At Children’s Books Ireland we champion diverse and inclusive books that best reflect the world, with characters of all genders and sexualities and families of all kinds. We believe that everyone deserves to see their story within the pages of an excellent book.
The Read with Pride reading guide 2026 contains 100 LGBTQ+ inclusive stories for young readers aged 0–18 with 100 recommended ‘read also’ titles for further reading.
Being a newcomer can be tough, especially at a new school. Here, we explore the difficult emotions that accompany that first day, in a compassionate and supportive way. Without minimising the fear and apprehension a child may feel, pastel shades, simple design and a gentle rhythm in the text provide a comforting exploration of what to expect. Emphasis is placed on the faces and body language of a diverse cast of characters throughout. Each character is expertly illustrated to convey the emotional tone, making the shifts understandable to younger audiences.
One of the most beautifully designed books this reviewer has ever come across, Nature’s Dance combines design, artwork, and scientific research to celebrate ‘movement, cooperation, and the profound intelligence of the natural world.’
From our very first glimpse of Bear, readers are instantly amused as he searches for his glasses, which we can see perched upon his head. On his way to track them down, Bear mistakes objects like trees and shrubs for other animals such as deer, a flamingo and even a crocodile.
This delightfully silly story is sure to bring joy into storytime as everyone in the castle tries to figure out who is causing the spooky sounds in the castle. Willis’ whimsical writing and Fitzgerald’s use of colour instantly brings readers into this magical world of green castles and mischievous green ghosts hiding along the walls seeking someone to scare. Trying to spot the green ghost blending into each green-coloured scene is something that adds a little extra layer of fun into an already delightful story.
The Pumpkin Seed explores a sweet analogy between a newly blended family alongside the growth cycle of a pumpkin plant – a beautifully profound, yet simple concept.
Squad Girls follows four besties as they navigate their dream of playing sport and athletics professionally. Tara, Ríona, Sam and Penny each are passionate and driven about different pursuits, from swimming to dance, and they must face obstacles in putting in the dedication needed alongside school and other commitments.
This is the story of one very tired little ghost and her search for a place to take a snooze. Little Ghost tries lots of different spots and meets a host of characters, but no one will let her land and have a rest. They are all frightened and much too wary of the Little Ghost, even though she hasn’t given them any reason to be.
In the latest instalment of this hugely popular series Milly sets up a dog walking business to convince her mam and dad that she is responsible enough for a dog of her own! So begins Operation Get Milly a Furry Friend, and what could go wrong? In fact, as with many of Milly’s adventures, it all begins very well, soon Milly’s new clients are calling her the Dog Whisper and bookings are flying in. But as the inevitable canine chaos ensues and Milly’s best laid plans begin to unravel into a laugh-out-loud read.
Annie Atkins once again creates something magical in Letters from the Witch. Five children from all around the world turn to witches as the wisest people they know to help them solve their problems and are amazed by the spells the witches conjure in order to help them, despite getting ready for the annual Big Witch Convention.
