A Rainbow of Stories in New Pride Picture Books

Pride is almost upon us, and young readers can enjoy a great new batch of Pride-themed picture books this year, from simple, interactive board books for the youngest readers to stories that explore both the history and the current personal impact of Pride.

Board Books

"If It's Pride and You Know It ...," by Andy Passchier (Nosy Crow), gives us a Pride-themed version of the classic song, along with sliders, spinners, and pull-outs sure to engage young readers (and maybe even their adults). The vivid rainbow hues and author/illustrator Andy Passchier's cheery families exude queer joy.

"Busy Pride," from Campbell Books, illustrated by Tommy Doyle, follows a child and two moms as they prepare for and attend a Pride parade. Sliders and pull-outs make face paint appear, extend the parade, and make the singer sway, while prompts ("Can you find...?") add more interaction. It's cheery and fun, with a sweet sense of community.

"Pride Is Love," by Dano Moreno, illustrated by Nakul P. (Random House), is a warm and joyous board book that focuses on the internal meaning of pride, even as it takes us to a more literal Pride celebration. In it, a girl tries to make a chain of daisies as she and her dads walk outside. When the chain breaks, however, the dads offer gentle lessons about resilience, speaking up, and being kind. The girl tries again, and the family, wreathed in flower crowns, make their way to a Pride parade of celebration and love.

Picture Books

"Make Your Own Rainbow: A Drag Queen's Guide to Colors," by Drag Queen Story Hour board member Lil Miss Hot Mess and illustrator Olga de Dios Ruiz (Running Press Kids), is an ode to color and creativity. A variety of drag queens and kings express themselves on each page through an assortment of hues and shades between and beyond the colors of the rainbow. Sure, there's red, but there's also crimson, maroon, scarlet, and more—and so on for each color. It all ends in a joyous, multi-colored extravaganza. Whether in a group at a story hour or at home, this joyful volume is bound to spark imaginations.

"My Little Golden Book About Pride," by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan (Golden Books), explains what a Pride celebration is and offers a short history of the Stonewall rebellion and the creation of the rainbow flag---but also adds personal relevance by connecting the meanings of the flag's colors to LGBTQIA people's experiences. For example, red is for life, and "all LGBTQIA people deserve to have full, happy lives." Orange, however, represents healing, and "Sometimes people are hurt or left out because of their identities." It's therefore important, Lukoff explains, to find others who share your experience so you can help each other heal, "an important part of pride." Acknowledging queer challenges while also highlighting queer joys is a tricky balance, but Newbery Award honoree and two-time Stonewall Award winner Lukoff handles it with aplomb.

"One Day in June: A Story Inspired by the Life and Activism of Marsha P. Johnson," by Tourmaline, illustrated by Charlot Kristensen (G.P. Putnam's Sons), is a lively, lyrical, and evocative picture book about the trans icon that feels like the reminiscences of an old friend. It focuses less on biographical detail than on the boundless spirit, self-confidence, and belief in human connection that make Johnson worth remembering.

"Under One Rainbow," by Chris Ayala-Kronos, illustrated by Sol Salinas (Clarion), is a bold and colorful book whose verses celebrate many people walking, rolling, riding, skipping and dancing their way to a Pride parade. Even when an unexpected thunderstorm dampens the day, "together,/we weather the storm." It's simple but affirming.

"Rainbow Boy and the Pride Parade," by Taylor Rouanzion, illustrated by Stacey Chomiak (Beaming Books), is a standalone sequel to the duo's "Rainbow Boy," and a tale of parental support, community, and self-affirmation. Here, the titular boy is no longer wearing his pink tutu or other colorful clothes, and doesn't like rainbows anymore, "because they make me different." His mom and dad therefore take him to a Pride parade, and the book becomes a counting book as the boy sees "One grand marshal.... Two daddies, " and so on. When he sees "four boys in sparkly dresses," he is delighted to "twirl just like them." By the end of the parade, the boy reflects on all the people there who were different but welcome, and decides that he's proud to be a Rainbow Boy.

"Pride," by Eric Huang, illustrated by Amy Phelps (words & pictures), tells of a boy who is excited about going to a Pride parade with his two dads, plus his best friends and their two-mom and mom-dad families. The kids aren't sure what to wear, however, which creates low-stakes dramatic tension as the story explores the history of Pride and how the school and neighborhood are celebrating it today. The book offers a delightful vision of a place where LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion are woven throughout the community. Extensive backmatter covers the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement, the Pride flag, LGBTQ+ celebrations around the world, and suggested crafts and activities, making it perfect for use in schools and libraries, although home readers will enjoy it, too.

For Pride books from previous years and the many terrific LGBTQ+-inclusive picture books on other topics, please visit my Mombian Database of LGBTQ+ Family Books (mombian.com/database). May Pride bring you and your families joy, resilience, and love.

Dana Rudolph is the founder and publisher of Mombian (mombian.com), a two-time GLAAD Media Award-winning blog for LGBTQ+ parents plus a searchable database of 1,800+ LGBTQ+ family books.