15 Inspiring Books on LGBTQ History for Kids of All Ages

In honor of Pride.

Best LGBTQ books for kids including Pride on a desk and Queer Heroes on a dresser with a basket of flowers and framed modern wall art behind

LGBTQ history is often missing from the school curriculum. That’s starting to change as states like California mandate its inclusion. But wherever you are and whatever grade you teach, you can make sure it’s part of your curriculum. This list of the best LGBTQ books for kids is a great place to start—both during Pride month and throughout the school year.

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1. Rainbow: A First Book of Pride by Michael Genhart

Book cover of LGBTQ books for kids Rainbow: A First Book of Pride with illustration of children holding rainbow flags

A lovely choice for young children, this book describes the meaning behind each colorful stripe of the rainbow flag. Did you know that orange stands for healing?

Buy it: Rainbow: A First Book of Pride at Amazon

2. This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman

Book cover of LGBTQ books for kids This Day in June with illustration of a diverse group of people

In lieu of an in-person parade, This Day in June invites readers to join in an exuberant celebration of Pride and share in a day in which we are all united. Also, check out the reading guide!

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Buy it: This Day in June at Amazon

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3. Sewing the Rainbow: The Story of Gilbert Baker and the Rainbow Flag by Gayle E. Pitman

Book cover of LGBTQ books for kids Sewing the Rainbow with illustration of city skyline with rainbow flag waving in sky

This is the story of Gilbert Baker, the man who created the rainbow flag, set against the backdrop of San Francisco in the 1970s at the height of the gay rights movement.

Buy it: Sewing the Rainbow at Amazon

4. When You Look Out the Window: How Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin Built a Community by Gayle E. Pitman

Book cover of LGBTQ books for kids When You Look Out the Window with illustration of Golden Gate Bridge, red trolley with a rainbow flag, and two people holding hands and walking on street

Looking for more LGBTQ books for kids by Gayle E. Pitman? Here’s another gem that introduces children to renowned LGBTQ activists and lesbian couple Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin. Watch as Phyllis and Del transform their community and fight for change across the country.

Buy it: When You Look Out the Window at Amazon

5. Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders

Book cover of LGBTQ books for kids Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag with illustration of Harvey Milk wearing a suit and holding a large rainbow flag

For an introduction to LGBTQ heroes, look no further than this children’s book from Rob Sanders, which tells the remarkable and moving story of social activist Harvey Milk and his collaboration with Gilbert Baker to create a symbol of equality of inclusion.

Buy it: Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag at Amazon

6. Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution. by Rob Sanders

Book cover of LGBTQ books for kids Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution with illustration of crowd of people outside in the moonlight with fists raised in air

Also by author Sanders, this picture book is narrated by the Stonewall Inn, the location of a raid that would spark an uprising that marked the beginning of the gay liberation movement in the United States.

Buy it: Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution. at Amazon

7. The Gay Rights Movement by Eric Braun

Book cover of LGBTQ books for kids The Gay Rights Movement with photographs of crowds of people holding rainbow flags and Ellen DeGeneres wearing a suit

With its engaging format, this book is an excellent choice for older elementary students. They’ll learn about key people and events in the fight for equal rights, as well as the challenges the movement faces to this day.

Buy it: The Gay Rights Movement at Amazon

8. Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community by Robin Stevenson

Book cover of LGBTQ books for kids Pride: Celebrating Diversity and Community with photograph of person wearing a rainbow suit riding a unicycle

What is Pride anyway? Answer that question with this lively book that covers how Pride came to be and what it means to the people who celebrate it.

Buy it: Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community at Amazon

9. Queer Heroes: Meet 53 LGBTQ Heroes From Past & Present! by Arabelle Sicardi

Book cover of LGBTQ books for kids Queer Heroes with illustrations of a diverse group of people and rainbows

This beautifully illustrated book highlights the contributions of LGBTQ artists, writers, innovators, athletes, and activists … from Sappho to Freddie Mercury.

Buy it: Queer Heroes: Meet 53 LGBTQ Heroes From Past & Present! at Amazon

10. Gay & Lesbian History for Kids: The Century-Long Struggle for LGBT Rights by Jerome Pohlen

Book cover Gay & Lesbian History for Kids with photographs of social rights activists and a rainbow flag

Share this book lest your students think the fight for LGBTQ rights is only a recent development. They’ll love the engaging personal stories, and you’ll love the included activities that help bring history to life.

Buy it: Gay & Lesbian History for Kids at Amazon

11. The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets by Gayle E. Pitman

Book cover of The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets with rainbow background and illustration of a diverse group of people celebrating in the streets

For upper elementary, this is a very readable chapter book covering the events leading up to the riots, the riots themselves, and the aftermath.

Buy it: The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets at Amazon

12. Our Gay History in Fifty States by Zaylore Stout

Book cover of Our Gay History in Fifty State with an illustration of the USA in rainbow colors

Author Stout went on a cross-country trip to create this state-by-state account of significant people and places in LGBTQ history with the message that LGBTQ history is American history. This is a nice choice for middle school.

Buy it: Our Gay History in Fifty States at Amazon

13. Troublemaker for Justice: The Story of Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the March on Washington by Jacqueline Houtman

Book cover of Trouble Maker for Justice: The Story of Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the March on Washington with photograph of Bayard Rustin

A major player in the Civil Rights Movement, Bayard Rustin’s contributions are missing from most history books, in large part because he was gay. A terrific biography for middle to high school students.

Buy it: Troublemaker for Justice at Amazon

14. The Book of Pride: LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed the World by Mason Funk

Book cover of The Book of Pride: LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed the World with strips of rainbow colors in the background

The story of the gay rights movement comes to life through interviews with the leaders, activists, and ordinary people who made it happen. Teens and tweens will be inspired by these stories.

Buy it: The Book of Pride: LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed the World  at Amazon

15. Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights by Ann Bausum

<Book cover of Stonewall: Breaking out in the Fight for Gay Rights with a black and white photo of a crowd protesting and rainbow colors painted over it

Written specifically for teens, this book chronicles the Stonewall Riots and the gay rights movement that followed. A riveting telling.

Buy it: Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights at Amazon

Do you have any LGBTQ books for kids that you love? Share in the comments below.

Also, check out 30 Children’s Books With LGBT Characters.

15 Inspiring Books on LGBTQ History for Kids of All Ages