Even if you have a great diverse and anti-bias children’s book collection, you may not have any books starring nonbinary and transgender characters. Why are these books so important?
Transgender and nonbinary children deserve positive, joyful representation in books, and it’s important for cisgender (people whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth) kids to read books that help them understand and appreciate their peers. That’s especially true in an increasingly hostile political climate. A growing number of state legislatures (including my home state) are targeting trans youth, their families, and their healthcare providers.
In this post, I share 18 wonderful children’s books with nonbinary and transgender characters, including picture books, graphic novels, and middle grade chapter books.
Also, if you’re looking for more ideas for celebrating transgender identity with kids, watch this short Instagram Live I did to prepare for Transgender Day of Visibility.
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Picture books starring nonbinary and transgender characters
Over the Shop by JonArno Lawson. Illustrated by Qin Leng.
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This wordless picture book, which the author dedicates to “trans activists of all ages,” provides a subtle yet powerful celebration of trans and Queer joy. As the story begins, readers see a lively child and their grumpy looking grandparent running a general store that seems like it’s seen better days.
They live behind the shop and have an upstairs apartment for rent. The apartment is in a pretty sad state, and potential tenants turn them down, one after another. One day a couple shows up, one of whom could be interpreted as a transgender man. Their enthusiasm for fixing up the apartment soon extends to a growing relationship with the child and their grandparent, which transforms the shop as well. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7. White author.)
Calvin by JR and Vanessa Ford. Illustrated by Kayla Harren.
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Calvin has always known he’s a boy, but it takes a while for him to develop the courage to tell his parents. They offer love and acceptance, including when Calvin tells them his name. It’s the same as the name of his stuffed lion, because in his heart, he’s always known it was his true name.
Calvin shares this news about himself on the eve of a vacation that turns out to be epic, complete with a superhero at a comic convention autographing a picture with Calvin’s real name! Once the family is back home, it’s almost time for school to start. Calvin has quite a few “what ifs” running through his head. Will his classmates and teachers embrace his identity? (Recommended for ages 3 – 7. Authors are cisgender parents of a transgender child. JR is Black and Vanessa is white.)
Related post: 11 fun ideas for teaching toddlers about gender diversity
Ho’Onani: Hula Warrior by Heather Gale. Illustrated by Mika Song.
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This book is based on a true story, and points to the Native Hawaiian tradition of māhū, people who embrace both masculine and feminine traits and are valued as teachers of ancient traditions.
When Ho’onani learns that the high school kāne (boys) will be performing a traditional hula chant, she decides to audition even though she’s not in high school yet and people think of her as a wahine (girl.) At first the kāne of the troupe are surprised to see a wahine, but Ho’onani’s chant is so strong, sure, and steady that she’s chosen as their leader. As the night of their performance approaches, Ho’onani isn’t worried that some parents might not accept her leadership. But she does wish that her sister Kana admired what she was doing. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8. White author.)
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Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution! by Joy Michael Ellison. Illsutrated by Teshika Silver.
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In this accessible book, young readers meet trans activist trailblazers Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson. Just before the Stonewall riots, Sylvia and Marsha are walking down Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, and Sylvia’s big heart is on display. Though they have little to spare, the women share their last dollar with a homeless teen, while also dodging “Alice in the blue dress” (police officers) who want to arrest them for being transgender.
Both during the riots and afterward, when Sylvia and Marsha start a house for trans youth who’ve been kicked out of their homes, the theme of being able to simply be who you are guides the story. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8. Transgender, Queer, white author.)
Related post: 17 LGBTQ affirming picture books
My Maddy by Gayle E. Pitman. Illustrated by Violet Tobacco.
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In this sweet and simple story, a child introduces readers to their beloved nonbinary Maddy, who is neither a boy nor a girl. Maddy and the child explore many different things that are kind of one thing, kind of another, both but not really either one. The color of Maddy’s eyes and hair, the sunrise which is neither day or night, sporks, and rainbows that happen between sun and rain are all highlighted.
The book is a beautiful celebration of people and experiences who are “not one thing or the other, but in between, and kind of both, and something entirely fantastically their own.” (Recommended for ages 3 – 7. Queer, white author.)
My Rainbow by Trinity and DeShanna Neal. Illustrated by Art Twink.
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In this colorful picture book, trans teen Trinity and her mother DeShanna tell the true story of how a handmade wig helped Trinity feel more like herself. As a trans girl, Trinity felt it was important that she have long hair, but as an autistic child she also found long hair itchy.
When her mother can’t find anything at the wig shop that feels right for a Black girl with Trinity’s bubbly personality, she sets out to make the perfect rainbow for her daughter. The story sensitively captures a supportive, attentive family and a trans child who knows just what she needs. Children of all genders will love the bright, rainbow infused illustrations. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8. Transgender, autistic, Black author.)
