Read Your World Day ~Christy Mihaly

(Early) Read Your World Day Greetings!

Read Your World Day (formerly Multicultural Children's Book Day) is coming Jan. 30. Now in its thirteenth year, this 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 kids' multicultural books and authors while working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.

Read Your World’s mission is to raise awareness of the importance of including books celebrating diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about the Read Your World Mission and history HERE.

In celebration, GROG is joining bajillions of bloggers to post reviews of new and notable diverse books during January. I'm sharing three books here, all published in 2024. (I received complimentary copies and/or pdfs for review through the Read Your World program.) I love the wealth of different creative voices out there, and the vast range of book offerings for adults wanting to share the big wide world with their kiddos.

First up is There's a Robot in my Classroom, by Dr. Carlotta A. Berry, illustrated by Anak Bulu. Dr. Berry, a professor in electrical and computer engineering, is doing important work to diversify the engineering profession, and she is both a textbook author and the writer of a series of children's picture books about robots, of which this is one.

We're talking about real little robots that kids create and program. In There's a Robot in My Classroom, Miguel starts with a shoebox, adds sensors, lights, wheels, motors, and other parts, then writes the code to control his robot creation. This is a fun and empowering STEM story for robot fans and the robot-curious. 

The picture book Together is Better, written by Diane Costa and illustrated by Grace Tan, is a cheery romp through a diverse neighborhood. It centers on  the various neighbors that make up the community and describes how they help one another and enjoy shared activities. This book is a celebration of community and will make a great conversation starter.

The publisher, Language Lizard, specializes in multi-lingual books and translations and offers books in more than 60 languages. Together is Better is available in Dari, Haitian Creole, Pashto, Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian. Wow!

My Dreidel, written and illustrated by the talented Ann Diament Koffsky, is an adorable board book that introduces both dreidels and the process of trying and failing and trying again. It was published by Apples & Honey Press, an imprint of Berhman House. 

The puppy protagonist in this story wants to spin her dreidel. After initial failures, she succeeds with some help. The book includes a simple explanation of the Hebrew letters on each side of the dreidel and their meanings. This is a great choice for the littlest book lovers, at Hanukkah or any time.

So, why not read some new books this month? You might like to start with these three diverse choices. Leave a comment about your own favorites. 

And read on for more information about Read Your World Day 2025 sponsors, educational resources, and activities -- including the cool virtual party -- with prizes!

Read Your World is honored to be supported by these generous donors:

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Pragmaticmom) and Valarie Budayr (Audreypress.com)

🏅 Super Platinum Sponsor: Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media

🏅 Platinum Sponsors: Publisher Spotlight and  Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 60 Languages 

🏅 Gold Sponsors:  Third State Books 

🏅 Silver Sponsors: Red Comet Press and Lerner Books 

🏅 Silver Corporate Sponsor:  Scholastic Books 

🏅 Bronze Sponsors:  Lee and Low 

🏅 Corporate Sponsor: Crayola Education

Read Your World is honored to be supported by these Author Sponsors!

Authors: Stephanie M. Wildman, Martha Seif Simpson, Anna Jennings, Gwen Jackson, Afsaneh Moradian, Josh Funk, Nancy Tupper Ling, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Gea Meijering, Eugenia Chu, Dorktales Story Time, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Authors J.C. Kato and J.C.², Cynthia Levinson, Diana Huang, Rochelle Melander,  Lisa Chong, Lisa Stringfellow,  Brunella Costaglioga, Lindsey Rowe Parker, Rachel C. Katz, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Shifa Safadi, Lisa Rogers, Sylvia Liu, Eva Clarke

Read Your World is honored to be supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts and by our Partner Organizations! 

Check out RYW’s Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!

📌 FREE RESOURCES from Read Your World Day

• RYW2025 Poster

• Mental Health Support for Stressful Times Classroom Kit

• Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parents

• Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit

• FREE Teacher Classroom Activism and Activists Kit

• FREE Teacher Classroom Empathy Kit

• FREE Teacher Classroom Kindness Kit

• FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit

• FREE Teacher Classroom Poverty Kit

• Gallery of Our Free Posters

• FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program

The Read Your World folks invite you to join the virtual party on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 9 pm EST celebrating 13 years of  Read Your World Day! This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas. Plus, a 10-Book Bundle GIVE-AWAY during the virtual party plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants are welcome. ***

Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, and connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians.

Celebrating Multicultural Children's Book Day

Multicultural Children's Book Day 2021 is Jan. 29! 

#ReadYourWorld

MCBD, a celebration of the diversity of kidlit, was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen and is back for its eighth year. 

GROG supports the MCBD mission: to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include children's books celebrating diversity in homes and on school and library bookshelves. 

Read more about MCBD's features and history here and check out the Twitter Party information and other resources listed at the end of this post. 

To celebrate MCBD, bloggers post their reviews of newly published diverse books for kids. This year I'm excited to be reviewing two picture books published last year by Barefoot Books: From My Window, by Otavio Junior, illustrated by Vanina Starkoff, and Amazing Places, by Miralda Colombo, illustrated by Beatrice Cerocchi. 

In From My Window, author Otavio Junior, using language so lyrical it's a poem, describes a young narrator's view from the window of his home in Rio de Janeiro. The narrator lives in one of the city's favelas, informal ramshackle neighborhoods without government services such as running water and sewer. 

A big part of the delight of this book is that it's an #OwnVoices story, about a kind of neighborhood not often seen in kids' books. The author grew up in a favela. As a boy, he discovered a book in the trash. Junior says that book saved him, and that he's been reading ever since. He grew up to establish a children's library in his favela. In this book, he conveys the joys of life in the self-governed favela community, full of friends, music, and games.

