Multicultural Children's Book Day

#ReadYourWorld

Let us SHOUT just for YOU!

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Let’s do some Shouting!

No, not that kind of hollering… this kind!

For a limited time, the MCBD Team is offering two new ways to gain some effective and unique visibility on social media that is an “up-level” from our extremely popular $39 Social Media Shout-Outs.

 

From now until June 1, 2021, diverse children and teen book authors, organizations, publishers, and fans of diversity in children’s literature can get TWO innovative ways to get their info in front of the eyeballs of the buying public:

Social Media Shout-Out DOUBLE-UP! =$49

All of the perks of a regular Shout-Out but TWICE the exposure! One Custom Image, 2 Posts each on FB, IG, and Twitter in a 14-day period. ** THIS IS A LIMITED TIME PROMOTION THAT BEGINS APRIL 1, 2021 AND ENDS JUNE 1, 2021*** GO HERE to learn more or lock in your spot.

 

 

MEGA Social Media Shout-Out (Social visibility over the course of 30 days) $99.95

MCBD Social Shout Out

All of the perks of a Shout-Out DOUBLE-UP but A TON MORE exposure! One Custom Image, 4 posts each on IG and FB (one a week). PLUS 8 tweets (2/week). GO HERE to learn more or lock in your spot.

We look forward to Shouting Out your work!

 

What Can Kids Learn from these Two Amazing Heroes of History?

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{Guest Post By Jodi Murphy}

Black History Month begins and it’s just one of the many opportunities we can take to talk to kids about the many contributions and achievements of African Americans.

Dorktales Storytime Podcast would like to bring the stories of two trailblazers from two different time periods in American history to your children. These are two men who faced racial injustice—one who was enslaved then freed and one who lived during Jim Crow laws. Through their own talents, hard work, and determination, they had extraordinary accomplishments that changed our world for the better.

George Washington Carver

Listen to Mr. Carver’s story on the Dorktales Storytime Podcast:

Note: This episode includes discussions about slavery and systemic racism. Find links to resources for talking about these topics on the episode web page: https://jonincharacter.com/george-washington-carver/

George Washington Carver is someone you probably learned about in school, but you may not know the entire story of his life—from being enslaved to experiencing segregation and then becoming one of America’s most respected agricultural scientists, botanists, and inventors.

His research was never just about science, but about the impact that it might have on people’s lives—particularly the African American people of the South and areas that relied on agriculture to survive. At the time, cotton was king but it destroyed the land after one harvest. He taught many farmers how to grow other crops to enrich the soil and create hundreds of products.

Did you know that he is credited with discovering over 300 uses for the peanut? Or that he studied many species of fungi—two of which were named after him? Or that he was admired by Henry Ford and Thomas Edison—both who wanted to hire him to work for their companies? These are but a few of the extraordinary facts about his life.

What’s even more admirable, is that he used his celebrity to speak on racial injustice and the importance of racial harmony. He worked towards a future where no one is turned away from getting an education or work based on their race. And he certainly left a legacy for all young scientists and farmers who have followed in his footsteps.

FREE BONUS ALERT: There is an activity guide available for the George Washington Carver episode for free when you sign up for the Dorktales Storytime Podcast email list. Currently, all Hidden Heroes of History episodes come with free activity guides and future guides are in development. SIGN UP HERE: https://bit.ly/DTnewsletter-signup

Louis Armstrong

Listen to Mr. Armstrong’s story on the Dorktales Storytime Podcast:

 

Louis Armstrong had a difficult childhood and grew up in a dangerous neighborhood. He started working when he was very young and that is how he came to afford his first cornet. He kicked off his career on Mississippi riverboats and was eventually mentored by Joe “King” Oliver, the top cornetist in New Orleans. He joined King Oliver’s orchestra in 1922 and, after 3 years, struck out on his own to become one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time.

Mr. Armstrong broke down barriers during a time when there were even more significant obstacles for African American people due to Jim Crow laws. He was the first African American person to write an autobiography, get cast in a major motion picture, and host a nationally sponsored radio show. He also famously spoke out about the Little Rock Nine, an incident where African American students were prevented from attending school.

Most of his life was about a deep passion for music and using it to bring people together. Louis Armstrong built a music legacy and a legacy beyond music.

FREE BONUS ALERT: There is an activity guide available for the Louis Armstrong episode for free when you sign up for the Dorktales Storytime Podcast email list. (You only need to sign up once.) SIGN UP HERE: https://bit.ly/DTnewsletter-signup

Jonathan Cormur

Discover more Hidden Heroes of History podcast episodes and geeky retellings of classic fairy tales on the Dorktales Storytime Podcast. The podcast is a member of Kids Listen, an organization that advocates for high-quality children’s audio. Jodi Murphy is the founder of Geek Club Books autism storytelling nonprofit and a member of the Multicultural Children’s Book Day Board of Advisors.

 

Talking Points and Facts about Multicultural Children’s Book Day

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Hard to believe the 8th annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day celebration is only a handful of days away! This diversity in children’s literature initiative continues to grow, even during a year of unprecedented events and widespread uncertainty.

