Multicultural Children's Book Day

#ReadYourWorld

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Authors & Publishers-if it feels like the World isn’t Listening, do this.

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(Guest post from MCBD Project Manager, Becky Flansburg)

As I type this, I am doing my best to look away from the horror (I can’t think of a better word right now) that is unfolding across the globe. A silent enemy is creeping and infecting and completely changing life as we knew it. Three months ago, words like “quarantine,” “shelter in place,” and “distance learning” were not even on my radar. Who knew?

Currently, I am working from home (have for 7 years) and am homeschooling our 14-year-old (for almost a year). I know we are blessed to not have to completely shift gears and navigate the strange waters of working and learning from home.

Those who are struggling, just know that it’s OK. It’s a level playing field right now. Just do your best every day and let that be ENOUGH.

At my house, we are also embracing the Slow Life. Learning to just “roll with it” even if that means going for a Sunday afternoon drive on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Life is challenging enough right now and I don’t want rigidity and fear to dictate our daily life.

The work will get done. The school work will get done. And it will be ENOUGH.

If you are an Author or Publisher, I’m sure you have noticed that it seems that people are pulling back from buying a bit. And rightfully so. People are scared and unsure about where the next paycheck is coming from.

I also know they need distractions, escape, and positivity that reading a book can provide. So if it feels like your book promotions/launches/sales are falling flat, don’t despair.

Keep going. Keep writing. Keep sharing.

If it feels like the world isn’t listening, keep doing these things anyway:

Keep.Being.The.Light.

Shift gears from “buy my stuff!” to more of a mindset of service. Offer free activities connected to your book(s). Offer to read books to kids via Zoom. Give your talents and time away freely.

And whatever you do, don’t stop marketing.

Don’t give up.

Don’t throw in the towel.

Don’t decide that young readers don’t need to hear/see your voice. They do. Probably more than ever.

During a time of uncertainty, books offer a refuge, sanctuary, and a slice of normalcy for kids.

So keep working/writing/trying/sharing/marketing.

This all will pass and the world needs your Light and Creativity to Shine Bright.

Multicultural Children’s Book Day Twitter Party Prizes, Discussion Q’s, and MORE!

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In honor of our seventh Multicultural Children’s Book Day, we are increasing our Twitter Party Book Bundles prizes from five to SEVEN books!

More books, more diverse KidLit discussions, and more FUN!

Please join us Friday, January 31st

9 pm-10 pm EST

Use hashtag #ReadYourWorld to find the party

We will be giving away 14 book bundles plus 5 book bags from Capstone Publishing! In fact, we will be giving away one book bundle every five minutes In Real Time! We will announce each winner as each question closes out.

To ensure that we can reach the winners, we ask that everyone to please register for our Multicultural Children’s Book Day Twitter Party here.

Multicultural Children's Book Day Twitter Party 2020

Below are the questions for our Twitter party with each prize pack!

 

Multicultural Children’s Book Day Twitter Party Discussion Questions and Prizes

Question 1 (9:00 pm): What are your favorite diversity authors, illustrators, and books? What about your kids?

Q1 Book Bundle Prize:

  • Esther’s Grager by Martha Simpson
  • Priya Dreams of Marigolds & Masala by Meenal Patel
  • How to Code a Roller Coaster by Josh Funk
  • Isaiah & The Chocolate Mountain by Valerie Williams Sanchez
  • The School Science Competition by Avril O’Rielly
  • Sissy Goes Tiny by Rebecca Flansburg & B.A. Norrgard
  • When God Made the World by Matthew Paul

Question 2 (9:05 pm): What do you think about #OwnVoices versus having POC characters illustrated in books by non-POC/minority authors & illustrators?

