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Outcomes / Social Media

Read Your World / Outcomes / Social Media

Read Your World Celebrates Multicultural Children’s Book Day

To date, Read Your World, along with literacy partners, authors, and publishers, has donated over 10,800 books to parents, teachers, and librarians. Read Your World strives to shine the spotlight on the diverse books and authors that often get overlooked by mainstream publishing and media.

Social Media Numbers

 

Pinterest: 152K followers

Twitter: 15.9K followers

Instagram: 20.4K followers

Facebook: 5,900 followers

Facebook Group: 2,300 Members

YouTube:  36 subscribers

TikTok: 120 followers

Follow Us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest!

Proof of Success and Warm Fuzzies from our 2021 Event!

We did it! Another wildly successful Multicultural Children’s Book Day is complete. Once again, the MCBD team was touched and elevated by the overwhelming support and enthusiasm surrounding our diverse children’s literature online celebration. In the days following the crescendo of the event, and our crazy-fun annual Twitter Party,  we all have spent hours sifting through the amazing camaraderie, comments, reviews, classroom celebrations, and touching kudos that were offered up during our on and offline global event.

As we all scroll through the social media posts, book reviews, and images of happy kiddoes reading diverse books during their classroom celebration, we really, REALLY, feel blessed to be so passionately supported.

We are, indeed, surrounded by superheroes!

The following is just a sample of all of the amazing book recommendations, diverse booklist, diverse book reviews, authors, publishers, educators, librarians, and young readers. Search #ReadYourWorld on any social media platform and see even MORE reasons to smile and books to add to your “must-read.” pile/

Also, be sure and visit our Big Giant Linky to see hundreds of diverse children and teen book reviews in honor of the event. Enjoy!

Media Mentions

Celebrate Multicultural Children’s Book Day with the BWG Library  

Multicultural Children's Book Day

Lake Oswego Public Library Read Alouds!

AND, Multicultural Books for Teens Printable Booklist!

 

News15 link Thanks to Aly:

https://www.kadn.com/content/news/KidLit-Pick-of-the-Week–573684761.html

 

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Proof of Success and Warm Fuzzies from our 2020 Event!

Maybe it’s just us, but the MCBD Team felt that our 2020 on and offline diverse kidlit celebration reached a whole new level of “Epic-ness!”

Needless to say, there were many, many examples of Multicultural Children’s Book Day Celebrations that made our eyes leak with happiness. Here are three stand-outs:

#1-Heartwarming Classroom celebrations: Over the last seven years, support and recognition from educators and librarians have continued to increase. This makes us incredibly happy. Some of the best rewards for the hard-working MCBD Team are to see all of the smiling faces and little hands clutching multicultural books and enjoying a classroom celebration.

Find a plethora of examples that will make your heart sing and give you the warm fuzzies for weeks on the Multicultural Children’s Book Day blog here!

#2-We Trended on Twitter!

January 31st was a tough day to try to trend on Twitter against a trifecta of disturbing and sad (Kobe Bryant, Coronavirus, Impeachment)…but we did it! During our #ReadYourWorld Twitter Party, we slightly broke the Internet with all of our diverse book-loving magic and trended on Twitter. Yay us!

Multicultural Children's Book Day 2020 Trends on Twitter!

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 Trends on Twitter!


From Super Platinum Sponsor, Make A Way Media

This is just a small sample of the global fun and book-inspired participation. Search #ReadYourWorld on any social media channel to discover MORE memorable moments of Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020. THANK YOU, everyone!

Ways To Get Involved

Some other things you can do to not only stay in the loop on what Multicultural Children’s Book Day is up to but also raise awareness for your work in affordable ways. Here are a few ideas:

1. Join our private Facebook Group of over 1500 like-minded book reviewers, publishers, authors, and educators. Just be sure and note the rules (book promotion is limited to Monday Marketing only).
Multicultural Children's Book Day Facebook Group
2. View our timeline for event planning HERE. This will give you an idea of what our process is and know when and where to look for signups and updates.
4. Participants and supporters can also stay in the loop with the festivities via the event’s hashtag #ReadYourWorld on Twitter, Instagram, and other social media.

5. Social Media Shout-Outs! Leverage the robust social media presence of MCBD with the uber-affordable Social Media Shout-out to shine the spotlight on your book (or an author or book you admire). Multicultural Children’s Book Day has some serious social media juice on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and shout-outs are a marketing nugget of gold for authors and publishers! Get all the details HERE.

 

6. Guest Posts on the MCBD Blog: Tell us the story of your author’s journey. Tell us why YOU think diversity in kidlit is important. Tell us about a diverse book-related topic that you believe in, have experience in, or one that simply needs deeper discussion. Connect with the Project Manager at Becky (at) MulticulturalChildrensBookDay (dot) com with your idea and to request our Guest Post Guidelines.

