Picture Books about Different Kinds of Families & Love
It’s LGBT+ History Month so we thought put together lists of book recommendations suitable for toddlers to pre-teens.
This list is Picture Books About Different Kinds of Families & Love- mainly aimed at younger children.
You can order any of these titles directly from us or purchase them through our bookshop.org store and we’ll get commission on your purchase.
Picture Books about Different Kinds of Families & Love
All Kinds of Families by Sophy Henn
Paperback £6.99
A wonderful celebration of the diversity of family life that is perfect for pre-schoolers, from award-winning author/illustrator Sophy Henn.
Just like us, animal families are all different. For orang-utans, mummy looks after the babies, for emus it is all down to daddy. Clownfish live with a mummy and daddy, some albatross families live with two mummies and some cheetahs are adopted by two daddies. For some families it is the grandparents, or even a huge family group, who help bring up the youngsters. But what's the one thing that they have in common? Love, of course!
Reflecting the different ways that children live today, this warm and friendly introduction to the variety of family life is perfect for pre-schoolers to learn about the world around them, as well as seeing which family is similar to their own.
Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
Boardbook £6.99
This fun, inclusive board book celebrates the one thing that makes every family a family . . . and that’s LOVE.
Love is baking a special cake. Love is lending a helping hand. Love is reading one more book. In this exuberant board book, many different families are shown in happy activity, from an early-morning wake-up to a kiss before bed. Whether a child has two moms, two dads, one parent, or one of each, this simple preschool read-aloud demonstrates that what’s most important in each family’s life is the love the family members share.
The Great Big Book of Families by Mary Hoffman (Author) and Ros Asquith (Illustrator)
Paperback £9.99
The Great Big Book of Families introduces children to the fact that not all families look the same. Featuring funny artwork and wonderfully accessible text this book celebrates each family in its own unique and wonderful way.
What is a family? Once, it was said to be a father, mother, boy, girl, cat and dog living in a house with a garden. But as times have changed, families have changed too, and now there are almost as many kinds of families as colours of the rainbow.
From a mum and dad or single parent to two mums or two dads, from a mixed-race family to children with different mums and dads, to families with a disabled member. This is a fresh, optimistic look through children's eyes at today's wide variety of family life: from homes, food, ways of celebrating, schools and holidays to getting around, jobs and housework, from extended families, languages and hobbies to pets and family trees.
The is a brilliant introduction for children to all family types great and small.
Under the Love Umbrella by Davina Bell (Author) and Allison Colpoys (Illustrator)
Paperback £6.99
Whatever you fear, come close my dear
You're tucked in safe for always here
And I will never not be near
Because of our love umbrella
From this award-winning creative duo comes a book about the wonder of ever-present love. A stunning celebration of the joy and comfort that is always with us, wherever we roam in the big, wild world.
Who's under your Love Umbrella?
The Family Book by Todd Parr
Paperback RRP £6.99
The Family Book celebrates the love we feel for our families and all the different varieties they come in. Whether you have two mothers or two dads, a big family or a small family, a clean family or a messy one, Todd Parr assures readers that no matter what kind of family you have, every family is special in its own unique way.
Parr's message about the importance of embracing our differences is delivered in a playful way. With his trademark bold, bright colours and silly scenes, this book will encourage children to ask questions about their own families.
Heather Has Two Mummies by Leslea Newman (Author) and Laura Cornell (Illustrator)
Paperback £7.99
New in the UK, a rediscovered modern classic for today's generation in an updated, beautifully illustrated edition.
All but unavailable since 2009, this delightful, important modern classic is back by public demand - revitalised in an updated, beautifully illustrated new edition for young readers. Celebrated author Leslea Newman and bestselling illustrator Laura Cornell tell the story of a little girl called Heather.
Heather's favourite number is two - she has two arms, two legs, two pets and two lovely mummies. But when Heather goes to school for the first time, someone asks her about her daddy ... and Heather doesn't have a daddy! But then the class all draw portraits of their families, and not one single drawing is the same. Heather and her classmates realize - it doesn't matter who makes up a family, the most important thing is that all the people in it love one another very much.
The Girl with Two Dads by Mel Elliott
Paperback RRP £6.99
Matilda is a new girl at Pearl's school, but there's something really different and cool about her family she has TWO dads!
Pearl is sure that Matilda's family must be very different to her own but, as they become friends, she starts to discover that maybe Matilda's family aren't so different after all ...
A funny and heart-warming tale featuring a same-sex parent family. This light-hearted story will open up discussion and encourage children to be open minded and inclusive. This charming tale of friendship is all about celebrating what makes us different and similar to one another and is perfect for sharing with children aged 3 years and up.
King and King by Linda De Haan (Author) and Stern Nijland (Author)
Hardback RRP £12.99
A funny, tender, beautifully illustrated story with a different kind of fairy tale ending. The word of Danish author Linda de Haan and illustrator Stern Nijland, King and King is a modern classic.
On a mountain high above town, young Prince Bertie lives with his mother. Tired of being Queen, she is desperate to find Bertie a princess to marry so he can inherit the throne, so she scours the world, from Greenland to Mumbai, looking for a suitable bride but all Bertie says is “I’ve never cared much for princesses”.
It seems like the Queen is never going to find a suitable match for Bertie and then Princess Madeleine pays the court a visit, accompanied by her brother, Prince Lee. Has Bertie finally met his match?
She's My Dad!: A Story for Children Who Have a Transgender Parent or Relative by Sarah Savage (Author)
and Joules Garcia (Illustrator)
When Mini's cousin accidentally misgenders her dad Haley, Mini explains why misgendering is hurtful and why we need to treat trans people with respect. Mini speaks with confidence about transitioning and gender identity, and helps to educate and empower others with trans relatives or friends.
This brightly illustrated book for children aged 3 - 7 will aid discussion with children about a loved one transitioning or about trans people in general. Featuring a child with a dad who has transitioned, this book passes on an important message about acceptance and respect, and covers pronouns, dysphoria, family diversity and misgendering.
Donovan's Big Day by Leslea Newman (Author) and Mike Dutton (Illustrator)
Hardback £13.99
Donovan's two moms are getting married, and he can't wait for the celebration to begin. After all, as ringbearer, he has a very important job to do. Any boy or girl with same-sex parents—or who knows a same-sex couple—will appreciate this picture book about love, family, and marriage. The story captures the joy and excitement of a wedding day while the illustrations show the happy occasion from a child's point of view.
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson (Author), Peter Parnell (Author) and Henry Cole (Illustrator)
Paperback RRP £7.99
Roy and Silo are just like the other penguin couples at the zoo - they bow to each other, walk together and swim together. But Roy and Silo are a little bit different - they're both boys.
Then, one day, when Mr Gramzay the zookeeper finds them trying to hatch a stone, he realises that it may be time for Roy and Silo to become parents for real.
The Prince and the Frog: A Story to Help Children Learn About Same-Sex Relationships by Olly Pike
Hardback RRP £10.99
One day, Oskar and his sister Caroline meet a prince who was turned into a frog by an evil wizard. Only true love's kiss can break the spell - both Caroline and Oskar want to help, but which of them will be the frog prince's true love?
This brightly illustrated, heart-warming take on a classic fairytale teaches children about same-sex relationships and attraction. Exploring what it means to be in a healthy, loving relationship, it encourages children to listen to others, be kind, and embrace diversity and equality. Ideal for children aged 3-7.
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