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Happy Sunday, children’s literature lovers! Pride Month is over and although I’ve already recommended some queer children’s literature, I have even more in this newsletter. After all, every month is Pride Month! First, I’ll review two fantastic new releases.
New publications
Sparrow Loves Birds by Murry Burgess, illustrated by Tamisha Anthony
There have been tons of new children’s books about birds this year, and I love them all. This rhyming picture book is about a young girl named Sparrow who loves bird watching. On a hike, she notices woodpeckers hammering in the trees, hears chickadees singing, and enjoys watching her favorite hummingbirds buzzing around everywhere. Sparrow writes down all the birds she sees in a notebook that she always carries with her. The appendix includes a glossary of birds.
Villains Academy by Ryan Hammond
This lavishly illustrated start to a middle grade series is hilarious. The Villains Academy guarantees that all of the student monsters leave school as top-notch villains. Werewolf Bram Moon doesn’t feel particularly villainous. He wants to make his parents, teachers, and friends happy and proud of him, but that means going against his own personality. Can he figure out how to be a villain and be himself? This middle grade fantasy is written at an easier reading level, so it’s perfect for middle schoolers who need something more accessible or beginning readers who are a little more advanced.
A more comprehensive list of new releases can be found in our “New Books” newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
It’s impossible to recommend too many queer books, so I decided to fill this newsletter with some more LGBTQ+ children’s book recommendations for picture books. I also recommend checking out Danika’s newsletter Our Queerest Shelves. It features books for adults And Children.
Marley’s Pride by Joëlle Retener, illustrated by DeAnn Wiley
Marley loves spending time with her grandmother Zaza, who participates in the Pride parade every year. But crowds make Marley nervous, so they never go with Zaza. This year, however, Zaza is receiving an award for helping transgender people like Marley and Zaza. Marley must find a way to participate. This is an affirming, colorful picture book. The appendix includes a history of Pride and frequently asked questions about being queer.
Harper Becomes a Big Sister by Seamus Kirst, illustrated by Karen Bunting
This picture book is perfect for siblings whose caregivers are expecting a baby. Harper loves spending time with her dads, whether it’s having Taco Tuesdays, watching Saturday morning cartoons, or playing on the playground. When her dads tell Harper that they are adopting a baby and she’s about to be a big sister, she is thrilled. She can’t wait to do all her favorite things with her new sibling. But when the baby arrives, all he can do is eat, sleep, cry, and poop. Worst of all, her dads are too exhausted to do their normal daily activities with Harper. She feels left out and unloved. But by sharing their feelings, the family can find a solution.
Nen and the Lonely Fisherman by Ian Eagleton and James Mayhew
This is a beautiful, gender-separated retelling of The Little Mermaid that eliminates the disability enemy from the original story. Nen is a merman who loves to observe the human world, especially Ernest the fisherman. One day, Ernest follows Nen’s song into the sea and the two start talking and fall in love. But this enrages Nen’s father, who causes a storm that throws Ernest into the sea. Another similar book you should check out is A Match for a Mermaid.
“Rainbow Allies” by Nancy Churin, illustrated by Izzy Evans
This picture book is based on a true story. In a Massachusetts neighborhood, a lesbian couple lives – Cari, Lauri, and their two dogs. The neighborhood thrives on welcoming everyone. When someone tears down Cari and Lauri’s Pride flag and throws eggs at their house, they despair. But the neighborhood kids stick together, and every house on the street hangs a rainbow flag to show their support for the couple. This is a great way to show kids how to be a good ally.
Bookworm good
Kitten Bookmarks by DrawnByNana
My cat-loving child would scream with happiness if I gave her this purringly cute bookmark. $4
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To escape the heat and keep ourselves entertained this week, we went to a small playground in a mall one afternoon. I wish there were more free indoor playgrounds!
If you’d like to read more of my children’s book reviews, you can find me on Instagram at @BabyLibrarians, X at @AReaderlyMom, Bluesky at @AReaderlyMom and I blog irregularly at Baby Librarians. You can also read my Book Riot posts. If you’d like to drop me a line, my email address is [email protected].
All the best,
Margaret Kingsbury
