The Rainbow Parade

PreS-Gr 2–The excitement builds as Emy and her mothers board the train taking them to the Pride Parade. Joined by her “family of friends,” she watches with eager anticipation as the streets fill with motorcyclists, jugglers, dancers, marchers, singers and most importantly, rainbows! Everyone is so loud, proud, and colorful that Emy gets swept up in the energy of the parade. But when she gets invited to actually join in the march, she is shy. When she tells her parents that perhaps she isn’t “loud enough or proud enough,” one of her mothers reminds her that she belongs in the “Rainbow Parade” just as she is. As the family joins an LGBTQ+ families group, Emy learns that pride comes in all varieties and that finding her own pride happens a step at a time. Drawn from the author’s own experiences, this is an encouraging and heartwarming introduction for young readers. Showcasing a broad range of racial diversity, gender identity, and sexual orientation, the book helps readers see and hear that Pride is for everyone. Thanks to simple language, purposeful layouts, and well-placed page turns, readers are whisked through the story with a vibrant energy. Digital illustrations contrast the muted tones of Emy and her family with the bright rainbow colors of the parade. By the end, however, all participants are wrapped up in a blanket of color, reminding readers that we can “practice pride all year long.”