17 Children's Books With Queer Characters That Deserve Your Attention

It's never too early to teach kids that being queer is totally normal.

We asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to share their favorite queer children's books with us. Here are their (and some of my own) recommendations:

1. Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Candlewick

—agnesal532

What it's about: The book follows the story of a young boy named Julián, who spots three magical women dressed as mermaids on the subway and wants to go home and re-create the look for himself. He worries what his abuela will think of this, but Julián is ultimately supported in being his true mermaid self.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+, Barnes and Noble for $15.29, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

2. When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

Lee & Low Books

—caleb_wiesblott

What it's about: Aidan is a trans boy who, through loving and supportive parents, is able to live his life as he was always meant to live it. After discovering that his mother is now pregnant, Aidan must learn what it means to be a big brother to his new sibling.

Get it from Amazon for $22.93, Barnes and Noble for $17.57, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

3. My Footprints by Bao Phi, illustrated by Basia Tran

Capstone Editions

What it's about: Thuy feels different because she is Vietnamese-American and has two moms. She often has to deal with school bullies because of this. During one walk home on a winter afternoon, Thuy spots a bird that inspires her to go on an imaginary adventure that eventually leads her into the arms of her moms, where together they help Thuy find the courage she's been seeking.

Get it from Amazon for $10.67+, Barnes and Noble for $17.99+, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

4. The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived by Daniel Errico, illustrated by Shiloh Penfield

Schiffer

What it's about: This books follows Cedric from his childhood on a pumpkin farm to his adult life as a knight. One day, he decides to fight off a fire-breathing dragon and rescue both a princess and prince from its clutches. The princess ultimately proposes to Cedric, but Cedric reveals that he's actually fallen in love with the prince.

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+, Barnes and Noble for $15.59, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

5. It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn, illustrated by Noah Grigni

Henry Holt and Co

—thebooklady

What it's about: This book aims to teach children about all forms of gender identity in a digestible way.

Get it from Amazon for $13.43+, Barnes and Noble for $16.19+, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

6. Annie's Plaid Shirt by Stacy B. Davids, illustrated by Rachael Balsaitis

Upswing Press

What it's about: Annie has a favorite plaid shirt that she wears often. However, her uncle's wedding is coming soon, and Annie's mom encourages her to wear a dress for it, despite Annie's wishes. She just doesn't feel comfortable in dresses, so she comes up with a new, genius idea.

Get it from Amazon for $16.95 or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

7. Love Makes A Family by Sophie Beer

Dial Books

—hannahrosed416c6ed85

What it's about: This board book displays the full spectrum on how families can and do look and how love ultimately binds them all.

Get it from Amazon for $7.49+, Barnes and Noble for $10.79+, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

8. Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer, illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown

Chronicle Books

What it's about: When Stella finds out her class is having a Mother's Day party, she is immediately concerned given that she has two dads. While racking her brain for a solution, she discovers that there are many family members in her life who help her, so she decides to bring them all to the party.

Get it from Amazon for $12.75, Barnes and Noble for $15.29, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

9. Mommy, Mama, and Me by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Carol Thompson

Tricycle Press

—paigepikula

What it's about: The book follows a day in the life of a toddler who happens to have two moms — all the way from playing hide-and-seek to a kiss good night. There's nothing but love in this everyday family.

Get it from Amazon for $7.99, Barnes and Noble for $7.99, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

10. A Plan for Pops by Heather Smith and Brooke Kerrigan

Orca Book Publishers

What it's about: This story follows Lou, a boy who loves spending every Saturday with his Granddad and Pops. On one specific Saturday, Pops has a fall and must now use a wheelchair, which causes him to withdraw. Lou then crafts a plan to cheer up his Pops.

Get it from Amazon for $13.47+, Barnes and Noble for $17.96+, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

11. And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, illustrated by Henry Cole

Little Simon

—christyb15

What it's about: Based on a true story, this book follows two inseperable male penguins named Silo and Roy at the Central Park Zoo. They are given a motherless penguin egg and together successfully hatch baby Tango.

Get it from Amazon for $7.99, Barnes and Noble for $9.99, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

12. The Flower Girl Wore Celery by Meryl G. Gordon, illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown

Kar-Ben Publishing

—Jane Aattwell, Facebook

What it's about: The book follows a little girl named Emma, who is asked by her cousin to be a flower girl at her wedding. The cousin asks Emma to wear a celery-colored dress, and she is told she will walk besides the ring bearer. Emma assumes she must then wear actual celery and walk alongside a real-life bear. On her cousin's wedding day, Emma is surprised to learn that this isn't the case and is also pleased to find out that her cousin is marrying a woman.

Get it from Amazon for $7.52+, Barnes and Noble for $7.99+, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

13. Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack, illustrated by Stevie Lewis

little bee books

—cmceekay

What it's about: The story follows a prince who travels far and wide with his parents to find a princess to wed. While away, his kingdom is attacked, so the prince returns and fights alongside a knight, who ends up being just the kind of person he was looking for all along.

Get it from Amazon for $10.99+, Barnes and Noble for $16.19, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

14. Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian, illustrated by Mike Curato

Balzer + Bray

—brennah4b7002498

What it's about: This tells the simple story of two worms who fall in love and ultimately get married.

Get it from Amazon for $13.42+, Barnes and Noble for $16.19+, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

15. Santa's Husband by Daniel Kibblesmith, illustrated by AP Quach

Harper Design

—mindym467c8e653

What it's about: The book follows the everyday adventures of Santa (left) and his equally jolly husband Mr. Claus (right). This involves seeing them hanging around the North Pole, on vacation, comforting each other, and even getting married.

Get it from Amazon for $13.98, Barnes and Noble for $16.16, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

16. The Christmas Truck by J. B. Blankenship, illustrated by Cassandre Bolan

NarraGarden LLC

What it's about: This story follows a family consisting of Papa, Dad, Kiddo, and Grandma, who together save Christmas for one underprivileged child.

Get it from Amazon for $9.84, Barnes and Noble for $9.95, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

17. Introducing Teddy: A gentle story about gender and friendship by Jessica Walton, illustrations by Dougal MacPherson

Bloomsbury USA Childrens

What it's about: Best friends Errol and Thomas do everything together. One day, Errol discovers that something is going on with Thomas, and Thomas reveals that she's always known she's a girl and that she'd like to go by the name Tilly from now on. Errol understands and tells his friend that he still loves her, no matter what.

Get it from Amazon for $10.89, Barnes and Noble for $16.19, or from a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

Now it's your turn! What LGBTQ children's books are you a fan of? Share yours in the comments below for a chance to be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post and/or video!