There are lots of reasons we read with our children—it helps grow their vocabulary and view of the world, and strengthens our connection with our child, which supports both learning and overall wellbeing. Books can broaden the imagination, introducing topics beyond our child’s immediate world. Children also find affirmation in books - babies love seeing books with pictures of other babies, and all children love seeing books that reflect their families. Here’s a few of our favorite children's books that feature families with multiple moms, multiple dads, and non-binary parents:
Where Do Babies and Families Begin
What Makes a Baby, by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth. This book describes itself as “A book for every kind of family and every kind of kid,” and its explanation for where babies come from is the perfect amount of accurate, age-appropriate information for young children!
The Family Book/El Libro de la familia, by
Todd Parr, and A Family Is a Family Is a Family, by Sara O'Leary. These books both show the love that makes a family, with a few silly laughs along the way.
Books for Babies and Young Toddlers
Mommy, Mama, and Me and Daddy, Papa, and Me, by Lesléa Newman. Babies First Words by Stella Blackstone and Sunny
Scribens. These sweet board books for littles provide adorable images of babies and their families throughout the day.
Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers
In addition to wonderful books that directly validate LGBTQ+ families—like Daddy & Dada, Who’s Your Real Mom?, Heather has Two Mommies, She’s My Dad, He’s My Mom, and My Maddy—an increasing number of books feature and normalize LGBTQ+ families without it being the focus of the story, including:
The Bread Pet: A Sourdough Story, by Kate DePalma. This book is extra fun if your family got on the COVID sourdough-start train!
Plenty of Hugs, by Fran Manushkin. This
sweet rhyme follows a child through a fun day with their parents.
Harriet Gets Carried Away, by Jessie Sima. This adorable story of costume-loving Harriet’s adventure with penguins is a favorite in our house!
Meredith Tufts is Parenting Now’s First Three Years Program Manager, as well as a Parenting Educator.