Have questions on How You Can Get Involved In Multicultural Children’s Book Day? Connect with the Project Manager at Becky (at) MulticulturalChildrensBookDay (dot) com.

Others ways to participate in the Multicultural Children’s Book Day Initiative:

    1. 1. {Teachers} Multicultural Children’s Book Day FREE Book for Your Classroom Campaign-If you know of a classroom or library that would like a free hardcover, library-approved, diversity children’s book, have them sign up HERE.
    2. {Parents/Librarians/Teachers/KidLit Lovers} Free Book to Review. MCBD offers a free diverse children’s book to parents, grandparents, and educators that are willing to write a review and this year we are not limiting reviewers to just bloggers. Just share on your review on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or your blog. Get sign up details here.
    3. {Everyone} Be an MCBD2021 Sponsor: Sponsorship is not only a great way to support this event; it is an excellent way to get an author’s name and books in front of thousands of readers. Sponsorship levels range from Platinum to Author Level and a Friends of MCBD option is also available for those who would like to support the initiative with a monetary donation. MCBD Sponsors not only keep the MCBD machine humming, it enables us to support underserved readers, libraries, and schools all year long.
    4. {Everyone} Multicultural Children’s Book Day Free Resources, Booklists, and Extension Activities for Teachers and Parents. Enjoy this vast resource list of diverse children’s books categorized by culture, religion, sexual orientation, special needs or ethnicity.
    5. Check out the MCBD2020 Big Giant Linky for HUNDREDS of diverse kids’ and teen book recommends and reviews to help expand your home or classroom bookcase. Go HERE and scroll down.

 

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

– Twitter https://twitter.com/MCChildsBookDay

-Instagram https://www.instagram.com/readyourworldmcbd/

-Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/pragmaticmom/multicultural-books-for-kids/

As the next MCBD event approaches on January 29, 2021, I encourage everyone to follow along via the MCBD website and social media to win even more books, hear from authors and learn the importance of “windows and mirrors” in today’s children’s literature.

 

Publisher’s Weekly: In Brief: February 8, 2018

Mahogany L. Browne talks about black girl magic, and students celebrate Multicultural Children’s Book Day.

ublisher's Weekly: In Brief: February 8, 2018

 

Huffington Post: We Need A Multicultural Children’s Book Day In South Africa

by Patricia Furstenberg

Reading expands children’s levels of empathy and broadens their minds.

Five years ago in 2014, teachers and educators from Jump Into A Book and PragmaticMom presented their very first January 27 Multicultural Children’s Book Day as a way of celebrating diversity in children’s books.

The result was overwhelming, as authors, publishers, parents, teachers, bloggers, and librarians joined forces to present an online event designed to shine the spotlight on diversity in children’s literature.

Huffington Post: We Need A Multicultural Children's Book Day In South Africa

Toddlers busy with educational book

The Voice: Bringing Diversity To Children’s Literature Is A Priority

Having books that explore, recognize, and celebrate human diversity and multiculturalism is key, writes Melissa Martin

Bringing Diversity To Children's Literature Is A Priority

Huffington Post: Looking For Multicultural Children’s Books? Here Are 8 Helpful Resources. Because all kids deserve to see themselves in the pages of a book.

Looking For Multicultural Children’s Books? Here Are 8 Helpful Resources.

Teacher At Montessori School Reading To Children At Story Time

A few years ago, Krista Aronson shared a picture book with a group of children and watched as a girl wearing a hijab pointed out a character that looked liked her.

“She just stood up and pointed to the little girl in the book depicted as a Somali girl wearing a hijab,” Aronson, an associate professor of psychology at Bates College, told HuffPost. “She said, ‘That’s like me.’ The kind of wonder and excitement in seeing herself in print, it was a very meaningful moment for her.”

4. Multicultural Children’s Book Day

The nonprofit organization Multicultural Children’s Book Day defines a multicultural book as a work that includes characters of color and characters that represent a minority point of view, as well as books that share information about different cultures, races, and religions.

“When we can see through the eyes of another when we can share a loved book with a friend regardless of religion, culture, race … we create a sense of belonging not only in our classrooms and homes but more importantly in our communities,” organization co-founder Valarie Budayr told HuffPost. “The world outside our window becomes ours to shape and create.”

The official Multicultural Children’s Book Day is the fast Friday in January, but parents, teachers, and librarians can always find “diversity book lists” and other resources on the organization’s site. The nonprofit also just released an “empathy kit,” which includes books highlighting immigration and refugees, an activity guide, and posters.

I’m excited for this, last year I had great results with promotions after participating. It also made me feel much closer to the kidlit community and introduced me to great bloggers. Thanks for opening up the event to all publishers.~Author Elsa Takakoka

Lake Oswego Public Library hosted a Multicultural Children’s Day Book event and here’s their slide show from that!

