June Book List: 8 Books Featuring LGBTQ+ Characters

Queer Heroes: Meet 53 LGBTQ Heroes From Past and Present!
By Arabelle Sicardi and illustrated by Sarah Tanat-Jones
Ages 10-15, 64 pages, hardcover

This bold book, published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, celebrates the achievements of LGBTQ+ people through history and from around the world. Discover the inspiring stories of 53 LGBT artists, writers, innovators, athletes, and activists who have made great contributions to culture, from ancient times to present day. This is the perfect book for anyone who wants to learn more about a collection of inspiring figures in LGBTQ+ history.

Yay! You’re Gay! Now What?: A Gay Boy’s Guide to Life
By Riyadh Khalaf and illustrated by Melissa McFeeters
Ages 11-16, 224 pages, paperback

In this personal, heartfelt go-to guide for young queer guys, broadcaster, YouTuber, and LGBT+ advocate Riyadh Khalaf shares frank advice about everything from coming out to relationships, as well as encouragement for times when you’re feeling low. There’s a support section for family and friends written by Riyadh’s parents and LOADS of hilarious, embarrassing, inspiring, and moving stories from gay boys from around the world. Plus, inspirational gay men including Stephen Fry, Clark Moore, and James Kavanagh share the advice they would give to their younger selves.

Billie Jean King
By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and illustrated by Miranda Sofroniou
Ages 4-7, 32 pages, hardcover

Billie Jean began playing tennis at the age of 11. After one of her first tennis lessons, she told her mother, “I’m going to be No. 1 in the world,” a title she would come to hold five times between 1966 and 1972. Twenty years later, she is still today considered one of the most successful women in sports history. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the amazing sportswoman’s life.

Music Is My Life: Soundtrack your mood with 80 artists for every occasion
By Myles Tanzer and illustrated by Ali Mac
Ages 8-12, 112 pages, hardcover

Do you remember the first time you discovered an artist you really loved? Did they get you through a difficult time in your life? This book harnesses that feeling, by collecting together 80 of music’s finest artists to guide young people through the good, bad and sad times. Whatever the feeling, these artists have been there and sung about it. Organised by mood, dip into the library to discover new artists from decades past to present day. Shout about it with Nirvana, love yourself with Lizzo, or cry it out with Adele.

An ABC of Equality
By Chana Ginelle Ewing and illustrated by Paulina Morgan
Ages 0-5, 52 pages, board book

From A to Z, simple explanations accompanied by engaging artwork teach children about the world we live in and how to navigate our way through it. Each right-hand page includes a brightly decorated letter with the word it stands for and an encouraging slogan. On the left, a colorful illustration and bite-size text sum up the concept. Cheerful people from a range of backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities lead the way through the alphabet.

Loud and Proud: LGBTQ+ Speeches that Empower and Inspire
By Tea Uglow
Foreword by Peter Tatchell
Illustrated by Jack Holland
Ages 12+, 176 pages, Hardcover

This seminal collection places the loud and proud voices of the vibrant LGBTQ+ community center stage. From equal marriage to gender definitions, bullying to parenthood, the issues covered in these speeches touch on all aspects of LGBTQ+ and reflect the diverse and multi-faceted nature of this community. Experienced public speaker and Creative Director for Google’s Creative Lab Sydney Tea Uglow introduces each speech with a concise bio of the remarkable person who delivered it. Paired with powerful illustrations, the unique personality of each speaker is brought to life. A ribbon keeps your place in the book.

The Great Big Book of Families
By Mary Hoffman and illustrated by Ros Asquith
Ages 4-8, 40 pages, Hardcover

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 colors 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.

Made by Raffi
By Craig Pomranz and illustrated by Margaret Chamberlain
Ages 6-9, 40 pages, Paperback

Raffi is a shy boy who doesn’t like noisy games and is often teased at school. But when he gets the idea of making a scarf for his dad’s birthday he is full of enthusiasm, even though the other children think it is girly to knit. Then the day draws near for the school pageant, and there is one big problem – no costume for the prince. And that’s when Raffi has his most brilliant idea of all – to make a prince’s cape. On the day of the pageant, Raffi’s cape is the star of the show.