Looking for great picks for voracious readers 10 and under? Here’s a guide for that!
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The Batcat series by Meggie Ramm – a ridiculously cute graphic novel series both my kids (under 10) love, with a nonbinary grump of a main character who’s simultaneously a bat and a cat, a song in book 1 that my family randomly bursts out with, delightful illustrations, and a very cool quick guide in the back of each one to elements of graphic novels so kids can understand what goes into them and even how to make their own.
Got a fan of pop culture? Check out these Little Golden Book biographies!
Billy Porter: A Little Golden Book Biography by Phil Stamper and Steffi Walthall
Billy saw that clothes were the perfect way to stand out and let people know who you are.
Billy Porter has been impressing audiences ever since he played his award-winning role of Lola in the Broadway hit Kinky Boots. His story of chasing his dream to be a performer comes to life in Billy Porter: A Little Golden Book Biography. When you’re Billy Porter, you dream big and you inspire others to love themselves!
Chappell Roan: A Little Golden Book Biography by Cat Reynolds and Maria Lia Malandrino
It’s being true to herself and creating the music she loves that has made Chappell Roan the artist she is today.
Chappell Roan: A Little Golden Book Biography brings the story of this talented singer-songwriter to life—from her early beginnings in Missouri to her awesome live performances at music festivals. Chappell proudly shares her true self with the world and her fans love her for it!
They even have a book specifically about Pride!
My Little Golden Book About Pride by Kyle Lukoff and Michelle Jing Chan
This nonfiction Little Golden Book is a beautifully illustrated reminder to be proud of who you are. Each page of this introduction to the history of Pride and the rainbow flag features scenes of diverse people, couples, and families celebrating one another.
My Little Golden Book About Pride offers a way for families with young children to begin addressing themes of diversity and equality. It does so with an introduction to the history of Pride parades and the meaning behind each color of the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag.
Or for another delightful Pride option, check out:
Marley is a little nonbinary kid with big anxieties. Crowds? Pass. Loud noises? No, thanks. When their Zaza is up for an award at Pride, they want to go to the parade for the first time with their beloved grandparent. But can Marley overcome their fears? Highlighting the joyful experiences of a queer family of color finding community at Pride, this story features endmatter about the history of Pride, a glossary of LGBTQ+ terms, and a list of resources.
The Little People, Big Dreams series also has a lot of queer pop culture rep, with the caveat I haven’t read them to know how clear they are on the queerness of said stars:
Or for a slightly older pop culture lover, check out these from the Who Is series:
Who is RuPaul? by Nico Medina and Andrew Thompson
Learn how this Emmy-winning host, producer, and television personality became the world’s most famous drag queen.
RuPaul Andre Charles always knew he was meant to be a performer. Even as a young child, he loved to dress up and imitate the glamorous women he saw on television. When he turned fifteen, he began studying theater in a performing arts school in Atlanta and never looked back. Ru developed his drag-queen personality and launched his career in the 1980s. He now hosts and judges the widely popular and long-running show RuPaul’s Drag Race, which has raised the profile of the art of drag, and drag queens around the world.
What Was Stonewall? by Nico Medina and Jake Murray
How did a spontaneous protest outside of a New York City bar fifty years ago spark a social movement across America? Find out about the history of LGBTQ rights in this Who HQ title.
In the early-morning hours of June 28, 1969, police arrived at the Stonewall Inn’s doors and yelled, “Police! We’re taking the place!” But the people in this New York City neighborhood bar, members of the LGBTQ community, were tired of being harassed. They rebelled in the streets, turning one moment into a civil rights movement and launching the fight for equality among LGBTQ people in the United States.
Got a young sports fan? Try:
Glenn Burke, Game Changer: The Man Who Invented the High Five by Phil Bildner (text) and Daniel J. O’Brien (illustration)
An inspiring picture book biography about Glenn Burke, the first Major League Baseball player to come out as gay, and the story of how he created the world’s most recognizable handshake, the high five.
Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Glenn Burke could do it all―hit, throw, run, field. He was the heart of the clubhouse who energized his teammates with his enthusiasm and love for the game. It was that energy that led Glenn to invent the high five one October day back in 1977―a spontaneous gesture after a home run that has since evolved into our universal celebratory greeting.
But despite creating this joyful symbol, Glenn Burke, a gay Black man, wasn’t always given support and shown acceptance in return.
From acclaimed author Phil Bildner, with illustrations from Daniel J. O’Brien, this moving picture book biography recognizes the challenges Burke faced while celebrating how his bravery and his now-famous handshake helped pave the way for others to live openly and free.
Lots of options for Megan Rapinoe devotees!
Little People, Big Dreams: Bookshop | Amazon
Who is Megan Rapinoe?: Bookshop | Amazon
Athletes Who Made a Difference: Bookshop | Amazon
Got a fan of fairy tales? Try the Fairly Queer Tales by Wallace West, starting with:
Mighty Red Riding Hood: A Fairly Queer Tale by Wallace West
In this clever twist on a traditional tale, a boy who loves his frilly, swishy riding hood turns the tables on a big, bad, bullying wolf!
Better not mess with Little Red when he’s got on his favorite frilly red riding hood! It makes him feel happier than a pig in mud, more special than a birthday cake, and mighty as a firecracker. Nothing’s gonna stop him from being himself…Not even a big ol’ bully of a WOLF! With admirable spunk and a heaping helping of southern humor and hospitality, Little Red finds a way to crack the shell of the closed-minded wolf’s perception of frills and bows.
This refreshingly spirited version of the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood explores the challenge of staying on your path when confronted by strangers who don’t want to understand you.
Got bigger kids looking to read fiction on their own and are still on the younger side of Middle Grade (or even below)? Check out these series starters:
Call Me Max by Kyle Lukoff and Luciano Lozano (target age: 5-9)
When Max starts school, the teacher hesitates to call out the name on the attendance sheet. Something doesn’t seem to fit. Max lets her know the name he wants to be called by – a boy’s name.
This begins Max’s journey as he makes new friends and reveals his feelings about his identity to his parents. Written with warmth and sensitivity by trans writer Kyle Lukoff, Call Me Max is a sweet and age-appropriate introduction to what it means to be transgender.
Riley Reynolds Crushes Costume Day by Jay Albee (target age: 7-10)
It’s book week at school, and nonbinary fourth grader Riley and their best friends craft hard for the Dress Like Your Favorite Character Day. Colorful fabric! Paint! Glitter! They are ready to make the biggest and best group costume ever! But most of the other kids are having trouble coming up with costumes. Riley is ready to use their creativity and vision to help as many kids as possible so dress-up day will be a big success!
Sam Makes a Splash by Nicole Melleby (target age: 8-10)
Note: The MC of book 1 is not queer, but the moms are and so’s the lead of a later book.
If you want to get to know eleven-year-old Samantha Ali-O’Connor, you need to know three things:
One, she isn’t the only one of her siblings who is adopted, but she is the only one whose name isn’t inspired by the ocean.
Two, she and Harbor always compete with each other to be the best Oldest Sibling—and just about everything else.
And three, she is determined to prove she’s a real Ali-O’Connor by taking over the family business, repairing and chartering boats.
Except there’s a Capital-P Problem: Her mothers have been Serious Whispering about selling the business before summer’s end! Sam needs to come up with a plan, quick, before Harbor finds out. And before Sam loses her chance to inherit the business and be an Ali-O’Connor forever.
