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.
‘Níl seans dá laghad ann go mbraitheann Nick an bealach céanna [fúmsa] … nó an mbraitheann?’ Sin an cheist atá ag déanamh tinnis do Charlie sa chéad leabhar Heartstopper. Ach tá deireadh le héiginnteacht agus le crá croí faoin tríú leabhar, más aon chomhartha an sliocht seo as dialann Nick: ‘is buachaillí muid go hoifigiúil agus is breá liom é sin a rá’.
Set in a South Asian-inspired world, The Ivory Key opens in a tangle of family and political tensions. Told from the point-of-view of four royal siblings: Vira, the self-doubting queen who needs to return magic to her failing kingdom; Riya, the sister who defected to a band of vigilantes; Ronak, the brother who wants to run away; and Kaleb, the brother who was framed for their mother’s death.
Noah, a teen trans boy, is eager to join a club at his new school so everyone will see him for his true gender. So, preferably this club would be the most masculine club possible, but when sports don’t start for a few months all that’s left is an Italian club known for loving football and Lamborghinis, which he figures is good enough! However, Noah soon realises this club is actually a cover for a covert operation run by its members, the Borrow a Boyfriend Club.
There’s nothing quite like the discovery of someone who loves you wholly and completely for who you are and every version of yourself you’ve ever been. That’s who Penny and Tate are for each other, they just haven’t quite figured it out yet. Growing up with moms who were best friends, Penny and Tate have been together through thick and thin while stuck in the never-ending tension of undiscovered feelings. When their moms combine their households, the girls are finally forced to face their feelings.
In the riveting opening, readers are immediately thrown in the middle of the world’s biggest boyband’s world tour. The screaming fans, the choreographed dances and the heartthrob status of the four members of Saturday – something that will feel familiar to any pop music lover!
Inis is the magazine of Children's Books Ireland. Within these pages you will find features and articles on Irish and international children's books as well as in-depth reviews of new titles for children and teenagers. With its range of expert contributors, this is a key resource for teachers, writers, illustrators, librarians, parents/guardians and everyone interested in children's books.
Stevie’s back! Fans of The Deepest Breath will delight in an all-new verse novel as a slightly older Stevie and her friends Chloe and Andrew get ready to start secondary school. While there are plenty of opportunities for Stevie and Chloe to explore their identities, Andrew starts to withdraw from their friend group, and Stevie and Chloe have to figure out how to help him find his way back to them.
Anxious trans teen Clayton Noguchi has done a great job of avoiding his former best friend, popular swimmer Aron Santos – until they’re forced to team up in theatre class. With their worlds colliding, and Aron enthusiastically trying to reconnect, the pair grow close, and sparks start flying. Meanwhile, Clay’s letting his final year of school pass him by …
The second anthology from Faerie Press offers a vibrant and heartfelt collection of short stories and poetry from emerging young LGBTQ+ voices. Through the exploration of the theme of ‘dreams’, the twenty-one writers featured graciously offer us a glimpse into their rich inner worlds.
