Each year, International Transgender Day of Visibility is celebrated on March 31st to honor transgender people across the globe and advocate for trans rights and freedoms. Luckily for young readers, a multitude of children’s books exploring trans issues and/or starring trans characters are available to enjoy on this holiday and all throughout the year. Some stand out due to their engaging use of art to make the stories come alive. This month’s S-Collection blog draws attention to some of these illustrated books, which are perfect for trans kids and allies alike. The picture book selection features books about young trans kids navigating school and the society around them, while the graphic novel selection presents options for middle grade readers who love fantasy, science fiction, and the paranormal. Finally, the illustrated memoir section includes both a picture book and longer-form graphic novels that tell deeply personal stories of real trans kids who learned how to embrace and express themselves. Whatever kind of book you like to read best, S-Collection has what you need to enjoy beautiful illustrations and celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility this March!
Picture Books
Lukoff, Kyle
Illustrated by: Luciano Lozano
Call Me Max. 2019. Picture Book.
This picture book, which features soft and simple cartoon artwork by Luciano Lozano, stars Max, a young transgender boy. Written with sensitivity and warmth by trans author Kyle Lukoff, Max’s story starts on the first day of school when he informs his teacher of the name he would like to be called. Throughout the day, Max makes friends, learns more about gender, and tells his parents about his new name and identity, making this book a perfect introduction to the nuances of gender expression for young readers.
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Shashi, Kanak
Guthli Has Wings. 2019. Picture Book.
Youngest child Guthli is excited to celebrate Diwali, but when she selects the clothing that she would like to wear for the holiday – namely, a beautiful, flowy frock like her sister’s – her family is rather shocked. Although Guthli knows she is a girl, this comes as a surprise to her loved ones. However, their lack of understanding eventually transforms into a celebration of their transgender family member in this picture book about culture and love, made even more beautiful through the colorful and bold illustrations by author-illustrator Kanak Shashi.
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Wild, A. M.
Illustrated by: Kah Yangni
Not He or She, I’m Me. 2023. Picture Book.
The unnamed narrator of this vibrant picture book eats breakfast with their mom, has a fun time at school, and plays with their friends in the afternoon during a day filled with excitement and connection. Throughout the day, they repeat to themselves that they are “not he or she, I’m me,” making this a simple and heartfelt story of nonbinary joy. Illustrator Kah Yangni’s artwork shines on each page, featuring not only watercolor and paint but crayon, newspaper, and more.
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Middle Grade Graphic Novels
Symes-Smith, Esme
Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston. 2022. Middle Grade Graphic Novel.
Set in a fantasy world where only boys can become knights, this story follows 12-year-old Callie, who is deeply discouraged by the lack of options presented to them. Callie wants to train alongside their father’s student, the young Prince Willow, but the culture around them makes their dream harder to reach. On top of it all, war is looming over the kingdom, meaning Callie’s fight has only just begun. Beautiful artwork from author-illustrator Esme Symes-Smith accentuates this character-driven story of resistance. Readers who must know where Sir Callie’s adventures take them will be happy to hear that the book has two sequels, also located in the S-Collection.
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Visaggio, Magdalene
Illustrated by: Jenn St-Onge
The Ojja-Wojja: A Horror-Mystery, or Whatever. 2021. Middle Grade Graphic Novel.
When Val is assigned an independent study project on the supernatural history of her town of Bolingbroke, she knows she won’t be doing it alone: Her magic-obsessed friend Lanie is more than eager to come along! Lanie is subject to bullying at school because she is trans, while Val is similarly outcast due to her autism. The girls’ main bully, a popular girl named Andrea, becomes embroiled in their adventure when Val’s research accidentally releases an ancient spirit called the Ojja-Wojja. Evocative artwork by Jenn St-Onge showcases the horror of both paranormal creatures and junior high in this engaging graphic novel.
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Wibowo, Jacinta
Lunar Boy. 2024. Middle Grade Graphic Novel.
Indu is a young trans boy who grew up in relative security on the spaceship community Eyesun. When Indu’s journey on the ship comes to an end, however, he must disembark for the planet New Earth, where things aren’t so easy. After communicating with the moon where his adoptive mother found him years ago, Indu accepts an offer to return to that moon in the new year. Knowing his visit to New Earth is soon ending, Indu decides to make the most of his time there – an experience which, over time, leads him to question if he’d really like to leave, after all. Author-illustrator duo Jes and Cin Wibowo accentuate this moving narrative of acceptance and hope with their vibrant artistic style.
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Illustrated Memoirs
Neal, Trinity and DeShanna
Illustrated by: Art Twink
My Rainbow. 2020. Nonfiction Picture Book.
DeShanna loves her young transgender daughter Trinity, so when Trinity expresses a desire to have long and beautiful hair, her mother is determined to make it happen. Trinity, who is autistic, doesn’t like the feeling of hair touching the back of her neck, so growing it out is difficult for her. The duo takes a trip to the beauty store, but none of the wigs seem like the right fit. DeShanna takes matters into her own hands and decides to make Trinity the perfect rainbow wig, which is beautifully rendered by illustrator Art Twink in this moving picture book memoir.
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Parish, Theo
Homebody. 2018 Graphic Novel Memoir.
Author-illustrator Theo Parish tells their story of finding themselves and their gender identity in this cozy graphic novel memoir. Through cosplaying characters at conventions, inventing characters to play in role-playing games, and speaking with their transgender friends and role models, Parish explains how they discovered their identity as a nonbinary person. Throughout, Parish draws a small house in the place of their torso, emphasizing how readers should express themselves in a way that makes them feel at home in their body.
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White, Grayson Lee
Illustrated by: Stephanie Roth Sisson
Dotson: My Journey Growing Up Transgender. 2023. Graphic Novel Memoir.
Through a series of vignettes, Dotson tells his story of how he realized he was transgender at a young age and set out to express his identity through haircuts, clothes, hormone blockers, and more. His parents’ unyielding support for their son plays a large role in Dotson’s positive experience with transitioning and finding himself. The simple and charming illustrations by Stephanie Roth Sisson shine throughout this graphic novel, based on the author’s own experiences.
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