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The end of the year is racing toward us, which can be stressful for anyone still trying to meet their 2025 reading goals. But some of us are already looking forward to a fresh reading tracking spreadsheet and a new slate of Read Harder tasks. Each year, Book Riot releases a new list of Read Harder challenges to help readers explore new genres, formats, authors, and themes. Next year’s list includes number 16: “Read a queer picture book.” I’m here with a few recommendations to help you find the perfect read to complete that task.
Some adults may think kids’ books aren’t worth their attention. But at a time when children’s literature has become a political battlefield and diverse stories are under attack, queer picture books are an important reminder that engaging with a wide variety of stories helps us build empathy and understand that the world is much larger than our own small comfort zones. These queer picture books are delightful reads for people of all ages.
One Day in June by Tourmaline
Trans artist and activist Tourmaline wrote Marsha, a phenomenal biography of icon Marsha P. Johnson that was released in 2025. It made a big splash, but many haven’t heard of the picture book companion for young readers, One Day in June. It’s a bright, colorful book about how Marsha P. Johnson’s joyful spirit helped shape the movement for LGBTQ+ rights and how we celebrate Pride today.
The Bi Book by A.J. Irving, illustrated by Cynthia Alonso
“Bi” shows up in a lot of words. Bicycles! Binoculars! Bilingual! This lovely picture book explains how “bi” can mean two, or it can be much bigger than two, opening hearts for a more expansive view of love. Starting with linguistic roots, The Bi Book is a kid-friendly introduction to bisexual identity that shows how “bi hearts love in a rainbow of ways”.
So Devin Wore a Skirt by Shireen Lalji, illustrated by Lucy Fleming
In this sweet story about embracing your true sense of style, young Devin wants to wear his sister’s shimmery skirt to his Nanabapa’s birthday party. Afraid of what his family will say, Devin hides the skirt under a ninja suit. But when the skirt is revealed, his Nanabapa is the first to encourage Devin to give it a twirl. Full of family love and encouragement for kids to love themselves as they are, So Devin Wore a Skirt sparkles with joy.
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Make Your Own Rainbow: A Drag Queen’s Guide to Color by Lil Miss Hot Mess, illustrated by Olga de Rios Ruiz
Lil Miss Hot Mess’s vivacious picture books are favorites at Drag Story Hours. Her latest, Make Your Own Rainbow, is an eye-catching introduction to colors with many drag queen characters to root for along the way. It’s a cheeky, playful book for drag fans of all ages.
Raven’s Ribbons by Tasha Spillett, illustrated by Daniel Ramirez
This gorgeous picture book celebrates queer joy and Indigenous culture, with notes at the end about the beautiful history of Two-spirit identity and round dances. Raven loves round dances, but he’s never had a ribbon skirt of his own. He asks his grandma if boys can wear ribbon skirts too, and she stays up all night to make Raven a rainbow ribbon skirt to wear to the next dance. By the end, you’ll fall in love with Raven, his Nohkum, and his beautiful new ribbon skirt.
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