As the holidays rapidly approach, there’s always that search for the perfect present for the kids in your life. May I suggest books? There’s no worrying about sizes, they last a long time, are easy to ship, and are non-fattening.
I recently found a terrific LGBTQ+ kids’ book gift guide on Mombian.com, and I’d like to share a sample of it with you. For the full guide, please click here. Story subjects include pronouns, biographies, families, relationships, communities, gender identity and expression, STEM, and bedtime.
The Pronoun Book, by Chris Ayala-Kronos, illustrated by Melita Tirado (Clarion). This bright board book highlights different pronouns and some of the diverse people who use each one. Simple but joyous.
If You’re a Kid Like Gavin: The True Story of a Young Trans Activist, by Gavin Grimm and Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by J Yang (Katherine Tegen Books). The tale of transgender teen Grimm’s choices and resilience before and during his successful federal court fight for the right to use the boy’s bathroom at school.
Some Daddies, Carol Gordon Ekster, Javiera Maclean Alvarez (Beaming Books). All daddies are different, but all are special, affirms this book about many different types of dads.
Cinderelliot: A Scrumptious Fairytale, by Mark Ceilley and Rachel Smoka-Richardson, illustrated by Stephanie Laberis (Running Press). A tasty riff on the classic story, about a young baker, his fairy godfather, and a prince looking for love.
True You: A Gender Journey, by Gwen Agna and Shelley Rotner (Clarion). A celebratory book filled with photos and testimonials of real children across a variety of gender identities and expressions.
Kapaemahu, by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, and Joe Wilson, illustrated by Daniel Sousa (Kokila). An indigenous legend about four individuals of dual male and female spirit who brought healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii.
Something Great, by Jeanette Bradley (Levine Querido). Quinn has created Something Great in their workshop. It might look like a plastic milk bottle on a string, but Quinn and a new friend find that it can swing, spin, lift, and more. When asked what it is “supposed” to be, nonbinary Quinn rejects labels, asserting, “It was just . . . itself. Something Great.”
Wishing all my followers a joyous and healthy holiday season. See you in 2023!
Marti Johns 