10 LGBTQ+ books to add to your shelves

Timid by Harry Woodgate is all about finding your courage and embracing your inner lion, in a text featuring a non-binary child. Not only is this book stunning on the outside, I fell in love with the story on the inside and have been loving including it in our bookpacks. It's the perfect text to share with children who may be struggling with their confidence, and it's a great tale of overcoming your anxiety and doing whatever you put your mind to. 

Brand new for 2023,  Out of the Blue by Robert Tregoning is a beautiful tale about accepting differences. In a world where the government has declared that everything must be blue, one little boy has a big secret: he loves the colour yellow. Hidden away in his bedroom are all the yellow things he has managed to collect, and he's terrified that one day his Dad might find his treasure trove. I haven't stopped raving about this book since I first read it, and it will be perfect to open up discussions about what it means to truly be yourself.

Firstly, I have to just say how much I love this cover. Doesn't this just make you want to pick it up and dive right in? Glitter Boy by Ian Eagleton is the story of James, whose teacher Mr Hamilton is getting married to his boyfriend, where James will take part in a special choir performance at the wedding. Not only does James's father seem uncomfortable about the plan and his new friendship with Joel, James is also being bullied by somebody at school who keeps calling him gay. With the pressure building, can James find a way to be true to himself? Glitter Boy is a novel about family, friends, and being YOU.

After turning to books to for her two daughters, Jodie Lancet-Grant found that there was a distinct lack of children's books that reflected their experience. So, she set out to change this and soon released her debut picture book, The Pirate Mums. Billy is fed up of his mums being different, and just wishes that they could be like every other family. At first, the reader might think this is because he has two mums, but actually it's because they are pirates! Prepare for a swashbuckling adventure, sea shanties and a pet parrot.

Loves Makes a Family is the perfect book to introduce little ones to different family structures. Sophie Beer's board book is packed with vivid illustrations in bright colours and lots of different scenarios, which children could follow and use their imagination to think about what might be happening in that particular scene, or even what might happen next. It's a worthy addition to any shelf and helps to start the understanding that families come in all different setups. 

Now time for some non-fiction. Queer Heroes is a collection and celebration of 53 LBGTQ+ heroes from past and present. It honours the people who came before us, and the heroes who are still paving the way for us to be ourselves today. From Leonardo Da Vinci to David Bowie to Kristen Stewart, this book features full colour portraits and biographies of role models across the world and through time, and is sure to show children that they can achieve anything, no matter who they are. Queer Heroes was published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising 

The Secret Sunshine Project by Benjamin Dean is a warm and vibrant tale of love, family and queer joy. A year after her family visit London Pride together and couldn't possibly get any happier, Bea's Dad passes away and they must pack their backs and move to Gran's house in the countryside. As Bea's sister Riley struggles with the change, Bea makes a plan to cheer her up and so The Secret Sushine Project is born! As she plans to bring Pride to the countryside, she must first take on the village mayor who is set on putting a stop to their movement. 

Another important non-fiction text, LGBTQ+ Rights is part of a series that shines a light on some of the people and the movements that have struggled for eqaulity, in the past and to this day. This particular book explains civil rights and how LGBTQ+ people from history and from around the world have endured prejudice, persecution and violence, leading to this necessary movement for equality. The information is presented in an accessible way for children, and is a necessary text to help them develop understanding and empathy.

The Boy in the Cupboard is the tale of Karan, and his favourite place which is his cupboard. Inside the cupboard, he feels safe and happy, and no one really knows why until one day his Ma finally asks him. This is a really heartfelt story about a young boy who is trying to understand himself, and is both written and illustrated by Indian authors, and published by Lettori Press who strive to create engaging ways to tell diverse Indian stories. 

From award winning author Alex Gino,  Alice Austen Lived Here  features two non-binary protagonists. When Sam's home borough opens up a competition to design a new statue, they along with their best friend TJ choose Alice Austen, a famous photographer who lived with her female partner for years, as their subject. Sam and TJ's choice differs from their classmates, and soon the competition becomes about more than winning, it becomes about discovering a celebrating a rich queer history.