Q2 Book Bundle Prize:

  • Green Lantern Legacy by Minh Le
  • Greenhorn by Anna Olswanger
  • Diana: Princess of the Amazon by Victoria Ying
  • Luz Del Mes by Maritza Mejia
  • Stories by the Girlfriends Book Club, Baltimore by GFBCB
  • Mia Marcotte and the Robot by Jeanne Wald
  • Brandon Goes to Beijing by Eugenia Chu

Question 3 (9:10 pm): What diversity topics in children’s books do you wish there were more books on?

Q3 Book Bundle Prize (Middle Grade/YA Book Bundle):

  • Martin and Bobby: A Journey Towards Justice by Claire Murphy
  • The Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman
  • Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatramen
  • Rebels & Revolutions by Judy Dodge Cummings
  • New Kid by Jerry Craft
  • The Red Zone: An Earthquake Story by Silvia Vecehini
  • Intrepids by Diana Huang

Question 4 (9:15 pm): What diversity children’s books, authors, and illustrators do you think deserve more recognition? Let’s give them a shout out!

Q4 Book Bundle Prize (Easy Reader/Chapter Book Bundle)

  • Brandon Goes to Beijing by Eugenia Chu
  • Globe Agents: Race 2 Rio by Roddie Simmons
  • My Furry Foster Family by Debi Michiko Florence
  • Standing Against Hate Mary Crank Farrell
  • Nilay’s Wish by Riya Aarini
  • Miss Tree: Mighty Coconuts by Deepa Renesh
  • Chula the Fox by Anthony Perry

Question 5 (9:20 pm): Our Classroom Kit this year is about disability, both physical and developmental. What are your favorite children’s books on this topic?

Q5 Book Bundle Prize (Courtesy of Abrams Publishing)

  • Mama’s Work Shoes by Caron Lewis
  • Soldier for Equality by Duncan Tonatiuh
  • Feed Your Mind by Jen Bryant
  • Gittel’s Journey by Leslea Newman
  • Small World by Ishta Mercurio
  • Granpa’s Stones by Joseph Coelho
  • The Backstagers by Andy Mientus

Question 6 (9:25 pm): What do you hope diversity and multicultural books will teach your children?

Q6 Book Bundle Prize

  • One is a Pinata by Roseanne Greenfield Thong
  • Little Brother by Khalid White
  • La Frontera by Deborah Mills
  • Book of Ju’Anne by Joan E. Ruffins
  • The Yeti & The Jolly Lama by Lama Surya Das
  • Dazzling Travis by Hannah Carmona Dias
  • Mermaids on a Mission by Janet Balletta

Question 7 (9:30 pm): What genre of children’s books do you think lacks the most diversity? (board books, picture books, easy readers, early chapter books, graphic novels)

Q7 Book Bundle Prize

  • Lump Lump and the Blanket of Dreams by Gwen Jackson
  • Place We Have Never Been by Lauren Ranalli
  • LaDonna Plays Hoops by Kimberly Biddle Gordon
  • Jamie is Jamie by Afsaneh Moradian
  • Little Yellow Jeepney by Jocelyn Francisco
  • The World is Awake by Lindsey Davis
  • Chia and the Fox Man by Barbara Atwater & Ethan Atwater

Question 8 (9:35 pm): Do you think a book has enough diversity when the author is not POC/minority, but the illustrator is? 2 Prizes!

Q8 Book Bundle Prize (Board Books)

  • Ana & Andrew at the Museum
  • Carlos & Carmen: Campout
  • Oh My Kulay! by Jocelyn Francisco
  • Isa, Dalawa, Tatlo… Jocelyn Francisco
  • Big Cities Little Foodies by Cheryl Yau Chepusova
  • ¡Números, Baby! by Golzar Kheiltash and Lisa Hall
  • Food: Proud to be Latino! By Ashely Marie Mireles

Question 9 (9:40 pm): What life lessons would you like to see in children’s books in the coming year?

Q9 Book Bag Prize! 5 Book Bags from Capstone Publishers to 5 winners (US only)

Capstone Reading is For Everyone Book Bags

Question 10 (9:45 pm): What are the hurdles to get/keep your kids reading?

