Celebrating Pride Month: Embracing Diversity in Children's Literature

All About Books is observing Pride Month by highlighting some of the stories that have enriched imaginations and nurtured a sense of belonging in young readers. Children grow up in all kinds of families and grow up to become all sorts of people, and we know that it’s important for children to see their own experiences reflected while also providing a window for others to see their stories. Additionally, we are celebrating the authors and illustrators within the LGBTQ+ community who have touched our hearts throughout the 20^th and 21^st centuries.  These authors include Margaret Wise Brown and Maurice Sendak who set the stage for early childhood literature with the classic, Goodnight Moon and Where the Wild Things Are. Then there is Todd Parr, whose life-affirming messages and playful designs light up all the possibilities for children while celebrating every family dynamic.

Explore the titles All About Books is showcasing for Pride Month:

Julian is a Mermaid

Julian sees beautiful mermaids on the subway and realizes he would also like to be a mermaid. With luminous illustrations, Julian transforms himself. But what happens when his abuela sees Julian as a mermaid? This story of acceptance and encouragement is a modern classic for the LGBTQ+ community.

The Family Book

Leave it to Todd Parr to show us all the diverse ways every family is special! Featuring a family with two mommies, children from LGBTQ+ families will feel included in this wacky and wonderful board book. - Also available in English/Spanish Bilingual

Love Makes a Family

Love is baking a special cake. Love is lending a helping hand. Love is reading one more book. In this exuberant board book, many different families are shown in happy activity, from an early-morning wake-up to a kiss before bed. Whether a child has two moms, two dads, one parent, or one of each, this simple preschool read-aloud demonstrates that what's most important in each family's life is the love the family members share.

Choices

At the local pool, a young girl contemplates the choices that will sculpt her future. From the seemingly trivial to the profoundly impactful decisions, Choices playfully prompts readers to cherish their actions and thoughts. Featuring a vibrant array of LGBTQ+ characters, Choices showcases the beauty of diversity and individuality. - Also available in English/Spanish Bilingual

In addition to what we carry, here are some titles that I love that could be special ordered based on availability: 

Without these stories and authors, we wouldn’t have the rich diversity of inclusive children’s books that light up the hearts of young readers and those who encourage them to embrace what makes them different.  

We hope you enjoy these books and are having a wonderful Pride Month!