It's Pride season in Canada! Make reading a part of your celebrations. Explore these new Canadian books for kids and teens featuring stories that encourage self-expression, empathy and allyship.
The Bear Fairy
Written by Paul Coccia
Illustrated by Fred Blunt
Tundra Books, 2026
IL: Ages 3-7 RL: Grades p-2
Fairies should be pretty and sparkly and dainty . . . not chubby, not fluffy and NOT lured in by potato chips. But when Spencer catches a fairy in the park, he's shocked to find that's exactly what he’s got!
The Bear Fairy is no delicate Tinkerbell: he hogs the remote, drops crumbs everywhere and snores like a truck. But he's still a fairy, and when Spencer's friend insults the Bear Fairy's appearance and hurts his feelings, Spencer must step up to defend his new friend.
With wit, charm and hilarity, author Paul Coccia and illustrator Fred Blunt have created a modern classic about being proud of who you are and fighting for the people you care about.
Call Me Gray
Written by Andrew Larsen & Bells Larsen
Illustrated by Tallulah Fontaine
Kids Can Press, 2025
IL: Ages 4-8 RL: Grades p-3
One winter, while creating their annual ice rink together, a child starts a conversation with their dad about something important. “Do you ever feel mixed up about who you are?” the child asks. But the father misunderstands the question. So, the child tries again later. “Do you ever feel different than the way you look?” Again, the father doesn't get it. But this time he asks to hear more. And the child explains. “I look like a boy, but sometimes I feel more like a girl.” At last, it's been said. The child shares that their name feels like an itchy sweater and they want to change it to “Gray.” It's a big change, but one they can grow into together. And when Gray's dad finally uses their chosen name, it feels warm and right, just like hot chocolate after the first skate of the season.
Drew’s Secret Talent
Written by D.D. Sheppard
Illustrated by Pheilm Martin
Breakwater Books Ltd., 2026
IL: Ages 3-8 RL: Grades p-4
The school talent show is just around the corner, and every kid has signed up to perform—except Drew. Drew thinks he doesn’t have any talents worth sharing. He loves butterflies, his Grandma, and playing pretend—but those aren’t talents, right? Talents are juggling, singing, or magic tricks! He is discouraged, until his Grandma brings him to a special event at the library. After seeing an unforgettable performance and hearing some inspiring advice, Drew learns to embrace his true self and discovers that he just might have some talents after all!
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Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants
Written & illustrated by Chris Paul Farias
Rebel Goose Books, 2026
IL: Ages 6-8 RL: Grades 1-3
IL: Ages 6-8 RL: Grades 1-3
Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants is a whimsically joyful and empowering children’s book that celebrates individuality across the rainbow-hued spectrum. With playful rhymes and exuberant illustrations, author-illustrator Chris Paul (Rainbows) Farias celebrates the freedom to express yourself and the beauty of being exactly who you are.
Readers are invited to imagine a world where animals are hilariously limited in what they can do while humans are gloriously free to saunter, flaunt, and wear just what you want. From lipsticked llamas to tumbling giraffes, each page bursts with colorful chaos and loving affirmation.
Prism: A Chameleon Finds His Light
Written by Brady Wells
Illustrated by Sarah Shortliffe
Pownal Street Press, 2025
IL: Ages 6-8 RL: Grades 1-3
In a world bursting with vibrant colors, one little chameleon embarks on a magical journey of self-discovery. In Prism: A Chameleon Finds His Light, Prism navigates through enchanted forests and shimmering meadows, to bravely learn that his unique colors aren’t just for hiding—they’re meant to shine! This heartwarming tale celebrates the beauty of being different and the joy of finding your own special light.
With a gentle nod to the rainbow and gender-diverse communities, the story reminds children and families that every hue is a vital part of life’s beautiful rainbow. As Prism overcomes challenges and embraces his true self, he discovers that sharing his uniqueness not only illuminates his world, but also inspires others to do the same.
Rainbow Boy and the Pride Parade
Written by Taylor Rouanzion
Illustrated by Stacey Chomiak
Beaming Books, 2025
IL: Ages 3-5 RL: Grades p-1
A heartwarming tale about how we can all be artists, sharing our passion with others. When Eddy meets his grandfather for the first time, he's surprised by Yéye's colorful personality. Without warning, Yéye takes Eddy on an adventure to show him the magical world of shadow puppets, exploring this ancient art form and how it brings joy to people even today.
