New week, new books! Here are some of the LGBTQ-inclusive kids’ books out today, including a picture book about many aspects of gender, a whimsical one about families, and a powerful, moving, middle grade novel!
Click images or titles for fuller reviews of each book!
Pink, Blue, and You! Questions for Kids about Gender Stereotypes, by Elise Gravel and illustrated by Mykaell Blais (Anne Schwartz Books). Are some toys only for girls? Or for boys? Are all boys strong? Do all girls wear dresses? Shouldn’t everyone feel free to play with and wear what they like? This book asks these questions and more to encourage readers to examine gender stereotypes—but also explores concepts like gender identity, pronouns, same-sex love, diverse families, and bias against people whose gender identities, expressions, or roles don’t fit what others may think is right. That’s a lot to cover, but this informative and interactive book manages to offer simple but accurate explanations, along with thoughtful questions for discussion. Full review.
A Family Is …, by Lisa Thiesing (Aladdin). Whimsical, anthropomorphic animal families show the many things a family is for, from having breakfast to saying good night, and many acts of fun and love in between. Unlike many stories about anthropomorphic animal families, this one notably includes both families of a single species and ones that include members of different species—presumably intended to reflect diverse families in the real world (although of course all humans are the same species). And while the gender of the animals is not always easy to tell, choices in how their clothing is drawn imply that there are same-sex parent couples among them. Full review.
The Best Liars in Riverview, by Lin Thompson (Little, Brown). Aubrey and Joel are both “the same kind of weird.” Joel, who is biracial, has long been bullied at school for being effeminate; Aubrey, who is White and somewhat less of a target than Joel, feels like they don’t fit in at school or as the girl everyone sees them to be. When Joel goes missing from their small, predominantly Catholic, Kentucky town, Aubrey knows they have to find him, and sets off with sister Teagan and friend Mari (who has two moms). The journey to find Joel, however, is also a journey of self-discovery for Aubrey, as they reflect on why Joel disappeared, the toxic dynamics in their school and community, and their own identity. Thoughtful characterizations and a non-pedantic exploration of serious and timely topics make this one a must-read title for any middle grade bookshelf. Full review.