Child development experts say that children develop their own sense of gender identity early on. But some kids and adults may find the topic of gender identity challenging or confusing, especially regarding transgender or nonbinary people. Luckily, there are a bunch of great children’s books with trans and nonbinary characters who can help demonstrate the concepts in simple and playful ways. While the eight titles below are just a few of the children’s books with trans and nonbinary main characters, we’ve chosen picture books that would especially appeal to young readers. But don’t be fooled — just because they were written for young readers, they have a lot to teach people of all ages, no matter their gender identity. > * * * > > ## Related > > 20 exceptional LGBTQ+ children’s books your kids should read immediately > > * * * ## _I Am Jazz_ by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings The cover of _I Am Jazz_ | Dial Books > ### Never Miss a Beat > > Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. > > Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. > > Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. > > Email Frequency > > Email * > > Frequency * > > * Daily Brief > * Week in Review > * Week in Good News > > > Sign Up _I Am Jazz_ is a picture book version of Jazz Jennings’ life as a transgender child. She says that she knew she was a girl from the time she was 2 years old, and her parents accepted her and let her live as she wanted. The book is great for kids experiencing gender identity issues, or for those who have a friend who is and want to better understand them. ## _Introducing Teddy_ by Jess Walton The cover of “Introducing Teddy” by Jessica Walton | Bloomsbury USA Childrens _Introducing Teddy_ is a tender exploration of friendship, understanding, and gender identity. Teddy, a teddy bear, confides in his friend Errol that she is actually a girl bear named Tilly. Errol’s supportive response models how we can accept and respect others’ identities; after all, a person’s friendship and happiness are what matter the most. ## _When Aidan Became a Brother_ by Kyle Lukoff The cover of _When Aidan Became a Brother_ by transgender male author Kyle Lukoff. | Lee & Low Books This transgender children’s book, written by a trans male author, is about a family that accepts their trans child named Aidan. Aidan wants to make everything right for the birth of his new sibling, but what if he prepares something that doesn’t feel right for them? Not only is this book one of the few transgender children’s books that feature a main character of color, but it’s also one of the few that shows a trans kid reflecting on their own gender expectations of others. If you like this book, consider checking out Lukoff’s _Call Me Max_ , a book about a younger child’s gender exploration. ## _I’m a Girl!_ by Yasmeen Ismail The cover of _I’m a Girl_ by Yasmeen Ismail | Bloomsbury USA Childrens The donkey-eared girl in this book is loud, competitive, messy, fast, and strong — but everyone keeps mistaking her for a boy! Luckily, she’s proud and knows there’s more than just one way to express yourself in this world. While this award-winning book has joyful and energetic watercolor illustrations and a refrain that invites young readers to read along, its message is universal and timeless for all sorts of readers. ## _My Princess Boy_ by Cheryl Kilodavis The cover of _My Princess Boy_ by Cheryl Kilodavis | Aladdin This sensitive and compassionate book lovingly praises a four-year-old boy who likes to wear pink dresses, dance like a ballerina, and has a loving relationship with his older athletic brother. But when someone laughs at the boy’s style, the narrator asks the reader if they would do the same or if they would play with him and treat him kindly. It’s a great conversation starter for how we treat people who may look and act differently than how others expect. ## _Who Are You?: The Kid’s Guide to Gender Identity_ by Brook Pessin-Whedbee The cover of _Who Are You?_ by Brook Pessin-Whedbee | Jessica Kingsley Publishers This straightforward educational book starts with a pregnant person being asked, “Is it a boy or a girl?” but soon explains, “Gender is much more than the body we were born with.” After explaining that personal expression and identity can both change as someone grows up (or even from day to day), it asks young readers to point out interests and activities that they like and introduces the basic concept of cisgender and the gender spectrum. For a similarly educational book that discusses the gender binary head-on, check out _Meet Polkadot_ by Talcott Broadhead. ## _I’m Not a Girl: A Transgender Story_ by Maddox Lyons and Jessica Verdi The cover of _I’m Not a Girl: A Transgender Story_ by Maddox Lyons and Jessica Verdi | Roaring Brook Press The young child in this transgender children’s book doesn’t wanna dress up “pretty” for picture day or Halloween — he’d rather dress like a pirate. But when he tries to explain that he’s not a girl, his own parents and friend don’t seem to understand. Gradually, he builds the courage to tell them he’s a boy. The climactic conclusion shows the struggle and courage it takes for young people to express their transgender identity, especially when those closest to them don’t initially seem so accepting. ## _Pugdog_ by Andrea U’Ren The cover of “Pugdog” by Andrea U’Ren | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) Mike the human loves watching his dog, Pugdog, chase squirrels and roll in mud in the park. But when his veterinarian tells Mike that Pugdog is actually a girl, he starts expecting Pugdog to look and act “like a lady.” The humorous conclusion shows that Mike has a lot to learn and that all animals (including humans) do best when they’re free to be themselves. ## The lasting impact of trans & nonbinary representation These books are small windows into how kids see themselves and each other. When a story includes a transgender or nonbinary character, it quietly expands what’s possible for every reader, no matter their age. For trans and gender-diverse kids, that reflection can be grounding and even life-changing; for others, it’s an early invitation to understand the world with more empathy and less assumption. For parents, educators, and allies, reading these stories together is a chance to nurture empathy and curiosity early on. Conversations about gender don’t have to be intimidating; they can begin with laughter, color, and the simple act of turning a page. When kids learn that self-expression and acceptance are part of growing up, they carry those values well beyond the classroom or bedtime. _Subscribe to the**LGBTQ Nation newsletter** and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide._

Vallejo’s Transgender Archive has curated a GLBT Historical Society show celebrating trans people of color.

MAGA learned from global autocrats the language needed to push fear.

The challenge to the court's 2015 ruling came from Kim Davis, the former Kentucky clerk who refused to issue same-sex licenses after the court's Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which recognized a constitutional right to same-sex marriage.

Bathroom discrimination makes headlines again after a transgender man was harassed by security at Round1 Arcade in Illinois.

🚀 Explore this must-read post from BBC Sport 📖 📂 Category: 📌 Key idea: New Zealander Laurel Hubbard has become the first openly transgender woman to compete in the Olympic Games after being named to the women's weightlifting team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Hubbard, who failed to record a successful lift in the women's +87kg category, competed in the men's competition before coming out as transgender in 2013.

The International Olympic Committee is reportedly set to ban transgender women from competing in all female categories.

"Let her passing be an inflection point for how you think about trans rights and trans people more generally."

A new Dutch study finds hormone therapy impacts heart risk differently for trans men and trans women, emphasizing the importance of individualized care.

"We pulled off something that would have been unthinkable in Chester County just a few years ago.”

“The relief expressed by callers is palpable, and we are grateful for the positive impact his departure has had on the mental well-being of our community,” Rainbow Youth Project director Lance Preston said.

More than 22,000 German citizens have officially changed their gender since a new law facilitating such a step came into effect last year, according to preliminary figures released on Wednesday. Every Trans Suicide Is A Murder By Those In Power Being Trans Behind Bars in Florida Was Already Hard. Under Trump, It’s Worse. Adelita Grijalva […]