Skip to content
Pragmatic Mom
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Policies
    • Media Kit
    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright
    • KidLit Blogroll
  • My Book Lists
    • My List of Lists
    • Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists
    • #OwnVoices
    • Summer Reading Lists for Middle School Kids
    • Asian American Children’s Books
    • African American Children’s Books
    • Arab American Children’s Books
    • Latinx American Children’s Books
    • Native American Children’s Books
    • LGBTQIA+ Children’s Books
    • Diverse Books for Kids
    • Best Books for Kids
  • Education
    • STEM/STEAM
    • Math
    • Social Studies
    • Art Projects for Kids
    • Applying to Art School
    • Applying to College
    • Book Club for Kids
    • 70+ Free Educational Games
  • Controversial
    • Sexual Misconduct in Children’s Book Publishing #MeToo #TimesUp
    • Rethinking & Examining Dr. Seuss’ Racism
    • Blood Feud over YA #BloodHeir
    • Tulsa Race Massacre: What They Don’t Teach You in History Books
    • The Chinese Exclusion Act – What They Don’t Teach in History Books
    • Segregation in California Schools: What They Don’t Teach in History Books
    • SCBWI Minnesota Racist Illustration and Gaslighting Response
  • My Books
    • My Book Announcements
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is Carter G. Woodson Book Award Honoree!
    • We Sing From the Heart makes Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year 2025!
    • The Traveling Taco on Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025!
    • The Traveling Taco featured in Booklist
    • Origami French Fries: Activity for THE TRAVELING TACO
    • Book Announcement: A Place to Call Home! {and a new title …}
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE makes Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction!
    • Cover Reveal of my latest picture book … FORTUNE COOKIES FOR EVERYONE!
    • Picture Book Announcement! BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
    • We Sing From the Heart gets a few stickers!
    • Book Announcement! Postcards from Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Civil Rights Activist
    • Kirkus Reviews My Newest Picture Book: THE TRAVELING TACO
    • We Sing From the Heart is a Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner!
    • We Sing From the Heart gets a few stickers!
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART wins California Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is Orbis Pictus Recommended Book
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
    • Dorktales Podcast: Simon Tam, Hidden Hero of History
    • Food for the Future Wins Nautilus Silver Book Award
    • Food for the Future makes Mass Book Award Long List!
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE Makes Green Earth Book Award Long List!
    • Food for the Future is a finalist for 2023 INDIES Book of the Year!
    • New! Food for the Future Activity and Discussion Guide!
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection!
    • ‘Food for the Future’ selected for Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best books
    • Scholastic Purchased CHANGING THE GAME!
    • Starred Review for FOOD FOR THE FUTURE from School Library Journal!
    • Sumo Joe makes Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year list!
    • How To Coach Girls wins Silver Award!
    • Posts on My Books
  • My Book Events
    • My Book Events
Menu
Parade Picture Books & 3 Book GIVEAWAY!

11 Picture Books Featuring Parades

Posted on November 16, 2020February 23, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

Please welcome my guest author today, Jennie Palmer. You might remember her when she was here with her pizza book list. Her newest picture book, Milo’s Christmas Parade, harkens back to her days working on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. How many people can say that?!

Milo's Christmas Parade by Jennie Palmer

 

We are giving away three copies of Milo’s Christmas Parade. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom.

p.s. Here’s one more parade picture book. This time, it’s a boat parade!

Christmas Ahoy! by  Erin Dealey, illustrated by Kayla Stark

Celebrate Christmas festivities with this counting picture book that uses rollicking rhyming couplets to describe a brightly lit boat parade. Will Santa join the parade with his flying reindeer? Not to worry! Santa appreciates a holiday parade! The end matter contains more information about fourteen types of boats. [picture book, ages baby and up]

Christmas Ahoy by Erin Dealey and Kayla Stark

 

p.p.s. Related posts:

