Be Amazing: A History of Pride

Desmond the Amazing is the drag persona of 13-year-old Desmond Napoles. Napoles, a drag kid internet sensation, has authored a delightful picture book that is both autobiographical and a primer for parents and children on some defining moments in LGBTQ history. Dylan Glynn illustrates the book with whimsical, colorful, and exuberant illustrations that complement Desmond’s outgoing personality and drag persona.

Readers are introduced to important figures in LGBTQ history, including Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera—both activists integral to the Stonewall Uprising—and RuPaul, a contemporary drag sensation who brought drag into the mainstream. Along with the Stonewall Uprising, Desmond also notes the Christopher Street Liberation Day March, and brings up other historical and contemporary moments that have affected Desmond’s own personal journey.

Those wanting a more in-depth understanding of Pride and LGBTQ history, with more nuance and acknowledgment of connections to civil rights and intersectionality—links to BLM, Black Pride, etc—will be left wanting. Overall, the book is fun and empowering, giving readers a glimpse into history and the world of Pride. Unfortunately, the somewhat eclectic style of the book leaves a lot of gaps in the history being presented, and the Sources list at the back is rather short. Some of the illustrations of people are presented without descriptions or names which means that those who are not already familiar with these figures will be left in the dark.

In the end, Be Amazing: A History of Pride is a children’s book, and it is a vibrant and illuminating one that will educate and inspire young readers and the adults in their lives. This is a book that would be welcome in a classroom or home library.