The Meaning of Pride

by Rosiee Thor, Sam Kirk (Illustrator)

Overview

A vibrant ode to the culture and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community, The Meaning of Pride, written by Rosiee Thor and illustrated by Sam Kirk, celebrates the beauty, significance, and many dimensions of the concept of Pride as celebrated by millions of people around the world!

Every year in June, we celebrate Pride! But what does Pride mean? And how do you celebrate it?

This inspiring celebration of the LGBTQ+ community throughout history and today shows young readers that there are many ways to show your pride and make a difference.

Whether you want to be an activist or an athlete, a poet or a politician, a designer or a drag queen, you can show your pride just by being you!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780358401513
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	04/19/2022
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	638,574
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Rosiee Thor began her career as a storyteller by demanding to tell her mother bedtime stories instead of the other way around. She spent her childhood reading by flashlight in the closet until she came out as queer. She lives in Oregon with a dog, a cat, and an abundance of plants.
Twitter/Instagram: @rosieethor
rosieethor.com

Sam Kirk is an artist and muralist who explores culture and identity through her artwork. Her vibrant color palette, intricate line work, and multitone figures reveal a world where differences are valued. A biracial, queer woman born and raised in Chicago, she creates work that sparks dialogue around topics of equality and visibility for women, communities of color, and the LGBTQIA community.
Twitter/Instagram: @iamsamkirk
iamsamkirk.com

Editorial Reviews

06/20/2022

Anchoring this accessibly written portrait of Pride with a brief history of its activist and protest roots, Thor broadly defines it as an observance rooted in allyship, community, resilience, personal truth, and self-expression. Throughout, images of well-known, primarily American LGBTQ figures past (James Baldwin, Marsha P. Johnson) and present (Elliot Page, Megan Rapinoe) exemplify various facets of Pride. On one page, Billy Porter graces the runway in a full skirt, while text reads “Pride means wearing whatever you want.” Kirk’s line-heavy digital art incorporates rainbow hues and various Pride flags alongside images of people of myriad body types, gender expressions, and skin tones, foregrounding a range of activists, artists, athletes, performers, and politicians. It’s a representation-forward introduction to Pride as both concept and celebration. Creators’ notes, recommended reading, and brief biographies of figures shown conclude. Ages 4–7. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"A colorful and creative way to introduce young readers to a diverse group of LGBTQ+ figures—from historical activists to contemporary athletes and artists—all woven into an open-ended exploration of what Pride means. I love that this book both honors our history and connects it to the present—it is a wonderful way to open conversations and encourage kids to learn more about LGBTQ+ rights." — Robin Stevenson, Stonewall Honor winning author of Pride Puppy and Pride: The Celebration and the Struggle

"Thor's picture book debut is an inclusive celebration of queerness LGBTQ+ readers will delight in finding themselves in, and a joyful jumping-off point for kids learning about the origins, significance, and powerful affirmation of PRIDE. Likewise, Kirk brings the vibrant colors, layers, and bold lines of her mural work to the page with illustrations that beautifully capture the essence of what it means to celebrate pride in all its forms.” — Anika Aldamuy Denise, Pura Belpré Honor winning author of Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré

From the Publisher

"Thor's picture book debut is an inclusive celebration of queerness LGBTQ+ readers will delight in finding themselves in, and a joyful jumping-off point for kids learning about the origins, significance, and powerful affirmation of PRIDE. Likewise, Kirk brings the vibrant colors, layers, and bold lines of her mural work to the page with illustrations that beautifully capture the essence of what it means to celebrate pride in all its forms.

Anika Aldamuy Denise

"A colorful and creative way to introduce young readers to a diverse group of LGBTQ+ figures—from historical activists to contemporary athletes and artists—all woven into an open-ended exploration of what Pride means. I love that this book both honors our history and connects it to the present—it is a wonderful way to open conversations and encourage kids to learn more about LGBTQ+ rights."

Robin Stevenson

"Beautiful, vibrant illustrations honor Pride history and figures. In spare text—each page has a couple sentences—the book outlines who celebrates Pride in June, how the commemoration started, and explores the word “pride” itself. The words are inclusive and uplifting; readers are asked to consider what pride looks like in their own lives. The heartfelt and empowering message is in lockstep with the bright artwork, harking back to protest art of the 1960s and 1970s through color and wavy lines. Throughout the book, people such as James Baldwin, Megan Rapinoe, and Matthew Shepard are identified with their names in tiny font. The back matter includes brief biographies of the various people mentioned, additonal resources, and an author's note each for young readers and adults.  VERDICT One for the Pride shelves, or to share one-on-one with younger children needing more context."

Elissa Cooper

04/01/2022

PreS-Gr 1—Beautiful, vibrant illustrations honor Pride history and figures. In spare text—each page has a couple sentences—the book outlines who celebrates Pride in June, how the commemoration started, and explores the word "pride" itself. The words are inclusive and uplifting; readers are asked to consider what pride looks like in their own lives. The heartfelt and empowering message is in lockstep with the bright artwork, harking back to protest art of the 1960s and 1970s through color and wavy lines. Throughout the book, people such as James Baldwin, Megan Rapinoe, and Matthew Shepard are identified with their names in tiny font. There is no back matter. VERDICT One for the Pride shelves, or to share one-on-one with younger children needing more context.—Elissa Cooper

School Library Journal