Lake Oswego Public Library MCBD Event

 

MCBD DIGITAL TOOL BOX (logos, poster, links etc)

 

Guest Post on Scholastic’s On Our Minds blog #1

 

Guest Post on Scholastic’s On Our Minds Blog #2

Minnesota Issues Proclamation and names January 27, 2017 as MCBD Day in MN.

Minnesota Proclamation

Publishers WeeklyFourth Annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day Gets Underway

Multicultural Children’s Book Day, a nonprofit initiative whose dual mission is to raise awareness of kids’ books celebrating diversity and to get more of these books into classrooms and libraries, will take place on Friday, January 27. The annual event, founded by bloggers and children’s reading advocates Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen, has each year attracted a burgeoning number of participants—authors, publishers, parents, teachers, bloggers, and librarians—who join forces to shine the spotlight on diversity in children’s literature. In 2016, the MCBD initiative generated more than 96 million social media share impressions, and during this year’s celebration, more than 400 bloggers and book reviewers nationwide will post reviews of children’s books with multicultural themes and characters.

Here’s a roundup of some of the highlights of 2017’s Multicultural Children’s Book Day; assets and details can be found on the MCBD website:

  • Teacher Book Giveaway: Teachers can sign up to receive a free multicultural book, while supplies last, donated by MCBD honorary sponsor Junior Library Guild.
  • Free Classroom “Kindness” Kit: This educator and librarian resource to encourage kindness includes a book list for ages 4-12, classroom activities, a “Be a Hero, Be Kind” poster by Jarrett Krosoczka, and a MCBD poster created by DEMI.
  • Diversity Book Lists and Activities for Teachers and Parents: An extensive resource of book lists and extension activities organized by geographic region, ethnicity, religion, genre, special needs, and more.
  • Book Giveaways with #ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2017, featuring 24 diversity authors and illustrators in partnership with the Children’s Book Council.
  • “The Big Giant Linky”: Located on the MCBD website and on the sites of co-host bloggers, this link-up, which will be live on January 27, is a compilation of 400-plus multicultural book reviews and activities that provides an online resource for parents, educators, caregivers, and librarians. A separate “Linky” will be available for those reviewing books on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
  • Live Twitter Party @MCChildsBookDay on January 27, 9–10 p.m. EST, which will include a conversation about diverse reads, present book recommendations for parents, and offer free book giveaways every six minutes (hashtag #ReadYourWorld).
  • Read Your World: A Guide to Multicultural Children’s Books for Parents and Educators: This new e-book is a comprehensive guide to diverse book titles for kids of all ages. Compiled by bloggers and authors and illustrated by Demi, the book will be available as a free downloadable until January 31, after which it will be available for purchase on Amazon, with proceeds benefiting MCDB initiatives.

The Children and Families Commission of San Luis Obispo County

Imagination, education and celebration!!! Multicultural Children’s Book Day is this Friday, January 27th! We invite you to help raise awareness for kids’ books that honor diversity– and the need to include them in our libraries and classrooms! These books were donated by @multiculturalchildrensbookday and shared by First 5 SLO County a proud #MCCBD2017 partner!

First 5

#ReadYourWorld #kidlit #MCCBD2017 #talkreadsing #shareslo #slocounty #diversity #first5slo For more info, go to https://readyourworld.org/

 

2017 Testimonials


Thank you so much for all this amazing hard work you and the MCC book team have done to get these incredible books in the hands of students 🙂 Larissa A.

“Thank you so much for the diverse classroom book! I know my students will enjoy it during library class. We are looking forward to Multicultural Children’s Book Day this Friday and can’t wait to hear about all of the wondering things going on around the country. Thanks for all you do to encourage children to read and love books! –Amanda D- Librarian – Hope Sullivan Elementary School

Thank you!!! for all you do. 🙂 –Author Sarah Stevenson

Thanks for all you’re doing with this!-.Caroline F

I just realized that readYourWorld – could also be interpreted as Ready Our World….and MCBD definitely helps ready children for a multicultural world that is more inclusive, kind and tolerant!  xoxo Author Susan Bernardo

 

Newport Beach Indy: Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Reading is a poor man’s airplane. It allows us to travel far and wide, experiencing new lands and foreign cultures, all while our feet remain firmly planted in the same spot.

It allows us to experience, if but for a brief moment, a reality that is different from ours, circumstances that our not our own, and truths that may differ from our own worldviews.

The power of literature cannot be underestimated in terms of its potential to change lives – both by opening our eyes to the experiences of those around us, as well as allowing us to find a safe spot, inhabited by others like ourselves, who represent our own beliefs and share our often silent struggles.

It is this power of the written word that led writer/bloggers Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen to create Multicultural Children’s Book Day as a way to help shine a spotlight on the need for diversity in children’s literature.

