New & Fresh Diverse Kidlit Books: #OWNVOICES
As many of you know, Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCBD) is a global non-profit initiative that celebrates diverse authors and works year-round to raise awareness on the importance of diversity in children’s literature.
With our ears to the ground and eyes peeled (that is such an ODD phrase!!), we are also always on the prowl for new multicultural books that we know our supporters, educators, parents, caregivers, book reviewers, and librarians would appreciate knowing about.
Sometimes, when someone is a first-time author, getting attention on your new children’s book is a lot like shouting into a hurricane. Delightfully, the options for amazing diverse kidlit and YA books is endless…but that makes it all the more daunting for authors with new releases or first-time offerings.
Shining the spotlight on authors of multicultural/diverse board books, picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and YA reads is one of our many missions. With that in mind, enjoy the latest “scores” in our ongoing quest to find the best books for our young readers.
Enjoy!
Diverse #OWNVOICES Kidlit Books That Should be on Your Bookshelf
How Angels are Made by Bryson Thompson Sr.
Based on a true story of the relationship between the author’s mother and son, How Angels are Made was a true creation in the midst of a tragedy. Author Bryson Thompson Sr. wrote the initial version of the book only two days after returning home from her funeral. During the initial days of the passing of his mother, Bryson and his wife spent significant time speaking with their son, BJ, about what happened to his mother. In the midst of those conversations, it became very apparent that they needed to be very clear and transparent with young BJ and answer as many questions as he had. One thing the Thompson family took away from their situation was how confused youth are during times of grief. From there, Bryson focused his energy on using their tragedy as a tool for youth and families to be able to work through their own healing processes.
Rain Before Rainbows by Smriti Prasadam-Halls and David Litchfield
This beautiful book was created to raise awareness for Save the Children US and is an uplifting story of hope to comfort children and families in these challenging times. Thanks to MCBD Supporter, Candlewick, Rain Before Rainbows by Smriti Prasadam-Halls and David Litchfield as a free e-book can be downloaded for FREE here until September 30: stayhome.candlewick.com and can be downloaded for FREE here until September 30: stayhome.candlewick.com
Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim
This book was a labor of love that spanned 8 years. It is inspired by my first friend in America and how her kindness made me feel welcomed in this country.
Danbi is an unlikely hero and by all measures. She is a Korean immigrant; she doesn’t speak English; she is utterly confused with her American surroundings. How is she the hero? And to whom?
I also love that this book has multiple themes including multiculturalism, friendship, immigration, and back-to-school.
I believe children should have hero choices that they can identify with, whatever their race, culture, or socio-economic background. And it’s important for those who grow up in one culture to see the beauty of cultures other than theirs. This can be life-changing for a child who is frightened and bewildered in a new country, and craving acceptance. I feel it is my mission to deliver this positive message of hope to that child sitting in a corner, alone, because she or he doesn’t feel accepted for the color of her skin or the culture he is from. After all, those children desperately need heroic characters that empower them.
This is why I wrote the book – in hopes to start that conversation with children, with families, in classrooms, and with each other.
I Am Different, Just Like You! is a creative non-fiction children’s book that uses fun illustrations and real photos to explain what Down syndrome is and the remarkable things that people with Down syndrome are capable of doing. It showcases a little girl named Adella who, just like other little girls, loves to run, play, sing, and dance. But there are also things that make Adella different. One difference is that she has Down syndrome. As she explains what Down syndrome is, readers will find that there are things that make them different too, just like Adella. For every book purchased, $1 will be donated to a charitable organization that helps support the Down syndrome community.
Devin’s Discovery is a story about an ordinary boy who happens to wear orthotic braces. He realizes he’s not as different as he thought as he discovers there are many other children who need special orthotics and prosthetics to support them, too! A story of acceptance and embracing what makes us all unique, this is a book for EVERY child!
Do you feel you have a diverse children’s book that deserves some visibility?
Shoot us an email at Admin (at) MulticulturalChildrensBookDay (dot) com.
**No Kickstarter Campaigns, please.
About Multicultural Children’s Book Day
Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCBD) is an online and offline celebration that attracts thousands of supporters, educators, parents, caregivers, book reviewers, and quality authors and publishers who join forces to shine the spotlight on diversity in children and YA literature. Celebrated annually on the last Friday in January, this global non-profit offers a plethora of free resources, teaching tools, booklists, downloads, and a year-around initiative to get multicultural and diverse books into the hands of young readers. To date, they have donated over 8,000 books to underserved kids, classrooms, and organizations, and that number continues to climb. To learn more about MCBD, visit them on the web and be follow their official hashtag #ReadYourWorld on social media.