For that, we are proud.

If you are planning something special for your home, classroom, library, or organization, here are some Talking Points and Facts about Multicultural Children’s Book Day.

MCBD by the Numbers

For our 2021 on and offline celebration, we are proud to announce that there are 25 CoHosts and Global Cohosts, 23 Medallion, and 36 Author Level Sponsors supporting this initiative

Thanks to over 700 dedicated book reviewers, 1400-1500+ diverse book reviews will be shared on social media during the last few weeks of January.

During our wildly popular Twitter Party will be hosted by Audrey Press and Pragmaticmom. On 1/29/21 at (9:00 p.m. ET), over 150 diverse books and related items will be given away in 60 minutes (a winner is drawn every 5 minutes!).

To date, MCBD has gifted over 9,000 diverse books to end-users.

Instagram Followers: 15, 000+

Twitter Followers: 14,500+

Pinterest Followers: 10,000+

Countries Represented via Book Reviewers, Sponsors, and Global CoHosts:

USA, Germany, Greece, Australia, Mexico, Iran, India, UK, Canada, Philippines, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Hawaii, and New Zealand.

The Event Itself

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2021 (1/29/21) is in its 8th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators.

Eight years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues. Read about our Mission & History HERE.

MCBD 2021 is honored to be Supported by these Medallion Sponsors!

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Prgamaticmom) and Valarie Budayr’s (Audreypress.com)

Platinum Sponsors: Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 50+ Languages, Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media

Gold Sponsors: Barefoot Books, Candlewick Press, Capstone,  Hoopoe Books,  KidLitTV, Peachtree Publishing Company Inc.

Silver Sponsors: Charlotte Riggle, Connecticut Association of School Librarians, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, Pack-N-Go Girls

Bronze Sponsors: Agatha Rodi and AMELIE is IMPRESSED!, Barnes Brothers Books, Create and Educate Solutions, LLC, Dreambuilt Books, Dyesha and Triesha McCants/McCants Squared, Redfin Real Estate, Snowflake Stories, Star Bright Books, TimTimTom Bilingual Personalized Books, Author Vivian Kirkfield, Wisdom Tales Press, My Well Read Child

 

MCBD 2021 is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!

Poster Artist: Nat Iwata

Authors: Author Afsaneh Moradian, Author Alva Sachs & Three Wishes Publishing Company, Author Angeliki Stamatopoulou-Pedersen, Author Anna Olswanger, Author Casey Bell , Author Claudine Norden, Author Debbie Dadey, Author Diana Huang & Intrepids,  Author Eugenia Chu & Brandon goes to Beijing, Green Kids Club,  Author Gwen Jackson, Author Janet Balletta, Author Josh Funk, Author Julia Inserro, Karter Johnson & Popcorn and Books, Author Kathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry Blossom, Author Keila Dawson, Maya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove, Author Mia Wenjen, Michael Genhart, Nancy Tupper Ling, Author Natalie Murray, Natalie McDonald-Perkins, Author Natasha Yim, Author Phe Lang and Me On The Page Publishing, Sandra Elaine Scott, Author Shoumi Sen & From The Toddler Diaries, SISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard, Susan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher,  Tales of the Five Enchanted Mermaids, Author Theresa Mackiewicz, Tonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book Series, Author Toshia Stelivan, Valerie Williams-Sanchez & The Cocoa Kids Collection Books©, Author Vanessa Womack, MBA, Author Veronica Appleton & the Journey to Appleville book series

MCBD 2021 is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts!

MCBD 2021 is Honored to be Supported by these Media Partners!

Check out MCBD’s Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!

 

MCBD 2021 Twitter Party Questions and PRIZES!

Join us on Friday, Jan 29, 2021, at 9 pm EST for the 8th annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day Twitter Party! REGISTER HERE.

This hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.

*** US and Global participants welcome. **

The Multicultural Children’s Book Day Twitter Party 2021 will be giving away a 5-8 diverse book bundle every five minutes!

We also have some bonus prizes and prizes specifically for our non-USA participants. Scroll down to see all of the amazing book bundles and prizes.

Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.

This year, our 1/29/21 Party will occur at 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET  and we promise it will be INSANELY fun and fast-paced! Be sure and follow Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Twitter so you can join the party. Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians.

GO HERE to view the 2021 MCBD TWITTER PARTY Questions!

GO HERE to view the 2021 MCBD TWITTER PARTY Prizes!

Not sure how to participate in a Twitter Party? Check out this great article from MCBD’s Project Manager HERE.

Follow MCBD on Twitter to join the party! 

 

FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parents

Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit

FREE Teacher Classroom Activism and Activists Kit

FREE Teacher Classroom Empathy Kit

FREE Teacher Classroom Kindness Kit

FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit

FREE Teacher Classroom Poverty Kit

Gallery of Our Free Posters

FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program

 

Oh, How Far we Have Come! (And the Places We Have Yet to Go!)

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Flash Back Time!

On January 27th, 2012 over 100 parenting, education, and children’s book bloggers showed up for the very first time to review diverse books for kids and teens on their respective blogs. These posts and shares ultimately reached over 2 million eyeballs across Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.