Set to be celebrated on January 27, the mission of MCCBD is to promote books celebrating diversity, by getting more titles into classrooms and libraries, and into the hands of young readers.

The Children’s Book Council: Celebrate Multicultural Children’s Books on January 27

HOW TO CELEBRATE ON JANUARY 27:

  • FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY ON TWITTER @MCChildsBookDay:  Join the Twitter Party on Jan. 27 from 9 pm – 10 pm (EST) were the founders of Multicultural Children’s Book Day will talk about the state of diversity in children’s books.  Free books will be given away every 6  minutes from. Use #readyourworld.
  • FOLLOW THE BOOK REVIEW “LINKY”: @ www.multiculturalchildrensbookday.comwhere more than 400 bloggers/book reviewers will be posting and sharing their book reviews of diverse children’s books.

2017 sponsors of Multicultural Children’s Book Day, include: Platinum: Scholastic Inc., Barefoot Books, Read Broccoli; Gold: Audrey Press, Candlewick Press; Silver: Kid Lit TV, etc.  See additional sponsors at www.multiculturalchildrensbookday.com

Education Dive: Celebrate Multicultural Children’s Books on January 27th

4th Annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day Kicks-off With Free Diversity Book Giveaways on Twitter @MCChildsBookDay with #readyourworld

January 12th, 2017 — The brainchild of two wonderfully diverse women, bloggers and authors, Mia Wenjen (Pragmatic Mom) and Valerie Budayr (Jump into Books),Multicultural Children’s Book Day , is a national non-profit, created to raise awareness about diverse reads for children, so that all children can see themselves reflected in the pages they of the books they read.

This year marks the 4th annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day, (MCBD) and the program continues to grow with last year, generating more than 96 million social media share impressions over three days (before, during, after).  This year, the organization has enlisted more than 400 bloggers/book reviewers from around the country, who will each post book reviews of diverse reads on January 27th.  In addition, MCBD will host a live Twitter Party @MCChildsBookDay on 1/27 at (9 p.m -10 p.m. EST) that will inspire a meaningful conversation around diverse reads, provide book recommendations for parents, and offer free book giveaways every 6 minutes.

World News Station: Celebrate Multicultural Children’s Books on January 27

FREE RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS:

  • FREE MULTICULTURAL BOOKS FOR TEACHERSEducators and librarians can enter to win a free diversity book for their school/classroom library. (while supplies last). Books donated by honorary sponsor, Junior Library Guild.

  • FREE CLASSROOM “KINDNESS” KIT Educators can sign-up to receive the free kit that includes:

            • Diverse Kindness Book List for ages 4 -12

            • Classroom Kindness Activities

            • “Be a Hero Be Kind” Kindness Poster

            • Multicultural Children’s Book Day Poster

 

African American Film Critics Association: The “Multicultural Children’s Book Day” Interview with Kam Williams

Mia’s Mission!

Mia Wenjen blogs at PragmaticMom.com on parenting, education and children’s books. A dorm room entrepreneur with her creative staffing company, Aquent, ranking #12 on the Inc. 500 list when she was 26-years-old, Mia has always championed social justice. Her staffing company was the first to offer medical benefits to temporary workers.

These days, the mother of three is focused on getting diversity, multicultural and inclusive books into the hands of the kids who need them most. She co-founded Multicultural Children’s Book Day [https://readyourworld.org/] to shine the spotlight on authors, illustrators and diversity characters so kids of color could find themselves in books.

Because her children are 1/4 Japanese-American, 1/4 Chinese-American and 1/2 Korean American, she personally sought out books where they could see themselves; something that she didn’t have growing up, despite being a bookworm who read every single biography and fiction chapter book in her Southern California elementary school’s library.

Blogging on KidLit for five years helped her realize that there simply isn’t enough representation of kids of color in children’s literature. Furthermore, the books that do exist don’t get the exposure they need and deserve. So, she’ made it her mission to dedicate her blogging efforts to promoting children’s authors of color.

That’s how she found Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book who proposed creating a day to celebrate multicultural books for kids, and thus Multicultural Children’s Book Day was born. And they hope you will join them on January 27th!

J Life: Read Your World

As a child, Wenjen never once found an Asian-American character in a library book. “Then, decades later as a mom, I found a dozen or so Asian-American children’s book authors and was elated.” Wenjen then read a study showing the number of diversity books published annually hadn’t changed in 14 years. Her response was a Facebook public statement announcing she’d focus her blog on multicultural kids’ literature. “Valarie saw my post and called me, saying we should just start our own holiday.” So they did. In fact, last year alone MCBD generated 96 million social media shares over three days (before, during and after the holiday), and gave away over 600 diversity books to parents and teachers. This year, with Scholastic as a sponsor, they’ll likely triple that.

