On My Desk | New Diverse Kids’ Books to Consider (12/31/17)

The last On My Desk of 2017!

But don’t worry…there’s no shortage of awesome books to share!

This series got started because, with my role as Project Manager, I get to enjoy the avalanche of amazing multicultural books for kids that are donated to our project.  My office currently looks like a small bookstore and I love every second of it.

Being appreciative over every book that crosses my desk, I wanted to find a fun way to share those books with the loyal folks who show up here to read every week and support this non-profit. In that moment, On My Desk | New Diverse Kids’ Books to Consider was born! It’s my way of sharing some amazing titles that don’t always get the attention they deserve.

Here’s what the Mailman Book Fairy brought me this week:

Us in Progress: Short Stories about Young Latinos by LuLu Delacres:

Acclaimed author and Pura Belpré Award honoree Lulu Delacre’s beautifully illustrated collection of twelve short stories is a groundbreaking look at the diverse Latinos who live in the United States.

In this book, you will meet many young Latinos living in the United States, from a young girl whose day at her father’s burrito truck surprises her to two sisters working together to change the older sister’s immigration status, and more.

Turn the pages to experience life through the eyes of these boys and girls whose families originally hail from many different countries; see their hardships, celebrate their victories, and come away with a better understanding of what it means to be Latino in the U.S. today.

 

Olokun of the Galaxy By Esther Iverem

This unique diverse book is a poetry and visual arts book about Olokun, an African spirit of the deepest ocean. Through 32 colorful pages, award-winning author and artist Esther Iverem tells a moving tale about protecting the Earth’s oceans and honoring the millions who died during or descended from the Atlantic Slave Trade. This book, available in hardcover and e-book, takes Olokun from Earth to other oceans in the galaxy—including the waters beneath the ice of Europa, the methane lakes of Titan and exoplanets. Iverem developed this beautiful book, to accompany a series of award-winning art figures she creates from reclaimed pants that she has exhibited across the United States since 2012. Honoring indigenous water protectors and the Movement for Black Lives, some of these “pants dolls” wear medallions that read “Water is Life” and “Mni Wicomi or carry small photos of African Americans killed by state violence, such as Eric Garner or Sandra Bland. Just as Iverem has added washable play dolls to her figure series, she wants the Olokun of the Galaxy book to be for the youngest child who loves nature and space. She realizes, however, that parents of the very young will want to choose how and when to present the book’s verses that address the horrors of the Atlantic Slave Trade or “Maafa,” the Kiswahili term for “terrible occurrence” or “great disaster.” Iverem says, “I read storybooks to my son and then watched him grow up loving science and reading all kinds of fantasy and myths that were great but were divorced from African history and culture. I am excited to see Olokun of the Galaxy be a story that gives children a narrative that combines historical fact and fantasy, educates about protecting Earth and explores mysteries of the universe.” http://www.estheriverem.net

Milky Way by Mamta Nainy (Yali Publishing)

Tashi is worried about his friend, the Moon. He seems thinner than usual. Maybe the Moon’s Amma-ley isn’t giving him enough to eat? Tashi decides to help his friend. And what does the Moon have to say? Well, he just smiles his special smile–eyes closed and no teeth showing.

Set in the remote mountains of Ladakh in India, Milky Way is a sweet tale of friendship between a boy and the moon. The story highlights the importance of the moon in Tibetan Buddhism and showcases elements of Himalayan cultures, including their delectable cuisine.

Soup Day by Melissa Iwai

A young girl and her mother shop to buy ingredients for vegetable soup. At home, they work together―step by step―to prepare the meal. A little later, the family sits down to enjoy a special dinner. Melissa Iwai’s Soup Day celebrates the importance of making a nutritious meal and sharing in the process as a family.

SPEAK: Amaya Finds Her Voice by De asia Scott, Romel Whittaker and Ashely Robinson (Books by Teens)

It’s Amaya’s first month at a new school in a new state, and she’s too scared to speak. Amaya has a stutter. At her old school she got bullied for how she talked, but she had finally just started making friends. And then her mom got a new job and moved them to DC, where she had to start all over again! Now Amaya is mad at her mom and scared at school. The only friend she shares her feelings with is her dog, Journey, who can talk back! If Amaya doesn’t start speaking soon, she’ll keep getting in trouble and will never make friends. Can Journey and her classmates help Amaya find her voice?

The authors of this story are part of an innovative program run by Reach Incorporated. Reach develops grade-level readers and capable leaders by preparing teens to serve as tutors and role models for younger students, resulting in improved literacy outcomes for both. Learn more at reachincorporated.org

What amazing diverse books have you discovered this week?

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