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Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Multicultural Children's Book Day ~ reviews by Christy Mihaly

Today I'm pleased to share two terrific new own-voices books just ahead of Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020. 

They are: When Aidan Became a Brother, a picture book written by Kyle Lukoff and illustrated by Kaylani Juanita; and Mary and the Trail of Tears, a middle grade by Andrea L. Rogers. I'll tell you more about these important books soon.

But first, a word about Multicultural Children's Book Day. MCBD is in its seventh year (and I've been participating for six)! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen, two diverse-book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators. There's more MCBD information, including a link to the Twitter Party, at the bottom of this post.

MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and on school bookshelves--books like these two.

Mary and the Trail of Tears: A Cherokee Removal Survival Story, written by Andrea L. Rogers and illustrated by Matt Forsyth, will be published February 1 by Stone Arch Books, an imprint of Capstone. It's one of a 12-book series, "Girls Survive." This is gripping historical fiction, for grades 3 to 5. 

Twelve-year-old Mary and her family, along with other members of the Cherokee Nation, are forced from their Georgia home by the U.S. military in 1838. This harrowing story is told at a level appropriate for middle graders, covering the injustices, heartbreaks, and hardships without undue graphic detail. Forsyth's captivating illustrations add to the appeal.

Andrea Rogers, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, brings a deep and personal understanding of the historical events related to the Indian Removal Act, and the cultural traditions of the people who made the long journey west from their homes. The book includes an excellent author's note and additional back matter. Mary is a strong female character who stays strong to keep her family together through challenges including sickness and death. This is a compelling and important novel about a chapter in American history that kids often don't know enough about. Well done!
When Aidan Became a Brother, written by Kyle Lukoff and illustrated by Kaylani Juanita, was published last year by Lee & Low Books, and has received many honors, including the Stonewall Award announced this week at ALA. It tells the sweet and satisfying story of a transgender boy who is anticipating a new sibling. Aidan wants to make sure the baby doesn't experience the kind of misunderstandings and distress that Aidan once did. His parents reassure him, reminding Aidan that though they made mistakes, he helped them make things better. His mother says, "This baby is so lucky to have you, and so are we." The illustrations are lively and bright, showing Aidan as an energetic, positive kid. This pioneering book tells a perennial new-baby tale, with transgender representation. 

In an author's note, Kyle Lukoff recounts, "When I was born, everyone thought I was a girl" (like Aidan). Explaining that Aidan is a transgender kid, "but he's also just a kid, like you," Lukoff expresses hope that Aidan will grow up "in a world that supports and believes in him." Together, he adds, we can create that world. And that is the power of books like these!

Resources and information from MCBD:

FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day
·      Our New FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit http://ow.ly/kcbZ30p3QWz
·      Free Empathy Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians, and Educators

TWITTER PARTY! January 31. Register here!


Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.

MCBD SPONSORS:
MCBD 2020 is honored to have the following Medallion Sponsors on board:
Author Sponsor Link Cloud: Jerry CraftA.R. Bey and Adventures in BoogielandEugina Chu & Brandon goes to BeijingKenneth Braswell & Fathers IncorporatedMaritza M. Mejia & Luz del mes_MejiaKathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry BlossomSISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. NorrgardJosh Funk and HOW TO CODE A ROLLERCOASTERMaya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove,  Lauren RanalliThe Little Green Monster: Cancer Magic! By Dr. Sharon ChappellPhe Lang and Me On The PageAfsaneh Moradian and Jamie is JamieValerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena PublishingTUMBLE CREEK PRESSNancy Tupper Ling, Author Gwen JacksonAngeliki Pedersen & The Secrets Hidden Beneath the Palm TreeAuthor Kimberly Gordon BiddleBEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 by Mia WenjenSusan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher (Founders of Inner Flower Child Books)Ann Morris & Do It Again!/¡Otra Vez!, Janet Balletta and Mermaids on a Mission to Save the OceanEvelyn Sanchez-Toledo & Bruna Bailando por el Mundo\ Dancing Around the WorldShoumi Sen & From The Toddler DiariesSarah Jamila StevensonTonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book SeriesTeresa Robeson  & The Queen of Physics, Nadishka Aloysius and Roo The Little Red TukTukGirlfriends Book Club Baltimore & Stories by the Girlfriends Book ClubFinding My Way Books, Diana Huang & IntrepidsFive Enchanted MermaidsElizabeth Godley and Ribbon’s Traveling CastleAnna Olswanger and GreenhornDanielle Wallace & My Big Brother Troy, Jocelyn Francisco and Little Yellow JeepneyMariana Llanos & Kutu, the Tiny Inca Princess/La Ñusta DiminutaSara Arnold & The Big Buna BashRoddie Simmons & Race 2 RioDuEwa Frazier & Alice’s Musical DebutVeronica Appleton & the Journey to Appleville book series  Green Kids Club, Inc.
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
Co-Hosts and Global Co-Hosts: A Crafty ArabAfsaneh MoradianAgatha Rodi BooksAll Done MonkeyBarefoot MommyBethany Edward & Biracial BookwormsMichelle Goetzl & Books My Kids ReadCrafty Moms ShareColours of UsDiscovering the World Through My Son’s EyesEducators Spin on itShauna Hibbitts-creator of eNannylinkGrowing Book by BookHere Wee ReadJoel Leonidas & Descendant of Poseidon Reads {Philippines}Imagination SoupKid World CitizenKristi’s Book NookThe LogonautsMama SmilesMiss Panda ChineseMulticultural Kid BlogsSerge Smagarinsky {Australia}Shoumi SenJennifer Brunk & Spanish PlaygroundKatie Meadows and Youth Lit Reviews.


I received these two books from the publishers for purposes of reviewing them for MCBD.

12 comments:

  1. Good choices for books to feature this MCBD! Ty, Christy.

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    1. Thanks, Kathy -- more for the reading pile, right?!

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  2. Thank you, Christy. Looking forward to reading these books!

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  3. Great choices! I'm trying to decide which book to feature this Friday in celebration of MCBD. So many awesome titles to choose from! Thanks for the links!

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    1. Thanks, Jilanne, and have a good celebration of MCBD. And I agree, there sure are a lot of great kids' diverse books out there. Happy reading!

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  4. Wow - what great books! Thanks for sharing them.

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    1. Thank you, Sue -- we are faced with a wealth of fantastic books out there. I was glad to get to know these two.

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  5. Thank you, Christy, for sharing the importance of kids' books that celebrate diversity. As we know, kids must see themselves in books.

    Mia Wenjen, Valarie Budayr, Rebecca Flansburg, and Annie Lynn are a great team raising an awareness for the importance of multicultural books through Multicultural Children's Book Day.

    Suzy

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    1. You are so right, Suzy! Thank you for your support and solidarity!

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  6. Great books! Thanks for sharing them!

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    1. Suzanna, Thank you for stopping by. I hope you'll enjoy reading these two.

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