Both Wenjen and Budayr relate to the word “multicultural” in very personal ways.

Wenjen is half-Japanese and half-Chinese. Her mother, born in San Francisco’s Japantown, was forced to relocate during WWII. Her father emigrated from China before the Communist takeover. With a Korean-born husband and kids that are part-Korean, Chinese and Japanese Americans, Wenjen believes there’s probably no one out there with quite this make-up. Co-founder Budayr, emigrated from Sweden and speaks five languages fluently including Arabic. Her family is Muslim and lives in Tennessee.

During MCBD’s January 27 Twitter party, book bundles will be given away every six minutes from 6-7 p.m. (PST). Authors and publishers participate so questions are welcome as are requests for books you’d like to see published. Use hashtag #ReadYourWorld to find the MCBD Twitter party. For great diversity book reviews visit their Linkys posted on their website. MulticulturalChildrensBookDay.com is also an excellent resource for parents, with booklists in categories ranging from country, genre, religion, age, to ethnicity and LGBTQ.

Examiner: Info 101: 2016’s Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Be sure to mark January 27 on your calendars for MCCBD’s Multicultural Children’s Book Day.The brainchild of co-founders, Pragmatic Mom’s Mia Wenjen and Jump into a Book’s Valerie Buday, it’s designed to promote reading, raise awareness of diversity-related children’s books, and get more of them into our classrooms and libraries.

Their mission can’t be overstated. Just 10% of children’s books reflect the fact that 37% of our population consists of people of color, hence the duo is hosting this national event on the 27th. Make it a date.

The Advertiser (Part of the USA Today Network): Relatable Books to Get Kids Reading

We will get young readers interested in reading if they can relate to books and subjects. That’s why there’s Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Jan. 27, an event to spread the word and raise awareness about the importance of diversity in children’s literature. According to the MCCBD, their “mission is to not only raise awareness for the kid’s books that celebrate diversity, but to get more of these books into classrooms and libraries.”

Louisiana Book News: Jan 27. is Multicultural Children’s Book Day

We will get young readers interested in reading if they can relate to books and subjects. That’s why there’s Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Jan. 27, an event to spread the word and raise awareness about the importance of diversity in children’s literature. According to the MCCBD, their “mission is to not only raise awareness for the kid’s books that celebrate diversity, but to get more of these books into classrooms and libraries.”

Philadelphia Sun: Mia Wenjen; Mia’s Mission

Blogging on KidLit for five years helped her realize that there simply isn’t enough representation of kids of color in children’s literature. Furthermore, the books that do exist don’t get the exposure they need and deserve. So, she’ made it her mission to dedicate her blogging efforts to promoting children’s authors of color.

That’s how she found Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book who proposed creating a day to celebrate multicultural books for kids, and thus Multicultural Children’s Book Day was born. And they hope you will join them on January 27th!

Kam Williams: Hi Mia, thanks for the interview.

Childress Ink: Multicultural Children’s Book Day #ReadYourWorld

When I worked at Zondervan, we were considering a black, WNBA basketball player for the Zkidz Biography series, and I was truly astounded to discover via the marketing director that books on blacks don’t sell in the core CBA market. At the time, I believe my response was something like, “What era is this?” However, I have since learned, the reality is prejudice persists, and not only for blacks, but in more ways than most adults like to admit.

Racism is real, prejudice exists, and we need more books for children to help them understand “diversity,” and the ever-changing ways it affects lives. Every single person in this world has a story, and every single person in this world can learn something from any other. I am proud to be a part of MCCBD! Follow along the fun book reviews, author visits, and event details, via hashtag #ReadYourWorld. Happy Reading!

Tribune Entertainment: Celebrate Multicultural Children’s Book Day

La Clase de Sra.Dufault: Have You Done Your Good Deed Lately?

Well, guess what? my blogger friends from MCCBD andFrancticmommy were one of the first ones to come to my rescue. They not only adopted my classroom, but also sent me a box full of multicultural books for my library, THANK YOU!

The Nerdy Book Club: The Power of Diverse Books by Mia Wenjen

I am convinced that diversity books for kids are needed more than ever. They are not a “nice to have” but truly a necessity. If we teach our kids at a young age about the world around us, thus letting them form their own opinions about different cultures, we arm them against racist ignorance.

I co-created Multicultural Children’s Book Day with Valarie Budayr of Jump Into a Bookthree years ago. We both were horrified by the state of diversity books for kids being published each year and wanted to do something about it. On January 27th, we will be celebrating multicultural, diverse and inclusive books for kids along with hundreds of bloggers who have been matched up with books from us.

We also started a program to give FREE diversity books to teachers. Our Classroom Reading Challenge gifts a hard cover, high quality book to K-8 grade teachers. We will match the book to the teacher’s grade. A representative book list is here.

