This Day in June

PreS-Gr 2—Filled with saturated colors and vivid illustrations, this picture book uses rhyming couplets to convey the fun and exuberate feelings assocated with a pride parade for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and families. For example, "Rainbow arches/Joyful marches/Motors roaring/Spirits soaring." The cartoon artwork is richly detailed and capture the "Banners swaying/Children playing." The diversity shown at the pride parade is realistic; both homosexual and heterosexual people, young and old, are depicted as well as individuals, couples, and families. At the end of the book, a "Reading Guide" provides explanations for the images and allusions in the book. Additionally, a "Note to Parents and Caregivers" offers suggestions for talking to various age levels of children about LGBT families. This beautifully illustrated book is a great addition to a school or personal library to add diversity in a responsible manner without contributing to stereotypes about LGBT people.—April Sanders, Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Punchy rhymes like “Motors roaring/ Spirits soaring/ Voices chanting/ Doggies panting,” could describe any number of jubilant summer parades; add in “Clad in leather/ Perfect weather,” and the field narrows. Pitman, in her first book for children, salutes the LGBT parades that take place across the U.S. in June. Her couplets keep things marching steadily forward, but it’s Litten’s artwork that creates a sense of joyous excitement and showcases the diversity on display. Wisely, Litten only outlines the happy crowds and buildings in the background (placards reading “Born This Way” and “= Rights” are everywhere), saving color and detail for the marchers themselves. Organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and San Francisco’s elaborately costumed Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence appear, along with smiling politicians, women on motorcycles, shirtless dancers, and genderqueer drag queens with flowing gowns, feathered headpieces, and facial hair. Children are in the mix throughout, as well, driving home the underlying message: “All invited/ All excited.” Substantial endnotes discuss each scene and provide context for the people and groups represented, along with parental tips for discussing gender and sexuality. Ages 4–8. (May)

Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with Permission.

Named one of the Top 11 Most Challenged Books of 2018 by American Library Association (joined by Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Judy Sherman Alexie, Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner, This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey, A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss, and George by Alex Gino)

Winner of the 2015 Stonewall Book Award—Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children's & Young Adult Literature Award

A Top Ten Title, 2015 American Library Association Rainbow List

Winner, 2015 Notable Books for a Global Society Awards

Named one of the most important books of the last decade by The Advocate's "40 Under 40" list

Author interviewed in New York Times—"'Heather Has Two Mommies' Is Still Relevant 30 Years Later"

"A beautifully illustrated, and beautifully explained, look at Pride through the eyes of a child. The book ends with the words, "This day in June, we're all united!" an inspiring message that should be just as uplifting for adults as it is affirming for youth."—Philadelphia Gay News

"This Day In June adds a bright spot for diversity on any bookshelf, and will help bring the true colors and beautiful experience of LGBT pride to life for school age children and their families."—Ellen Kahn, Director of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Family Project.

"Pitman, in her first book for children, salutes the LGBT parades that take place across the U.S. in June. Her couplets keep things marching steadily forward, but it's Litten's artwork that creates a sense of joyous excitement and showcases the diversity on display."—Publishers Weekly

"This Day in June is the pride parade picture book queer parents have been waiting for since, oh, 1970. We've needed something that captured the joy and exuberance of the event, and something that helped kids picture the glorious range of gender expression and queer fabulousness that is so righteously on display at Pride (and by contrast so absent in most of our kids' everyday lives). We've wanted a sweet, playful opportunity to talk in advance about what they'll see, what it'll be like. We've wanted to help them get as excited as we do, in anticipation, and have a way to share it with their friends."—VillageQ.com

"Intended for children ages four through eight—but absolutely a book every PFLAGer will want on their shelf—the book serves as an excellent tool for teaching respect, understanding, and affirmation of LGBTQ people."—PFLAG Voice blog

"This beautifully illustrated book is a great addition to a school or personal library to add diversity in a responsible manner without contributing to stereotypes about LGBT people."—School Library Journal

"When you reach the last of this book, you will immediately turn to the beginning pages to read it all over again."—Pride Agenda

"The bouncy rhymes convey feelings and snapshots of parade scenes rather than a narrative storyline, but that doesn't lessen the book's impact. We're introduced to dykes on bikes, people in leather, drag queens and others of varying gender expressions, politicians, marching bands, and parents with their children. The diverse characters in Kristyna Litten's colorful illustrations jump and dance and swirl."—Bay Windows

"The text of Gayle E. Pitman's flows like poetry from page to page and is partnered with the joyous illustrations by Kristyna Litten."—EDGE on the Net

"Curious children who are learning about gender, identity, and self-expression will love learning about the diverse and unwavering LGBT community in a colorful book that celebrates pride. Parents who are eager to talk to their kids about the ways in which people are different, or about LGBT Pride month in general will find that This Day In June provides excellent context and serves as a conversation starter."—One Equal World

"If you have never been to a pride parade, read this book to see what you are missing." —No Time for Flash Cards