25 LGBTQ-Friendly French Books for Kids
25 French picture books to support diversity, celebrate individuality, and teach children the importance of acceptance!
June is Pride Month, and I have loved exploring social media and seeing the many different ways that the world commemorates Stonewall and celebrates the freedom to be ourselves. I have also loved exploring the many great book lists for kids, such as the one by No Time For Flash Cards. There are books featuring transgender characters, same-sex parents, characters who break gender biases, and more. A favourite of mine is The Family Book, by Todd Parr (I may or may not have cried while reading it to my Kindergarten class - it is so good).
Unfortunately, it was a bit more difficult to find great lists like these for French Books (shocker, right!?) Although I did come across a few, such as this one by Scholastic and this one by Elizabeth Tait at the French Cultural Centre, I wanted to create a more extensive list. SO, with the help of many of YOU (merci!), I have compiled a list of 25 French Picture Books that celebrate diversity, individuality, and the many forms of love and family.
Check them out below, and consider adding some to your read-aloud list for next year! Personally, I will be adding at least one LGBTQ-friendly book to each of my monthly read-aloud lists in my Kindergarten long-range plans. The descriptions below the books are quotes from Amazon, as I have not had a chance to read all of them and cannot offer my own opinion of the books. I suggest you read the reviews and choose the ones that you feel would best fit the needs of your class!
“When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different in many ways ― but the same in the one way that matters most of all.
One child is worried that her family is just too different to explain, but listens as her classmates talk about what makes their families special. As they describe who they live with and who loves them ― family of every shape, size and every kind of relation ― the child realizes that as long as her family is full of caring people, it is special.”
Original title: A Family Is a Family Is a Family
“Once upon a time, in a kingdom far from here, there was a prince in line to take the throne, so his parents set out to find him a kind and worthy bride. The three of them traveled the land far and wide, but the prince didn’t quite find what he was looking for in the princesses they met.
While they were away, a terrible dragon threatened their land, and all the soldiers fled. The prince rushed back to save his kingdom from the perilous beast and was met by a brave knight in a suit of brightly shining armor. Together they fought the dragon and discovered that special something the prince was looking for all along.”
Original title: Prince & Knight
“While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he’s seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes — and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself? Mesmerizing and full of heart, Jessica Love’s author-illustrator debut is a jubilant picture of self-love and a radiant celebration of individuality.”
Original title: Julián Is a Mermaid
“The heartwarming true story of two penguins who create a nontraditional family.
At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family was the same. And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo got the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own.”
Alternate title: And Tango Makes Three
“Red has a bright red label, but he is, in fact, blue. His teacher tries to help him be red. His mother tries to help him be red by sending him out on a playdate with a yellow classmate, and the scissors try to help him be red by snipping his label so that he has room to breathe. But Red is miserable. He just can't be red, no matter how hard he tries! Finally, a brand-new friend offers a brand-new perspective, and Red discovers what readers have known all along. He's blue!
This funny, heartwarming, colourful picture book about finding the courage to be true to your inner self can be read on multiple levels, and it offers something for everyone. A great gift for readers of any age!”
Original title: Red: A Crayon's Story
“Boris est un petit garçon qui aime utiliser son imagination. Il rêve d’aventures spatiales, peint de belles images et aime chanter très fort pendant les comptines. Surtout, Boris aime le coin des déguisements de sa classe. Il aime porter la robe orange. Les enfants de sa classe ne le comprennent pas. Les robes, disent-ils, sont pour les filles. Boris Brindamour et la robe orange a été honoré par le ALA (American Library Association). Cet album, dans sa version originale, a reçu le Stonewall Book Award Honor. Ce prix est octroyé à des publications anglophones pour enfants et pour jeunes adultes sensibles à l’expérience gais, lesbiennes, bisexuels et transgenres. C’est la première fois qu’un livre d’un éditeur canadien est nommé pour ce prix !”
“Chère fille, is a remarkable love letter written for the special girl in your life; a gentle reminder that she's powerful, strong, and holds a valuable place in the world.
Through Amy and Paris's charming text and Holly Hatam's stunning illustrations, any girl reading this book will feel she's great just the way she is - whether she enjoys jumping in a muddy puddle, has a face full of freckles, or dances on table tops. A perfect gift for all occasions.”
Original title: Dear Girl,
“Paris Rosenthal teams up with her father, Jason Rosenthal, to bring you the heartwarming and inspirational Cher garçon,.
Cher garçon, is an open love letter to the special boy in your life. Boys, too, need a gentle reminder that they are cool, clever, compassionate, and one of a kind.
With the same tenderness as Chère fille, Paris and Jason’s charming text and Holly Hatam’s stunning illustrations will make any boy reading this book feel that he’s amazing just the way he is ― whether he’s offering a helping hand, singing in a choir, or reaching for the stars!”