 

5 Minutes for Mom: Encouraging Readers to Celebrate Diversity

5 Minutes for Books reviewer Dawn shares information about a worthy program working toward promoting multicultural children’s books to help young readers have a wide variety of reading experiences.

Diversity in children’s literature has been a hot topic in recent years, thanks to movements like We Need Diverse Books and the many voices of authors, illustrators, educators, bloggers, and other interested folks who have continued the conversation in social media. As a blogger, former teacher and parent, this is a topic dear to my heart as well, and I’ve tried to make sure my own children have access to books that feature characters from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, countries, and characters with personal or family experiences that may or may not be personally familiar to them. I feel strongly that children should be able to find books that serve as windows into other experiences and aspects of the world, as well as mirrors of their own.

For that reason, I’m happy to be able to tell you about the mission of the national event Multicultural Children’s Book Day, celebrated this year on January 27th. Founders Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book and Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom have worked diligently to draw attention to diverse children’s literature and to get these books into schools and libraries so that they can reach children all over the country.

Book Donations 2016!

Barbershop Books

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Oklahoma Messages Project

Cheri Fuller and the OK Messages Project

Cheri Fuller and the OK Messages Project

 

Classroom Donations!

carolina-de-faultas-class

Mrs. Campbell’s 7th Grade

mrs-campbells-7th-grade

Spanish Playground: 10 Must-Know Facts About Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Multicultural Children’s Book Day

  1. Will take place on Jan. 27, 2016.
  2. Raises awareness of the importance of diversity in children’s literature.
  3. Puts multicultural books into the hands of kids.
  4. Is an incredible resource for parents, teachers, caregivers and librarians!
  5. Publishes reviews of over 300 fabulous multicultural children’s titles and makes all the book reviews available on co-host sites with a link-up. This is an amazing resource all year long!
  6. Uses #ReadYourWorld on Twitter and other social media
  7. Offers teachers an easy way to grow their classroom library with a free hardcover book, screened and donated by the Junior Library Guild.
  8. Is supported by an impressive group of co-hosts:
  9. Is sponsored by these GREAT publishers of multicultural books.

Platinum

Wisdom Tales Press — StoryQuest Books — Lil Libros

Gold

Author Tori Nighthawk — Candlewick PressBharat Babies

Silver

Lee and Low Books — Chronicle Books — Capstone Young Readers —Tuttle Publishing — NY Media Works — LLC/KidLit TV

Bronze

Pomelo BooksAuthor Jacqueline WoodsonPapa Lemon BooksGoosebottom BooksAuthor Gleeson Rebello Shout Mouse Press Author Mahvash Shahegh — China Institute.org — Live Oak Media

 

Social Moms: Celebrate Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2016 With These Great Reads for Kids

January 27, 2016 is Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCBD). This two-year-old initiative, started by founders Mia Wenjen and Valerie Budayr, has achieved tremendous success and online support for diversity awareness by putting thousands of free books into kids’ hands. Last year on January 27th, Multicultural Children’s Book Day, they — along with support from corporations, teams of bloggers, teachers and librarians — made multicultural book news trend on Twitter at #ReadYourWorld.

Visit www.multiculturalchildrensbookday.com for resource lists of thousands of books and activities focused on learning more about diverse cultures and issues, with topics including Teaching Compassion, Mixed Race Celebrations, Combating Racism, Immigration, Islam, Selecting Diversity Board Books, Activities for the Day of the Dead, and Celebrating Chinese New Year. There are also books lists about cultures in every corner of the world and that tie into our daily news headlines. Here are our picks for great multicultural reads for kids.

 

Finding Neverland: January 27th is Multicultural Children’s Book Day!

At Finding Wonderland, we have always been committed to reviewing a wide range of diverse and multicultural books, which is why we’re very excited to see that this year the folks at Multicultural Children’s Book Day are making a supreme effort to get the word out and provide all kinds of opportunities for bloggers, authors, teachers, and parents to do so as well.

Bloggers can sign up to review a book, donated by publishers eager to support this effort–go read more about it here.

Authors, and other interested individuals, can donate to the cause via sponsorship and get a little love in return–here’s that info.

Lastly, don’t miss the TRULY MASSIVE amount of information and links todiversity book lists for kids and other resources.

 

Thank you to Jo Ann Kairys, award-winning author and illustrator of Story Quest Books,  for making this awesome Multicultural Children’s Book Day video!