Favorite New Picture Books of 2019

Picture Books Based on Song Lyrics

Picture Books with Birds as Inspiration or Character

Top 8 Picture Books Featuring Anthropomorphic Foods

New Children’s Picture Books on Koreans and Korean Americans

Picture Books for Earth Day

Picture Books to Get Kids Outdoors

Picture Books set in Asia or about Asian-Americans

——

My latest picture book, Milo’s Christmas Parade, was inspired by the years I worked as a designer and sculptor for the crew that builds floats and balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

 

11 Parade Picture Books

Milo’s Christmas Parade by Jennie Palmer

In my story, Milo and his family watch their local Christmas parade every year. Well, Milo is the only one who’s really watching. The other opossums are only interested in snacking on dropped bits of popcorn and peppermint sticks. But Milo is riveted by the colorful costumes, giant balloons, and fantastic parade floats trimmed with fringe. It’s his dream to one day join the Christmas parade. And this year, with a plan, hard work, and the unwavering support of his passel, Milo is determined to make his dream come true. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Milo's Christmas Parade by Jennie Palmer

Parades celebrate events, cultures, and communities, big and small, all over the world. Each parade has its own distinct traditions and elements, but all are joyous events kids love.

This year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, like so many other events, will be re-imagined to ensure everyone’s safety during COVID-19. So, while parades everywhere may have been put on hold temporarily, I hope these 9 stories can hold the space until we can all be together to celebrate again.

Christmas Parade by Sandra Boynton

This Sandra Boynton classic features her beloved characters marching along to a catchy, non-religious, Christmas rhyme. This holiday parade story’s emphasis is on identifying animals and instruments. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

Christmas Parade by Sandra Boynton

This Day In June by Gayle E Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten

A celebration of the LGBTQ community, this sparsely worded, rhyming picture book features pride parade images that are joyous and detailed. A beautiful celebration of unity and inclusion. The back matter offers context for each page as well as a discussion guide. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman and Kristyna Litten

A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

What happens if you mix pigs with classic parade elements? Nothing good. If your child is old enough to know what a parade is, this book is hysterical. Not only a great read-aloud but super useful for teaching elementary persuasive writing. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea by Michael Ian Black and Kevin Hawkes

Memorial Day Surprise by Theresa Martin Golding, illustrated by Alexandra Artigas

Marco’s first Memorial Day parade is full of surprises. Neighbors and friends crowd Main Street to watch marching bands, firemen, and parade floats go by. But an appearance by Marco’s Abuelo leading the veterans at the end is the biggest surprise of all. This story, with its diverse cast, perfectly captures the feel of a small-town American parade. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

Memorial Day Surprise by Theresa Martin Golding and Alexandra Artigas

Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet

A personal favorite of mine, this book tells the story of Tony Sarg, puppeteer and the first creative director of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Melissa Sweet’s collage style matches perfectly with the playful ingenuity of Sarg is famous. A perfect send-up for the man who invented The Macy’s Parade’s signature balloons. This is a book to pour over and is sure to inspire young artists. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet

Mermaids on Parade by Melanie Hope Greenberg

I love the Coney Island Mermaid Parade because it celebrates the creativity of its participants. This story follows a little girl’s parade day from preparing her own costume to the end-of-day awards ceremony. Children will love all the colorful costumes and the overhead map of the parade route. A note for parents — the actual mermaid parade is a very body-positive event where partial nudity is not uncommon, so be aware if young readers want to search for more images of the event online. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

Mermaids On Parade by Melanie Hope Greenberg

Everyone Loves a Parade* by Andrea Denish, illustrated by Guilherme Franco

This sweet rhyming book features this country’s most well-known parades. Colorful and bold illustrations of The Rose Bowl, Mardi Gras, Chinese New Year, Thanksgiving Day parades, and more, show why everyone loves a parade! Well, almost everyone. A perfect parade primer for ages 4-7 years. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Everyone Loves a Parade!* by Andrea Denish and Guilherme Franco

The Great Doughnut Parade by Rebecca Bond

A tale about a Boy who marches through town with a doughnut tied to his belt by a string. Billy first attracts a hen, then a cat, and then half the town joins to form a joyous parade. Written in rollicking rhyme, this spontaneous parade feels just as monuments as any planned event and is sure to leave little ones hungry for a donut. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

The Great Doughnut Parade by Rebecca Bond

The Day Ray Got Away by Angela Johnson, illustrated by Luke LaMarca

A successful Parade relies on everyone involved playing their parts perfectly. In The Day That Ray Got Away, a veteran parade balloon decides that for him, this parade will be different. Children and adults alike will identify with Ray’s desire for freedom, and cheer the wonderfully unresolved ending. Fun Fact to research with kids: back in the 1920s and ’30s, Macy’s used to release their giant balloons at the end of the parade with a cash reward for whoever captured and returned the balloons to the store! [picture book, ages 5 and up]

The Day Ray Got Away by Angela Johnson and Luke LaMarca

 

Milo’s Christmas Parade 3 Book GIVEAWAY!

We are giving away three copies of Milo’s Christmas Parade. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter below. We can only mail to U.S. and AFO addresses.

Milo's Christmas Parade by Jennie Palmer

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jennie Palmer

Jennie Palmer is the author-illustrator of The Wompananny Witches Make One Mean Pizza (Abrams). Before making books for children, she worked as a production designer, most notably as a senior designer and sculptor for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Jennie is a graduate of RISD where she majored in illustration. Born and raised in the NY area, Jennie now lives in Burbank, CA with her husband and three children. Her second picture book, Milo’s Christmas Parade, will be published by Abrams on Oct. 20, 2020. To learn more, check out her website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

The Wompananny Witches Make One Mean Pizza by Jennie Palmer

To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.

 

My books:

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

  • Junior Library Guild Gold selection
  • Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
  • Starred review from School Library Journal
  • Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
  • Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

 Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me

cover for Sumo JoeChanging the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia WenjenAmazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide

How To Coach Girls by Mia Wenjen and Alison FoleyAsian Pacific American Heroes

11 thoughts on “11 Picture Books Featuring Parades”

  1. Sandra Kowalczyk says:
    November 16, 2020 at 12:34 pm

    What is not to love about Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!

    Reply
  2. Cory Woodard says:
    November 16, 2020 at 1:39 pm

    These books would be awesome for my classroom!

    Reply
  3. Steph says:
    November 16, 2020 at 3:48 pm

    I do not think I have ever read a book about a parade, these ones look great. We always enjoy the Macy’s parade on TV.

    Reply
  4. Beth T. says:
    November 17, 2020 at 4:14 am

    My favorite parade is the 4th of July parade in Huntington Beach, CA, my hometown. Decades ago the towns in Orange County “divided up” the holidays so as not to compete and Huntington Beach got Independence Day, so it held the biggest celebration in the county. We used to have a huge (in my memory) parade down the main street, with bands and horses and marchers, and lots of cheering spectators. Even as an adult, whenever I would meet someone whose home was on the parade route I would remark on that with envy and the homeowner would invariably puff up their chest and acknowledge their great good luck: “Yep, the parade goes Right Past Our House!”

    Reply
  5. John Smith says:
    November 17, 2020 at 8:20 am

    “What are your favorite books about parades OR what is your favorite parade to watch?” I have in the past watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and the Orange Bowl Parade.

    Reply
  6. John Smith says:
    November 17, 2020 at 8:21 am

    I have in the past watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and the Orange Bowl Parade!

    Reply
  7. Benjamin Caldwell says:
    November 17, 2020 at 10:32 am

    Saw a parade in Clifford’s Thanksgiving. One of the Macy’s balloons was Clifford himself. This was left uncommented on in the book. Funny.

    Reply
  8. Emily Myhren says:
    November 17, 2020 at 11:56 am

    What a great list! I love Balloons Over Broadway-you can never go wrong with Melissa Sweet’s illustrations.

    Reply
  9. Debra Branigan says:
    November 18, 2020 at 6:27 pm

    I have never read a book about parades. I like the Rose Bowl parade. I also like my hometown’s series of parades during The Rhododendron Festival.

    Reply
  10. Carolsue says:
    November 19, 2020 at 1:52 am

    My favorite parade is the one we used to have in my hometown on the Fourth of July!
    digicats {at} sbcglobal {dot} net

    Reply
  11. LeAnn Harbert says:
    November 27, 2020 at 7:32 pm

    I’ve always liked taking my boys to the local Christmas parade. They have ridden their 4 wheelers in the parade before.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Looking for something? Search here.

