Picture books that celebrate LGBT+ families
It's so important that little ones grow up and see their type of family set-up reflected in the books you share with them. Sadly, for many same-sex parents and carers, these kind of picture books can be tricky to find.
Well, look no further: we've pulled together a list of our favourite children's books that show – and celebrate – diverse families. They're also brilliant, fun reads that you'll really love sharing with your child.
Perfect for babies all the way up to aged five.
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Grandad’s Camper
Author: Harry Woodgate
Interest level: 4-8
Reading age: 6+
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Grandad’s Camper
Author: Harry Woodgate
Interest level: 4-8
Reading age: 6+
A little girl helps her grandfather move on from his grief and look forward to fresh adventures. A poignant tale that acknowledges…
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My Daddies!
Author: Gareth Peter Illustrator: Garry Parsons
Interest level: 4-5
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My Daddies!
Author: Gareth Peter Illustrator: Garry Parsons
Interest level: 4-5
Reading age:
This rhyming picture book celebrating same sex parents is a gentle and sweet read, with the added bonus of including mention of a …
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Forever Star
Author: Gareth Peter and Judi Abbot
Interest level: 3-5
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Forever Star
Author: Gareth Peter and Judi Abbot
Interest level: 3-5
Reading age:
This sweet rhyming tale about a same-sex couple adopting a child is a lovely read for any family, but perhaps particularly ones wi…
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The Best Mum
Author: Penny Harrison Illustrator: Sharon Davey
Interest level: 3-5
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The Best Mum
Author: Penny Harrison Illustrator: Sharon Davey
Interest level: 3-5
Reading age:
Funny and silly with lots of brilliant detail in the illustrations by Sharon Davey, this is a celebration of all different kinds o…
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Uncle Bobby's Wedding
Author: Sarah S Brannen & Lucia Soto
Interest level: 4-7
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Uncle Bobby's Wedding
Author: Sarah S Brannen & Lucia Soto
Interest level: 4-7
Reading age:
This huggable treat of a book is a gorgeous and heartfelt celebration of weddings, as Chloe learns that just because her Uncle Bob…
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The Girl With Two Dads
Author: Meg Elliott
Interest level: 3-5
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The Girl With Two Dads
Author: Meg Elliott
Interest level: 3-5
Reading age:
Elliott’s bright picture book featuring the friendship between two girls is a great representation of a family with two dads and h…
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Who's Your Real Mum?
Author: Bernadette Green Illustrator: Anna Zobel
Interest level: 4-5
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Who's Your Real Mum?
Author: Bernadette Green Illustrator: Anna Zobel
Interest level: 4-5
Reading age:
This warm, imaginative picture book has a clear message that, with same sex parents, both mums or dads are childrens’ “real” paren…
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The Pirate Mums
Author: Jodie Lancet-Grant Illustrator: Lydia Corry
Interest level: 4-5
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The Pirate Mums
Author: Jodie Lancet-Grant Illustrator: Lydia Corry
Interest level: 4-5
Reading age:
This brilliantly fun story about a day out gone awry - and two seriously committed pirate mums - is a lovely book to read aloud, w…
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And Tango Makes Three
Author: Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell Illustrator: Henry Cole
Interest level: 3-7
Reading age: 5+
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And Tango Makes Three
Author: Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell Illustrator: Henry Cole
Interest level: 3-7
Reading age: 5+
Roy and Silo are two boy penguins who live in the zoo in New York's Central Park. This is a really delightful story and the messag…
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Baby's First Words
Author: Tessa Strickland and Kate DePalma Illustrator: Christiane Engel
Interest level: 0-3
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Baby's First Words
Author: Tessa Strickland and Kate DePalma Illustrator: Christiane Engel
Interest level: 0-3
Reading age:
Designed by a child development expert so it supports the way babies naturally learn language, this book is full of warm colours a…
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Mommy, Mama and Me
Author: Leslea Newman Illustrator: Carol Thompson
Interest level: 0-3
Reading age: N/A
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Mommy, Mama and Me
Author: Leslea Newman Illustrator: Carol Thompson
Interest level: 0-3
Reading age: N/A
What a treat: a warm and adorably illustrated board book about a loving family which just happens to have two mums in it. There's …
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The Family Book
Author: Todd Parr
Interest level: 3-6
Reading age: 5-8
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The Family Book
Author: Todd Parr
Interest level: 3-6
Reading age: 5-8
A joyous picture book about the importance of family and all the strength it can give you, this celebrates family in all its wonde…
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The Great Big Book of Families
Author: Mary Hoffman Illustrator: Ros Asquith
Interest level: 4+
Reading age: 7+
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The Great Big Book of Families
Author: Mary Hoffman Illustrator: Ros Asquith
Interest level: 4+
Reading age: 7+
The Great Big Book of Families is about the diversity of families. The simple message is that every family is unique and…
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Under the Love Umbrella
Author: Davina Bell Illustrator: Allison Colpoys
Interest level: 4-7
Reading age: 5+
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Under the Love Umbrella
Author: Davina Bell Illustrator: Allison Colpoys
Interest level: 4-7
Reading age: 5+
Bright, expressive and featuring joyfully diverse illustration throughout, Under the Love Umbrella provides poetic reassurance tha…
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We Are Family
Author: Patricia Hegarty Illustrator: Ryan Wheatcroft
Interest level: 4-7
Reading age: 5+
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We Are Family
Author: Patricia Hegarty Illustrator: Ryan Wheatcroft
Interest level: 4-7
Reading age: 5+
On each double-page spread of this vibrant, lovely book, families show the different ways they experience a variety of common expe…
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My Mums Love Me
Author: Anna Membrino Illustrator: Joy Hwang Ruiz
Interest level: 2-3
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My Mums Love Me
Author: Anna Membrino Illustrator: Joy Hwang Ruiz
Interest level: 2-3
Reading age:
This adorable picture book with warm toned illustrations celebrates the daily routine of a baby and the fun that can be had all da…
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