Little Bee: The Buzz About The Party
Written by Danny Neville
Illustrated by Colleen McKeown
Annick Press, 2026
IL: Ages 4-8 RL: Grades p-3
Bee and her best friends Sarah and Tiam—the Winged Wonder gang—love parties almost as much as they love bugs. So when their Grade 3 teacher announces that the class must come up with a winning party idea, the friends are so excited. But when Bee realizes that it’s to celebrate the upcoming Mother’s Day weekend, she is confused and worried: Bee has two dads. Is she allowed to celebrate, and are her dads allowed to come? But Bee quickly learns that she might not be the only one who’s feeling left out. With the help of her friends and her parents, Bee must figure out how she and others in her class with non-traditional families can not only take part in the class party, but feel celebrated too.
Amazing 2SLGBTQIA+ People in Atlantic Canada: Stories of Activism, Education, and Pride
Written by REbecca Rose
Illustrated by James Bentley
Nimbus Publishing, 2026
IL: Ages 8-12 RL: Grades 3-7
This full-colour illustrated book features over 50 profiles of individuals from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as 2SLGBTQIA+ community history, activism, challenges and celebrations, helpful definitions and terminology, and an index.
An inspiring celebration of this vibrant and vital community, profilees are past and present activists, community builders, drag performers, fine artists, educators, and have increased representation of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Checked Out
Written by Tony Correia
Orca Book Publishers, 2026
IL: Ages 9-12 RL: Grades 4-7
Seth, an openly queer seventh grader, runs a successful YouTube channel called Seth Says. He carefully creates a brand around being a likeable queer kid and avoids talking about anything political. But when Pluto, a cute gay classmate, encourages Seth to read some queer fiction, he is blown away to see stories that reflect his own lived experiences, and he starts to see the value of queer activism. Seth and Pluto set up a Pride Month display to raise awareness of queer books in their school library, but as soon as the display goes up, someone checks out all the books, leaving the table empty.
Seth and Pluto discover that their classmate Rebecca checked out the books to protest the “inappropriate” Pride Month display. When the school staff decline to help, Seth decides to post about his experience on his YouTube channel. But as the video racks up more views, local conservatives stage a much larger and more intimidating campaign against LGBTQIA+ materials in the school library. Now Seth has to decide whether to give in to the pressure, or to keep fighting for what he has come to believe in.
Jazz Davies Skips a Beat
Written by Melanie Florence
Orca Book Publishers, 2026
IL: Ages 9-12 RL: Grades 4-7
Jazz’s life recently has been...a lot. After her mom left her dad for her yoga instructor (what a cliché), Jazz and her dad had to create a new normal. So when Jazz saw a chance to be one of her school’s It Girls, she went all in, leaving her best friend Lo behind.
But being a popular girl doesn’t feel like she’d hoped. Even though it’s fun to be admired, she isn’t sure the It Girls actually care about her. They’re always pressuring her to look and act a certain way—and worse, they want her to start dating, even though there aren’t any boys she likes that way.
When Jazz is unexpectedly paired up with music geek Ren in history class, Jazz gets this feeling...like butterflies. But Ren’s a girl. Jazz is totally fine with other people being gay and queer, but she never thought she was. And what would happen if the It Girls found out? Confused by her feelings and not sure who to talk to, Jazz finds herself missing her old friend Lo and wondering if she’ll ever feel like she can talk to her mom again. Mixed up in a sea of emotions and expectations, Jazz needs to figure out who she wants to be and whether or not being popular is worth it after all.
Finding Family
Written by Kamilah Haywood
James Lorimer & Company Ltd., 2026
IL: Ages 12-18 RL: Grades 8-12
In Finding Family, eighteen-year-old Jamaican-Canadian Trey leaves behind a life of rejection in the suburbs and finds a new community in Toronto’s Gay Village. As he navigates the complexities of queer identity, romance, and self-discovery, Trey learns that family isn’t always defined by blood, but by those who choose to accept and support you.
This debut novel from Kamilah Haywood offers an authentic portrayal of Toronto’s LGBTQ+ scene.
Lake Life
Written by Tanya Boteju
HarperCollins, 2026
IL: Ages 13-18 RL: Grades 8-12
This is definitely not how Maya wanted to spend the summer—depressed at her once-beloved cabin in Spruce Lake, and unable to avoid seeing her lifelong best friend, Rashida, after confessing her woefully unrequited love to her last year. Maya can’t decide if she wants to escape, or convince Rashida they’re still meant to be.
