June is officially recognized as LGBTQ Pride Month, not only in America but in countries all over the world! It’s a time to celebrate all LGBTQ people, as well as a time to commemorate all of the adversity that the community has had to face and overcome.
It’s hard to believe but Pride Month 2021 is already here! This year, my contribution to the LGBTQ community in honor of Pride Month is sharing five kids’ books with you all!
1) My Shadow Is Pink by Scott Stuart
My Shadow Is Pink is a heartwarming story written by a real-life dad, Scott Stuart, and inspired by his son. This is a great book to share with your child to let them know that although their likes and interests may not always conform to what society says is appropriate for their gender, that you’ll always be there to support them no matter what!
(If you enjoyed this book, or just want to get to know Scott a little more, go ahead and follow him on Instagram for more heartwarming insights and positive perspectives in parenting.)
2) Pink Is For Boys by Robb Pearlman
My second book choice is doubling down on the color theme because what’s Pride Month without lots and lots of color?! The easy-to-read picture book, Pink Is For Boys, isn’t just for boys! The book holds an important message for boys, girls, and the adults in their lives, too: stereotypes are just not true! (P.S. This is also a great book if your little one is learning their colors AND it gets bonus points for coming in a board book version!)
3) It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn
It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity is a book for children about, you guessed it, gender identity! This five-star rated book is a good pick for older children, but it can also be enjoyed with your littlest ones because you can never start the conversation too early, right? I love the strong theme of acceptance and inclusivity and how the author and illustrator extend the concept past gender identity through the beautiful pictures.
4) Rainbow: A First Book of Pride by Michael Genhart
Rainbow: A First Book of Pride is a must-have on this list of children’s books to celebrate Pride Month! This precious book explains the meaning of Pride Month and even explains the meaning behind the many colors of the symbolic rainbow pride flag. So, it is not only affirming for children and their families, but it is also very educational, too.
5) Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
I’m wrapping up this list with my personal favorite as a mama to a rough ‘n’ tumble toddler: the Love Makes a Family board book. At this stage in my little one’s toddlerhood, we need durable board books for our reading sessions. We also need attention-grabbing graphics and text, pictures that illustrate familiar scenes and situations, and wording that is short and sweet. This book does it all in bright, bold colors, teaching your toddler that families may look different but they’re all made of love.
Whether or not you or your children identify with the LGBTQ community, I believe Pride Month is worth celebrating. And talking about loving yourself no matter how you identify or who you love is so, so important! If you’re unsure about how to start the conversation about the LGBTQ community with your child, then I hope that you can use one (or all!) of these wonderful books to open the line of communication and let your child know that you love and support them, unconditionally, without judgment, always and forever, no matter what!
