Note: This review is coming from a queer, non-binary, asexual person.

TW: None

What an amazing book! First off, the illustrations by Jem Milton were amazing. So dynamic, yet calming. I loved how incisive the art was as well. Each page told a story about the person featured in such simple yet deep detail.

Now the topic! It was such an informative and interesting explanation of each flag. You got to learn the flag creator, when it was created, what the colours mean, and even I learned new things! Such as the term polysexual, which I do believe is a correct label for me!

This is a great way for younger readers not only to learn about the flags, but also learn that they are not alone, what their options are for labelling themselves, and figuring out their own identifies.

This book did so many things right and I can see this being a wonderful tool for all types of people but especially in classrooms. The illustration and artwork throughout the book is extremely diverse and gorgeous.

I have two issues with the book. The first is that they got the aromantic definition spot on by using terms like "experiences little to no romantic attraction" but when they did the asexual flag they for some reason didn't follow that same wording. They instead use the word "lacks" and that isn't the preferred definition for asexuality because it feels as though something is wrong or not enough. This is such an easy fix and I hope that publishers take it into account. Asexuals don't lack anything; We experience little to no sexual attraction. It is not less than or worse or missing etc.

My other small issue with the book is that it made all of the flag sexual. For example pansexual and bisexual when I wish it had left a little bit of room there to say that it is the bisexual and biromantic flag or the pansexual and panromantic flag. Not everyone who uses the flags is allosexual and that would have been a great step forward for aromantic and asexual visibility.

I know that people are going to come for me for nitpicking this book like this but if no one mentions it how is it ever going to change? This book is still 100% valuable and I would recommend it, but there is still a ways to go in making sure that your queer activism is inclusive of all aromantic and asexual people.

Also this would have been a great opportunity to include more flags. If we're going to call the big book of Pride flags let's try and be extra inclusive and include more flags. This one includes 17 flags, which is great, but there's a lot more.

Flags included:
Gilbert baker pride
Rainbow pride
Agender
Aromantic
Asexual
Bisexual
Demisexual
Gay (Achillean)
Genderfluid
Genderqueer
Intersex
Lesbian
Pansexual
Polysexual
Nonbinary
Transgender
Progress Pride

The Big Book of Pride Flags
Written by: Unknown
Art by : Jem Milton
Pub Date: 21 Jun 2022
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Genre: Children's Nonfiction | LGBTQIA
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4467183641

What this book aims to do is explain some of the many flags that make up the LGBT+ community. Though it is a short book it's 48 pages use images and text to show the reader what each flag means.

The reader is given a small amount of text to tell them more about the flag. For instance what the colours mean, and perhaps even who invented it and when.

I was glad to see inclusion and diversity in both the text and images. There are some in the community who do not like either. The writer could have chosen to redact the POC (people of colour) or the artist could have decided not to draw POC's and people with disabilities. I am glad this was not the case.

As someone who was an ally for years and came out (as pansexual) in 2020, I still have trouble identifying some of the flags. So while this book may be aimed and children I personally think it is good for ally's and members of any age.

I really think this is worth buying. Particularly if like me you have a habit of mixing up flags that contain the same colours. For a while after I came out as Pansexual I would get the flag confused with the Polysexual flag.

The art in this book was amazing and really completed the whole work. As a LGBT+ member who also has a disability I really felt this book did a great job (perhaps different kinds of disabilities would have been a plus) . I loved the make your own flag and questions in the back.
Children of all ages should be able to follow and understand this book easily.

This was such an affirming and joyful read!

This book contained a lot of information but it didn't feel like an info-dump or overwhelming. Each flag had a brief but thorough rundown: a bit of history (who designed it, when it was designed, some background) and a matter-of-fact explanation of what each color stripe stands for. I learned a lot and look forward to reading it with my second-grader.

The colors are bright and cheerful and definitely made me want to read more. The art style was cute while still allowing for lots of detail and individuality of the characters. The illustrations are diverse and welcoming, showcasing diversity of race, disability, gender presentation, age, and body size.

Overall this was a warm, welcoming, joyful and engaging read and I absolutely loved it.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for providing an e-arc for review.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘨 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘴 was delightful and very informative. The art was bright and engaging, and I loved how every flag was not only explained historically and contextually, but every color was broken down and its representation in the flag explained. It was just so well thought-out; the perfect way to educate children in a well-rounded way without overwhelming them with an info dump. The questions at the end and the flag coloring activity took the book to the extra level, making it super interactive—the perfect bow on top of a book that’s the complete package. This book definitely deserves a place on your shelf and is absolutely worth sharing with the littles in your life.

𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙗𝙮 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 (𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠-𝙮𝙤𝙪!). 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣.

