In honor of Pride Month, we're rounding up a list of diverse children's books featuring non-heteronormative characters. In short, heteronormative is a world view that promotes heterosexuality as the normal or preferred sexual orientation. And because we know our world encompasses many forms of love and preferences, introducing the concept of non-heteronormative characters in books shows children that all types of love can and should be represented in a positive way.
It's important that children are shown a wide range of inclusive examples of love in entertainment and literature from an early age. For those parents who are looking to create a diverse children's book collection featuring non-heteronormative characters, check out our list of suggestions below.
Here are 11 diverse kids' books that feature non-heteronormative characters:
Peanut Goes for the Gold by Jonathan Van Ess
Written by the charming Jonathan Van Ess of Netflix's "Queer Eye", this heartfelt picture book follows the adventures of Peanut, a gender nonbinary guinea pig who does everything in his own unique way. Whether it's cartwheeling during basketball practice or cutting their own hair, this little guinea pig puts their own special twist on life. Even when it comes to gymnastics!
This upbeat picture book, which is inspired by Jonathan's own childhood guinea pig, encourages children to not only be themselves, but to love exactly who they are.
Recommended age: 4-8
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Based on the heartwarming true story of two penguins at the Central Park Zoo in New York City, And Tango Makes Three is a beautiful story about nontraditional families. Roy and Silo are two penguins just a little bit different from the rest of the group. With the help of a friendly zookeeper, Roy and Silo are given the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own to join their family.
Recommended age: 2-5
Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer
In this sweet story about love, acceptance and the true meaning of family, Stella's class is having a Mother's Day celebration. But Stella has two daddies! What should she do? Stella knows that she has a Papa and Daddy who love her unconditionally, but she just doesn't have a mom to invite to the party. Fortunately, Stella figures out a unique solution to her party problem.
Recommended age: 5-8
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders
An Amazon Best Children's Book of the Year winner, Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag introduces children to the history of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its spanning of the globe and its role in today's world. It is a remarkable story of love, hope, equality and pride.
Recommended age: 5-8
A Family is a Family is a Family by Sara O'Leary
In class one day, a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special. Although the answers are all different in many ways (one is raised by her grandmother, another has two dads and one is full of step-siblings), yet they are the same in the one way that matters most of all: love. Families of every shape, size and every kind of relation are special.
Recommended age: 4-7
Jerome by Heart by Thomas Scotto
In this award-winning and poignant story (originally published in France), Jerome and Raphael care about each other deeply. And when they are not hanging out together, Raphael is talking to his parents about Jerome. Unfortunately, it is clear that Raphael's parents do not approve of their friendship. His affirmative words, "Raphael loves Jerome. I can say it. It's easy" give him the reassurance he needs to be expressive about his feelings.
Recommended age: 4-8
What Makes a Baby by Cory Silverberg
According to Amazon, What Makes a Baby is a book "for every kind of family and every kind of kid." In an age-appropriate way, the book covers everything it takes to make a baby, from conception and gestation to birth, and is inclusive of all kinds of kids, adults, and families, regardless of how many people were involved, their orientation, gender and other identity, or family composition. Essentially, it covers all the bases, and then some.
Recommended age: 2-5
Plenty of Hugs by Fran Manuschkin
In this cheerful book using a rhyming structure, a toddler and her mommies take a morning bike ride to a farm stand, visit a zoo in the afternoon and in the evening, there's a bath and reading time before the child is tucked cozily into bed. "There's a buzz for each bug, and a breeze for each tree, and plenty of hugs for you and me."
Recommended age: 2-5
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Marlon Bundo and Jill Twiss
Fans of HBO Max's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver may remember this advocacy story came about when a book was written about Mike Pence's bunny by his daughter, Charlotte Pence. Well, in this version by Jill Twiss, Marlon Bundo is a lonely bunny who lives with Mike Pence, the Vice President on the United States. When he meets another boy bunny, his life changes forever. With a message of tolerance and acceptance, this children's book explores issues of same sex marriage and democracy.
Recommended age: 2-7
Harriet Gets Carried Away by Jessie Sima
In this imaginative story, a little girl named Harriet loves to wear costumes. She wears them everywhere, even to her birthday party. Her dads have decorated everything for the party and Harriet has her most favorite costume all picked out for the big day. But when Harriet puts on a penguin costume to go buy party hats, she gets carried away by a real flock of penguins and has to find her way back to her dads. This story is special because the fact that Harriet has two dads and is bi-racial isn't part of the plot; they're just her family, who love her.
Recommended age: 2-6
Worm Loves Worm by J. J. Austrian
A celebration of love in all its forms, Worm Loves Worm invites you to celebrate the wedding of two worms. When a worm meets a special worm and they fall in love, you know what happens next: They get married! But their friends want to know—who will wear the dress? And who will wear the tux? Quite simply, it really doesn't matter, because worm loves worm.
Recommended age: 3-7
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