Wondering how to use inclusive children's books in the classroom? Check out our free, downloadable Early Pride Matters teaching guides for teaching suggestions, discussion topics, activities, and tips for meeting early learning standards.

Inclusive Children's Books

Teaching with

LGBTQ+ Inclusive

Picture Books

Children can’t make sense of the world if they don’t see themselves, their families or their peers reflected in it. As an early childhood educator, you are uniquely positioned to present a worldview that both reveals and reflects the diversity and depth of our cultures, identities and backgrounds.

That’s where LGBTQ+ inclusive books come in. We’ve reviewed hundreds of children’s picture books and picked of some of the best to help you:

  • create a more representative, welcoming and inclusive library
  • build understanding and teach empathy
  • promote acceptance and inclusion in your early childhood classroom

These books should not be limited to days when you plan to teach about diversity and inclusion. They can and should be incorporated across your curriculum to address a variety of learning goals and developmental domains.

To help you get the most out of these books, we’ve also prepared teaching guides that will help you broaden the horizons, perspectives and attitudes of your early learners. Visit often, as we will continue to add more teaching guides!

Click on the categories below to get started!

child reading book at table in front of bookshelves
Kids having a fun time together
Group of kindergarten kids lying on the grass at park and relax
Two mothers holding their son on their laps outside at the park
Loving mother embracing her children looking into the distance
child and dad dressed up
happy african american kid sitting and looking at camera near book and pink backpack
Children reading a book on the floor

Build early literacy skills with inclusive children’s books. Find out how

Visit our Resources page to find books that address intersectionality and other areas of social justice.