June is Pride Month! This is a great time to share books with students to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. Picture books are an excellent tool for teaching respect, acceptance and understanding. Check out my favorite read aloud books for Pride Month!
I’m sharing all these books on video too! Check out the Read Aloud Books for Pride Month on my YouTube channel:
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Read Aloud Books for Pride Month
This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman
This book welcomes readers to experience a Pride celebration. It is an excellent tool for teaching respect, acceptance and understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community. The short, poetic lyrics and detailed illustrations are sure to pull students in. This Day in June has lots of back matter describing the meaning or history of each image in the book. It also includes a guide to talking with children about LGBTQ topics.
It Feels Good to Be Yourself by Theresa Thorn
Some people are boys, some are girls, some are both, and some are in between. It Feels Good to Be Yourself is an exploration of gender identity. This sweet, straightforward book is written in child-friendly language. It gives children a better understanding of themselves and others. This picture book provides readers and adults with the vocabulary to discuss this topic with sensitivity.
I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel
I am Jazz is the true story of Jazz Jennings, who is the co-author of the book. At two years-old, Jazz realized she had a girl brain in a boy body. The doctor explained hat she was transgender. While her family is very accepting and supportive, she struggles at school. This real-life experience is shared in a simple, clear way for students to understand.
Papa, Daddy & Riley by Seamus Kirst
On the first day of school, everyone is getting dropped off by their families – grandparents, foster parents or other relatives. Riley gets dropped off by her two dads and one of her classmates questions this. Riley is confused and wonders what a family really is. She is worried that she has to choose between her two dads. They reassure her and explain that love makes a family. Papa, Daddy and Riley is a great read aloud book for Pride month!
Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack
Prince and Knight is a modern fairy tale. The prince’s parents are determined to find a princess for him to marry, but none of them seem quite right. One day a dragon threatens the kingdom and a knight rushes in. The prince meets the knight and falls love!
When Aidan Became a Big Brother by Kyle Lukoff
When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl. But after he realized that he was a trans boy, his family is very supportive. Aidan’s mom is having another baby and people start asking if he wants a brother or sister. Aidan doesn’t know and is worried. His mom reassures him and explains that the baby will be lucky to have Aidan as a big brother.
This own voices book portrays a supportive family who work with Aidan to express himself fully and allow him to work through natural fears of having a new sibling. When Aidan Became a Big Brother is another great read aloud for Pride month.
Uncle Bobby’s Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen
In Uncle Bobby’s Wedding, Chloe is upset that her uncle is getting married. She is worried that she will lose her best friend and she won’t be able to have fun with him anymore. Then Chloe meets Uncle Bobby’s fiance, Jamie, and realizes he is just as fun!
I love that in this book, gay marriage is not the central topic. This is a great book that normalizes gay marriage without identifying as something that is different.
These read alouds are great to share in the month of June, but they should also be shared throughout the year as well! It is important that all students are represented on our bookshelves and in our read alouds.
Check out these other read aloud books for June as well!
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