Many of us grown-ups have fond memories of My Little Golden Books from our own childhoods. This cheery and informative volume about Pride by Newbery Award honoree and two-time Stonewall Award winner Kyle Lukoff is a worthy addition to the venerable and wide-ranging series.
Lukoff starts by engaging young readers directly, noting that they’ve probably seen rainbows in the natural world, and then asking, “But have you ever seen rainbows marching down the street?”
This probably means it’s time for Pride, he says, explaining, “Pride parades celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. Pride celebrations are a reminder for everyone to be proud of who they are.”
He segues into a brief history of the Stonewall rebellion and its connection to the first Pride parades, Gilbert Baker’s creation of the rainbow flag, and what each color of the flag means. While on the face of it, this is content that’s been well-trod in other picture books, Lukoff’s descriptions are notably clear and inspiring. He adds his own thoughtful touch, too, by not only sharing what each color represents, but also connecting those meanings to examples of what LGBTQIA+ people may be feeling or experiencing. For example, red is for life, and “all LGBTQIA people deserve to have full, happy lives with friendships and families and love.” Orange, however, represents healing, and “Sometimes people are hurt or left out because of their identities.” He explains that it’s therefore important 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 that not all authors do well, but Lukoff is one of the best, and handles this with aplomb.
The warm and dynamic illustrations by Michelle Jing Chan also elevate this book above many, showing LGBTQIA+ people diverse in many ways and engaging in a wide variety of activities, not just marching in parades. Chan also shows us a range of Pride flags, not just the rainbow one, throughout the pages.
A highly recommended book for any home or library collection.
