Multicultural Children's Book Day

#ReadYourWorld

Busting on to the Bookshelves with Nick Springer on the Move

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{Guest post from Dr. Jennifer Stratton}

Seven years ago my daughter wanted to share a poster featuring her cousin, Nick Springer, in his Team USA uniform and medals hanging from his neck. However, her kindergarten teacher wouldn’t allow it, she said it would scare the children. What was it about the poster? Well, Nick, a two-time Paralympian and wheelchair rugby champion was also a meningococcal meningitis survivor and quadruple amputee. This painful and discriminatory moment led to a lot of reflection and started our family on a new journey.  [Read more…]

5 Women of History Who Model Strength and Resilience

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Guest Post By Jodi Murphy

So many women trailblazers who made ground-breaking societal contributions have been written out of history. Half of humanity ignored! The vital roles of women have often been misrepresented, downplayed, or hidden from our history books.

We’d like to highlight the stories of 5 resilient women of history who achieved success despite overwhelming obstacles. Each faced a form of misogyny, prejudice, discrimination, and injustice only to rise above societal setbacks and make huge impacts in science, art, sports, technology, and human rights! [Read more…]

#OWNVOICES Books that Showcase the Diversity of our World

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(Guest post from Barefoot Books)

From the very beginning, Barefoot Books have represented a vast array of cultures and perspectives, while also providing children of all backgrounds a mirror of their own experiences. [Read more…]

Finding The Truth in Friendship

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{Guest post by Lisa Rose}

In 1997, after years of education and training, I finally had my own classroom. On the first day of school, I looked out at my students.  I really couldn’t tell one bald-headed black boy from the next. I had a horrifying thought: I am ignorant!  How could I, a grandchild of a family who was slaughtered in the Holocaust, lack understanding of a minority? The answer is exposure.

This experience happened over 20 years ago, and since that time, I have taught in many schools where most of my students are African American.  As a result, I have been immersed in both African American and Jewish communities and observe not only our differences but our similarities.  Because of this immersion in both communities, I became intrigued by stories of Black and Jewish friendships. So, when I discovered the story about how -, I was not only interested—but excited. [Read more…]

Diverse Middle-Grade Books That Celebrate Poetry

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{Guest post By Tonya Duncan Ellis}

 

Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

April is National Poetry Month.

Whoo-hoo!

Clearly, my poetry writing skills are lacking, but I love reading and hearing poetry. [Read more…]