Original title: Dear Boy,
“Charlie loves the bright red purse that his grandmother let him have. One day, he decides to take it to school. First his father, then his friends, and even the crossing guard question him about his "strange" choice. After all, boys don't carry purses. But Charlie isn't deterred. Before long, his unselfconscious determination starts to affect those around him. His father puts on his favorite Hawaiian shirt to go to work, his friend Charlotte paints her face, and the crossing guard wears a pair of sparkly shoes. Thanks to Charlie, everyone around him realizes that it isn't always necessary to conform to societal norms. It's more important to be true to yourself.
With its humorous, energetic illustrations, this book is sure to entertain young readers. It can also be used to open a discussion on gender roles.”
Original title: I Love My Purse
“Pendant la classe, Oscar demande à Lilou pourquoi elle a deux papas, elle !”
“Les princes de la terre entière défilèrent un à un pour demander la main de la princesse. Mais ‘non, merci bien’, aucun d'entre eux ne lui disait rien !”
“A la ferme de la Haute-Cour, c'est jour d'éclosion. Les poules noires, rousses et blanches sont toutes réunies pour assister à l'événement! Les poussins nés en cette joyeuse occasion s'épanouissent rapidement. Mais George, lui, préfère rester sous la jupe plumée de sa mère. C'est que George ne veut pas être un coq. Il aurait préféré être une poule...”
“Un nouveau venu dans la collection "Mes p'tits albums" ! Camille, petit hérisson grognon, aimerait changer de famille : la sienne ne lui convient plus du tout ! Sa maman lui fait bien trop de bisous, sa petite sur lui casse les pieds et son papa ne veut jamais jouer avec lui ! Cela suffit : il part à la recherche de la famille idéale ! - Un p'tit album sur le thème de la famille et de la tolérance, un nouvel incontournable dans la bibliothèque des enfants !”
“Cette fois-ci, l’oncle Dédé a apporté un cadeau bien spécial: une souris aux longues moustaches expressives. Ulysse n’en croit pas ses yeux. Il est fou de joie! Mais pour combien de temps? Pourra-t-il convaincre son chat et ses deux mamans de garder une invitée aussi pleine d’imagination et d’énergie?Même si toute la richesse du monde tient dans sa diversité, le quotidien de nombreuses familles – si différentes les unes des autres – se ressemble souvent beaucoup. À sa parution au Québec en 2006, Ulysse et Alice était l’un des premiers albums pour enfants mettant en scène une famille avec des mères lesbiennes. Désormais un incontournable ici comme en France, il est aujourd’hui réédité dans un nouveau format. À partir de 3 ans.”
“Le safari de Zak est le récit d’un d’enfant conçu par un donneur dans une famille de deux mamans. Quand la pluie contrecarre le projet d’aventure en safari de Zak, celui-ci invite les lecteurs et lectrices à une visite très particulière de sa famille. Le safari de Zak cherche à fournir un point de départ pour des conversations avec vos enfants à propos de l’histoire de leur conception et leur donneur. Il s’adresse plus particulièrement aux enfants de 4 à 8 ans.”
“Émile et Mathis sont les meilleurs amis du monde. Ils partagent leurs jeux. Leurs collations. Et leurs secrets. Un beau matin, Émile fait une découverte dans le bac à sable. Ça lui donne une idée. La plus-meilleure idée de toute sa vie.”
“Un livre plein de tendresse pour expliquer simplement l'adoption aux tout-petits.”
“Benjamin a 9 ans et vit avec ses deux papas. Il y a des trucs super et des choses moins marrantes quand on vie avec deux papas, mais ils sont quand même geniaux! Dans cette histoire, Pablo Fernandez ajoute une dose d'humour au processus de prise de conscience sur la diversité de ceux qui nous entourent.”
“Le coeur a ses raisons. Tout le monde aime Philomène, mais elle... qui aime-t-elle ? Quand Philomène se balade à vélo, tous les garçons qu'elle croise sont inéluctablement à côté de la plaque ! Les frères Lasserre, pourtant des bagarreurs de première, décrètent une trêve, Prosper Laguigne oublie son bombardon et toute l'équipe de foot se désintéresse du ballon ! Mais le coeur de Philomène, lui, ne bat pour aucun garçon... Il bat pour... pour qui ? Voici une petite histoire pleine de charme, pour montrer qu'on a le droit d'aimer qui on veut !”
“Il me tient toujours la main. Très accroché. Il me donne souvent ses goûters en trop. Il me défend si on me fait des moqueries. Et si je lui propose d'inventer une voiture de course, ça ne lui fait pas peur d'un millimètre. C'est pour ça que je l'aime, Jérôme. Raphaël aime Jérôme. Je le dis. Très facile.”
“Martin a deux papas et ses camarades à l'école sont tout étonnés : c'est quoi, cette drôle de famille ? Mais pourtant, en y réfléchissant bien, ils se rendent tous compte que des familles, il y en a autant que des enfants, finalement .”
If you know of any other French picture books that would be appropriate for this list, please send it my way!
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW
Hey, I’m Laura!
I’m a French Immersion Kindergarten teacher from Ontario, Canada, and I can’t wait for you to see what I have in store to make your teacher life easier!
MORE RESOURCES FOR JUNE:
GET IN TOUCH: