Guest Posts Archives - Page 2 of 15 - Multicultural Children's Book Day

Creators Empowering STEM Diversity in Multicultural Books

September 7, 2019 by Valarie Budayr

Guest Post By: Erin Twamley

From the #ownvoices to #readyourworld to specific trends like #WomeninSTEM, book creators and readers are hungry for the production and consumption of diverse literature.

As an author and an educator myself of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math or STEM publications, I have found that especially in the nonfiction children’s book world our biggest challenge may be us as creatives. We shape not only the words, illustrations but the accolades around diverse literature. We have the power to do so much more in driving that diversity, especially in the creation of STEM works. I am sharing four observations for creators of books, whether you are a writer, illustrator, reviewer or publisher, and even a reader to consider.

STEM Diversity in Multicultural Books

Diversity is NOT monolithic. Look up or ask a reader, publisher or another author how they define diversity and you will be surprised at the spectrum of answers. In the book world, research, readers and creators have focused on what the characters look like, #representation matters. We as creators need to ensure that our characters embody the cultural nuances, from language, beliefs, abilities, gender, and age, beyond just how they appear. All of these shape experiences and connections with our readers. My point, it is not enough to just have a diverse character on the page, but we must authentically tell or share their story.

Not all scientists are dead or old. It may seem obvious and don’t get me wrong, I love all the recognition and push for nonfiction children’s books autobiographies (I have written one myself). But I keep asking who are the scientists of today? We forget about #ActualLivingScientists. As a young reader, don’t you want to know who is leading efforts to revitalize our coral reefs or creating the spacesuits that will fit our women astronauts? Our readers need to see that it is not always just “ancient” scientists making discoveries and shaping our future.

Some Superheroes wear white lab coats and capes

Think about how you depict and write about technology!
Many of our readers (children’s book) are digital natives. Our readers use technology and don’t know a world without it from videogames to cell phones to artificial intelligence. Instead of using illustrations that depict magic or sentences that overlook the function of technology — share about it! WiFi or computers, for example, don’t just STOP working! Share a plot twist, a fact or an illustration that explains how or why the WiFI might have been interrupted (e.g., a power outage from a storm) or where the satellite actually flies (e.g. Outerspace or near-Earth?) You can help readers see and learn about the technology they and the characters you write about using.

Out of the lab! Where do stories happen? A house, a school, a library, a yard or a nearby forest. If talking about science, we see characters in a lab or dreaming of outer space. So much of our science happens in everyday scenes. Use renewable energy (e.g., solar panels on a house), a doctor’s office with the latest equipment (e.g., a robotic surgery machine) or the inside of a rocket ship to show where STEM happens. Kids need to imagine and SEE where science happens, most of it is outside of a lab and not in a white lab coat.

A drawing by a student at Orchard Knob Elementary

About Erin Twamley

Author Erin Twamley

Erin Twamley is working to create a new generation of Everyday STEM Superheroes. As an author and educator, her hands-on STEM encounters, nonfiction children’s books, and related publications engage the next generation of learners in protecting and creating a sustainable planet. In 2018 she established ErinEDU, an educational consulting group with a mission to cultivate curiosity and asking questions by sharing the adventures of diverse professionals in STEM Careers and their STEM Superpowers.

Ms. Twamley loves to travel the world and has lived on three continents. You will find Erin in the European Union hosting interactive author and STEM encounters for US military children and adults of all ages. Learn more about her writings and encounters by visiting her website at www.erinedu.org or join STEM Superheroes on social media!

Social Media:

Facebook link @STEMSuperhero

Twitter Link: @STEMsuperheros

Instagram Link @everydaystemsuperheroes

This Is the Earth: A Diverse Picture Book about Love, Respect, and Inclusion

June 26, 2019 by Rebecca Flansburg

Deirdre “DeeDee” Cummings has been a long-time supporter of Multicultural Children’s Book Day, and as the years tick forward, we continue to be blown away by the talent, passion, and tenacity of this multi-book diverse author.

Her business, Make a Way Media, offers everything from workshops to journals to inspire creativity in kids; creativity founded in writing and reading.

When DeeDee was our first ever Super Platinum Sponsor for MCBD2019, she had NINE beautiful, diverse picture, poetry, and coloring books to her credit. As of May of 2019, book #10 has been revealed to the world, and this book shares an ultra-important message that the world needs to hear.

A new Diverse Picture Book | This is the Earth

This is the Earth is a book about peace, love, respect, compassion, and inclusion. This message bears repeating: peace is meant for all of us. Kids and adults will love the lyrical message and thoughtful artwork all about this planet as our home and every human being as our neighbor and family.

When asked what her inspiration for this unique diverse picture book for kids was, DeeDee had this to say:

“I watch a lot of news shows. Many people in my life have told me to give it up- just to walk away from it.,” she recalled. “But I have not been able to do so because I want to hear what is going on and to stay updated and gather facts for myself. However, it does take a toll at times. Some of the stories we hear now can be devastating and can negatively affect your mindset. Some of the stories stay with you, and you can find yourself overwhelmed. One day I turned the TV off, and I was sitting at the end of my bed staring out a window. I was watching trees blow in the wind, and these words came to me like a prayer. I was praying, ‘Please show us how to live on the Earth as the family we were meant to be on this beautiful home we were given.’”

Deedee reflected on a scene in This Is The Earth where a seagull (a species that is typically considered a “pesty” animal) has a six-pack ring around its neck. The seagull is clearly in distress and it seems so simple to walk up and remove the ring. “This is the reality of our world, and how humans treat the Mother Earth and all that inhabits this planet. We see images on the news of whales washing up on beaches filled with trash and sea birds unable to eat because of discarded fishing line wrapped around their beaks.”

“I had these stories churning in my head about school shootings, Black Lives Matter, family separation, and so many others,” she added. “I thought, ‘how hard is it to step in and remove the ring?’ If I tell you I can’t fly with this ring around my neck…why is that threatening to some people? It should not even be threatening to the people who are addicted to soda. But somehow, in our country, it is. Somehow we have grown comfortable with saying, ‘It is my right to drink soda, and if the consequence is, someone, ends up with a six-pack ring around their neck, well that’s for them to handle not me.’

That is the literal argument, and it is frustrating because removing the ring, or preventing the ring from ending up there in the first place is not that hard, but yet, here we are. In polarizing positions where only two arguments are heard: ban soda forever or let the seagulls suffer and die. And everyone on the opposite sides thinks the people on the other side are horrible people. That is where we are.”

She went on to share that the powerful message (one that kids and adults alike can comprehend) is that the care and feeding of Mother Earth is everyone’s duty. Today it seems as though being a steward of protecting and honoring the world in which we live is like the storm that everyone sees in the distance… but isn’t worried about because “it won’t affect me…”

But it does.

How we treat our Earth, and all who inhabit our Earth, does affect us and all of our generations to come.

This is the Earth is the perfect catalyst for opening dialogues with kids, adults, communities, and thought leaders to step up and care about everything around us.

Kids and adults will love the lyrical message and thoughtful artwork all about this planet as our home and every human being as our neighbor and family.

Learn more about This is the Earth on Make A Way Media’s website.

Deirdre “Deedee” Cummings is the founder of Make A Way Media and the author of ten diverse children’s books including, Heart, My Trip to the Beach, If A Caterpillar Can Fly, Why Can’t I, My Dad’s Job, Love Is…,Think of It Like This!, Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess, and I Want To Be a Bennett Belle.

As a therapist, attorney, author, and mom, Deirdre “Deedee” Cummings is passionate about passing down the life lessons that were instilled in her by her beloved mom. All ten of DeeDee’s diverse picture, poetry, and workbooks for kids has threads of her professional knowledge running through them as well. Colorful and vibrant, her books for kids are not only fun to read, but they also work to teach coping skills, reinforce the universal message for love for all, and encourage mindfulness and inclusion. She has spent more than two decades working with families and centers much of her writing around her experience working with kids in therapeutic foster care. Her stories are filled with positive and hopeful messages. DeeDee also uses therapeutic techniques in her stories to teach coping skills and lessen the stigma some people feel about receiving mental health assistance.

A diverse picture book timeline from Make A Way Media:

2014 Love Is…Love Is is a charming children’s book that shares a valuable message: that love is a gift meant to be shared by every being. Filled with beautiful illustrations and a stunning palette, this book is poetry in words and color.

2015 Think of it Like This! A book about reframing bad situations. This book teaches therapeutic skills such as mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy to demonstrate the essential lessons of self-control and perspective building.

2015 My Trip to the Beach: Just like adults, children can have bad days too. The good news is that, just like adults, children can better cope with stress by learning and practicing mindfulness.

2015 Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess A series about a little brown girl who never let anything get in her way. Children of all backgrounds love this story that follows a mom and daughter as they learn together about life, love, respect, and what matters most.

2016 I Want to be a Bennett Belle In this endearing children’s story, a smart and curious little girl asks her grandmother what she hoped to be when she was growing up. From there, another future Bennett Belle is born. After her grandma begins sharing the story of how she became the woman she was meant to be, the young girl learns all about the mission of Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina: to instill each of its students with self-respect, confidence, compassion, pride, and preparation to compete as a professional in an ever-changing world. As the little girl falls in love with the spirit, sisterhood, and legacy of Bennett College, she discovers it is never too early to think about higher education or becoming the best woman she can be.

2016 My Dad’s Job: My Dad’s Job shares a powerful message about the value of parenting with love, direction, purpose, modeling, and consistency.

2016 Heart: Lyrically and visually beautiful, Heart is a book for ALL ages and ALL walks of life. Heart reminds us that when we close our hearts from fear, we close off other emotions like love, peace, joy, and happiness. Heart was inspired by the children the author serves who are in foster care.

