Multicultural Children's Book Day

#ReadYourWorld

When Life Comes Full Circle: How a Mobile Library Expanded My World

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Guest post from author Shereen Rahming

I was no more than seven or eight years old growing up in a tiny village in the relatively small country of Belize.  Almost everything I loved and knew existed in that single place.  The elementary school I attended was right next door in the community center grounds.  My classroom was in the main building which had mobile chalkboard walls that could be moved whenever we had our weekly Catholic Church services or any other community gathering.  Three different grades shared the modest open room.

Shereen Rahming

My favorite subjects quickly became any subject that taught and shared the stories of other people.  I wanted to hear, learn, and read more.  The only drawback was that the modesty of our resources meant that we lacked books to have a library.  Nowhere in the village or even neighboring town did a proper library exist.  My appetite for books that sparked my imagination and taught me about the world outside my little village was satisfied with the occasional delivery of books sent by my mother who was already living in the United States.  My whole young life revolved around life in the village, the school next door, and the few books and toys that my mother sent for me.

Then one day, news started circulating.  We heard that a mobile library would start coming to the village.  Now believe me when I tell you that this was somewhat of a big deal…at least to me, it was.  In a village where school resources were scarce, hearing that we would soon have a truck making a stop in the community center grounds once a month to offer books to the children was nothing short of receiving an early birthday or Christmas present, especially to one little girl.  Having never been to a library, I had no idea what to expect when my grandmother explained to me what a mobile library was.  It sounded great so I waited with anticipation.

The day came when the mobile library finally arrived.  I was so excited to get to the little truck that instead of running through the gates of our property, I crawled through an opening in the fence that separated our yard from the community center grounds.  I ran to get in line and waited patiently to get my very first library card.  When the nice lady handed it to me and I saw my name on it, I flashed a smile and ascended the steps of the truck. I stood there peering inside at all the books that filled the walls.  I walked in and perused the books on each shelf.  I ended up selecting a book about a bunny who had lots of adventures.  I took it home and read it right away.  Every book I ever borrowed was my new adventure, lesson, and doorway to a world far bigger than my own.

Fast forward more than thirty years later and that little girl’s love of books had only grown.  I am now a mom of two living in the United States and I have published my very own storybook.  As an author and publisher, I am blessed enough to encounter some truly amazing people who work in the world of literature.  One of those people is a man named, Stan Tucker, who has started his own mobile library in Georgia called the Leap for Literacy Bookmobile.

Stan Tucker and the Leap for Literacy Bookmobile

Photo credit

As I followed Stan’s story, I could not help but beam with delight.  How could I not when it evokes my precious childhood memories.  I smile every time I see the looks of joy and excitement on the little faces of the children who get to select a book from his library.

Stan Tucker

Photo credit

Eventually, I contacted Stan to tell him how wonderful I think his work is and to offer my book to him.  He accepted and now the little girl whose world opened up thanks to a mobile library, has her very own book in a mobile library where other children can hopefully be inspired in the same way.

I am in no way a great philosopher but I can’t help but look at the pictures that Stan posts including the one of a child holding my own book and I marvel at how life does indeed tend to come full circle.

I am reminded of a quote I once read that said, “Life is an echo.  What you send out, comes back.  What you sow, you reap.  What you give, you get.  What you see in others, exists in you.”

The little girl in that village over thirty years ago sent out love for stories, an imagination full of curiosity, and a wavering belief in herself.  And in the little faces of those children enjoying her story and other stories, she sees the same love, curiosity, and belief in all things possible.  Life has come full circle and it’s a beautiful view from where she now stands.

About Shereen

Author Shereen Rahming

 

Shereen Rahming is the author of Ahni & Her Dancing Secret, a graduate of UC Berkeley, a former teacher, and a current contributing writer for the Parent Voice Magazine. She was born in the small Central American country of Belize and immigrated to Los Angeles, California at the age of ten years old. Due to her Black and Latin heritage, she has a great appreciation for diversity and has become a passionate advocate for multicultural and diverse books.

