Marley's Pride

Marley wants to see their beloved grandparent receive an award at Pride, but how can they overcome their fears of crowds and noise? Marley is a little nonbinary kid with big anxieties. Crowds? Pass. Loud noises? No, thanks. When their Zaza is up for an award at Pride, they want to go to the parade for the first time with their beloved grandparent. But can Marley overcome their fears? Highlighting the joyful experiences of a queer family of color finding community at Pride, this story features endmatter about the history of Pride, a glossary of LGBTQ+ terms, and a list of resources. AGES: 3 to 9 AUTHOR: Joëlle Retener (she/they) is a Kreyol American children's author from the Washington, DC, metro area. A proud Spelman College graduate, Joëlle is passionate about sharing stories that celebrate Black pride and Queer joy. When they are not writing, you can find them gardening or tending to their small homestead. Joëlle lives in a cabin in the woods with their partner and three tiny humans.> DeAnn Wiley (she) is a self-taught illustrator with a Master's degree in counseling psychology, born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She advocates for social justice from the intersection of multiple identities - Black, Woman, Queer, and disabled - and she stands in solidarity with communities of which she is not a member. When she is not painting, she's learning, growing, and healing, with each phase of her journey depicted in her art. DeAnn is the illustrator of Sarah Rising, the Sunday Adventures series, and her author-illustrator debut, Homegrown. SELLING POINTS: . LGBTQ+ REPRESENTATION: Features a nonbinary Black child and grandparent and focuses on the queer community's experience during Pride month. . SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING: Deals with coping with social anxiety, overcoming fear of crowds, and finding community through identity in a heartwarming storyline with a light, funny tone. . ACTIVISM: Celebrates a trans elder receiving an award for their work helping the trans community; endnotes discuss the history of Pride and its origins as a protest. . LIVED EXPERIENCE: Created by a queer Black activist author and a queer Black illustrator who is also a social justice advocate.

Joint winner of American Library Association Stonewall Children's Honor Book 2025 Commended for Bookstagang, Best Bookshelf Builders of 2024 2024

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

“This sensitive work will be a valuable teaching tool to support children with questions concerning themselves or their friends” – School Library Journal
 
★ “Retener celebrates the communal spirit of Pride in this lively intersectional jaunt, which respects Marley’s boundaries through open communication” – Publishers Weekly, starred review
 
"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 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
 
“A rich, inclusive picture book for 5+, particularly focused on nonbinary identities, which treats sensory issues with warm understanding” – The Guardian
 
ALA Rainbow Book List – Top 10 Titles for Younger Readers, 2025

Joëlle Retener (they/them) is a Kreyol American children’s author from the Washington, DC, metro area. A proud Spelman College graduate, Joëlle is passionate about sharing stories that celebrate Black pride and Queer joy. When they are not writing, you can find them gardening or tending to their small homestead. Joëlle lives in a cabin in the woods with their partner and three tiny humans.

DeAnn Wiley (she/her) is a self-taught illustrator with a Master’s degree in counseling psychology, born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She advocates for social justice from the intersection of multiple identities — Black, Woman, Queer, and disabled — and she stands in solidarity with communities of which she is not a member. When she is not painting, she’s learning, growing, and healing, with each phase of her journey depicted in her art. DeAnn is the illustrator of Sarah Rising, the Sunday Adventures series, and her author-illustrator debut, Homegrown

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.