Gabe is sent to Spruce Lake by her mom in hopes she stays out of trouble. Gabe is NOT excited to be here. She does NOT like nature. She does NOT want to spend her summer in a tiny town with outdoorsy environmentalist types.
Gabe is pretty sure she’ll be spending this entire summer bored and alone…until she meets Maya. Together, they hatch a fake-dating scheme to make Rashida jealous and convince Gabe’s mom that Gabe has turned a wholesome new leaf.
But as the plan plays out, and Gabe and Maya contend with protests, a relentlessly concerned community, and romantic twists, they start to realize that their assumptions about friendship and love might have led them completely astray. Can they find their way through this mess without hurting each other in the process?
He’s So Possessed with Me
Written by Corey Liu
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2025
IL: Ages 12-18 RL: Grades 8-12
Ren says he’s in love, but Colin knows better.
Sure, he can't remember much about how it all began. But he remembers dancing at a club he and Ren were too young to dance in. He remembers the boys who harassed them on their way home. He remembers a ghost emerging from the trees, and a white hand reaching for Ren through a thick fog. What Colin can’t remember is what happened next. Only two things are clear to him: Ren is different now, and the new guy vying for his heart is not who he claims to be.
With the help of two unlikely allies and a cranky old medium, Colin must learn to conquer his self-doubt and save his best friend from a love that could cost him his life.
Sure, he can't remember much about how it all began. But he remembers dancing at a club he and Ren were too young to dance in. He remembers the boys who harassed them on their way home. He remembers a ghost emerging from the trees, and a white hand reaching for Ren through a thick fog. What Colin can’t remember is what happened next. Only two things are clear to him: Ren is different now, and the new guy vying for his heart is not who he claims to be.
With the help of two unlikely allies and a cranky old medium, Colin must learn to conquer his self-doubt and save his best friend from a love that could cost him his life.
Lying, Stealing, and Other Wats to Save the Planet
Written by Curtis Campbell
Annick Press, 2026
IL: Ages 14-18 RL: Grades 9-12
Ever since the best story of his career became the worst humiliation of his life, teen reporter John O’Neil has gone rogue. He has turned his nose for news toward blackmailing those responsible, namely Lance McPhee, diabolical heir to the local country club. When John learns that the club plans to expand into a bird conservation area founded by his late grandfather, he begrudgingly joins forces with the school birdwatching club to expose the scandal. And if John ruins Lance’s life along the way? He’s only killing two birds with one stone.
John races against the clock in a desperate bid at environmental espionage involving forgeries, a car chase, and a high-stakes heist. But it’s a race John won’t win without former best friend/co-reporter Rachel Miller, who just so happens to want him dead. Can this motley crew flock together long enough for their mission to take flight?
Ramin Abbas Has MAJOR Questions
Written by Ahmad Saber
Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 2026
IL: Ages 14-18 RL: Grades 9-12
Ramin Abbas has spent his whole life obeying his parents, his Imam, and, of course, Allah—no questions asked. But when he starts crushing on the ridiculously handsome captain of the soccer team, so many things he’d always been so sure about are becoming questions:
1. Music is haram. But what if the Wicked soundtrack is the only thing keeping you sane because you’re being forced to play on the soccer team? With Captain Handsome?!
2. A boy crush is double haram, and Ramin’s parents will never accept it. But can he really be the only Muslim on Earth who feels this way?
3. Allah is merciful and makes no mistakes. Then isn’t Ramin just the way Allah intended him to be?
And so why should living your truth but losing everything—or living a lie and losing yourself—have to be a choice?!
The Saw Mouth
Written by Cale Plett
Random House Publishing, 2026
IL: Ages 14-18 RL: Grades 8-12
When Cedar was a child, fragmented, tortured souls woke up in the world's most complex machines, destroying them and pushing technology back decades. A fall. The Fall, some said, and they called it Autumn.
Ten years later, following a family tragedy, Cedar moves to the nowhere town of Sawblade Lake only to find something hunting them. A long, bent shadow that reeks like rot and has the mouth of a deep crevice. It's after Cedar, and it’s willing to go to any lengths to break them, including preying on Cedar’s new queer family.
The closer it circles, the more it seems to weave through Cedar’s whole life. It might stretch back to their mother’s gruesome, inexplicable death, to the murk of their missing family, to the house they grew up in. Back and back and back to the first day of Autumn.
Cedar thought they understood how their world had changed, but they’re far from dredging the bottom.
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Book list curated by Spencer Miller