Q10 Book Bundle Prize

  • Tales of the Five Enchanted Mermaids by Lois Petren
  • Ribbon’s Traveling Circus by Elizabeth Godley
  • Catherine’s Pascha by Charlotte Riggle
  • Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs by Susan Bernardo Schaefer
  • Waylen Wants to Jam by Jo Mach & Vera Stroup-Rentier
  • The Unexpected Friend by Raya Rahman
  • Earthwaves by Michael Smith

Question 11 (9:50 pm): Why are diverse & multicultural books important to you?

Q11 Book Bundle Prize

  • Ana & Andrew at the Museum
  • Carlos & Carmen: Campout
  • Women Who March by Adena Raub Dershowitz
  • Celebrate Holi with Me by Shoumi Sen
  • Sumo Joe by Mia Wenjen
  • Bonjour! Let’s Learn French by Judy Martialy
  • The Pesky Bird by Marianne Markian

Question 12 (9:55 pm): What topic do you think we should do for our next Classroom Kit?

Q12 Book Bundle Prize (Courtesy of Tuttle Publishing)

  • Tales of a Korean Grandmother
  • A Field Guide to Birds of New Zealand
  • Three Korean Fairy Tales
  • Korean Picture Dictionary
  • My First Book of Korean Words

Bonus Bundle! ELEVEN books Courtesy of MVPKids.com

GRAND PRIZE! ELEVEN BOOK FROM SUPER PLATIUM SPONSOR, Deedee Cummings, CEO of Make A Way Media!

MCBD2020 FREE Resources for All

And here are more free resources to celebrate Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 including more book giveaways …

#ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2020 with the Children's Book Council

#ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2020 with the Children’s Book Council

Want to win more fabulous diverse children’s and young adult books? Join us for our #ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2020 with the Children’s Book Council. We are featuring book giveaways with each post here.

Have you seen our Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 Music Video?

In 2018, Annie Lynn and Walt Wilcezewski from Annie Bird Music created the most wonderful music video for our 2019 event. You can view our first official Read Your World Music Video here. You might see some familiar faces and books!

Have you downloaded our new free Classroom Kit?

The free Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit

This free and downloadable Classroom Kit includes book recommendations that will help Readers Understand Physical and Developmental Challenges for ages 4 -12. Also included:

~ Classroom or Home Activities

~ “Physical and Developmental Challenges” Classroom Poster thanks to the talents of award-winning illustrator, SKlakina

~HelpfulPhysical and Developmental Challenge Talking Points for Teachers

~Links, resources and services that are available to families facing the challenges of coping with Physical and Developmental Challenges in the U.S.A.

Our other kits are here:

FREE Classroom “Empathy” Kit: The free Classroom Empathy Kit focuses on empathy and compassion through shared booklists and special home or classroom activities. The kit includes 18 book recommends on the topic of Understanding Immigration and Refugees, Classroom Empathy Activities, and a very special custom printable Empathy Poster courtesy of author/illustrator Juana Medina. Educators, parents, and librarians can sign-up to receive the free classroom kit here: http://bit.ly/2BGu4uQ

FREE Poverty Doesn’t Discriminate: Understanding Poverty in America Classroom Kit: Created in 2018, this free classroom kit includes over 2 dozen poverty in the U.S.-themed book recommends for ages 4-12, two classroom or home activities, and a copy of the official “Poverty Doesn’t Discriminate” Classroom Poster thanks to the talents of award-winning illustrator, Mehrdokht Amini. http://bit.ly/2P6cXWE

 

Have you checked out our FREE Diversity Book List Resource?

Free diversity book lists and activities for teachers, parents, and librarians! We have carefully curated lists of books from the top education bloggers about diverse topics including countries, religions, holidays, ethnicities, in addition to special needs and LGBTQ. It’s here!

Our Diverse World Book Lists for Kids (this is a general book list)

It’s also broken out by country/geographic area:

Diversity in Children’s Books Presented as Every Day (this is a book list)

 

Books on World Religions for Kids (this is a book list)

It’s also broken out by holiday and/or religion.

Seeing Yourself in Children’s Books

Diversity Books By Genre

General Diversity Book Lists (this is a book list)

 

Have you followed Our Multicultural Children’s Book Day Pinterest Board?

Find more diversity, multicultural, and inclusive books on our Multicultural Children’s Book Day Pinterest Board. Follow on Pinterest to get daily updates.

 

Check out our #ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2020 in conjunction with The Children’s Book Council. Each author has created a book list and is doing a book giveaway. There’s still time to enter!

#ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2020 with Nikki Grimes!

#ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2020 with Wendy Xu and Suzanne Walker

#ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2020 with Eric Smith

#ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2020 with Nic Stone

#ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2020 with David Bowles

#ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2020 with Vita Murrow

#ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2020 with Ann Dávila Cardinal

#ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2020 with Traci Sorell

#ReadYourWorld Book Jam 2020 with Katie Zhao

Get Ready for a Changing World | Traveling builds Memories and Empathy

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Pack-n-Go Girls is excited to be Platinum sponsors of Multicultural Children’s Book Day. We’re big believers in MCBD’s mission and have been part of it for years at various levels.

Pack n Go Girls

Get Ready for a Changing World

We’re often asked about why we started Pack-n-Go Girls. The first thing that comes to mind is how much fun we have writing books and taking kids on reading adventures that take them around the world. More important than this, though, is that we want to make a difference. We want to nurture an adventurous spirit. We want to inspire kids to go out and explore the world, infusing them with curiosity and an insatiable thirst to learn. Along the way, we hope our readers will notice what unites us and appreciate the value of our differences. Multicultural literature brings all of this to the table. We need it now, more than ever. Here are just a few reasons why we think this is important.

  1. Remember that time in Havana? Havana, ooh na-na (ay) | Half of my heart is in Havana, ooh-na-na …

My daughter and I (Lisa) are singing along to Camila Cabella’s popular hit song while riding home from school. I think back to our summer trip and turn to her and ask, “Remember that time in Havana? Isn’t it cool that you’ve been there?” She smiled and nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, we had ice cream at Coppelia where Aunt Marilyn used to get her ice cream when she was a girl before she came to the US. And we danced salsa on the streets at night. I think I did leave half of my heart in Havana.”

But wait, what does this have to do with multicultural books? Traveling builds memories and empathy with others. And you can travel the world right now simply by reading! Multicultural books expose children to different cultures, different customs, different perspectives, and even different foods (try a multicultural cookbook or a recipe at the back of our Pack-n-Go Girls books). And they build excitement, curiosity, and an adventurous spirit for traveling to experience new places and people in the future. If we teach our children to move into the world from a place of openness, wonder, and curiosity, rather than fear, judgment, and separation, we set them up to live profoundly more nourishing, connected lives.

Reading multicultural books is an easy first step in this direction.

  1. She’s just like you! In 2015, less than 15% of books depicted characters from diverse backgrounds. That number is growing. In 2016, the number jumped to 28%, and in 2017, it hit 31% (Cooperative Children’s Book Center, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison; a chart to the right from Lee & Low Books). We are making progress, but we still have a ways to go for multicultural books to make it on to bookshelves, make the bestseller lists on Amazon, and be integrated into classrooms. Consider this: How much does it mean for children to read a book that has a girl or boy “just like me” in it? The loss isn’t just for children who don’t see themselves on the pages, but the loss is also for the children who only see themselves on the pages. How do they learn to appreciate and understand other cultures? We need to continue to grow the writing, publication, and marketing of multicultural books. Just because they are written doesn’t mean they are readily available for children to pick up and read. How do we do this? With promotions such as Multicultural Children’s Book Day, and by doing our own individual part to share, review, and promote multicultural stories we know of and like – not just the latest bestsellers.

