A Year of Pride and Joy: LGBTQ+ Voices Share Their Life Passions

by Simon James Green, Ruth Burrows (Illustrator)

Overview

An uplifting and empowering anthology, A Year of Pride and Joy shares joyful contributions from 52 contemporary LGBTQIA+ voices, including Olympic gold medalist diver Tom Daley, author and historian Blair Imani, and singer Rina Sawayama

Edited by award-winning children’s author Simon James Green, this buoyant title celebrates the joy, talent, and contributions of members of the LGBTQIA+ community—and delivers a full year of celebration.

Each of the 52 entries—one for each week of the year—is tied to a particular season, event, international day, or week.

• Feel the timeless joy of old movies with actor Stephen Fry and discover his all-time favorite classic movies on Global Movie Day.
• Discover the joy of knitting with Olympic gold medalist Tom Daley, then follow a beginner’s step-by-step knitting guide.
• Find the joy of pets with singer Rina Sawayama, then consider which pet is right for you.
• Experience the joy of food with actress Miriam Margolyes, then uncover a recipe to her famous chicken soup with matzo balls.

Vibrant illustrations are paired with the engaging text. Whether you read an entry a week or pick it up whenever you are feeling in need of joy, this is a book to treasure all year round.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419774089
Publisher:	Magic Cat
Publication date:	05/06/2025
Series:	Year of Joy
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.70(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Simon James Green is the Carnegie-nominated author of the young adult novels You’re the One That I Want, Alex in Wonderland, Noah Can’t Even, and Noah Could Never. Before becoming an author, Green worked in theater and film in the United Kingdom. He lives in London. Ruth Burrows is a British artist based in Lincolnshire who has worked in the creative industries for over 30 years.

Editorial Reviews

"Between the potential for horizon-broadening, the message of appreciating small joys, and the depiction of thriving LGBTQ+ people, this book has the potential to entertain, educate, and even make a positive impact on mental health...A worthwhile dive into life’s simple delights."—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2025-02-15
In this U.K. import, queer figures discuss what brings them pleasure.

Organized by month, the entries in this book are each accompanied by a different holiday, including National Bird Day, World Knit in Public Day, and, of course, Pride Month. For National Tell a Story Day, author Matt Cain discusses being bullied as a child and how he channeled his pain into his writing. For World Wildlife Day, Lauren Esposito, curator of Arachnology at the California Academy of Sciences, holds forth on her love of scorpions. The featured figures include well-known (at least in the U.K.) actors and athletes as well as leaders in their fields who may not be household names. Many derive pleasure from things other than their careers; for instance, Olympic diver Tom Daley expounds on his love of knitting—a subtle but important lesson that not all hobbies need to be monetized. In addition to serving as a message of LGBTQ+ joy, the book also offers a catalog of hobbies that don’t involve scrolling. Some topics, such as the Eurovision song contest, may be unfamiliar to American readers, but they offer an opportunity to learn something new. Between the potential for horizon-broadening, the message of appreciating small joys, and the depiction of thriving LGBTQ+ people, this book has the potential to entertain, educate, and even make a positive impact on mental health. The colorful, blocky art adds fun and excitement.

A worthwhile dive into life’s simple delights.(Nonfiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews