Waterstones Piccadilly is holding a special one-off event on 8 September, featuring four authors of LGBTQ+ picture books.The four authors will discuss the importance of representation in picture books.

And what a fabulous selection of LGBTQ+ books they are.

The Pirate Mums is a swashbuckling, high-seas adventure starring Billy and his two extraordinary mums, complete with a bad-tempered parrot called Bird-Brain, a sudden storm, a sea-sick teacher and a captain who gets stuck in the toilet. 

Billy discovers throughout the story that it’s what makes his mums different that also makes them – and himself – special.

Grandad's Camper by Harry Woodgate is a beautiful picture book, in which a girl helps her Grandfather embrace life again following the death of Gramps.

Gramps and Grandad were adventurers. They would surf, climb mountains, and tour the country in their amazing camper. But after Gramps died, Grandad hasn’t felt like travelling anymore. So, their granddaughter comes up with a clever plan to help cheer him up.

This beautiful picture book honours love and reminds us not only to remember those we have lost, but to celebrate them.

My Daddies! written by Gareth Peter and illustrated by Garry Parsons is a funny, heartfelt picture-book celebrating same-sex parents and shared story time, perfect for introducing children to the different kinds of family in the world today.

Nen and the Lonely Fisherman written by Ian Eagleton and illustrated by James Mayhew is a lovely, gentle story of friendship and love between a merman, Nen, and Ernest, the fisherman of the title, with a conservationist theme rippling throughout. 

Jodie Lancet-Grant (The Pirate Mums), Ian Eagleton (Nen and the Lonely Fisherman), Gareth Peter (My Daddies, Forever Star) and Harry Woodgate (Grandad's Camper) will take part in a discussion about the importance of representation and inclusion in picture books, along with sharing the stories behind their writing and their hopes for the future of inclusive publishing. The event is chaired by Charlie Morris from Pride in Publishing.

Tickets are available here.

If you'd like more recommendations on books, right across the ages, with an LGBTQ+ theme, do check out our Collection of LGBTQI Literature