I had the good fortune to be asked to be a book reviewer for Multicultural Children's Book Day this year. I've been sharing this event online since its inception, so am thrilled to be able to participate in this way. Below are my three reviews, I hope you will enjoy them, Mrs. P of MrsP.com
The Cloud Artist: a Choctaw Tale by Sherri Maret with illustrations by Merisha Sequoia Clark.
One of my favorite blog posts I've written is about lying in the grass, gazing up at the clouds, and finding a story there. So, you can't imagine my delight in receiving the beautiful picture book, "The Cloud Artist" by Sherri Maret.
This well told tale, about a Choctaw girl named Leona, who uses the sky as a canvas for her imagination, is sure to delight young readers. The protagonist is a strong young girl and we learn as we follow Leona through her journey that her strength is based in her heritage. The inclusion of the Choctaw language version of the story on each page helps to bring awareness of her culture to readers as well.
There are many important lessons and beautiful messages to be found in this powerful story. Following your dream, not for money, but for what makes you happy, is one that especially resonated with me.
I enjoyed how this story is about knowing where we are anchored. The beautiful illustrations by Merisha Sequoia Clark aid in allowing readers to enter their own stream of imaginations in what lie in the clouds above. The book has a wonderful activity page for teachers with free downloads. The author is a librarian, so the content of the activities is very good. "This book is Existentialism for kids!"
Princess Sophie and the Six Swans: A Tale From the Brothers Grimm Retold and Illustrated by Kim Jacobs
I'm no stranger to the Brothers Grimm. I read many of their tales in my Magic Library, including The Six Swans. When "Princess Sophie and the Six Swans", retold and illustrated by Kim Jacobs arrived at my door, I was immediately captured by the illustration style harkening back to the original classics.
This story, of an evil stepmother, a handsome king, and alas a brave protagonist named Sophie, embodies the classic fairy tale format. It doesn't stray far from the Brothers Grimm stories, rich in symbolism and meaning. There's a reason why they are passed down from generation to generation. "Princess Sophie and the Six Swans" is no exception.
In this tale we learn the lessons of patience and perseverance. We also learn the power that words hold. Lovers of the Brothers Grimm won't be disappointed by this retelling!
Hands Around the Library - Protecting Egypt's Treasured Books by Susan L. Roth and Karen Leggett Abouraya.
Everyone knows I love libraries! I spend much of my day sharing the values and virtues libraries hold. Imagine my thrill to receive the multi-award winning, gorgeously illustrated, "Hand Around the Library - Protecting Egypt's Treasured Books by Susan L. Roth and Karen Leggett Abouraya.
This true story is told in three perspectives. It contains the narrative, the visual, and the photographs of the actual event. In some ways it's a history book too. It provides background context about Alexandria's ancient library to the modern library that is being saved in the story. It also contains additional resources to further explore about the revolution and even shares protest-sign translations and graphic motifs that are used throughout the story.
When the first young man steps forward to join the library director in saving the library, we are comforted with the question "do our actions make a difference?" It's a book meant to spark a dialogue, whether it be about freedom of speech, protesting, or even fear.
The community centered theme around their shared values to save the library is so well communicated through the richness and textured quality of the illustrations. When we see the many different colored hands coming together to hold onto the Egyptian flag, we can also most feel it unfurling around the library. The message that the library brings the universe of ideas to you and is a safe place to share your ideas, plants the seed for young readers about the importance of libraries in their community. What could be more important?
About Multicultural Children’s Book Day
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2017 (1/27/18) is in its 5th year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom. Our mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in the home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents, and educators.
MCBD 2018 is honored to have these amazing Sponsors on board.
2018 MCBD Medallion Sponsors
HONORARY: Children’s Book Council, Junior Library Guild
PLATINUM:Scholastic Book Clubs
GOLD:Audrey Press, Candlewick Press, Loving Lion Books, Second Story Press, Star Bright Books, Worldwide Buddies
SILVER:Capstone Publishing, Author Charlotte Riggle, Child’s Play USA, KidLit TV, Pack-n-Go Girls, Plum Street Press
BRONZE: Barefoot Books, Carole P. Roman, Charlesbridge Publishing, Dr. Crystal Bowe, Gokul! World, Green Kids Club, Gwen Jackson, Jacqueline Woodson, Juan J. Guerra, Language Lizard, Lee & Low Books, RhymeTime Storybooks, Sanya Whittaker Gragg, TimTimTom Books, WaterBrook & Multnomah, Wisdom Tales Press
2018 Author Sponsors
Honorary Author Sponsors: Author/Illustrator Aram Kim and Author/Illustrator Juana Medina
Author Janet Balletta, Author Susan Bernardo, Author Carmen Bernier-Grand, Author Tasheba Berry-McLaren and Space2Launch, Bollywood Groove Books, Author Anne Broyles, Author Kathleen Burkinshaw, Author Eugenia Chu, Author Lesa Cline-Ransome, Author Medeia Cohan and Shade 7 Publishing, Desi Babies, Author Dani Dixon and Tumble Creek Press, Author Judy Dodge Cummings, Author D.G. Driver, Author Nicole Fenner and Sister Girl Publishing, Debbi Michiko Florence, Author Josh Funk, Author Maria Gianferrari, Author Daphnie Glenn, Globe Smart Kids, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, Author Quentin Holmes, Author Esther Iverem, Jennifer Joseph: Alphabet Oddities, Author Kizzie Jones, Author Faith L Justice , Author P.J. LaRue and MysticPrincesses.com, Author Karen Leggett Abouraya, Author Sylvia Liu, Author Sherri Maret, Author Melissa Martin Ph.D., Author Lesli Mitchell, Pinky Mukhi and We Are One, Author Miranda Paul, Author Carlotta Penn, Real Dads Read, Greg Ransom, Author Sandra L. Richards, RealMVPKids Author Andrea Scott, Alva Sachs and Three Wishes Publishing, Shelly Bean the Sports Queen, Author Sarah Stevenson, Author Gayle H. Swift Author Elsa Takaoka, Author Christine Taylor-Butler, Nicholette Thomas and MFL Publishing Author Andrea Y. Wang, Author Jane Whittingham Author Natasha Yim
We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts HERE.
TWITTER PARTY Sponsored by Scholastic Book Clubs:
MCBD’s super-popular (and crazy-fun) annual Twitter Party will be held 1/27/18 at 9:00 pm. Join the conversation and win one of 12 five book bundles and one Grand Prize Book Bundle (12 books) that will be given away at the party! http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/twitter-party-great-conversations-fun-prizes-chance-readyourworld-1-27-18/
Free Multicultural Books for Teachers: http://bit.ly/1kGZrta
Free Empathy Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians and Educators: http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/teacher-classroom-empathy-kit/
Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.
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