A 2025 American Library Association Stonewall Children's Honor Book!

ALA Rainbow Book List – Top 10 Titles for Younger Readers, 2025

★ “A Black nonbinary child finds ways to navigate their sensory sensitivities during Pride . . . Joyfully affirming” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Marley is a little nonbinary kid with BIG anxieties. Crowds? Pass. Loud noises? No, thanks! But when their Zaza is up for an award at the Pride parade, they want to go to support their beloved grandparent. Can Marley overcome their fears and even find a new sense of belonging?

Features endmatter about the history of Pride and a glossary of terms to help adults answer kids' questions about the LGBTQ+ community. Shows coping mechanisms for social anxiety and sensory sensitivities.

Marley wants to see their beloved grandparent receive an award at Pride, but how can they overcome their fears of crowds and noise?

"From its bright and colourful cover, Marley’s Pride is a whirlwind of cheer and a celebration of being trans, Black and neurodivergent.” - Inis Magazine

“A rich, inclusive picture book for 5+, particularly focused on nonbinary identities, which treats sensory issues with warm understanding” – The Guardian
 

“A helpful and sensitive book to support children with questions they might have about LGBTQ+ issues” – JUNO magazine
 

★ “Here’s a Pride Month picture book that gets it right . . . Marley’s journey of managing anxiety and finding their people will engage young readers on a deeper level, giving context and cause to the all the symbology that colors Pride” – Booklist, starred review
 

“This sensitive work will be a valuable teaching tool to support children with questions concerning themselves or their friends” – School Library Journal
 

★ “A Black nonbinary child finds ways to navigate their sensory sensitivities during Pride . . . Joyfully affirming” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “Retener celebrates the communal spirit of Pride in this lively intersectional jaunt, which respects Marley’s boundaries through open communication” – Publishers Weekly, starred review
 

ALA Rainbow Book List – Top 10 Titles for Younger Readers, 2025