cover image Pride 1 2 3

Pride 1 2 3

Michael Joosten, illus. by Wednesday Holmes. Little Simon, $7.99 (22p) ISBN 978-1-5344-6499-5

Using a classic count-to-10 format (“1 parade in the month of June// 2 DJs spin fabulous tunes”), Joosten employs simple rhyming text to identify people and things associated with Pride, from “families of all different types” to “activists,” “divas,” and “flags.” Holmes’s colorful, confetti-dusted illustrations have a relaxed charm; dot-eyed, smiling people of assorted skin tones, gender expressions, and physical abilities (a child in a pink wheelchair appears, and a person is shown using a cane) populate the pages. Though the illustrations occasionally depart from the text—the “motorcycles” revving are unmistakably scooters, and the sixth of “6 floats carrying people who are proud” barely creeps onto the edge of the page—they add helpful context to Joosten’s words through multiple visual signifiers. Signs that read “Be kind,” “I love my two daddies,” and “You are magical” help to clue little readers in on the importance of Pride. Ages 1–5. [em](May) [/em]