Inspired by the lack of seeing book characters that looked like her as a child, she wrote Ahni & Her Dancing Secret for her daughter so that she would be able to see a character like herself in literature. She is currently working on a second book for her son. Her ultimate goal is to write and promote motivating stories that depict the true diversity of the world we live in and teach readers to appreciate and respect the beauty in themselves and others.

In Ahni & Her Dancing Secret, Ahni dreams of being a prima ballerina so she joins Madam Sabina’s dance school. But her spirit is soon broken when she discovers that the other students are far more advanced than she is and not as friendly as she expected. This charming story depicts the journey of little Ahni from an unsure hopeful to a confident dancer, by discovering the secret to success with the help of wise Madam Sabina. For ages 3-8.

Connect with Shereen via her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

 

A Dual Language Picture Book about the Tibetan Culture

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Everyone loves a good story about perseverance, faith, and courage. This is especially true when the story comes with the opportunity to be exposed to a new language and culture.

Dorje the Yak by Caryn Hartman is a tale of triumph over adversity. It follows the struggle of Dorje, and the struggle of Tibet, to assert an identity in a changing world. Written in both English and Tibetan, this picture book is a powerful visual story of Tibet and its culture for children.

Published by Pema Publishing, Dorje the Yak (pronounced Dor-jay) is a beautiful book with a heart-warming story about a small yak in the large land of Tibet who has a deep determination to assert his identity in a changing world.

 

A Dual Language Picture Book about the Tibetan Culture

Dorje is smaller than all the other yaks…and he knows it. His diminutive stature makes it impossible for him to carry heavy loads so he is often left behind and filled with loneliness.

Even his owners have noticed his tiny size and nicknamed him, Mug Chung, which means “Little Brown” in Tibetan. Small, tiny, little…all words that Dorje is not fond of hearing when others talk about him.

One night, Dorje hears his human owners retelling the tale of the great Snow Lion; a mythical beast who is wise, powerful, and strong. As he listens, Dorje hatches a secret plan to find the Snow Lion in hopes that he can make him big and strong as well. In the morning, Dorje gives one last look at his tiny reflection in the blue waters of the lake and sets off on the difficult journey.

Dorje the Yak

His lengthy trek, one that is filled with unexpected twists and turns, ultimately leads to the discovery that reveals the real truth; that the size of our bodies is not what matters–it’s the size our hearts and the depth of our actions.

Dorje the Yak

Readers of all ages will be drawn in by the gorgeous illustrations and well-written text. Dorje is perfect for readers from 6-9, but older children and adults who are interested in the plight of Tibetans will love it too. The MCBD team is beyond thrilled to see a quality picture book that includes both the English and Tibetan languages within the story. Dorje the Yak is a true jewel in the world of children’s books.

“Compelling and informative, this book is a great addition to the library of any family interested in other cultures and ways of looking at the world.” ~Manuel Lopez

Purchase Dorje the Yak on the Pema Publishing website, on Amazon, or at Denver CO bookstores.

The Inspiration for Dorje

As a former ESL and Kindergarten teacher for Denver Public Schools, author Caryn Hartman is keenly aware of the importance of exposing young readers to new cultures and traditions at an early age. After a trip to Tibet inspired her to pursue a degree in Tibetan studies, she spent many years trying to find a way to marry these two passions.

“When I first went to Tibet in 1998 there was something about it that spoke so deeply to my soul. That soul-stirring stayed with me long after I returned to the U.S. and I went on to pursue a degree in that field,” Caryn recalled. “At the time, I couldn’t foresee myself going into academia solely based on that degree so my knowledge of Tibet went on the back burner while I pursued another passion. That passion was teaching young children. It was then that I realized how few books about Tibet are available for children. There are many books about Tibetan Buddhism, but what of the land and people themselves? So, fueled by my love of writing, I found a way to bridge the two passions that were a part of my life: Tibet and teaching.”

The story rolled around in her brain for months and when she connected with illustrator, Lexi Vay, and Tibetan translator, Gangkar Lhamo, the vibrant story and life lessons of Dorje the Yak came to life in a dual language picture book. From the very beginning, Caryn’s mission with her book was to not only share a story of triumph over adversity but also to create a colorful means to share a message of cultural preservation.

