'Twas the Night Before Pride by Joanna McClintick

The family-friendly text and simple cartoon illustrations handle discussion of the police raids and protests in an age-appropriate way. But before bed, the family shares the story of the Stonewall Riots and 'the very first Pride' with baby Sammy. One mom packs lunch, while the other mom makes sure the narrator and little sibling (both of whom have brown skin) get to bed early. In accessible rhyming verse, the young narrator of this queer-themed picture book describes their mixed-race family's preparations for a Pride parade.

All rights reserved Review by Horn Book Review Along the way, McClintick's lines connect the family's pride to the work of activists, artists, and everyday people who have fought 'to know that we matter/ to show all we exist': 'So Pride's not just about tutus and rainbow suspenders./ It's about rights for queers and all our beautiful genders.' Medina's rainbow-hued illustrations give Pride scale and scope, mingling images of protests with awe-inspiring parade views from above, the spreads brimming with people of arrayed abilities, gender expressions, and skin tones carrying a range of Pride flags in this warm and moving tale. Moore's holiday classic, an older child narrator and their two moms explain the upcoming outing to baby Sammy. Via largely scanning rhymes that echo Clement C. Packing snacks, making signs, and sharing queer history with their newest addition, an interracial queer family prepares for Pride in this celebratory picture book. From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. With affirming discussions of togetherness and LGBTQ+ rights, the book's final takeaway that 'being yourself is a blast' hits just the right note. And because tomorrow will be baby Sammy's first Pride, the mixed-race family gathers to tell them the history of the celebration, starting with the Stonewall riots and continuing to present-day homophobia, concluding that gathering for Pride helps people 'to know that we matter, / to show all we exist / and that any oppression / we must always resist.' Medina's rainbow-flecked digital illustrations do a superb job of capturing the spirit and scope of Pride and the excitement it generates, while the sprightly text joins in the celebration.

Using Clement Clarke Moore's classic poem as inspiration, down to its metered rhyme, McClintick presents a loving survey of the queer community in all its diversity-including bikers, drag queens, musicians-as they make last-minute preparations for the city's Pride parade. It's time to celebrate! It's the night before Pride, and two little kids and their moms are atwitter with excitement.

'Twas the Night Before Pride by Joanna McClintick