Today on the site, we’re revealing the cover for It’s Pride, Baby! by Allen R. Wells and Illustrated by Dia Valle (Vah-yay), a love letter to the Black gay community that instills hope, assurance, and love within young readers releases May 7, 2024! Here’s the story:
Lift your soul to the sky.
Like summer sunbeams―
Don’t live behind clouds.
You shine!
It’s Black Gay Pride Day in Washington, DC, and two gay parents are getting their child ready for a day at the National Mall. From cheerful neighbors to colorful outfits to fireworks, the vast LGBTQIA+ community is represented here in body, spirit, and pride flags galore!
Allen R. Wells’s poetic text perfectly captures the expansiveness of a parent’s love, while Dia Valle’s joyful art bursts off the page. Here are words that children in every family—no matter its color, size, or shape—need to hear.
We are so proud of you!
And here’s the gorgeous, joyful cover, illustrated by Dia Valle and designed by Mariam Quraishi!
Allen R. Wells (he/him) is an author and engineer. He writes picture books to young adult novels, writing a diverse range of stories that reflect the multifaceted black and queer experiences that exist in the world. Born in the late-late 80s in Jackson, MS, and reared in the 90s and early 00s, Allen is definitely a product of Nickelodeon, 90s R&B, and hopeful endings. He’s not on social media that often…LOL, but you can follow him on Twiiter+IG @allenwriteswell allenwriteswell.com
Dia Valle (he/they) is an illustrator and teacher born in Virginia and currently based in Brooklyn, NY. He loves to draw cute outfits, tender moments, and colorful settings. They spend all their free time meticulously decorating their tiny apartment. Diavalle.com