“I chose the main character to be a yak because they are such sacred animals in the Tibetan culture,” Caryn shared. “Tibetans refer to yaks as ‘norbu’ which translates to ‘jewel’ or ‘nornak’ which means ‘the black treasure.’ This fact is just one of the many that make these people their culture so special. The plight of the Tibetan culture is getting lost in the shuffle of mainstream media, but its story needs to be told. I hope that the story of Dorje the Yak speaks to people’s hearts. Because it is from my own heart that it was written.”

Purchase Dorje the Yak on the Pema Publishing website, on Amazon, or at Denver CO bookstores.

Dorje the Yak Resources for Teachers

Not only does Caryn provide wonderful resources on the Tibetan culture and language in the back pages of Dorje The Yak…

…Pema Publishing also offers a robust teacher resource section on their website here.

With a passion for Tibetans still firmly planted in her heart, Caryn and Pema Publishing have also created a way to give back to the refugee children of Tibet. Book lovers have the option of purchasing a copy of Dorje the Yak to donate to the Tibetan Children’s Village and Tibetan language schools throughout India & Nepal. To date, over 54 books have been donated so far!

“I really wanted Tibetan children to not only read a book in their language but I wanted to also offer a story that supports their English language learning as well,” Caryn noted.

Go HERE to see how you can donate a copy and bring joy to a Tibetan child.

donate a book to Tibetan children

The Creative Team Behind Dorje the Yak

Author, Caryn Hartman

About the author: Caryn Hartman got her BA in Anthropology and Religious Studies from the University of Colorado. After studying abroad in India, Nepal, and Tibet, she fell in love with Tibetan culture. She got her MA from the University of Virginia in History of Religion with a focus on Tibet. After graduate school, she taught in Denver Public Schools for nine years. She is excited to combine her passion for Tibetan culture with her love of children’s stories to create an awareness of Tibet’s plight.

Caryn lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, two boys, and a snuggly cat. She loves to travel, go on long road trips, and will jump at any chance to be surrounded by mountains.

Connect with Caryn on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

About the illustrator: Lexi Vay is an artist living in Los Angeles with her husband and cat. She really loves storytelling through art and animation and enjoys working both traditionally and digitally.

She’s also an avid fountain pen enthusiast! In her off hours she’s probably sketching, practicing calligraphy, meditating, or watching cartoons, but usually not all at once!

 

 

About the translator: Gangkar Lhamo (pen name), a Tibetan woman from Kham in eastern Tibet, grew up with yaks and now studies at an American university. Tibetans and yaks have a symbiotic relationship; Tibetans call them “nornak,” the black treasure. Yaks are a treasure because they have provided Tibetans with so much: clothing, shelter (black tents), food, warmth, and companionship. Gangkar Lhamo believes that stories are rivers that sustain and nourish our existence; all children are made with stories. She hopes that Dorje the Yak waters the seeds of hope, curiosity, and imagination in the hearts of all readers, Tibetan and English.

Purchase Dorje the Yak on the Pema Publishing website, on Amazon, or at Denver CO bookstores.

Yao Bai and the Egg Pirates by Tim J. Myers

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May is Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks on the project were Chinese immigrants.

But another fact of Chinese immigration is that many of these brave souls ended up in California where they struggled to make a living as fishermen. That nearly forgotten era is preserved at historical sites in the San Fransisco Bay Area like China Camp: a state park that is committed to preserving the Chinese shrimp-fishing village that was created around the time of California’s Gold Rush.

China Camp

It was a visit to this state park that inspired veteran author, Tim J. Myers, to pen his newest children’s book, Yao Bai and the Egg Pirates published by West Margin Press.

Inspired by the 1863 Egg War and the mad rush for murre eggs on the Farallon Islands near San Francisco, Yao Bai, and the Egg Pirates is a high-seas adventure story celebrating the courage and history of Chinese immigrants in America through a fascinating yet little-known event during the California Gold Rush era.

