This Day in June

This Day in June is a children's picture book that takes readers through a Pride parade celebration. The story captures the energy and spirit of Pride through the eyes of parade attendees. The book features illustrations by Kristyna Litten that showcase diverse parade participants and spectators against a city backdrop. It includes extensive endnotes that provide context about LGBTQ+ communities and history, plus guidance for parents and caregivers about discussing these topics with children. This 2014 publication from Magination Press earned the 2015 Stonewall Book Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature. The book has generated discussion and debate, becoming one of the most challenged books in the United States by 2018. Through its celebration of Pride and inclusion, This Day in June presents themes of community, acceptance, and the importance of creating spaces where people can be themselves.

Parents and educators appreciate the book's colorful illustrations of Pride celebrations and its educational back matter explaining LGBTQ+ history and terminology. Readers note it helps introduce Pride parades to young children in an age-appropriate way. Likes: - Clear, vibrant artwork depicting diverse parade participants - Inclusive representation of many identities and communities - Reading guide helps adults address questions - Rhyming text works well for read-alouds Dislikes: - Some readers feel the content is too mature for young children - A few note the text is basic compared to the detailed illustrations - Several mention the reading guide is more useful than the story itself Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (624 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (394 ratings) Common reader comment: "Great tool for teaching acceptance and celebration of differences, though parents should review first to determine age-appropriateness for their child."

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🌈 The book won the 2015 Stonewall Book Award, making it the first LGBTQ+ children's picture book to receive this prestigious honor. 📚 Author Gayle E. Pitman is a professor of psychology at Sacramento City College, where she teaches courses on gender and LGBTQ+ studies. 🎨 The book's unique format includes a "Reading Guide" that breaks down each page's imagery and symbolism, making it both a story and an educational resource. 🗓️ The title "This Day in June" references the historical significance of June as Pride Month, which commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Riots. 🌍 The book has been translated into multiple languages and is used in schools and libraries across several countries to teach inclusivity and diversity.