Picked with pride
Especially for LGBT+ Pride Month (celebrated each year in June), here are some recommendations of inclusive and engaging books for the Early Years up to Key Stage 2:
Early Years Foundation Stage
Love makes a family by Sophie Beer (Caterpillar Books, 2021) is a colourful and vibrant board book, which celebrates the diversity of different family types.
Aalfred and Aalbert: A love story by Morag Hood (Two Hoots, 2019) is an endearing tale about two aardvarks who need a helping hand from Bird to meet each other.
The Pirate Mums by Jodie Lancet-Grant and Lydia Corry (Oxford University Press, 2021). Billy wishes his mums were normal and not pirates, until a boat trip goes wrong and everyone needs their help …
Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)
Bathe the Cat written by Alice B. McGinty and illustrated by David Roberts (Chronicle Books, 2021) features two dads and a cat who does NOT want a bath.
Julian is a Mermaid, written and illustrated by Jessica Love (Walker Books, 2019), was originally planned as a wordless book, and is a joyful story with rich illustrations. The follow-up, Julian at the Wedding (Walker Books, 2021), is also well worth checking out too.
Nen and the Lonely Fisherman, written by Ian Eagleton and illustrated by James Mayhew (Owlet Press, 2021), is a gorgeous and inclusive fairy tale.
Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4)
We are Family from Patricia Hegarty (Caterpillar Books, 2018) is another great example of a text which celebrates the diversity of different family types.
Harriet Versus the Galaxy by Samantha Baines (Knights Of, 2020) tells the story of Harriet, a girl who discovers that her hearing aid is able to translate alien languages! This truly inclusive book also features a non-binary character.
Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5 and 6)
Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow, written by Benjamin Dean and illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat (Simon & Schuster, 2021), is a joyful and funny book, perfect for upper Key Stage 2 children.
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag, written by Rob Sanders and illustrated by Steven Salerno (Random House, 2018), is a picture book retelling of an important part of LGBT+ history.
Author bio: Matthew Courtney is a teacher and Curriculum Lead. You can find Matthew on Twitter here @mattheweduk