Related post: 14 anti bias books for preschool and kindergarten
Be Amazing: A History of Pride by Desmond Is Amazing. Illustrated by Dylan Glynn.
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Desmond is Amazing is a young drag artist and LGBTQ+ advocate who founded the first drag house for children. In this colorful children’s book, Desmond shares their own story as well as the stories of LGBTQ rights pioneers Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. Along the way, Desmond gives advice (like how to deal with haters) and answers questions (like whether performing drag means someone is trans.) (Recommended for ages 5 – 9. Genderfluid, white author.)
Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope by Jodie Patterson. Illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow.
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In this joy-filled children’s book, Jodie Patterson tells the moving story of how her child Penelope helped their family understand that he was a boy. Penelope’s family is big and busy, and he can’t seem to make them stop and listen, so that he can tell them: I’m a boy! So he makes his presence known with actions to make them see, hear, and feel him. (Those actions are often unpleasant.)
When he finally tells Mama that he’s a boy, she reassures him that it’s fine to “feel like a boy.” But no, Mama isn’t understanding! Penelope tells her “I don’t feel like a boy, I AM a boy.” Once she finally understands, Mama is ready to help Penelope show his joyful true self to all the world. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7. Black, cisgender author who is a parent of a transgender child.)
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Plus, discover which “classic” books I don’t recommend because of racist content.
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I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings. Illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas.
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Since the age of two, Jazz knew that she had a girl’s brain even though she had a boy body. Readers see her playing with her friends Samantha and Casey, but Jazz adds that she’s not exactly like her two friends.
Jazz tells about the confusing journey she and her family went through, until they finally met with a doctor that helped them understand what it meant to be transgender. Even then, Jazz faced challenges at school. This simple, straightforward book will help kids and adults alike to empathize with and understand trans kids. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8. Transgender, white author).
When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff. Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita.
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The first few years of Aidan’s life, he often felt misunderstood. People thought he was a girl, but Aidan knew he was a boy. Eventually, Aidan and his parents figured out just what kind of boy he was, and what made him happy.
So, when his parents tell him that Mom is going to have a baby, Aidan knows his job as a big brother is to make sure the baby feels understood. When the time comes for the baby to arrive, Aidan starts to worry. What if the baby doesn’t like the clothes and the nursery decorations he helped to choose? With his parents’ support, he starts to understand that being a good big brother doesn’t have to mean doing everything right. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8. Transgender, white author.)
Related post: 14 children’s books about adjusting to a new sibling
Middle grade chapter books with nonbinary and transgender characters
Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker.
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After her father dies, Zenobia moves across the country to live with her aunties. For the first time, Zenobia is able to live as her true self, a girl. Only Aunt Lucy and her wife Aunt Phil know that Zenobia is transgender.
At her new school, Zenobia is befriended by a table in the lunchroom that calls themselves the “orphan misfits,” yet she continually feels uncertain about how other students perceive her. When someone hacks into the school website to write hateful anti-Muslim messages, Zenobia offers her considerable cyber skills to a teacher so that they can catch the hacker. At the same time, she struggles with whether to use her own hacking skills to get revenge on classmates who have humiliated her.
The theme of the positive and negative aspects of gaming culture, as well as Zenobia’s interactions with a nonbinary friend, give her more complexity than is sometimes true of books starring transgender characters.
Content note: There is a reference to the possible suicide of a parent in the book. (Recommended for ages 10 – 14. Transgender, white author.)
Moonflower by Kacen Callender.
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In this unique fantasy book, Moon struggles with deep depression and feelings that their mother must wish that they were different. One of book’s settings is what Moon refers to as “your world,” because they are sure they do not belong to it. In your world, Moon long-ago stopped speaking, and their mother searches for the right therapist that can get Moon to open up again and feel some sense of hope.
The other setting is a spirit realm Moon is only able to enter at night, where their wise friend Wolf tries to communicate to them how deeply they are loved in both realms. Moon longs to stay in this world, but a golden chain tied to their ankle always sends them back to “your world.”
Wolf warns Moon that staying in the spirit world too long will endanger them. Moon tries to live by this guidance, but when Wolf and others in the spirit realm are suddenly endangered, they must take a great risk to save everyone there. (Recommended for ages 8 – 12. Queer, Transgender, nonbinary, Afro-Caribbean author.)
This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us edited by Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby.
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This short story collection is delightfully diverse in terms of LGBTQ identities, race and ethnicity, and type of story. There are realistic fiction stories, fantasies, and graphic novel-style stories, many of which star nonbinary or transgender characters. Sometimes LGBTQ identity is a major part of the storyline, while in others it provides a backdrop for childhood experiences like finding a new pet after a beloved one has died, or experiencing a first crush.
In “The Makeover,” nonbinary Jes is new at school and it quickly adopted by a Queer friend group that calls themselves the Porcupines. When Jes isn’t sure what they want their style to be, the Porcupines take them on a trip to the thriftstore to find the perfect outfits.