 

PackNGoGirls: Best Children’s Books featuring Multicultural Characters

And, don’t miss out on Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCCBD) on January 27, 2016. Despite census data that shows 37% of the US population consists of people of color, only 10% of children’s books published have diversity content. The mission of MCCBD is to not only raise awareness for the kid’s books that celebrate diversity, but to get more of these types of books into classrooms and libraries. This year, MCCBD’s main focus will also be putting multicultural children’s books on shelves and into the hands of deserving families through book donations and fundraising. The MCCBD project is also adding a Multicultural Children’s Book Day Classroom Reading Challenge where teachers, classroom and readers are challenged to win FREE Diversity Books for their Classroom Library. Follow the #ReadYourWorld hashtag to find out more. And visit their list of multicultural books for even more multicultural characters!

La Bloga: Multicultural Children’s Book Day

In an effort to promote, educate and bring light the many multicultural and diverse picture books that have been written, Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCCBD) was created.  Founded by play and reading advocates, Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book and Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom, they teamed up to create an ambitious and necessary national event to celebrate these books. The mission of MCCBD is to not only raise awareness for the kid’s books that celebrate diversity, but to get more of these of books into classrooms and libraries.

MCCBD will be celebrated on January 27th, 2016, where teachers, parents, librarians, picture book bloggers and children’s authors will participate. This year, the Classroom Reading Challenge will be incorporated and they are asking for teachers, librarians and parents to read up to four multicultural picture books during the month of January.  I encourage schools, teachers and librarians to participate. It is a fun way to get kids to learn about the diversity in our world, near and far, as well as an opportunity to read rich and quality picture books that are too often not celebrated nor recognized.

For more information please visit:

https://readyourworld.org/our-programs/mccbd-2016-classroom-reading-challenge/

Publishers Weekly: January 27 Designated Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Next month, more than 100 bloggers affiliated with parenting, education, and children’s blogs will review a selection of diverse and multicultural books on their respective blogs. The reviews will be promoted and shared by Jump Into a Book and the day’s nine “powerhouse” co-hosts with more than two million followers total across social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Google+. The participating bloggers will also share reviews with their respective followers. There will be giveaways and children’s activities as well throughout the day.

The Daily Times: Local author Budayr presents Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Maryville’s Valerie Budayr, a children’s book author and blogger, started Multicultural Children’s Book Day last year to raise awareness for the children’s books that celebrate diversity. In its first year, there were 70 bloggers who participated and offered reviews of multicultural books that are out there for children ages preschool through high school. It all takes place next Tuesday, Jan. 27 on the websitemulticulturalchildrensbookday.com. Parents and teachers will find a diversity book list and resource guide there as well.

Brainard Dispatch: Day promotes reading and diversity in children’s books

This year, about 150 bloggers will review the children’s books, provided by authors and publishing houses. Flansburg said participants have come up with creative activities to go with reviews for the online event. Bloggers will then link their reviews to the Multicultural Children’s Book Day website.

“You Have Diverse Stories” Contest Taps into Diverse Storytelling Tradition

This winter, August House will celebrate Multicultural Children’s Book Day (January 27th, 2015) with a two-week long video and audio contest, “You Have Diverse Stories,” to highlight the need for more diverse stories for children. The contest encourages children’s book lovers to share versions of their favorite folktales, fairy tales, or family stories. August House hopes the contest will help celebrate and increase awareness of the rich diversity of stories from the world’s great oral traditions. Entries will be posted in August House’s Facebook gallery for viewing.

Oregon Live: Multicultural Children’s Book Day: Titles worth checking out

Two bloggers who focus on children’s literature – Valarie Budayr of Jump Into a Book and Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom – have declared today to be Multicultural Children’s Book Day, so we thought we’d play along by digging up a few book lists from reliable sources.

Metro Parent: Introducing Diversity to Your Kids Through Books

Janet Batchelder, manager at children’s library at the Detroit Public Library, says Multicultural Children’s Book Day sounds like a “wonderful celebration of books and diversity.”

“The benefits to reading or listening to multicultural books is that children can experience what other children experience,” says Batchelder. “Sometimes the experience is different and sometimes it is the same.”

Mothering in the Middle: What’s Missing in Our Children’s Books (A Commentary)

What message does it give my son when there is not a single Valentine’s Day book with a character who isn’t white?

It is then that I realize: the children books that represent people of color are largely limited to real-life, historical picture books. It’s great that there are so many books about those topics to choose from — but what happens when I want to give my son a book about love that depicts a regular boy that looks like him?

Annie and Aunt: Increasing kidlit diversity in book fair season

Bloggers Valarie Budyar, of Jump Into a Book, and Mia Wenjen, of Pragmatic Mom, teamed up last year to create Multicultural Children’s Book Day. On January 27, 2015, there will be a host of blog posts and other activities aimed at increasing awareness of children’s books that celebrate diversity, and getting more of those books into classrooms and libraries.

Nerdy Book Club: Multicultural is Coming January 27th!

