June is LGBT Pride Month and today I’m here with some great picture books about gender identity that are perfect for reading during Pride Month.
Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope by Jodie Patterson, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney-Barlow. 2021. Just before his fifth birthday, Penelope lets his mother know he is a boy and, with her support and his ninja powers, faces the rest of his family and his classmates.
I Am Jazz! by Jazz Jennings and Jessica Herthel, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas. 2014. From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl’s brain in a boy’s body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn’t feel like herself in boys’ clothing.
Jacob’s School Play: Starring He, She, and They by Ian Hoffman and Sarah Hoffman, illustrated by Chris Case. 2021. As Ms. Reeves’ class is produces a play about a farm, the entire class comes to understand about being true to who you are, as classmate Ari expresses their identity as they, which prompts Jacob to look more deeply about what it means to be who he is, and how others identify.
Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love. 2018. While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. All he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes — and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself?
Sam is My Sister by Ashley Rhodes-Courter, illustrated by MacKenzie Haley. 2021. Evan loves being big brother to Sam and Finn. They do everything together–go fishing, climb trees, and play astronauts. But lately, Evan notices that he and Sam don’t look like brothers anymore. Sam wants to have long hair, and even asks to wear a dress on the first day of school.
What Are Your Words? A Book About Pronouns by Katherine Locke, illustrated by Anne Passchier. 2021. Whenever Ari’s Uncle Lior comes to visit, they ask Ari one question: “What are your words?” Some days Ari uses she/her. Other days Ari uses he/him. But on the day of the neighborhood’s big summer bash, Ari doesn’t know what words to use.
When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita. 2021. This sweet #ownvoices picture book celebrates the changes in a transgender boy’s life, from his initial coming-out to becoming a big brother.