 

I appreciated that From My Window provides background information, including that "while it is known for having problems with violence, there are many other parts of life in a favela." Junior tells us that a favela "is a whole world inside a city, with its language, culture, and traditions." 

Vanina Starkoff's illustrations are brilliantly colored with fanciful details, sure to engage young readers. They convey the author's joy in his home, along with feelings of sadness and fear at different points in the story. Starkoff is from Argentina and also lives in Brazil; her art shows her familiarity with the tropical beauty of South America. 

In Amazing Places, Miralda Colombo describes 15 wonder-filled spots around the world, from the pyramids of Egypt to Machu Picchu to Easter Island and beyond. As a nonfiction nerd, I particularly appreciate the fact-rich panels, travel tips, the world map showing the locations of all the sites, and an illustrated glossary. 

Beatrice Cerocchi's art conveys the magic of these places. Cartoon-like features depict what you'd need to pack and things you might see and do in the featured attractions. Overall this is a terrific introduction to natural and cultural wonders around the world.

Barefoot Books is a publisher to follow. They produce beautifully illustrated books with heart and soul. Many of them bring a global perspective to introductory nonfiction for kids. I'm particularly excited about this house because they're set to publish my book (which is all about water) this fall. I've been collaborating intensely with the creative team over these last months, and am finding them a joy to work with. 

So, happy Multicultural Children's Book Day! Why not read on for a selection of amazing diverse-books resources. Check out the Twitter Party on Friday, and celebrate MCBD by reading!

Free MCBD Resources: 

Book lists and activities

Homeschool lists and resources

Educator Classroom Activism Kit

Educator Classroom Empathy Kit

Educator Classroom Kindness Kit

Educator Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit

Educator Classroom Poverty Kit

Free Posters!!

Free Diverse Books for Educators!! 

TWITTER PARTY SIGN UP: 

Twitter Party is Friday, Jan. 29, at 9 p.m. EST 

Book discussions, recommendations, ideas and inspiration, plus GIVE-AWAYS! 

BONUS PRIZES!!

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

·      Free Multicultural Books for Teachers

·      Our New FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit http://ow.ly/kcbZ30p3QWz

·      Free Empathy Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians, and Educators

·      Free Understanding Developmental & Physical Challenges Classroom Kit

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:

Super Platinum: Make A Way Media/ Deirdre “DeeDee” Cummings,

Platinum: Language Lizard, Pack-N-Go Girls,

Gold: Audrey Press, Lerner Publishing Group, KidLit TV, ABDO BOOKS : A Family of Educational Publishers, PragmaticMom & Sumo Jo, Candlewick Press,

Silver: Author Charlotte Riggle, Capstone Publishing, Guba Publishing, Melissa Munro Boyd & B is for Breathe,

Bronze: Author Carole P. Roman, Snowflake Stories/Jill Barletti, Vivian Kirkfield & Making Their Voices Heard. Barnes Brothers Books,  TimTimTom, Wisdom Tales Press, Lee & Low Books,  Charlesbridge Publishing, Barefoot Books Talegari Tales

Author Sponsor Link Cloud: Jerry Craft, A.R. Bey and Adventures in Boogieland, Eugina Chu & Brandon goes to Beijing, Kenneth Braswell & Fathers Incorporated, Maritza M. Mejia & Luz del mes_Mejia, Kathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry Blossom, SISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard, Josh Funk and HOW TO CODE A ROLLERCOASTER, Maya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove,  Lauren Ranalli, The Little Green Monster: Cancer Magic! By Dr. Sharon Chappell, Phe Lang and Me On The Page, Afsaneh Moradian and Jamie is Jamie, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, TUMBLE CREEK PRESS, Nancy Tupper Ling, Author Gwen Jackson, Angeliki Pedersen & The Secrets Hidden Beneath the Palm Tree, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 by Mia Wenjen, Susan 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 Ocean, Evelyn Sanchez-Toledo & Bruna Bailando por el Mundo\ Dancing Around the World, Shoumi Sen & From The Toddler Diaries, Sarah Jamila Stevenson, Tonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book Series, Teresa Robeson  & The Queen of Physics, Nadishka Aloysius and Roo The Little Red TukTuk, Girlfriends Book Club Baltimore & Stories by the Girlfriends Book Club, Finding My Way Books, Diana Huang & Intrepids, Five Enchanted Mermaids, Elizabeth Godley and Ribbon’s Traveling Castle, Anna Olswanger and Greenhorn, Danielle Wallace & My Big Brother Troy, Jocelyn Francisco and Little Yellow Jeepney, Mariana Llanos & Kutu, the Tiny Inca Princess/La Ñusta Diminuta, Sara Arnold & The Big Buna Bash, Roddie Simmons & Race 2 Rio, DuEwa Frazier & Alice’s Musical Debut, Veronica 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 Arab, Afsaneh Moradian, Agatha Rodi Books, All Done Monkey, Barefoot Mommy, Bethany Edward & Biracial Bookworms, Michelle Goetzl & Books My Kids Read, Crafty Moms Share, Colours of Us, Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes, Educators Spin on it, Shauna Hibbitts-creator of eNannylink, Growing Book by Book, Here Wee Read, Joel Leonidas & Descendant of Poseidon Reads {Philippines}, Imagination Soup, Kid World Citizen, Kristi’s Book Nook, The Logonauts, Mama Smiles, Miss Panda Chinese, Multicultural Kid Blogs, Serge Smagarinsky {Australia}, Shoumi Sen, Jennifer Brunk & Spanish Playground, Katie Meadows and Youth Lit Reviews.


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