Celebrating Families: An Inclusive List of Children's Books

At Winnie, we celebrate families of all kinds. We know that inclusion and allyship are more than just a box to check off one month out of the year, it is an ongoing commitment. Whether you’re a parent or a provider, it’s crucial to have all children and families reflected in the pages of the books on your shelf. In honor of Pride Month, we have put together this list of inclusive children’s books that celebrate LGBTQ+ families. 

Celebrating families: an inclusive list of children's books

This list was curated using resources developed by The Office of Head Start.

Families. Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly. (Toddler–K). There are all kinds of families. Some are big and some are small. Some have two moms or two dads. This book of photos offers children an inclusive look at families, so they can see beyond their own experiences and begin to understand others. 

The Family Book. Todd Parr. (Toddler–K). All kinds of families are celebrated in a funny, silly and reassuring way. Includes adoptive families, stepfamilies, single-parent families, two-mom and two-dad families, and families with a mom and a dad. 

Families, Families, Families! Suzanne and Max Lang. (Toddler–K). A host of silly animals represent all kinds of families. Depicted as portraits, framed and hung, images of these goofy creatures offer a warm celebration of family love. 

The Great Big Book of Families. Mary Hoffman. (Pre-K–3). All kinds of families and their lives together are featured, with two-page spreads and each showcasing one aspect of home life—from houses and holidays, to schools and pets, to feelings and family trees. 

One Family. George Shannon. (Pre-K–2). While the text looks at numbers and the concept of “one” —one batch of cookies, one family, one world— the images portray a diverse range of people and families, including those that are multigenerational, interracial, or include parents who identify as LGBT. 

We Belong Together: A Book About Adoption and Families. Todd Parr. (Toddler–1). This book explores the ways that people can choose to come together as a family. It’s about sharing your home and sharing your heart to make a family that belongs together. 

Who’s In My Family? All About Our Families. Robie Harris. (Toddler–1). This book interweaves conversations between two young siblings with a matter-of-fact text, making it clear to every child that whoever makes up your family, it is perfectly normal — and totally wonderful. 

And Tango Makes Three. Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. (K–2). Boy penguins Roy and Silo at New York’s Central Park Zoo do everything together. They even put a rock in their nest and try to hatch it, until the zookeeper gives them a real egg that needs care. The penguins take turns sitting on it until it hatches, and Tango is born. 

The Different Dragon. Jennifer Bryan. (Pre-K–1). This book shows how the wonderful curiosity and care of a little boy, with some help from his two moms, can lead to magical places with a dragon who is tired of being tough. (Also available in Spanish as El dragón diferente.) 

Donovan’s Big Day. Lesléa Newman. (Pre-K–2). This book captures the excitement of a young boy as he and his extended family prepare for the boy’s two moms’ wedding. A picture book about love, family, and marriage. 

Heather Has Two Mommies, 25th Anniversary Edition. Lesléa Newman. (Pre-K–K). Heather’s favorite number is two. She has two arms, two legs, and two pets. And she also has two mommies. As school begins, Heather sees that “the most important thing about a family is that all the people in it love one another.” 

Keesha and Her Two Moms Go Swimming. Monica Bey-Clarke and Cheril N. Clarke. (K–2). While having fun splashing with other friends, Keesha meets a little boy who has no friends and no toys, until Keesha does the right thing and makes a new friend.