Pride and Joy

May 15, 2023
When Noah and his boyfriend, Miguel, are harassed by neighborhood bullies who say “mean words about gay people,” Noah’s sibling Joy—a baking enthusiast—talks to their mom about how to become an ally. In colored pencil textures, Smid’s loose art juxtaposes monochrome bullying scenes with full-color pages that show Joy making and selling cookies in the colors of the Progress Pride flag to raise funds for Noah and Miguel’s Teen Center. Showing via straightforward dialogue and narration the power of community support and the many meanings of “Pride,” Sileo and Lum-Potvin show Joy educating herself, ensuring that Noah’s comfortable with the idea, and standing up for the LGBTQ community, rather than expecting others to tell her what to do. Joy and Noah are portrayed with tan skin, Miguel has brown skin, and their community represents people of various abilities, body types, and skin tones. Further resources conclude. Ages 5–up.

April 1, 2023
A child learns about being an ally. Joy can't wait for big brother Noah to get home so they can bake cookies. But when Noah and his boyfriend, Miguel, arrive, their neighbor Jimmy and his friends bully them for being gay. Joy is upset but finds standing up to the bigger kids scary. That night, Mom explains what it means to be an ally and how Joy can make a difference. With help from Mom, Dad, and friends, Joy holds a bake sale to raise money for Noah and Miguel's Teen Center; the cookies they bake incorporate the colors of the progress pride flag. When Jimmy shows up again to sneer ("Nobody wants your gross cookies and your gay flags!!"), Joy finally summons the courage to stand up to him. With smudgy, expressive artwork in a rainbow-hued palette and clear, simple sentences, this engaging book highlights the challenges of being an ally without downplaying the fear or uncertainty of speaking out against queerphobic bullies. Joy and Noah appear to be biracial; their mother presents Asian, while their father reads White. Miguel is brown-skinned; Jimmy is light-skinned. The diversity of the cast and a foreword from actor Vanessa Williams lend weight to the idea that everybody belongs, and though told from Joy's perspective, the tale centers Noah's and Miguel's needs and feelings, driving home what it truly means to be an ally. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A sweet and inspiring guide for young LGBTQIA+ allies. ("note to grown up allies," discussion questions) (Picture book. 3-7)

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