  1. It’s a connected world. If you haven’t read world-renowned economist, Parag Khanna’s 2016 book, Connectography, or watched his TedTalk, take a few minutes to consider his predictions. The essence is this: “We’re accelerating into a future shaped less by countries than by connectivity. Mankind has a new maxim – Connectivity is destiny – and the most connected powers and people will win.” Think about our mobility and transportations systems. How did ships and then airplanes change our ability to interact with other cultures?  Our connections are further connected with power systems such as oil and gas pipelines and electricity grids. And our communications systems such as the internet, cables, satellites, cell networks, and data centers make our connections virtually instantaneous. Consider this: Upon a recent visit to the South African bush, Lisa was still able to Facetime her parents to assure them she wasn’t yet eaten by a lion. That’s cool, but again, what does this have to do with multicultural books? Well, how does our connected world impact our children now? In the future? Our kids are moving into a world that will expect them to be comfortable with other cultures and sensitive to our differences. Even in monochromatic cultures, people need to be curious, inclusive, patient, and collaborative. With today’s world and—even more—tomorrow’s world, we need to raise our children to be agile and adaptable in working with other cultures. What are we doing to prepare them for our hyper-connected future? Multicultural books are a concrete step you can take right now to help your child adventure into our global world without fear, be curious, value what unites us, and celebrate the differences that make us unique.

 

  1. Who are our future leaders? Working as global leadership development consultants in our other jobs, Janelle and Lisa have seen firsthand the skills needed to compete in our new connected world. We’ve seen the leaders who have been exposed to other cultures – whether through education or travel – and we’ve seen the leaders who have not. And we’ve seen the leaders who have been able to make a difference and successfully lead their companies in a global economy, and those who have not. We’ve noted the competencies that Fortune 500 companies need to be successful today: cultural exposure, cultural sensitivity, communication, inclusivity, boundary spanning, curiosity, collaborative, agile, etc. (Sources: Darden, Harvard, Forbes, Center for Creative Leadership, and McKinsey studies). And we realized that we are teaching these leaders these critical competencies too late in the game – when they are more closed-minded, fearful, and set in their own cultural ways. That’s part of the reason we started Pack-n-Go Girls. We need future leaders who can work globally and who embody these competencies. And we need to start building global citizens now. Multicultural books are an easy way to begin to build the competencies our children will need to compete in the future global economy.

 

What better way to start discovering the world than in multicultural books, and we are proud to be a part of this movement. To start reading today, check out the Multicultural Children’s Book Day Diversity Book Lists. And be sure to follow along with the book reviews that will be coming in January 2020. And, if you have children 6-9, be sure to check out Pack-n-Go Girls.

Pack and Go Girls Giveaway Multicultural Children's Book Day

Tour haunted castles in Austria, catch thieves in Mexico, save dolphins and turtles in Brazil, search for lost golden temples in Thailand, and chase aliens in Australia. AND at the same time, inspire kids to embrace adventure, be curious, value what unites us, and celebrate the differences that make us unique. Inspire them to take on our boundaryless world – to become global citizens.

Visit Pack-n-Go Girls for more information or find the books at your local bookseller or on Amazon.

Learn more about the Pack-n-Go Girls® books and related products HERE.
Follow the Pack-n-Go Girls® on Twitter:@packngogirls , Instagram, Pinterest, and on Facebook: facebook.com/packngogirls

 

Mark your calendars for the 2019 Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival!

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As one of the largest and most engaging annual book festivals in the northeast, The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival shares a mission that is near-and-dear to our heart; a mission to put a book in the hands of every child.

Chappaqua Children's Book Festival

{Art by Roxie Munro}

The 7th annual #ChappBook festival will take place this year on October 5th, at Bell Middle School, in Chappaqua, NY, just across the street from the Chappaqua train station. This popular event will be jam-packed with 140+ creatively renowned authors and illustrators, kid-friendly crafts, food, activities, and fun that will make a lasting connection with the love of reading.

