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On My Desk | New Diverse Kids’ Books to Consider {December 1, 2017}

A few months ago I shared that, because of my role as Project Manager, I get the honor of seeing and reading a TON of amazing multicultural books for kids that are donated to our project. And as a result, 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.

I am so proud of how well this series has taken off and even more pleased at the enthusiastic reactions of the authors and the readers every time I offer up a new “load” of Diverse Picture Books that the Mailman Book Fairy brought me. This week is no different 🙂

More New Diverse Kids’ Books to Consider

 

Meet the Hindu Gods by Reena Puri & Mital Telham (Published by Desi Babies): 

This wonderful board book is a perfect introduction to Hindu Gods for your baby, toddler or preschooler.  Read about Ganesh, Krishna, Durga and many more with fun illustrations and simple descriptions that a child can easily related to and understand.

Las Estrellas De los Reyes Magos by Tere Rodriguez-Nora

It was a beautiful night. The sky was clear and full of stars. Benjamin could distinguish three in particular that twinkled more than the others. With the help of his grandfather, Benjamin discovers the magical story behind these stars and the tradition of the Day of the Three Kings. This title was selected as a finalist in the 18th Annual International Latino Book Awards in the category “Best Latino Focused Children’s Picture Book – Spanish.”

Dancing Home by Alma Flor Ada

Ten-year-old Margie has spent her entire life trying to fit in—to pass as an American—despite the fact that her parents were born in Mexico. Then, her Mexican cousin Lupe comes to live with them, and her plan goes awry. At first, she resents Lupe for her foreign ways and for monopolizing her parents’ attention; later, she comes to love Lupe as a sister and appreciate the Mexican part of her heritage. Margie begins to master Spanish, enjoys celebrating Navidad, and participates in a Cinco de Mayo folklorico dance at school. Ada, the author of many multicultural titles, including Tales Our Abuelitas Told: A Hispanic Folktale Collection (2006), and Zubizarreta write knowingly of the difficulties of a life lived in two cultures. A subplot involving Lupe’s father (who came to America illegally and later abandoned his family) is also well handled, as is the inclusion of a Ruben Dario poem, “To Margarita.”

Love Amalia by Alma Flor Ada

Amalia’s best friend, Martha, is moving away, and Amalia is feeling sad and angry. And yet, even when life seems unfair, the loving, wise words of Amalia’s abuelita have a way of making everything a little bit brighter. Amalia finds great comfort in times shared with her grandmother: cooking, listening to stories and music, learning, and looking through her treasured box of family cards. But when another loss racks Amalia’s life, nothing makes sense anymore. In her sorrow, will Amalia realize just how special she is, even when the ones she loves are no longer near?

My Name is Maria Isabel by Alma Flor Ada

María Isabel, a Hispanic child growing up in the U.S., begins having problems in her new classroom when her teacher changes her name to Mary. This compelling portrait of an experience common to many language minority children inspires discussions on self-identity and biculturalism. “Captures the authentic flavor of Latino culture in this warm, yet never sentimental, story: an entire family genealogy is encapsulated in a Latino name, as well as special connections between its bearer and the relatives for whom she was named. Presented in realistic terms, María Isabel’s struggles will ring true to many children in the US.

Tales Our Abuelitas Told by F. Isabel Campoy and Alma Flor Ada

Twelve sto­ries from var­ied roots of His­panic cul­ture come together in a col­or­ful col­lec­tion that includes talk­ing ants, magic bag­pipes, danc­ing goats, and fly­ing horses. In some cases the tales empha­size a moral, such as look­ing for the good in any bad sit­u­a­tion as in “Catlina the Fox.” In oth­ers, the story illus­trates the impor­tance of friends, as in the case of “The Bird of One Thou­sand Colors.”

Book Reviewers! We need you for MCBD2018!

ABOUT US

The Multicultural Children’s Book Day website and view our booklists, reading resources and other useful multicultural information.

Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board has even more reading ideas.

Watch for the #ReadYourWorld hashtag on social media and share

List of our CoHosts- https://readyourworld.org/about/co-hosts/

Our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MulticulturalChildrensBookDay

-Our Twitter https://twitter.com/MCChildsBookDay

Our Paper.li https://paper.li/MCChildsBookDay/1419776073#

Our Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/readyourworldmcbd/

Our Facebook Group {please join!}: https://www.facebook.com/groups/259709034187671/

SUMMARY OF THE EVENT

FIRST, a giant blog tour —
so that readers, parents, teachers, librarians, and caregivers can explore lots of books with diversity content via book reviews, book lists, and links.

SECOND, a giant networking event —
to connect organizers, sponsors, co-hosts, bloggers, and others interested in expanding awareness of, and promotion of multicultural children’s books.

THIRD, a virtual book drive —
to place multicultural books in locations where they are needed.

Following the book review, you will find information and links for the generous SPONSORS, CO-HOSTS, and PARTNERS of the MCCBD global event.

Have Questions? Email the MCCBD Project Manager at Becky (at) MulticulturalChildrensBookDay (dot)com.

 

MCBD is on Instagram! Connect with us and #ReadYourWorld!