'Twas the Night Before Pride
A glittering celebration of queer families puts Pride gently in perspective – honouring those in the LBGTQ+ community who fought against injustice and inequality.
Pride’s a day that means “Together, we are strong!”
This joyful picture-book homage to a day of community and inclusion – and to the joys of anticipation – is also a comprehensive history. With bright, buoyant illustrations and lyrical, age-appropriate rhyme modeled on “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” it tackles difficult content such as the Stonewall Riots and the AIDS marches. On the night before Pride, families everywhere are preparing to partake. As one family packs snacks and makes signs, an older sibling shares the importance of the parade with the newest member of the family. Reflecting on the day, the siblings agree that the best thing about Pride is getting to be yourself. Debut author Joanna McClintick and Pura Belpré Award-winning author-illustrator Juana Medina create a new classic that pays homage to the beauty of families of all compositions – and of all-inclusive love.
Joanna McClintick is a debut children’s book author and licensed social worker at the LGBT Center in Manhattan, the oldest organisation of its kind in the United States. She wrote this poem for her children, and it has become a tradition to read it at their annual brunch the day before the Pride parade with family and friends.
Juana Medina is the author-illustrator of Juana & Lucas, which won the 2017 Pura Belpré Author Award; Juana & Lucas: Big Problemas; Juana & Lucas: Muchos Changes; and many other titles and has illustrated numerous picture books, including Smick! by Doreen Cronin and I’m a Baked Potato! by Elise Primavera.