All children deserve to see themselves, their families, and their communities reflected in the books they read at school. This Pride Month, we’re thinking about representing the full spectrum of family structures and identities in children’s lives inside and outside of schools.
Inclusive literature in elementary education serves as mirrors for some students, reflecting their own experiences and validating their families, while acting as windows for others, offering glimpses into lives different from their own (Bishop, 1990). When students see diverse families celebrated in literature, they learn that there are many ways to be a family, many ways to belong, and that all people deserve to be loved and cared for. When we include stories about families with two moms, two dads, or other diverse configurations, we send a clear message that all families are valued and respected in our classroom community. This inclusivity benefits not only students from LGBTQ+ families but also their classmates, who learn empathy and acceptance through exposure to different experiences.
Why LGBTQ+ Themed Books Matter in the Elementary Classroom
Educational research shows significant differences in peer acceptance when an inclusive curriculum is present. 75.2 percent of LGBTQ+ students in schools with an inclusive curriculum reported their peers were accepting of LGBTQ+ people, compared with only 39.6 percent of those without an inclusive curriculum(Hermann-Wilmarth & Ryan, 2019). Here's why these books are essential:
1. Building Empathy and Understanding: Young children are naturally curious about differences. With positive representations of diverse families and people, these books help children develop emotional intelligence, teach them that different doesn't mean wrong, and that there are many beautiful ways to create a loving family.
2. Supporting Students with LGBTQ+ Family Members: Seeing their family structure represented in classroom literature can be transformative for students in families with LGBTQ+ family members. This representation helps them feel validated, safe and included in the classroom community.
3. Normalizing Diverse Family Structures: All students benefit when we expand their understanding of what constitutes a family. Early exposure to diversity through literature helps children develop acceptance and respect for all types of families, including:
Single-parent households
Grandparents, Aunts/Uncles as primary caregivers
Adoptive families
Same-gender parent families
Blended families
4. Preventing Bullying, Homophobia, and Stereotyping through Education: When children understand and appreciate diversity from an early age, they're less likely to target others for being different. Pride-themed books provide natural opportunities to discuss kindness, acceptance, and respect for all people, creating classroom cultures where bullying is less likely to take root. Research on social support for LGBTQ+ youth in schools demonstrates the importance of creating affirming environments that promote resilience and positive outcomes for all students, and the inclusion of a wide range of books from the start can help combat homophobia and stereotyping.
5. Meeting Educational Standards: These books help educators address important social-emotional learning standards that emphasize:
Understanding diverse perspectives
Developing empathy
Building positive relationships with others
Character education goals
Recommended Titles:
Not all books are created equal, and choosing high-quality Pride-themed picture books requires careful consideration of many factors, including:
Strong, authentic storytelling with engaging plots and well-developed characters that draw readers in, avoid stereotypes, and represent intersectional diversity, including families of different races, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. These texts prioritize authorship from own-voices creators that lends authenticity to the identities shared and stories told in the text.
High-quality illustrations that enhance the narrative, provide visual interest, and convey emotions effectively
Age-appropriate language and content that is accessible to and appropriate for K-5 students. These texts offer discussion opportunities to spark thoughtful conversation about family, diversity, and acceptance. These stories can integrate into work on social studies, character education, and social-emotional learning goals. Content is focused on universal themes that all children will be able to relate to regardless of their family structure.
My Mommies Built a Treehouse by Gareth Peter (2023), Lantana Publishing Recommended for Grades PK-3
In this delightful adventure for younger readers, two moms and their child work together to build the perfect treehouse. This simple, rhyming story celebrates family love, teamwork, and the joy of creating something special together. With charming illustrations and a focus on everyday family moments, readers will see how love makes every family strong. Perfect for showing young children that families come in many beautiful forms.
Marley’s Pride by Joëlle Retener (2024) Barefoot Books Recommended for Grades PK-4
Marley, a nonbinary child, discovers the magic of Pride as they explore what it means to celebrate who you are and take on their anxieties about crowds and loud noises to see their Zaza receive an award at the local Pride celebration. This vibrant story introduces young readers to Pride traditions while emphasizing acceptance, joy, and community. Marley’s Pride is a Stonewall Children’s Honor Book, ALA Rainbow Booklist top title, and has received a starred Kirkus review. It makes for an excellent introduction to Pride Month that focuses on love, acceptance, and being proud of yourself and others.