This is a great resource for learning about the history of pride flags. Really enjoyed the art style and the amount of information for each flag feels fair. Great book for kids and adults alike!

It is introductory information about many of the most common pride flags, including history, meanings of the colors, and definitions on the identity label. Some definitions are simplified to the point where the meaning is slightly changed, but I think as a guide for children, that it’s alright. The illustrations are beautifully done, and if I have kids some day, I will definitely want this on my bookshelf for them to read (but even for teens/adults, anyone who doesn't know the flags and their meanings, it's useful!!)

This was a cute introduction to the different pride flags. I wish it went more into the creation of the flags, why certain colors have certain meanings, who decided who would design flags, etc.

Reviewed via NetGalley:

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and an educator, I absolutely love this book. This book is a staple that should be in every single classroom and I can't wait to own it!

This book offers the evolution of pride flags, as well as explanations and activities. I love the idea of kids reading and being able to create their own flag!!

As an educator, I want to ensure I'm as inclusive as possible, and this book has given me a great insight into the nuances and differences of those in the LGBTQIA+ community who reside under the pride umbrella. Even as an adult, I've learned so much, the book is illustrated beautifully with the flags of all communities, and explanations are short and simple, with additional facts about each of them. I hope this book finds its way onto classroom bookshelves across the country to ensure children are well-informed and well-represented.

This book informed me of the different pride flags that exist within the lgbtq+ community. It also described the history and meaning behind the colors that made up the flag. The colors of the book were exquisite amd vibrant from start to finish. Anyone who is in the lgbtq+ community or considers themselves an ally should read this book!

What a wonderful book!

The Book of Pride Flags offers up an explanation and brief history on 17 different flags within the LGBTQ+ community, in a way that young readers can comprehend. Even as an adult, I found myself learning so much from this book!

I also want to take the time to give credit to the illustrations in the book! They are beautifully done, but what truly makes it amazing is how inclusive the illustrations are. Not only do they portray the different LGBTQ+ identities, but the characters are portrayed with different races, different sizes, different religions, and different abilities. I loved that they included a character in a wheelchair, and another character wearing a hijab. This artistic decision may seem small to some, but I imagine the portrayal is so important to children who are able to see themselves reflected in the book.

I was pleasantly surprised at how informative this book really was - they even had Emily Gwen mentioned when it came to the lesbian flag! (Although should the ‘original’ creator - not Gwen - really be talked about in a book like this when they were extremely transphobic? Anyway, point aside. Cute, educational, and inclusive. A must read for children growing up these days.

This book was bright and colourful and extremely accessible for children. The illustrations were eye catching and the formatting of the book is perfect for children. There is a good ratio of pictures and writing and it was interesting to learn about the history and specifics behind the flags even as an adult

This is a lovely quick guide for anyone to pick up and read through, especially if they need a good start on educating themselves on LGBTQ+ info. Perfect for pretty much any age.

The Big Book of Pride Flags is a wonderful, educational and fun book. The illustrations are engaging and the quick descriptions of the creators of each Pride Flag are written in a way that makes this appropriate for multiple ages. A great way to teach inclusivity and explain how meaningful these flags are to the people it represents. I am a fan of the exercises and extra bonus activities in the back of the book.

This book was so cute and informative. As a queer educator, I'm also looking for books that I think can hold my students' attention as it teaches them, especially when it comes to the LGBTQIA+ community. This Big Book of Pride Flags can do just that, in my opinion. The art is fantastic, it's colorful and cute and lovely to look at. And they give just enough information on each flag and each part of this community to get across the basic idea. I think this book could and should find a home in schools across the world, as it would be a great introduction to the vast identities within the LGBTQIA+ community. Not only will it make a great teaching tool, but it'd just be great to have on hand as a reminder for anyone that's still trying to learn more about the community. Also, I think it'd just make a beautiful coffee table book.

This is a great resource for kids (and some adults). The only change I would make is that the descriptions seem to be inconsistent in their audience's age. Some of the descriptions were more detailed as far as dates, etc, and other parts of the descriptions were overly simplistic.

The Big Book of Pride Flags is a straightforward and adorably illustrated book filled with a variety of the most common and well-known pride flags out there. It's a super useful resource, as it shows us what the flags look like, what they represent, how long they've been around, and who made them. Anyone who has ever had trouble keeping track of the flags will find that this book helpful, as will anyone who isn't sure they know that many flags. It also encourages kids to design their own flags at the end as an activity, along with some helpful reading guide questions. Definitely recommended!

A really comprehensive guide to a good variety of pride flags that exist. Easily understandable for all ages, with resources to help those who want to know more.