The Best Pride Month Books for Kids

“If we don’t see ourselves in books, we feel erased. If we only see ourselves, we become narcissists. We need both.” - Jacqueline Woodson

Family Is Family by Melissa Marr, illustrated by Marcos Almada Rivero
A sweet story starring Little Chick, who happily lives with his two moms. On the way to school, he notices many kinds of families—and learns that love is what makes a family. A gentle introduction to diverse family structures for preschoolers.

A Family Is a Family Is a Family by Sara O’Leary, illustrated by Qin Leng
When a teacher asks children to describe their families, we meet grandmothers, two dads, many stepsiblings, and more. Ultimately, the lesson is universal: families come in all shapes and sizes, but love is what makes them home. This warm, inclusive, and affirming story lets us talk about all the different types of families we know in our community.

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders
An empowering picture-book biography of civil rights icon Harvey Milk and the creation of the Rainbow Flag. The narrative weaves Milk’s story with the flag’s symbolism, offering young readers the origin story of Pride. Disclaimer: Harvey is killed for his advocacy, which really saddened my kids and could be hard for some sensitive readers.

Queer and Fearless: Poems Celebrating the Lives of LGBTQ+ Heroes by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Harry Woodgate
This richly illustrated anthology introduces seventeen queer heroes—from Marsha P. Johnson to Pete Buttigieg—through inspiring poems and mini-bios. A perfect introduction to the people who have stood up for what they believed in, this was an opportunity to show my kids how hard people have worked to have their identities accepted and respected.

O.K. Is Gay by Vincent X. Kirsch
A joyful picture book introducing Olivio Kipling (“O.K.”) as he tries—again and again—to come out to his friends. With humor and warmth, O.K. declares, “O.K. is gay,” and embraces his love for George. This book is a tender celebration of naming one’s truth and belonging.

Pride by Erin Huang, illustrated by Amy Phelps
This entertaining story of a community getting ready for their local Pride parade gives kids a fun and easy-to-digest history of Pride.