Originally published by On Our Minds on May 31, 2023
Versioned for Scholastic Canada
This June, we are proud to celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month with new and award-winning books for kids and teens that are sure to resonate far beyond a single month of the year. Join us as we #ReadWithPride with readers and reaffirm our Scholastic commitment to publish books that demonstrate the Power of Story. More LGBTQIA+ titles can be found here!
By Anna Membrino and Illustrated By Joy Hwang Ruiz
Picture Book
Ages 3 to 5, Grades PreK to K
With the lyrical sweetness of favourites like I Love You Through and Through and Guess How Much I Love You, this picture book is the perfect way to celebrate LGBTQ+ families!
By Robin Stevenson and Illustrated By Julie McLaughlin
Picture Book
Ages 3 to 5, Grades PreK to K
This rhyming alphabet book tells a lively story, with rich, colourful illustrations that will have readers poring over every detail as they spot items starting with each of the letters of the alphabet. An affirming and inclusive book that offers a joyful glimpse of a Pride parade and the vibrant community that celebrates this day each year.
By Simon James Green and Illustrated By Garry Parsons
Picture Book
Ages 3 to 7, Grades K to 1
Larry the llama loves to move and groove!
But will his friends all disapprove?
Meet a dazzlin’ dancin’ llama who learns to march to the beat of his own drum by strutting his stuff with Pride (and a funky feather boa)! A bright and colourful rhyming story with a powerful message about celebrating differences, Llama Glamarama is the perfect Pride picture book for everyone!
By Daniel Haack and Illustrated By Stevie Lewis
Picture Book
Ages 4 to 9, Grades K to 3
In this modern fairy tale, a noble prince and a brave knight come together to defeat a terrible monster and in the process find true love in a most unexpected place. In this sweet, rhyming tale with a positive LGBTQ message, the prince discovers his knight in shining armour.
By Robin Stevenson
Picture Book
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 6
When life in Indonesia becomes too dangerous for LGBTQ2S+ people, Ghost the cat and her two dads are forced to leave their home and escape to freedom in Canada. Ghost’s Journey was inspired by the story of two refugees, Rainer and Eka, and their pet, with illustrations created from their own photographs. A gentle, accessible introduction to important human rights and social justice issues for young readers.
By Will Taylor
Middle Grade
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
Jeremy is not excited about spending the summer with his dad and his uncle. But then he meets a boy and what starts out as friendship blooms into something neither boy is expecting. The Language of Seabirds is a sweet, tender story of two boys finding first love with each other over a seaside summer.
By Maulik Pancholy
Middle Grade
Ages 9 to 12, Grades 4 to 7
From award-winning actor Maulik Pancholy comes a hilarious and heartfelt middle grade debut about a gay Indian-American boy coming into his own. Funny, charming, and incredibly touching, this is a story about friendship, family, and the courage it takes to live your truth.
By Molly Knox Ostertag
Graphic Novel
Ages 12 to 14, Grades 7 to 8
In this moving graphic novel, a young girl has lots of secrets―but as her crush on a mysterious new girl deepens, she realizes there are very few places to hide.
From the author of The Witch Boy trilogy comes a graphic novel about family, romance, and first love.
By K.A. Holt
Novel in Verse
Ages 12 to 17, Grades 7 to 9
Girl meets girl in this warm and inviting novel in verse about opposites who attract, and find a way to see each other as they really are!
Kate and Tam meet, and both of their worlds tip sideways. At first, Tam figures Kate is a stereotypical cheerleader; Kate sees Tam as another tall jock. And the more they keep running into each other, the more they surprise each other.
By Alice Oseman
Young Adult Graphic Novel (Graphix)
Ages 14 and up, Grades 9 and up
Now streaming on Netflix! Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. A sweet and charming coming-of-age story that explores friendship, love, and coming out. This edition features beautiful two-colour artwork.
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