Pride and Joy: A Story About Becoming an LGBTQIA+ Ally

by Frank J. Sileo, Kate Lum-Potvin, Emmi Smid (Illustrator), Vanessa Williams (Foreword by)

Overview

Joy loves her big brother, Noah. He's the best brother, skateboarder and cookie baker there is! So, when Noah is teased for being gay, Joy wants to help. But how?

Joy decides to become an ally - someone who supports others through their words and actions. With her best friend, Elliott, Joy takes action, baking 'Pride and Joy' cookies to raise money for the local LGBTQIA+ center. But when the bully tries to put an end to the bake sale, Joy learns that being an ally means using your words, too.

Written by an award-winning author team, and with charming illustrations throughout, Pride and Joy introduces children to LGBTQIA+ allyship and teaches them the value of inclusion and courage. Featuring a reading guide for adults and questions for discussion, this beautiful, uplifting picture book is a must-have for every young ally.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781839975264
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	05/18/2023
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	9.84(w) x 9.84(h) x 0.39(d)
Age Range:	5 - 18 Years

About the Author

Frank J. Sileo, PhD, is a licensed psychologist, international speaker and award-winning author of 12 other children's picture books. He also wrote an award winning parenting book that deals with raising chronically ill children. Since 2010, he has been consistently recognized as one of New Jersey's top kids' doctors. For over 27 years, he has worked therapeutically with LGBTQIA+ youth, adults, and families. Dr. Sileo has had his research published in psychological journals, and is often the 'go to' psychologist in the media. He lives in New Jersey, USA. Visit drfranksileo.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @DrFrankSileo.

Kate Lum-Potvin is an award-winning children's author and podcast storyteller. She began her LGBTQIA+ allyship journey when her sister came out, and is proud to be a part of this joyful new book. Kate is based in Nova Scotia, Canada. Visit her at katelum.com and on Instagram and Facebook @Kate_and_Friends_for_Kids.

Editorial Reviews

05/15/2023

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. (May)

Publishers Weekly

Being an ally is no easy feat, and Pride and Joy shows kids everywhere not only how to do it, but why it matters! Insightful, inspiring, and important, this story reminds us that our words and actions have impact, always.

Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)

Pride and Joy is a book that will help educators and caregivers spark a critical conversation about what it means not only to be an ally, but to understand the true purpose of friendship. This book's gorgeous illustrations perfectly speak to the themes of this book. I would also recommend this text to school leaders who are seeking to explain and explore the greater significance of social emotional learning with their community of parents and guardians.

Tricia Friedman

Everyone needs an ally, especially LGBTQ+ youth. Books like Pride and Joy: A Story about Becoming an LGBTQIA+ Ally teach kids from a young age that the best kind of allyship is the kind that not only raises its voice but also takes action. At PFLAG, we've spent decades working with families and non-family allies, meeting people where they are, bringing them along on their journey—and always leading with love. With Pride and Joy.., young readers and their families now have a new resource for that important work.

Brian K. Bond (he/him)

A beautiful glimpse into what cultivating allyship means for children and young people. A reminder of how important parents and caregivers are during these formative years, and the power of words and genuine connection.

Dr Brendan J Dunlop

This book, is so desperately needed. It should be placed on the curriculum of every school in the land!

Paul Taylor

Pride and Joy is not only a book with a heartfelt story, it's a beautifully illustrated book that has an important message. Creating allies and a world where closets don't exist happens one child at a time. And it begins with each of us and what we say, as much as what we choose not to say. Pride and Joy is a book that offers families courage, hope, strength, and most importantly, it inspires children how to be an ally in a timely and creative way. We could all benefit from a little more Pride and Joy in the world!

Chris Tompkins

2023-03-14
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)

Kirkus Reviews