I’m Mia Wenjen!

Mia Wenjen Pragmatic Mom

Hi, I’m Mia Wenjen. Nice to meet you!

I blog excessively about diverse children’s books (picture books through middle grade). I am also the co-founder of Read Your World Celebrates Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Jan 25, 2024, our 11th year!

I’d love to chat with you. Let’s connect! PragmaticMomBlog (at) gmail (dot) com or through my social media handles.

Free Blog Updates in your Inbox (RSS feed)

Monthly Newsletter with Subscriber Only Giveaways in your Inbox

My Linktree (click for my links & socials)

my linktree

My Websites

  • How To Coach Girls
  • I Love Newton
  • Mia Wenjen (My New Author Website)

Camp Cody: Overnight Camp in New Hampshire

Read Your World LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives Merch!

https://www.pragmaticmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Read-Your-World-FINAL-Merchandise-Video.mp4

Purchase Read Your World Merch

LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives Merch.

Buy it here!

Search Amazon

Find Children's Books

Newton Children’s Book Festival 2025

Newton Children's Book Festival 2025

Get My Books Signed or Inscribed through my shop (click to purchase)

Mia Wenjen signed books

Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! (click to purchase)

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!

We Sing From the Heart (click to pre-order)

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam

FOOD FOR THE FUTURE (click to purchase)

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

CHANGING THE GAME (click to purchase)

Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia Wenjen

SUMO JOE (click to purchase)

Sumo Joe cover reveal

Asian Pacific American Heroes (click to purchase)

Asian Pacific American Heroes by Mia Wenjen

GNOMES & UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures // I have 3 haiku poems (click to purchase)

GNOMES & UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures 3 haiku by Mia Wenjen
Read Your World is Multicultural Children's Book Day

ClothingRIC- A Premium Coupon Website!

ThingsFromMars- The Wondrous World of Wacky Gift Products!

How to Get Kids Reading

  • Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists
  • Getting Kids to Love Reading
  • Summer Reading Lists for Kids By Grade
  • Summer Reading Lists for Middle School Kids

Heim Nest Kid Mattress Exclusive Deal

Heim Nest Kid Mattress

AdvancedWriters.com is an expert writing service which helps students with academic writing.

educational toys

CEX.IO is a versatile crypto exchange platform where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies, as well as access resources and tools to learn how to trade effectively.

MyPaperDone.com
is surely one of the best when it comes to paper writing assistance.

My Custom Essay
will guide you through academic life.

Essay Writing Services

If you ask "write my essay", Topessaywriting can help you with paper writing

TranslationReport can help you to choose the best translation service

If you are looking for the most trusted essay writing service, check this article about best essay writing service reviews at Econotimes

educational toys from dhgate stores

Assignment Writing Services Offer Assignment Assistance In UK Based Company 50% Discount Students

Playing at online casinos can be an exciting and rewarding experience, and you can find the best options at casinoszondercruksonline.com. 

For those seeking a safe and reputable gambling experience, the Meest betrouwbare buitenlandse casino lijst is an invaluable resource.

Archives

Categories

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship (click to purchase)

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide

HOW TO COACH GIRLS (click to purchase)

How To Coach Girls silver award winner

Archives

I’ll be sharing WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE I STARTED MY KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN

HOW TO COACH GIRLS book trailer by Mia Wenjen & Alison Foley

https://youtu.be/j74M0bBxrGg

Recent Posts

  • Changing the Game’s 4th Birthday & 4 Signed Book GIVEAWAY! July 7, 2025
  • Battle of Lexington and Concord: America 250 July 4, 2025
  • WONDER WHY by Lisa Varchol Perron Book Event July 2, 2025
  • 10 STEM Picture Books about Planet Earth & GIVEAWAY! June 30, 2025
  • Thank you to Canvas Rebel for Featuring Me June 27, 2025

Categories

© 2025 Pragmatic Mom | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT