Children’s Books by LGBTQ+ Black Authors
Picture books from U.S. and Canadian writers
My Rainbow
A picture book about Trinity, an autistic transgender girl who lives with her supportive family. Trinity wants to have long hair, but experienced texture sensitivity when she tried to grow her hair out. Trinity’s sibling and mother come up with an idea to make her wish come true.
Written by the real-life Trinity and her mother DeShanna Neal. Published by Kokila in 2020.
Love is in the Hair
Carter’s two uncles Marcus and Jeff are staying with her while her parents are at the hospital waiting for the birth of Carter’s new sibling. Unable to fall asleep, Carter asks Uncle Marcus to tell her stories about the beautiful things in his dreadlocks. Uncles Marcus and Jeff happen to be a gay couple.
Author: Syrus Marcus Ware, who won the 2005 Now Magazine “Best Queer Activist” award. Ware has a PhD in environmental studies.. Published by Flamingo Rampant in 2015.
I am Perfectly Designed
A boy recalls fond memories with his father while enjoying a walk through their diverse neighborhood. The authors are Queer Eye star Karamo Brown and his adult son Jason “Rachel” Brown. Queer identities are not the focus of this picture book, but the neighborhood is portrayed as inclusive of families with same sex parents. Published by Henry Holt and Company in 2019,
In 2022, the authors released a second picture book “I am Ok to Feel”, which explores embracing emotions in a healthy way.
Keesha’s South African Adventure, My Family!
After learning about South Africa at school, Keesha dreams about going there one day. Her two mothers surprise her by gifting her with a one-week trip to South Africa on her birthday.
Cheril N. Clarke and Monica Bey-Clarke are also the authors of “Keesha and Her Two Moms Go Swimming”, and “My Family! ABCs with Keesha.” Learn more about their work at cherilandmonica.com.
My Name is Troy, 2020
Self-published on Lulu.com by Christian A’Xavier Lovehall, My Name is Troy explores a day in the life of an out, proud Black trans boy who lives with his supportive family. Lovehall, a trans man with Caribbean roots, founded the Philly Trans March. He hopes that his book can be “a tool to help families see the importance of creating support systems and safer homes for Trans youth.”
Umi and Uma, Wooden Roses Publishing, 2018
Set in the imaginary land of Astrin, “Umi & Uma: The Story of Two Mommies and a Baby” tells the story of how Baby Abigial’s parents came to start a family and bring her into the world.
The authors Nyesha and Samantha Davis-Williams are a married couple who share their parenting journey through @TwoMommiesAndABaby on Instagram.