This colourfully illustrated alphabet book tells the story of a family spending the day together at a Pride celebration. The two moms, baby, young daughter, dog, and cat wake up full of excitement. After breakfast they head off to enjoy the festivities. At the Pride event, the daughter accidentally releases the dog’s leash and the dog runs off. As the family searches for the dog through the crowds, others try to help catch the rambunctious pup. The dog is eventually reunited with its family. The book ends with the family back at home, happily snuggled together ready for sleep. Chronicling the day’s events at the Pride celebration, the text of each page starts with a letter of the alphabet. Illustrations depict a diverse, inclusive community enjoying the Pride events together. LGBTQ2+ people are represented in the illustrations, as well as people of different ethnicities and abilities.

32 pp., 10 × 8.5", colour illustrations

Source: Association of Book Publishers of BC - BC Books for Schools (2021-2022)

Robin Stevenson is the award-winning author of more than 25 books for kids and teens, including the board book Pride Colors, the picture book Ghost’s Journey: A Refugee Story and the nonfiction books Kid Activists and Pride: The Celebration and the Struggle. The first edition of her nonfiction book Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community (2016) won a Stonewall Honor and was shortlisted for numerous other awards. Robin lives in Victoria, British Columbia, where she attends Pride celebrations with her family every year, but always leaves her dog safely at home.

 

Robin Stevenson's profile page

Julie McLaughlin is an award-winning illustrator whose work includes commissions for editorial, advertising and publishing clients from around the world. Her previous books have been nominated for several awards, and she won the 2015 Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction for Why We Live Where We Live. She is the illustrator of What Animals Want in the Orca Think series and Pride Puppy! Julie grew up on the Prairies and now resides on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

 

Julie McLaughlin's profile page

• Nominated, Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards - Shining Willow
• Commended, Ontario Library association (OLA) Best Bets
• Commended, BC Books for BC Schools

★ “Bouncy rhymes...vibrant, rainbow-splashed illustrations...This engaging introduction to Pride parades for the youngest readers successfully testifies to the warmth and power of queer community.”

Publishers Weekly, starred review

“What appears at first glance to be a rather simple concept, in the hands of Stevenson and McLaughlin becomes a rich story of diversity and inclusion...A feast for the senses, Pride Puppy! will be sure to capture the attention of young readers and parents alike. Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“The magic of Pride is perfectly captured in this bright and fun picture book…A book that showcases Pride fro A to Z (or Awake to Zzzzzs), this celebration of community and family, like Pride, vibrant, diverse and fun for everyone.”

Canadian Children's Book News

★ “[A] sheer delight and will be a welcome addition to shelves everywhere. Highly—and proudly—recommended.”

Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Isn’t just a cute, inclusive story or a fantastic ABC book, but also a marker of how far publishing has come. In conclusion, I definitely recommend Pride Puppy! as part of your collection."

Kid Lit and Caboodle blog