2017 If A Caterpillar Can Fly, Why Can’t I: This book is a coloring and an activity book. Kids struggle with screen time and esteem issues at a higher rate than ever before. This book helps parents and caregivers discuss these issues in a way that kids will be more receptive and open to hearing this message. There are many activities to help guide children through an internal dialogue that reinforces how special they are. Many schools have used this book in their girls’ groups as a fun, therapeutic, and creative way to discuss sensitive topics that are facing our children today.

2019 Like Rainwater: A book that is also a coloring and activity book. Like Rain Water is a tribute to Deedee’s mother, Andrea Mast Pecchioni who passed away in 2003 from breast cancer. This is a story all about hope, love, kindness, and compassion- including the compassion you show yourself. Adult and educators will also find here are therapeutic techniques covered in this book that will help kids and adults with issues such as depression, self-defeating behaviors, and emotion regulation.

2019 This is the Earth A book about peace/ love. Respect, compassion, and inclusion

When asked why is diversity in children’s literature important to her, DeeDee had these exceptional thoughts to share.

“I grew up in a time where there were no characters in kid’s books that looked like me and even back then I knew how important it was to see yourself in a book,” DeeDee added. “To be recognized and validated is a way to share with the world the fact that you are no different from us, you are just as special, and your story matters. That is most crucial to me- that little kids see themselves and their story in a book. But also, I believe in the power of diverse books and what they can do to help build esteem in an individual and better relationships among people.

Diverse books are not written for black people. Diverse books are not just about a brown person seeing a brown character, or a character with a disability, or a character who just does not look, think or act like what we think is typical because it is all we know. Diverse books are written for all of us. We all need to see and hear diverse characters and diverse stories because it helps grow an understanding of each other and it builds empathy and compassion for what others go through. Diversity in children’s literature should be important to all of us.”

Connect with DeeDee via her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Join our mailing list and stay in the loop!

Email address:

Should non-Muslim kids celebrate Ramadan & Eid?

May 23, 2019 by Valarie Budayr

{guest post from Ajanta Chakraborty of CultureGroove}

Should non-Muslim kids celebrate Ramadan & Eid?

You probably guessed it; the answer is a resounding yes!

Mom/Dad, what is she wearing?

Kids and their delightful loud questions in public, am I right? If your child hasn’t already asked it, they probably will when they see a little girl in Hijab at a birthday party, at the grocery store, at the park etc. Now is the perfect time to proactively teach our kids so that they learn more about their Muslim friends and get curious to learn even more about their culture.

Fight hate with knowledge

Let me give you another reason with a much bigger impact. In current times, we are all concerned about the environment of fear around us that has its deep roots in ignorance and lack of understanding. It’s really quite simple: we fear what we don’t understand and that fear sometimes manifests in the form of hatred and even violence.

I don’t know much about Islam.

With Ramadan currently in progress, there is no better time than now to introduce the concept to our kids. Are you concerned about talking about another religion without an in-depth understanding of it? Don’t worry, there is indeed a way to introduce the beautiful concepts of Ramadan and Eid without a deep religious study (take a look at our book for more).

So, how do I celebrate it?

The month of Ramadan is not just about fasting and staying hungry. The spirit of Ramadan is to give up something for a month that you covet in order to gain an appreciation for all you have. As a non-Muslim household (and a non-religious household in general), here is how we did it: we asked our son to pick something that he absolutely loves. Like most 5-year-olds, candy and screen time topped the list. He finally decided on candy and committed to giving that up for a few days. On those days, we read our book on Ramadan and Eid and talked about kindness and gratitude. We are also planning to make kindness rocks (see our celebration kit) and distribute them throughout the neighborhood.

Ajanta’s 5-year-old son, Ruhaan, fighting his inner battle to give up on candy for a few days.

It is that simple to dig deeper into the roots of a beautiful celebration and use it as a teaching moment for our kids to help them grow up multicultural!

For a fun children’s book on the topic along with a free celebration kit, visit CultureGroove.com/Eid.

About Ajanta

Ajanta Chakraborty

Ajanta Chakraborty is the author of a bestselling book series with nine titles called Maya & Neel’s India Adventure series.

She is an ex-technologist who is now the CEO of Bollywood Groove and Culture Groove and her team runs a thriving dance & culture program for 250 students in Chicago. Her work has been featured on NBC, ABC, Elle magazine, Nielsen, Univision, Fox News, WGN, WCIU and more. Most recently, Ajanta received the Corporate Woman of Achievement award by NAWBO.

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

May 14, 2019 by Valarie Budayr

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.

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.

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

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

Join the MCBD mailing list and stay in the loop!

Email address:

Creating an Inclusive Community through Children’s Books

April 16, 2019 by Valarie Budayr

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 4^th 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.

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.