As I was sifting through old files, I came across this statement and it made me pretty darn proud as to how far this non-profit has come.

It was almost a decade ago when two moms were concern by some statistics that revealed that 37% of the US population consists of people of color, but only 10% of children’s books published have diversity content. Those two forward-thinking, book-loving moms were Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen.

Valarie and Mia not only discussed these findings at great lengths, they decided to work on being a solution to the problem. Together, this dynamic duo used their desire for change to create the first Multicultural Children’s Book Day; a children’s literacy initiative with a mission 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.

Fast forward eight years and the Multicultural Children’s Book Day Team wants to take a moment to marvel/applaud/give thanks for how far we have come and to celebrate the places we have yet to go!

“Together the MCCBD team hopes to spread the word and raise awareness about the importance of diversity in children’s literature. Our young readers need to see themselves within the pages of a book and experience other cultures, languages, traditions, and religions within the pages of a book. We encourage readers, parents, teachers, caregivers, and librarians to follow along with the fun book reviews, author visits, event details, a multicultural children’s book linky, and via our hashtag (#ReadYourWorld) on Twitter and other social media.”

As We Enter Our 8th Year, Here are Some “Then and Now” Victories

As this global day of celebrating diversity in children’s literature keeps getting bigger and bigger, here are some specific differences that show how far we have come:

MCBD Event: Year One
  • 100 Book reviewers
  • 14 sponsors
  • 9 CoHosts
  • Instagram was barely a year old and MCBD didn’t have a presence there…YET 😉
  • Books donated to classrooms and deserving readers: roughly 100
  • Free Classroom Kits (Downloadable “kits” that focus on a relevant topic, a diverse booklist that supports that topic, and classroom-friendly activities that allow for deeper discussion and learning): ZERO

MCBD Event: Year EIGHT

What’s Next for Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Through each multicultural book a child reads, it creates a new level of understanding and empathy. When we can see through the eyes of another, when we can share a loved book with a friend regardless of religion, culture, race, etc., we create a sense of belonging not only in our classrooms and homes but more importantly in our communities. The world outside our window becomes ours to shape and create.

This year, as with every year, we are striving more persistently than ever to place as many books into children’s hands as possible. Our unwavering mission is to share our love of reading from a multicultural perspective while also sharing the storytelling talents of authors and publishers alike.

THANK YOU for sharing this wonderful journey with us!

Social Shout Outs and Sponsorship: Grab some holiday shopper eyeballs!

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The weeks are flying by so we wanted to share a unique way to tap into the holiday buying season or even get more involved in Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2021. 
 

As you all know, more people than ever are online thanks to COVID. Experts say that the holiday shopping season is likely going to be online more than ever and we completely believe that. They are also predicting that there is a renewed surge in supporting independently owned small businesses over Big Box Stores and we LOVE that very much!

 

Social Shout Outs and MCBD2021 Sponsorships are two unique ways Multicultural Children’s Book Day is helping authors and publishers get in front of holiday shoppers!

MCBD Social Shout Outs

Our Social Shout Outs ($39) focus on a book or author. Use your Shout Out to shine the spotlight on your own work or purchase one as an extra-special gift for your favorite author friend, favorite diverse book, or even a publisher that is near and dear to your heart.
Go here if you’d like to purchase a vibrant and colorful Social Shout Out that will appear on MCBD’s Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook channels between now and January 29, 2021.
Here is a recent example of one of our Social Shout Outs so you can see how pretty they are 🙂

MCBD2021 Sponsorships

 
NOW, let’s uplevel that thought and talk about MCBD 2021 Sponsorships!
The difference between Social Shout Outs (SSO) and MCBD2021 Sponsorships is that SSOs are only a one-time share. However, they are available for purchase 365 days a year. 
MCBD2021 Sponsorships are like a concentrated vitamin of awesomeness that shines the spotlight on authors and books in a big way from November to January 29, 2021. Sponsorships include months worth of social media exposure and name mentions.
 
As our celebration day approaches (1/29/21) the online visibility of our event really ramps up and our various levels of sponsorships also have the opportunity to have their diverse children’s and YA books reviewed and shared on social media as well.   
 
Go here to view the Sponsorship Page and download our Sponsor Packet. Multicultural Children’s Book Day is pretty darn thrilled to share that we reached a mega-milestone of 15,000 on Instagram recently. Our Medallion Level Sponsor and Author Sponsor Level Pages are LIVE and we will be beginning the Book Matching (with book reviewers) process this week. 
 

The deadline for all Sponsorship levels is December 31st…but here’s the rub; the earlier you sign up, the more time we have to market/P.R you and connect you with book reviewers for the event.

As a paid sponsor, you will have the opportunity to be matched with as many (or as few) book reviewers as you’d like. We provide you with their names and addresses and mailing a copy to each reviewer is your responsibility. All reviewers post their reviews on social media in January and MCBD uses its mega-social media presence to share far-n-wide. We always welcome all book donations to our FREE Diverse Books for Classroom Initiative as well.

Hope to hear from you soon!