A Publishers Weekly[6] review highlighted the book's “joyous excitement” and diverse imagery, showing how the illustrations reinforce the message of acceptance and visibility for all families. Wisely, Litten only outlines the happy crowds and buildings in the background ..., saving color and detail for the marchers themselves.[6]
One Equal World stated that, "Parents who are eager to talk to their kids about the ways in which people are different, or about LGBT Pride month in general will find that This Day In June provides excellent context and serves as a conversation starter."[7]
The book was included in Advocate's "What Book Changed the Lives of Our '40 Under 40'?"[8] Explaining the choice, staff writer Erica Anderson wrote, "I love that it teaches tolerance and acceptance and makes pride something everyone can celebrate. The book also includes a reading guide for parents."[8]
School Library Journal highlighted the book's "realistic" diversity, noting the inclusion of "both homosexual and heterosexual people, young and old, ... individuals, couples, and families."[5] They continued, saying, "This beautifully illustrated book is a great addition to a school or personal library to add diversity in a responsible manner without contributing to stereotypes about LGBT people."[5]
According to Jennifer Elaine Steele's 2022 study in Children & Libraries,[10] This Day in June has frequently been cited in discussions of LGBTQ+ censorship in children's literature and serves as a key example of the ongoing debate around inclusive storytelling. Due to its inclusion of LGBT content, This Day in June was the tenth-most banned and challenged book in the United States in 2018,[4][3] and the 42nd-most banned and challenged book between 2010 and 2019.[11]
