the help of his Abuela attends the parade as a glorious mermaid himself.
Jacob's Room to Choose

Sophie and Jacob are often bullied when trying to use the bathroom. A teacher steps in to teach the class to challenge binary gender norms, creating an inclusive environment for everyone.
Pink is for Boys

All colors are for everyone – all girls and boys – in this vibrant story that celebrates diversity and empowers children to choose the colors that spark joy for them despite stereotypical gender roles.

Sparkle Boy

Jessie’s parents and abuelita accept his love of everything glittery and sparkly but his sister Casey doesn’t agree. But when Jessie is bullied, Casey defends her brother’s unique way of expressing himself.

Teddy’s Favorite Toy

When Teddy breaks his favourite action doll, Mom tosses it into the garbage, but after school an upset Teddy can’t find Bren-Da prompting Mom to think quickly to rescue her.

Gender Identity

Bunnybear

Feeling more bunny than bear, Bunnybear loves doing bunny things, confusing both the bears and the bunnies. But Bunnybear finds new friend Grizzlybun and the two celebrate their particular individuality.

George

Worried about revealing that she is a trans girl, George wants to play Charlotte in her school’s production of Charlotte’s Web but her teacher doesn’t understand because she sees George as a boy.

Gender Wheel: A Story about Bodies and Gender for Every Body

Appealing illustrations and read-aloud language help young readers understand the diversity of bodies and the range of gender in all its complexities breaking down the traditional boy/girl binary.

Gracefully Grayson

Introverted Grayson tries to remain unnoticed at school afraid to reveal that she is a trans girl but an unexpected friendship and support from a caring teacher give her the courage to live her truth.

I Am Jazz

Based on the life of trans advocate Jazz Jennings, this picture book biography shows how Jazz came to understand her true self and how her parents supported her through her transition.

They, She, He, Easy as ABC

Pronouns are as easy as A-B-C with bold illustrations and playful text. Perfect for read-aloud.

Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship

In this accessible introduction to gender transition, Errol’s teddy Thomas finds the courage to reveal to his friend he has always known that he is a girl teddy, not a boy.
Jack (Not Jackie)

As Jackie grows up she realizes she would rather be called Jack and wear what feels right and while big sister Susan isn’t happy about this at first, she comes to accept her brother for who he truly is.

My Life as a Diamond

Caz loves baseball and is on a winning team but when a player on a rival team threatens to reveal that Caz used to live as a girl, Caz worries if he’ll be supported by his teammates.

Neither

In a world of blue bunnies and yellow birds, a green egg hatches a creature that’s neither bunny nor bird. Trying to fit in, Neither sets out to find a new home and discovers one where every creature is accepted.

The Other Boy

At a new school, Shane feels he can be himself, a trans boy who loves baseball and creating comics but when a classmate reveals his secret, support comes from surprising places.
Phoenix Goes to School: a Story to Support Transgender and Gender Diverse Children

Scared to wear her dress to school, Phoenix is relieved when the question of being a boy or girl is only matter of fact. Includes talking points and guidance for grown-ups and kids.
A Princess of Great Daring

Worried about telling her friends about her gender transition, Jamie chooses to be a daring princess in their game of make-believe game and realizes that her friends love her no matter what she is.
I'm a Girl

When a girl, who is sometimes mistaken for a boy, meets a boy who likes wearing princess dresses and playing with dolls, a wonderful friendship is born.
Transphobia: Deal with it and be a Gender Transcender

This practical book breaks down transphobia including identifying hate speech, looking at personal gender expression and handling bullying through comic panels, mini-quizzes, and true stories.
When Aidan Became a Brother

After Aidan reveals he is a trans boy, his parents adjust with help from families of transgender kids but when they announce a new baby, Aidan must adjust to the idea of being a big brother.

It Feels Good to be Yourself

A tender and straightforward exploration of inclusive words to describe our beautiful range of genders identies.
Zenobia July

Starting a new life living with her aunts, Zenobia looks forward to living her life as the computer savvy girl she knows she is and stumbles upon a mystery she knows she can solve.

Rainbow Stories

Alan Cole is Not a Coward

Alan identifies as gay and isn’t ready to come out but when his brother discovers his secret he challenges Alan to complete seven impossible tasks or threatens to out him to the entire school.

The Backstagers Volume 1 & 2

When Jory has trouble fitting in his new all-boys private school, he is taken in by a misfit stage crew who introduce him to a strange magical world behind the curtain.

Better Nate Than Ever

With Broadway dreams, Nate plans an overnight escape to New York City to audition for a musical and discovers a new world that feels strangely like home to him.

The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived

Cedric has fought dragons and rescued damsels in distress, but does he have the courage to follow his heart and choose his own true fairy tale ending?
Drama

Working as set designer for her school’s annual play, Callie rides an emotional roller coaster when she meets two twin boys who are both figuring out who they really are.
King and the Dragonflies

Middle-grade novel about Kingston, whose brother has died and who accidentally outs his best friend as gay. He's forced to confront questions about acceptance, love, and grief.
A Boy Named Queen

Evelyn befriends Queen, the new boy in town, who is not fazed by bullies and lives by his own rules, and soon Evelyn learns new things about the world and herself.
Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World

After a tornado destroys her home, Ivy’s notebook revealing her attraction to girls goes missing but her drawings mysteriously reappear at the same time she develops a crush on a fellow classmate.
Jerome by Heart

Sensitive and affirming, this book is about Raphael and Jerome and how they aren’t afraid to express their affection for each other even when some don’t quite understand their friendship.
My Life as a Diamond

Ten-year-old Caspar "Caz" Cadman loves baseball. Even though Caz is thrilled to make the team, he worried because he used to have a different name before he came out as himself: a boy. Fun, fast-paced middle-school novel about being and loving your true self.
Kevin Keller: Welcome to Riverdale

This second collection of stories about Kevin Keller includes Kevin's first date, his role as student president, summer jobs at the beach and ends with him running with the Olympic torch.

King and King

It’s time for the prince to find a mate, but none of the princesses interest him until a princess brings her brother leading to an unexpected and delightful happy ending.
Lumberjanes Volume 1: Beware the Kitten Holy

Follow the adventures of five friends at a Girl-Guide-esque summer camp for “Hardcore Lady Types” filled with supernatural creatures as they learn about friendship and loyalty.
One True Way

Set in the 1970s, Alison craves friendship after the death of her brother but when she meets Sam their connection blossoms into something more forcing Allison to make tough decisions.
Prince and Knight

While searching for his bride, a prince joins a knight to defeat a dragon only to discover that special something in the knight he was looking for all along.
Princess Princess Ever After

Featuring two very different princesses, fierce Amira rescues compassionate Sadie from a tower and then the two embark on an adventure ending in a beautiful, happily ever after.
P.S. I Miss You

After her pregnant sister is sent away to live with an aunt, Evie sends letters describing her sadness, her strict family, the new girl in school and the unexpected feelings Evie has for her.

The Tea Dragon Society

A young blacksmith apprentice, Greta, finds a lost tea dragon at the marketplace and is drawn into the world of tea dragon ceremonies with the help of tea shop owners Hesekiel and Erik.

The Witch Boy

Aster is drawn to magic, a talent usually for girls, but when boys in the village suddenly go missing, Aster must accept himself and use his gifts to find them.

LGBTQ History

Gay and Lesbian History for Kids: The Century-Long Struggle for LGBT Rights

From the Lavender Scare in the 1950s to the Supreme Court decision for marriage equality in 2015, this book presents a US-focused history of the LGBTQ+ movement in an easily digestible format.

Pride: Celebrating Diversity and Community

Discover how Pride came to be in Toronto and worldwide as a way to honor the past, protest injustice, fight for freedom and equality and celebrate a diverse community.
Pride Festivals

Using simple text and colourful photos, beginning readers are introduced to the LGBT community in Canada and the festival that celebrates diversity and promotes equal rights – Pride!
Queer Heroes

Bright illustrations highlight the dynamic icons of queer histories, both past and present.

This Day in June

March in the Pride celebration with each turn of the page. Join along with family and friends!

Sewing the Rainbow: The Story of Gilbert Baker and the Rainbow Flag

This picture book biography about artist and designer Gilbert Baker is a hopeful tale of the creation of the rainbow flag—a symbol for gay rights and equality.

Stonewall: A Building, An Uprising, A Revolution

Narrated by the Stonewall Inn itself, discover the history of the inn from its beginnings leading up to the historic police raid that sparked the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.
The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets

Packed with interviews, photos, newspaper clippings and more, readers will learn about the event that ignited the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement as well as history leading up to the riots and the aftermath.

When You Look Out the Window: How Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin Built a Community

A view of important landmarks in San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ history through the eyes of Phyllis and Del, an activist lesbian couple who were involved establishing the LGBT community.