LGBTQ+ Literature Collection
O.K. Is Gay
Author: Vincent X. Kirsch
Illustrator: Vincent X. Kirsch
Audience: Lower Elementary
Justification: Reviewed by Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and Publishers Weekly
Classification: A book about a boy, O.K., who likes another boy. I’m not sure about the author/illustrator’s sexuality (racial background was difficult to find for many authors in past book lists, but sexuality is even more difficult to determine for many children’s authors).
Cover image © Abrams Books. Source: official publisher webpage. Used under fair use.
Randy Rainbow and the Marvelously Magical Pink Glasses
Author: Randy Rainbow
Illustrator: Jaimie MacGibbon
Audience: Lower Elementary
Justification: Reviewed by Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal
Classification: An autobiographical tale for children about a gay author and his quest to be confident in himself.
Cover image © Macmillan Publishers. Source: official publisher webpage. Used under fair use.
Leo and the Pink Marker
Author: Mariyka Foster
Illustrator: Mariyka Foster
Audience: Lower Elementary
Justification: Reviewed by Kirkus Reviews, and School Library Journal
Classification: By a bisexual author/illustrator about a boy with two moms who loves to doodle with his pink marker.
Cover image © Penguin Random House. Source: official publisher webpage. Used under fair use.
Rainbowsaurus
Author: Steve Anthony
Illustrator: Steve Anthony
Audience: Lower Elementary
Justification: Reviewed by Kirkus Reviews, and School Library Journal
Classification: By a gay author about a family with two fathers who try to find a rainbowsaurus and are joined by a host of other animals along the way.
Cover image © Simon & Schuster. Source: official publisher webpage. Used under fair use.
Call Me Gray
Author: Andrew Larsen
Illustrator: Tallulah Fontaine
Audience: Lower Elementary
Justification: Reviewed by Booklist, and Kirkus Reviews
Classification: Written by an author father about his trans son’s journey as a trans kid navigating the world.
