Recs if you like Julián Is a Mermaid...
picture books to read with your inner child
on a mission to learn about the world and myself through the picture books we never got as kids. here, you’ll find softness, warmth, cosyness, and found family. stories about identity, community, food, and self acceptance. always open to recs!
my top recs are in the comments, and please reach out for in-depth or specific content warnings if you need, i’ll reread the book for you and try my best!
🚧 under construction! 🚧
The Sweetest and Most Beautiful Kids’ Books
picture books with gorgeous art and an affirming message. suggestions always welcome!
Banned Picture Books
Children’s picture books that have been banned or challenged in the U.S. Recommendations always welcome!
My library had a Banned Books section on Libby and that is where I got the titles towards the bottom. I will update in the comments where I get new titles from!
Stonewall Book Awards and Honors
I thought it would be nice to have all of them in one long list.
Krause Banned Book List Project
In October 2021, Texas State Representative Matt Krause initiated an inquiry targeting a list of approximately 850 books in Texas public schools, alleging they could cause "discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress" regarding race or sex. The list disproportionately targeted LGBTQ+ topics, race/racism, and sex education.
This is my project to read through this list for myself - utilizing my local library system for access to these titles. Follow the journey or join along!
ala banned books list
a list of the most frequently challenged books as recorded by the american library association. 🔗 read more here.
*note: if multiple books from the same series are listed by the ala, i have only included one book per series here
Queer Children's Books
We celebrate various events related to the publishing of children's books by highlighting children's books and middle grade works that feature queer themes and/or queer characters. This list is being posted for Children's Authors and Illustrators Week! (This list is presented by Duck Prints Press, the indie publisher focused on publishing queer art and stories by queer creators!)
diversity for your toddler's library 🧑🏿🐰🧑🏼
BBC’s 100 Greatest Children’s Books of All Time
The BBC’s 100 Greatest Children’s Books of All Time as published in May 2023.
🌈 LGBTQ+ Picture Books 🌈
🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 Kids' picture books with LGBTQ+ characters, themes, and authors 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
stonewall award winners & honors-children’s books
children’s picture books that won or were honored for the stonewall award
Auntie Lion and the Niblings Read Books
Sunshine and Rainbows 🌈☀️
Books for when you feel hopeless and gloomy (Working List)
Stonewall: Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Award
The first and most enduring award for LGBTQIA+ books is the Stonewall Book Awards, sponsored by the American Library Association's Rainbow Round Table. Since Isabel Miller's Patience and Sarah received the first award in 1971, many other books have been honored for exceptional merit relating to the LGBTQIA+ experience.
The Stonewall Book Award-Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children's and Young Adult Literature Award (from ala.org)
2016-2025
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