Yao Bai is finally old enough to sail with his father and uncle to the Farallon Islands, to gather the precious eggs that seabirds had laid there. But on their way home, they encounter trouble on the sea―pirates! Just when Yao’s father and uncle believe their hard day’s work would all be gone, Yao comes up with a clever plan. But will it be enough to save all the eggs?

The Inspiration for Yao Bai and the Egg Pirates

“While on a sightseeing trip to see humpback whales, our tour guide told us about the ‘Egg War’ at an island off the California coast during the Gold Rush,” Myers recalled. “So many miners came to California to find gold that it became difficult to feed them all. People began gathering seabird eggs on the Farallon Islands near San Francisco, especially murre eggs, which were three times the size of chicken eggs. In my story, I imagine that members of a Chinese fishing family have sailed out to the islands for eggs but then encounter egg pirates, which history tells us really existed.  The pirates knew how much the eggs were worth, and weren’t afraid to use violence to get them.”

Intrigued by this real-life occurrence, Myers began to dig deeper into this event and the idea for a historical fiction children’s book began to unfold in his mind.

“Shortly after our whale-watching trip, we visited China Camp and learned more about the Chinese in Gold Rush California,” Myers added. “The sun was still rising in the east as I stood looking out across China Camp—and suddenly I could almost imagine a young Chinese boy scampering across the sand. At that moment, the character of Yao Bai was born. I also recently saw a period photo which included a real Chinese boy at a rough-looking Monterey fishing camp and thought, There he is! I knew his life was important, both in itself and to America as a whole—so I knew I had to try to drag that forgotten story out into the light.  Chinese Americans have made incredible contributions to American life, and too often that’s forgotten or dismissed.”

Chinese in Monterey

With illustrations by Chinese artist Bonnie Pang, this delightful diverse historical fiction picture book will help young readers understand more about the great courage and adaptability of the Chinese in America.  Connie Yu, the official historian of the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project of Santa Clara, praised Yao Bai and the Egg Pirates. for its research and accuracy.

Yao Bia and the Egg Pirates

About The Author

Tim Myers is a writer, songwriter, storyteller, and university senior lecturer in English. When not writing adult non-fiction and children’s fiction, he can be found working in the English Department at Santa Clara University. To date, Myers has published a whopping 22 books–15 of which are children’s books. Some of his diverse children’s book titles include Let’s Call Him Lau-Wiliwili-Humuhumu-Nukunuku-Nukunuku-Apua’A-Oi’Oi, The Thunder Egg, The Outfoxed Fox: Based on a Japanese Kyogen, and Basho and the River Stones.

Author Tim J. Myers

Tim won the 2012 SCBWI Magazine Merit Award for Fiction and, as a fantasy/science fiction writer, he won a prize in the Writers of the Future Contest, and his work has appeared in Realms of Fantasy, Worlds of Fantasy and Horror, Space & Time, Weird Tales, Abyss & Apex, Futures Mysterious, on the Astropoetica website, and elsewhere.

When asked what advice he would give to young writers, Myers had this to say:

Read, Read, Read

Write, Write, Write

Live, Live, Live

“Those three words are the best way I know for authors to ‘get there.’ And the repetition is just as important as the categories,” Myers shared. “It’s a privilege to be an artist and to be part of the publishing world. I get a waterfall of joy in my brain every time I think about how lucky I am to be able to create art. And being able to merge that passion with my love for kids and teaching amplifies that joy even more. Writing Yao Bai and the Egg Pirates was, to me, a perfect opportunity to retell a moment in our past that’s in danger of being lost—a way to turn forgotten history into something fun and educational, in order to keep that human reality alive. ”

Connect with Tim J. Myers via his website, Amazon Author Page, and Facebook. For more information on Yao Bai: http://www.timmyersstorysong.com/TM_Website/Yao_Bai_by_Tim_J._Myers.htm

Myers also has excellent teacher’s resources for Yao Bai here.

La Frontera: El Viaje Con Papa / My Journey With Papa by Deborah Mills and Alfredo Alva

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Everyone has a story.

