Starred Review ALA Booklist (Fri May 27 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Starred Review An excited little girl boards the train with both of her moms to attend her first Rainbow Parade in San Francisco. As crowds flood the sidewalks, the youngster's body language is spot-on, as she hilariously sighs, groans, and sits on the concrete, waiting for the action to begin. And what a spectacle it is! The cartoon illustrations capture the spirit of exhilaration and the details showing the creative styles of the entrants and spectators of this unique parade. The jugglers, stilt walkers, acrobats, dancers, marching performers, and bike riders pass by with big smiles, flying the Pride flag and wearing rainbow wigs, colorful beads, tutus, and even almost nothing at all! When a group of LGBTQ+ families appear, the shy girl's moms encourage her to leap over the fence with them and join in the march, assuring her that she belongs in the Rainbow Parade, too. Her confident statement affirms: "I think I'm going to practice pride all year long." This welcome addition to picture books for young children directly addresses the Pride parade and LGBTQ+ community and promotes the straightforward, positive message of recognition and acceptance.

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Inspired by the author's childhood memories of attending San Francisco Pride, this picture book offers a delightfully dynamic child's-eye view of the festivities.Emily, a young White girl, and her two White moms take the train to join their "family of friends" alongside the parade route. Emily narrates the story in the first person, relaying her observations. She admires the bikers and the loud, proud, colorful marchers and performers, who vary in size, skin color, physical ability, and age and who wear "whatever makes them feel most like themselves." But when Mommy spots a group of LGBTQ+ families ("just like us!") marching and suggests they join them, Emily worries she's "not loud or proud enough to be in the parade." Her moms' poignant, encouraging responses are just what she (and likely, many readers) needs to hear. Neilson employs simple, accessible language to deliver a buoyant tale that fleshes out the notion of Pride-an integral cultural concept within the LGBTQ+ community-by showing rather than telling. The stylized digital illustrations include true-to-life details that affectionately reflect the array of outfits, identities, and signage one might encounter at a Pride celebration. Meanwhile, the pitch-perfect visual pacing (the artwork shifts effortlessly between immersive, full-bleed pages and spot illustrations) captures the movement, scope, and many moods of the parade. Readers familiar with San Francisco may recognize the BART train, which helps establish the setting. (This book was reviewed digitally.)An exploration of community and belonging that's highly recommended for all families and all bookshelves. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)

School Library Journal Starred Review (Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

PreS-Gr 2 —The excitement builds as Emy and her mothers board the train taking them to the Pride Parade. Joined by her "family of friends," she watches with eager anticipation as the streets fill with motorcyclists, jugglers, dancers, marchers, singers and most importantly, rainbows! Everyone is so loud, proud, and colorful that Emy gets swept up in the energy of the parade. But when she gets invited to actually join in the march, she is shy. When she tells her parents that perhaps she isn't "loud enough or proud enough," one of her mothers reminds her that she belongs in the "Rainbow Parade" just as she is. As the family joins an LGBTQ+ families group, Emy learns that pride comes in all varieties and that finding her own pride happens a step at a time. Drawn from the author's own experiences, this is an encouraging and heartwarming introduction for young readers. Showcasing a broad range of racial diversity, gender identity, and sexual orientation, the book helps readers see and hear that Pride is for everyone. Thanks to simple language, purposeful layouts, and well-placed page turns, readers are whisked through the story with a vibrant energy. Digital illustrations contrast the muted tones of Emy and her family with the bright rainbow colors of the parade. By the end, however, all participants are wrapped up in a blanket of color, reminding readers that we can "practice pride all year long." VERDICT A must-have for all collections and a perfect peek into the Pride Parade for even the littlest readers.—Louie Lauer

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Inspired by the author's childhood memories of attending San Francisco Pride, this picture book offers a delightfully dynamic child's-eye view of the festivities.Emily, a young White girl, and her two White moms take the train to join their "family of friends" alongside the parade route. Emily narrates the story in the first person, relaying her observations. She admires the bikers and the loud, proud, colorful marchers and performers, who vary in size, skin color, physical ability, and age and who wear "whatever makes them feel most like themselves." But when Mommy spots a group of LGBTQ+ families ("just like us!") marching and suggests they join them, Emily worries she's "not loud or proud enough to be in the parade." Her moms' poignant, encouraging responses are just what she (and likely, many readers) needs to hear. Neilson employs simple, accessible language to deliver a buoyant tale that fleshes out the notion of Pride-an integral cultural concept within the LGBTQ+ community-by showing rather than telling. The stylized digital illustrations include true-to-life details that affectionately reflect the array of outfits, identities, and signage one might encounter at a Pride celebration. Meanwhile, the pitch-perfect visual pacing (the artwork shifts effortlessly between immersive, full-bleed pages and spot illustrations) captures the movement, scope, and many moods of the parade. Readers familiar with San Francisco may recognize the BART train, which helps establish the setting. (This book was reviewed digitally.)An exploration of community and belonging that's highly recommended for all families and all bookshelves. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Joy, love, and sacred tradition are shared across generations in Neilson’s personal-feeling tribute to Pride, situated in a city that resembles San Francisco. The excitement is palpable as young Emily and their two moms, who read as white, ride the train to join their “family of friends” for the march. Along the way, they see people of varying ages, body types, gender expressions, and skin tones, all wearing “whatever makes them feel most like themselves.” When the event at last begins, Emily observes its participants as “extra loud,” “super proud,” and “very colorful.” And indeed, digital spreads and spot illustrations are alight with pattern and movement that soon show the characters heading out from behind the parade route’s barrier to march with other families—naming Pride as something to practice, not just to observe. The creator’s familiarity and fondness is clear in this title that represents the queer community’s exuberant spectrum and honors Pride as a place for families, for community, and above all for connection. Ages 2–5. (May)