A short story by Lisa Bunker describes how an online friendship that crosses an ocean gives a transgender girl the courage to speak up to her parents about who she is.
Even in stories where characters face bias and harassment, these tales lead with joy and resilience. (Recommended for ages 8 – 12. Authors of the short stories are of many different races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and genders.)
Related post: LGBTQ affirming resources for parents and teachers
Grab my printable list of top diverse books for every age, from 2 to 12
Plus, discover which “classic” books I don’t recommend because of racist content.
You’ll also get my kids and justice themed resources in your inbox each Tuesday. Don’t like it? No problem. You can unsubscribe in one click.
Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff.
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This review contains a slight spoiler, though the information is shared within the first third of the book.
Anabelle lives in the suburbs of Seattle, and she expects her sixth grade year at a small private school (where all the students know each other) to be boring. When Bailey, a fantastic new kid shows up who has a strong sense of self, Anabelle’s expectations are turn upside down.
Talkative Anabelle is quickly drawn to Bailey and can’t wait to have her over. But when she mentions that Bailey uses they/them pronouns, her mother stiffens. When her father meets Bailey, he’s downright rude. Bailey and Anabelle can only assume her parents are transphobic.
But the truth is much more complicated. After a couple of tense, confusing days, Anabelle’s dad reveals that he is transgender. He’s hidden this information from her and everyone else in their community because of negative experiences from his past.
As Annabelle works to understand both Bailey and her father, she also begins to realize she’s drawn to Bailey as more than a friend. She’s not sure what this means for what kind of rainbow label fits her, but maybe the National Coming Out Day panel she is helping Bailey organize for their class will help.
The book has so many themes about gender, divides within the LGBTQ community, parent relationships, first crushes, privilege, and schools restricting learning. Anabelle’s quirky, effusive personality keep the story engaging and funny as it guides readers through these big issues.
Content note: Unfortunately, the father makes a joke near the end of the book about how Anabelle playing the recorder “almost made us put you up for adoption.” (Recommended for ages 9 – 13. Transgender, white author.)
Melissa by Alex Gino (formerly published under the title George)
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Many fourth graders have secrets about themselves that they’re afraid to tell others. But 10-year-old Melissa’s is bigger than most. She knows she’s a girl, even though everyone else thinks of her as a boy named George.
When it’s time to try out for the school play, Charlotte’s Web, she dreams of playing Charlotte. But her teacher says she can’t even try out for that role, since she’s a boy. Melissa is sure that if her mother can see her play Charlotte, she’ll understand that she’s a girl. So, she opens up to her best friend. They’re soon hatching a plot that they hope will help everyone understand who she really is. (Recommended for ages 9 – 13. Genderqueer, white author.)
Middle grade graphic novels with nonbinary and transgender characters
Rabbit Chase by Elizabeth LaPensée and KC Oster.
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Nonbinary Aimée often faces taunts at school, but a field trip organized by the Indigenous Students Association should offer a reprieve. On the trip to view petroglyphs, an Anishinaabe elder invites the children to leave offerings for the Paayehnsag (also called water spirits, rock spirits, or little people) since they only trust young people.
Little does Aimée know that they will soon encounter not only the Paayehnsag, but also the famous Trickster Brothers, as well as an Alice in Wonderland-inspired cast of characters. Aimee’s lost and focused on getting home, but news that a greedy red queen is trying to steal water rights to the land gets them caught up in a whole other set of problems. (Recommended for ages 8 – 12. Anishinaabe, Métis, and Irish author.)
Related post: 12 diverse and inclusive graphic novels for ages 8 – 12
The Deep and Dark Blue by Niki Smith.
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When twins Grayson and Hawke are betrayed by their cousin, they’re forced to flee their noble house in order to save their own lives. The brothers take refuge with the Communion of Blue, a spiritual order of women and girls who spin sacred thread.
In their new identities as Grayce and Hanna, Grayce is chosen to learn spinning, something Grayce has secretly wished in her heart for a long time. Hanna/Hawke is chosen as a guardian, and relishes the chance to fight. Hawke can’t stop talking to Grayce about when they will be able to return home and resume their normal lives as boys. He doesn’t see what some others in the Communion of Blue have already realized: here, Grayce is able to finally be who she truly is. (Recommended for ages 8 – 12. Queer, white author.)
Snapdragon by Kat Leyh
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This is the perfect graphic novel for kids who are fascinated by creepy things. Young Snapdragon’s dog has gone missing. She decides to check out the home of the local witch, known for stealing pets, even though she doesn’t think witches are real.
In turns out that Jacks is just a weird old woman who nurses pets back to life and also puts together the skeletons of roadkill. As she and Snapdragon form an unlikely friendship, Snap discovers Jacks has an unexpected link to her family. (Recommended for ages 10 – 14. Queer white author.)
What other children’s books starring nonbinary and transgender characters do you recommend? Share in the comments!