That’s something children’s book author and retired architect, Debbie Mills, has known all her life. She, her husband, Peter, and the couple’s eight grown children also believe in the strong bond of family is everything and that belief is evident in this tight-knit family. After moving to Kerrville, Texas in 2007, Debbie was fortunate to get to know a Mexican stonemason and was introduced to a moving story of courage, perseverance, and familial love that was begging to be shared with the world.

“We chose to settle down in Kerrville because it reminded us of Australia,” Debbie recalled. “My husband was in international banking so we lived all over the world. When we retired and chose to do so in Texas, I had the privilege of getting to know Alfredo Alva and his family. Alfredo was a stonemason by trade and over the course of a year, we became friends. One night, as we joined his family for a BBQ, I asked Alfredo to share his story of how he migrated from Mexico and settled in America. The story he told me became the inspiration for the book La Frontera: El viaje con papá/ My Journey With Papa.”

What Makes La Frontera Special

La Frontera: El viaje con papá/ My Journey With Papa is a bilingual book based on the true story inspired by the immigration experience of Alfredo and his father’s as they made the arduous journey from Mexico to the United States’ border– la frontera— to make a home for themselves in a new land in the 1980s. It’s a vibrant and moving story about immigration, resilience, empathy, and belonging. It’s also a story that is still happening today, even 30 years later.

In Praise of La Frontera: El Viaje Con Papa

La Frontera was recently named to the Bank Street College of Educations 2019 Edition of The Best Children’s Books of the 2018 Year.

Best books of the year 2019

Starred and favorable reviews have been received from these periodicals: Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Junior Library Guild. 

View the full list of reviews and praise here.

“Very kid-friendly, but also informative, and could help children (and adults) who are unfamiliar with the struggles immigrants experience to better understand what these families endure just to get here. Thank you for taking the time to speak to the issue of immigration with our young people” — Emily Golightly, ESL Teacher, President of the Crystal Coast Reading Council

 “The riveting yet calmly told story, movingly illustrated, of a father and son who leave Mexico to find a better life.”
— Booklist

“Memories of migration matter. Telling these stories seems more important than ever — even, and some might say especially, to children. . . [Alfredo Alva] tells of a difficult and frightening trip with his father, one that includes hunger, thirst, exhaustion, and fear of discovery. Told in side-by-side Spanish and English text, Alva’s story is brought to life by Claudia Navarro’s vivid acrylic, graphite, and digital collages and given broader context with several pages of information on borders and immigration after the main story.”
— The New York Times

“Alfredo’s story is an inspiration, told in alternating English and Spanish with photographs of the Alvas, colorful artwork, maps, and thoughtful information on borders, immigration laws, and the importance of tradition and culture”
— Foreword Reviews

“Presented in both Spanish and English, the retrospective narrative overflows with grueling, poignant details about the journey Alfredo and his father undertook. Yet Navarro’s mixed-media artwork succeeds in emphasizing the more-hopeful aspects of Alva’s story, namely love and strength in a familial context. . . . A timely, necessary read”
— Kirkus Reviews

 

“Precise details create a deeply moving sense of a young immigrant’s journey, from the drinking water dropped along the tracks by train crews to a new school, where Alfredo always brings a $100 bill in case he’s picked up and returned to the border. With bright, saturated colors and expressive figures, the illustrations echo both the story’s drama and tenderness”
— Publishers Weekly

La Frontera Tera: El Viaje Con Papa / My Journey With Papa

“This moving story of perseverance is told in both Spanish and English to empower language-learning,” Debbie added. “I wanted this book to be a valuable tool for all teachers, especially ESL and TESOL teachers, so we included four pages of endnotes that unpack facts about Alfredo’s story and other stories like his. This story of migration is part of our American history whether people like it or not. This part of our history needs to be told in a language that helps kids to understand this phenomenon.”

 

La Frontera Tera: El Viaje Con Papa / My Journey With Papa

 

Debbie Mills is a retired architect turned children’s book author who has lived all over the world including England, Greece, France, Canada, and Australia. Upon retirement, Mills moved to Kerrville, Texas where she was immediately confronted with the realities of the immigration crisis while learned of the many stories of those escaping the violence of Mexico to start a new life in America. After befriending a Mexican stonemason named Alfredo Alva,  she learned the story of he and his father’s tumultuous journey from Mexico to a better life in America. Alfredo’s story became the inspiration for the award-winning bilingual picture book La Frontera: El viaje con papá/ My Journey With Papa.” 

