Last week a teacher came to us looking for picture books that featured people who were both Black and part of the LGBTQ+ community. They wanted to talk with their class about Zaya Wade (Dwayne Wade's daughter, see an article here, or here), and they were looking for books with other heroes and regular kids they could highlight. We pulled all of the books we could find in the moment and snapped a photo to share on Instagram. We asked our followers to recommend any books that we missed. We have compiled your suggestions and their recommendations into one list. Please comment below if you can think of any others we may have missed!
Note: We have added * next to the title if the book is and Own Voices book. Check out these and many others on our Inclusive Book List.
When Aidan Became a Brother* by Kyle Lukoff and illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
Harriet Gets Carried Away by Jessie Sima
Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Free to be Incredible Me* by Joelle Elizabeth Retener
They, She, He, Me Free to Be! by Maya & Matthew
They, She, He, Easy as ABC by Maya & Matthew
I Am Perfectly Designed* by Karamo Brown
A Church For All* by Gayle E. Pitman
After researching online, it was difficult to determine if Gayle is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, but all of her books are about this topic.
The StoneWall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets by Gayle E. Pitman
Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution. by Rob Sanders
There is not adequate representation or mention of the Black trans women who led the struggle at Stonewall in this book. It is best accompanied with the following book that has a section on Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera.
Queer Heroes* by Arabelle Sicardi
Young, Gifted and Black* by Jamia Wilson
This anthology and the previous one both feature Josephine Baker on the cover, a dazzling Harlem Renaissance era performer. Most books about her don't include her bisexuality, but they are worth the read - and the mention! See a collection below.
Josephine* by Patricia Hruby Powell and illustrated by Christian Robinson
Josephine Baker by M* Isabel Sanchez Vergara
Jazz Age Josephine by Jonah Winter
Harlem's Little Blackbird* by Renee Watson and illustrated by Christian Robinson
While we're on the topic of the Harlem Renaissance we will add a few titles here - stay tuned for a post full of recommendations for books about the Harlem Renaissance!
Zora! by Dennis Brindell Fradin
This book is long and will need to be read in parts in K-5 classrooms. The next book on the list has a shorter section about Zora's life more suitable for younger kids.
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee
Langston Hughes* Edited by David Roessel & Arnold Rampersad
Lullaby (For a Black Mother)* a poem by Langston Hughes illustrated by Sean Qualls
That is My Dream!* by Langston Hughes & Daniel Miyares
I, Too, Am America* by Langston Hughes and illustrated by Bryan Collier
Harlem Renaissance Party* by Faith Ringgold
Hurricane Child* by Kheryn Callender
Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens* by Tanya Boteju
This book isn't appropriate for K-5 classrooms, it is Young Adult, but it's so good we had to include it!
Thank you to Eli at @okayenby, Joe at @ncredible_me, Felicia at @effmcgowan, and Emily @makingthe_futurebright for your recommendations!