The History of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival

Art image credit

The event began on the heels of the long-standing festival on the Hudson River canceled abruptly. Knowing that there was a deep need for a book-inspired festival that created a deeper connection with authors, illustrators, readers, and educators, Dawn Greenberg set to work to create exactly that. With local children’s book author Barbara Dee, assistant director Madeline Finesmith, and two other founding Board Members by her side, this ambitious mom dove into making her vision come to fruition.

In only six short months, the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival (CCBF) was made a reality thanks to Dawn’s hardworking team and 200 volunteers that helped on festival day. Currently, the CCBF board has eight members including teachers and children’s book author Sally Cook.

Now in its seventh year, this free and open to the public event is expected to draw over 8,000 book-loving participants during its October 5th event.

Chappaqua Children's Book Festival

Boy reading Rodent Rascals by Roxie Munro

Photo credit: Bo Zaunders

What You Can Expect at the 2019 Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival

This literacy-filled book festival is for readers 0-18 and will be on Saturday, October 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The location of the celebration is Bell Middle School, in Chappaqua, NY, just across the street from the Chappaqua train station. There are detailed directions on the CCBF website here.

Teachers will have the opportunity to purchase books, meet the authors, learn about illustration and writing while visiting CCBF’s Educator’s Hospitality Tent.

All visitors are welcome to enjoy our Author Meet-n-Greets, our illustrator’s area, the Food for Thought food truck round-up, the Great Chappaqua Bake Sale, all of the literacy-inspired activities along with their many fun and inviting sponsor booths with games, giveaways, and crafts.

Chappaqua Children's Book Festival

Photo credit: Bo Zaunders

Photo credit: Bo Zaunders

Among CCBF’s 140+ authors who will be on hand to talk books and even be on discussion panels, many diverse books and authors will be represented.

Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival Author Talks

Chappaqua Children's Book Festival Author Talks

{Art by Roxie Munro}

Visitors can meet and talk to well-known and multicultural authors including Eric Velasquez, Bryan Collier, Jerry and Gloria Pinkney, John Parra, Tracey Baptiste, Veera Hiranandani. Nikki Grimes, Padma Venkatraman, Veera Hiranandani, CeCe Bell (El Deafo), Alyson Gerber (Braced, Focused), and authors who have written books with LGBTQ themes, Barbara Dee and Kyle Lukoff.

Chappaqua Children's Book Festival

Art image credit

Authors Joyce Wan, John Parra, Florence Minor, and Bryan Collier

“We truly believe that just one book can change a child’s life and an encounter with the author of their favorite book can be life-changing as well,” Dawn confirmed. “During CCBF, all of the authors who participate are so incredibly gracious and generous with their time. Over the years, watching kids, parents, and educators be positively impacted by our event has never gotten old for me.”

Dawn went on to share that teachers from the region have fully embraced CCBF as it’s grown and evolved over the years and their support is a huge part of the event’s continued success. “Personally, I think teachers rule the world and to have them come in force to this event to meet the authors of the books they love to share with students, and how much that means to them to make that connect, means the world to me.”

Art image credit

In Praise of #ChapBooks

I’m happy to say that since its inception, I have NEVER missed a single Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. It has been, and continues to be one of my favorite literary events. The warm interactions between the artists and writers, not only with each other, but also with the hundreds of families, teachers, and librarians, make it seem more like a family reunion than a book festival. But the icing on the cake is always the excited kid readers who come not only to search for their current favorite children’s book creators, but also to meet their new favorites. Plus it’s a great to see so many teachers unleash their inner child so that they can continue to be excited and share that enthusiasm with their students. If you’re a fan of children’s lit, it’s not to be missed.-Jerry Craft | Author / Illustrator “New Kid” – My Middle Grade Graphic Novel (HarperCollins Feb 2019)

Connect with Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival on their website, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Hope to see you there!

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.

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