When not enjoying life in her current home of Kerrville Texas with husband, Peter, Mills keeps busy with design projects, the couple’s 5 adult children, and working on the production of her invention with a marine supply company.

To contact Debbie with questions or to schedule a classroom visit, email her at peedubs@msn.com.

Creating an Inclusive Community through Children’s Books

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guest post from Erika Probst

 

Up until several years ago, I lived in an idealistic world that I believed indicated we were in a post-racial society.

We had moved beyond racism, hadn’t we? Sure, occasionally we’d see something about racism in the news, but most of society was not racist, right? Then my idealistic view was shattered by a simple conversation between myself and a Black friend after her son was born. We had worked together for years, we went out together, we were pregnant together, our sons were born months apart. When she told me that she was relieved her son was born with lighter skin, I gave her a look of incredulity and said, “Why would you say that?” She responded, “Let’s talk.” So, we did.

She told me about the racism she and her family had experienced. Daily. The names her brother was called as he walked down the street. The clerks who followed her in the stores to make sure she didn’t steal anything. Wow! I. Had. No. Idea. And that’s a problem. That was the first time I recognized my own White privilege. I vowed to do better.

Creating an Inclusive Community

Fast forward a few years. Though I live in Oregon, a state known for its racist history, the city where I live is the most diverse city between Vancouver, British Columbia and San Francisco. Our area has numerous tech companies with employees from around the world. The short street where I live has families from 13 countries who all speak different languages. Our neighbors are Christian, Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim. More importantly, our neighbors enjoy doing things together. Our kids play together. We have summer BBQs, fall s’mores roasts, winter dessert parties.

My family hosts a 4th of July BBQ and we invite all the neighbors. A few years ago, our newest neighbors, Uche and Uju, who came from Nigeria, attended their first neighborhood BBQ. Uche came up to me and said, “So you just do this? For everyone?” I said, “Yes.” He responded, “This is why I love America and this is the America everyone needs to see!” He encouraged me to share the story of our street. With a lot of coaxing from him, I did. I wrote a children’s book sharing our street’s story. Written from my young son’s innocent perspective, the book introduces readers to our neighbors and how they have taught us about their countries and religions.

My children’s book Friends on my Street: A Celebration of Diversity, is a story, written from my son’s perspective, about the street we live on where we have neighbors from several countries and world religions.

It is important for children to see not only people who look like themselves but people who represent the world around them when they read books. When I give presentations, I talk about the importance of having books about diversity that provide a multicultural view of our world. Books may be the first time children see people of other races, religions, or sexual orientations. By providing these books, parents are sharing that a multicultural world is a beautiful world. I talk about getting to know your neighbors. It starts with saying “hi,” and being inclusive. Inviting neighbors to BBQs, s’mores parties, and dessert parties. Often, it’s our children who bring us together, but our children are watching how the adults interact. When neighbors of diverse backgrounds include each other, our children learn. They see that everyone should be included. This becomes their foundation; this is what they know; this is what they will live; this is what they will pass on.

I will continue to give presentations, sharing the story of my neighborhood. I will educate about privilege and how we need to speak out against isms. I will hope that our children carry this message forward into the next generation.

Creating an Inclusive Community through Children’s Books

Erica Probst

Erika Bracken Probst was born and raised in rural Alaska where she was instilled with the idea that when communities are close, they grow stronger. After graduating from the University of Portland in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Erika worked as a nurse at Providence St Vincent Medical Center until 2016. While there, her projects included how to better care for patients of different cultures and educating staff about cultural awareness. Erika now teaches future health care professionals in a high school Health Careers Program. Erika is very involved in her community and especially events supporting inclusion. She lives in Hillsboro, Oregon with her husband and two sons. Her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/FriendsonmyStreet/ shares daily information about historic and current events related to civil rights, human rights, and cultural/religious events from around the world that occurred on each date.

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