Plurals: America’s Last Generation With Caucasian Majority

The proportion of Caucasians in America will continue to diminish, creating a pluralistic society, one in which there isn’t a majority ethnicity or race. In 2019, live births in America will be less than 50% Caucasian, making the Pluralist Generation the last generation with a Caucasian majority. In 2042, the entire population will be less than 50% Caucasian and America will literally become a pluralistic society.

Children’s Book Council: Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2015

Renee Prewitt-Author and CEO of Prewitt Group:

“Content does matter, and we know that the more children read—especially about themselves—the better the odds are to close the achievement gap,” Prewitt said, who speaks to groups about the 30 Million Word Gap. The study showed that low income children hear 30 million fewer words by age three than high income children.  “It’s time for the publishing industry to catch up with reality and maybe Multicultural Children’s Book Day will be the catalyst.”

Children’s Book Council: Multicultural Children’s Book Day Event: Celebrating Diversity in Children’s Literature

“Studies show that children are motivated to read more books when they see themselves on the page. So, it is surprising that the publication of multicultural books is on the decline. Content does matter, and we know that the more children read—especially about themselves—the better the odds are to close the achievement gap,” quotes Renee Prewitt, an author who speaks to groups about the 30 Million Word Gap. “The study showed that low income children hear 30 million fewer words by age three than high income children. “It’s time for the publishing industry to catch up with reality and maybe Multicultural Children’s Book Day will be the catalyst.”

Multicultural Kids Blog: Support Multicultural Children’s Book Day!

What I found through my research is shocking, but true — while thousands of children’s books are published each year in the United States alone, the percentage of books by and about people of color remains frighteningly low.

So, what’s a concerned parent to do? Well, the first step is obvious – make a concerted effort to diversify your children’s bookshelves. Seek out events like this one, where multicultural literature is celebrated and examples of the genre brought into the spotlight. Follow bloggers like those involved with Multicultural Kid Blogs, to give your kids a global perspective and find stories from around the globe. And above all vote for diversity in children’s literature – support publishers like our amazing sponsors, with your dollars and with your library checkouts. Because one thing is clear: the world’s a wild, wonderful and diverse place, and our children’s bookshelves should definitely be the same.

Mary Kinser is a librarian and the mother of a gorgeous four-year-old boy from Ethiopia, lovingly nicknamed Sprout.

InCulture Parent: Multicultural Children’s Book Day: January 27

If you are looking for some great multicultural books to read with your child, we review them every month in ourMulticultural Books section.

Kid Lit Reviews: Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Kid Lit Reviews is proud to be a part of The First Annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day. With publishers like Chronicle Books, Lee and Low Books, and Wisdom Tales Books (which KLR will begin reviewing soon), along with other publishers who often bring us diverse books, it is hoped that multicultural books will no longer need an event to showcase and bring attention to these types of books.

Geek Club Books: Multicultural Children’s Book Day!

Since our mission at Geek Club Books is about accepting our uniqueness and celebrating those who are different, I wanted to acknowledge and support Valarie’s and Mia’s ambitious goal. This event is being sponsored by Chronicle Books, Lee & Low Books, Author Susan Fayad, and Wisdom Tales. Over 60 bloggers were sent multicultural children’s books to spotlight today and if you ‘jump’ over to Jump Into a Book  you’ll discover links to their reviews.

Children’s Book Council: CBC Diversity

Check out this event and more on the CBC Diversity Events Calendar that lists events across the country promoting diverse children’s literature.

Cane Row: What do we really mean by “Multicultural Children’s Book Day”? And do we really need it?!

Today is Multicultural Children’s Book Day! 
“Content does matter, and we know that the more children read—especially about themselves—the better the odds are to close the achievement gap,” Renee Prewitt
Some call it an opportunity gap or a relevancy gap, whatever gap you call it, let’s close it!          
#readmorewritemore#representationmatters 

Let’s call “Multicultural Children’s Book Day” what we want it to mean; making the statement that we are asking for the representation of the vast and beautiful identities of our children.  Whether it’s “Representation of Our Children in Literature” or “Intercultural Literacy Representation” or  “Racial Competency in Literature” day, let’s get it on the map!

Ever Ready: Little Dancer

“Little Dancer Learns” is a story about a young Comanche girl named Little Dancer who wants to learn how to dance more than anything.  She talks to her mother, father, grandfather, sister, and brother who tell her there are certain things she must learn and be responsible for before learning how to dance.

PR Web: Multicultural Children’s Book Day Event: Celebrating Diversity in Children’s Literature

On January 27th, 2014 Jump into a Book and Pragmatic Mom will be presenting the first ever Multicultural Children’s Book Day as a way to draw attention and raise awareness about diversity in children’s literature. Multicultural Children’s Book Day will include book reviews from noted bloggers all over the world, giveaways and book-related activities for young readers of all ages.

 

The Storifed version of the wildly successful (and well attended!) MCCBD Twitter Party