Rainbow Allies: The True Story of Kids Who Stood Against Hate

The conceit that makes one small Massachusetts community shine is that “everyone is welcome; everyone is celebrated; everyone helps each other.” And when neighbor Cari marries, the community is happy to meet her wife, Lauri, and dogs Twink and Scout. After the women hang a Pride flag at their door, however, an act of hate sees the flag torn down and the couple’s home egged. Offered a new flag by a child neighbor called Brendan, they express reservations (“And have someone do this again?... I thought this was a neighborhood where everyone is welcome. But now?”). Contemplating what could help Cari and Lauri feel welcome again, Brendan rallies his peers, who land on an idea that brings the whole community out in flag-flying support. Churnin’s step-by-step narration and Evans’s crisp neighborhood landscapes bolster this straightforward allyship-oriented picture book based on real events. An author’s note and “How to Be an Ally” explainer conclude. Ages 4–7. (July)