Circle of Love by Monique Gray Smith (2024) Heartdrum
Recommended for Grades PK-3
Molly welcomes readers into her circle of love at the Intertribal Community Center, where she introduces the people she knows and loves: her grandmother and her grandmother's wife, her uncles and their baby, her cousins, and treasured friends. Through the Cree concept of tawâw—meaning "there is always room"—this warm-hearted story celebrates Indigenous joy, intergenerational connection, and chosen family. Via tender prose and radiant artwork, Cree/Lakota author Monique Gray Smith and illustrator Nicole Neidhardt show how there is always room for others in our lives, creating a loving environment with plentiful queer representation. Circle of Love makes for an excellent introduction to Indigenous culture, inclusive community, and the beautiful truth that love comes in many forms.
What I Must Tell the World: How Lorraine Hansberry Found Her Voice by Jay Leslie (2024) Zando-Hillman Grad Books Recommended for Grades K-4
This inspiring biography introduces young readers to Lorraine Hansberry, the groundbreaking playwright who used her voice to fight for justice and equality. Students will learn how Hansberry overcame barriers as both a Black woman and LGBTQ+ person to create powerful stories. The book shows how finding your voice can change the world and inspire others. Perfect for teaching about intersectionality, courage, and the power of storytelling. What I Must Tell the World is a Stonewall Children’s Honor Book, and has received a starred Booklist review.
Strong by Rob Kearney & Eric Rosswood (2022), Hachette Book Group Recommended for Grades K-5
In this autobiography, readers will meet Rob, the world's first openly gay strongman, who shows that being yourself is the greatest strength of all. This empowering story demonstrates that you can be both tough and tender, athletic and authentic. In this 2023 Stonewall Children’s Award-winning book, children learn that true strength comes from embracing who you are completely. An inspiring tale that breaks stereotypes and celebrates the many ways to be strong and proud.
Granddad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate (2021), Little Bee Books Recommended for Grades K-2
A grandchild helps restore Granddad's old camper and discovers beautiful memories of Granddad's life with his late husband. This gentle story shows how love stories continue even after loss and how memories keep our loved ones close. The warm illustrations and tender storytelling make this perfect for discussions about different types of families and relationships. This 2022 Stonewall Children’s Book winner is a touching celebration of love, memory, and the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren.
When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff (2019), Lee & Low Books Recommended for Grades PK-3
In this 2020 Stonewall Children’s Book Award-winning text, Aidan, a transgender boy, is excited to become a big brother, but he worries about making everything just right for his new sibling. This gentle story shows how families support each other through changes and new beginnings. With warmth and authenticity, it demonstrates how love and acceptance help families grow stronger together. An important book for showing children that every family member deserves love and support for who they are.
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders (2018), Random House Books for Young Readers Recommended for Grades K-4
Discover the inspiring story of Harvey Milk and how the iconic rainbow flag became a symbol of Pride and hope. This accessible biography shows how one person's courage and vision can create lasting change for an entire community. Young readers will learn about the historical significance of Pride symbols while understanding messages of equality and acceptance. Perfect for introducing elementary students to LGBTQ+ history and the ongoing fight for equal rights.
Glenn Burke, Game Changer: The Man Who Invented the High Five by Phil Bildner (2024), Macmillan Publishing Recommended for Grades 1-5
Meet Glenn Burke, the baseball player who not only invented the high five but also broke barriers as one of the first openly gay professional athletes. This engaging biography celebrates Burke's athletic achievements while highlighting his courage in being authentic in a challenging environment. Students will be amazed to learn the origin of such a common celebratory gesture while learning about perseverance and pride. An excellent way to connect sports history with LGBTQ+ history and show how being yourself can inspire others.
References
Bildner, P. (2024). Glenn Burke, game changer: The man who invented the high five. Macmillan.
Bishop, R. S. (1990). Mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors. Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books for the Classroom, 6(3), ix-xi.
Hermann-Wilmarth, J., & Ryan, C. (2019). Reading and teaching the rainbow. American Educator, 43(2), 4-9.
Leslie, J. (2024). What I must tell the world: How Lorraine Hansberry found her voice. Zando-Hillman Grad Books.
Lukoff, K. (2019). When Aidan became a brother. Lee & Low Books.
Peter, G. (2023). My mommies built a treehouse. Lantana Publishing.
Retener, J. (2024). Marley's pride. Barefoot Books.
Rosswood, E., & Kearney, R. (2022). Strong. Hachette.
Sanders, R. (2018). Pride: The story of Harvey Milk and the rainbow flag. Random House Books for Young Readers.
Smith, M. (2024). Circle of love. Heartdrum Books.
Woodgate, H. (2021). Granddad's camper. Little Bee Books.