#ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2023 in partnership with Children's Book Council is thrilled to kick off our series with Torrey Maldonado who brings a diverse middle grade sports list to inspire greatness. We also have a giveaway of an inscribed copy of Torrey's latest book, Hands. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom. Hands by...
It’s that magical time of year! For many families, a beloved holiday tradition is snuggling up together to read Christmas stories. Yet too often, those books do not reflect the families that are enjoying them.
Lack of diversity in children’s books is a problem all year long, but it seems especially pressing during the holidays, when traditional stories and tropes often reign. One area where this is most obvious is the portrayal of Santa Claus. Though based on a real person from modern-day Turkey, Santa is most often portrayed as very fair-skinned.
One of the “after effects” of the recent Covid-19 pandemic is the exacerbation of mental health challenges faced by children. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Policy Lab’s article Addressing System Needs for Child Behavioral Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic states that “…early evidence on the pandemic’s impact on youth combined with the children’s mental health crisis that existed before COVID-19 means that youth and their families will need access to quality, affordable and timely behavioral health services now more than ever.”
To help address this concern, Multicultural Children’s Book Day created its 2023 Classroom Kit, Mental Health Support for Stressful Times, to provide some needed mental health resources for kids. We have created a list of additional bilingual resources to complement this kit to aid in post-pandemic social and emotional learning. This collection of books uses the power of stories to help children learn about acceptance and mindfulness. It empowers them by providing awareness and the necessary skills to build confidence, self-esteem, and personal character. These books come with accompanying lesson plans or activities.
“I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.”
– Billy Joel
October marks Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month! This month is designated to recognize and celebrate bilingual children and the incredible gifts they bring to the classroom. In addition to enjoying the cognitive, social, and emotional benefits of being bilingual, these students act as a bridge between cultures, promoting understanding and empathy. With them, they also bring a unique perspective to classroom discussions, challenge themselves and others to think in new ways, and broaden everyone’s worldview.
