The ABC’s of LGBT+ by Ashley Mardell
Short Summary
The ABC’s of LGBT+ by Ashley Mardell is a colourful, welcoming, and wonderfully clear guide to gender, sexuality, and romantic attraction. With charming illustrations, personal stories, and simple explanations, it helps teens, parents, and anyone new to LGBTQIA+ concepts build confidence and understanding without feeling overwhelmed.
Age Group
Suitable for children aged 12 to 16 years.
Topics Discussed
LGBTQIA+ Kids
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Buy a Copy
Buy a copy of The ABC’s of LGBT+ by Ashley Mardell from Amazon.

What this book is about
- The ABC’s of LGBT+ is a friendly, visually engaging guide that explains the wide range of gender identities, sexual orientations, and romantic orientations that exist in the LGBTQ+ community.
- The book opens with a brilliant “cheat sheet” designed to help readers who feel overwhelmed by new terms – a feature added after the author’s own mum mentioned how confusing it can all feel at first.
- It offers short definitions up front and more detailed explanations at the back, making it easy for readers to learn at their own pace.
- Charming cartoons and illustrations appear throughout, helping to break up the text and make the book feel warm, accessible, and fun to read.
- The author includes real stories from people with different identities – such as demigirls – which brings the content to life and helps readers understand the lived experiences behind the terminology.
- Clear, thoughtful chapters explain concepts like gender identity, gender expression, physical attraction, emotional attraction, and romantic orientation.
- The book tackles misconceptions and myths with kindness, aiming to reduce fear and misunderstanding around LGBTQ+ identities.
- It’s written in a way that feels supportive rather than academic, making complex ideas approachable for parents who want to better support their child, or for teens exploring their own identity.
- While some terminology has evolved since the book was published in 2016, the explanations are still highly relevant and provide an excellent foundation for understanding the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.
- Whether you’re brand new to these concepts or already familiar but wanting to deepen your understanding, The ABC’s of LGBT+ is an inclusive, engaging, and incredibly helpful resource.
I hope you find this book review helpful!
Happy talking!
❤️ Cath