Multicultural Children's Book Day

#ReadYourWorld

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About
    • Mission & History
    • Our Partner Organizations
    • What is a Multicultural Book?
    • Co-Founders
    • Board of Trustees
    • Board of Advisors
    • Co-Hosts and Global Co-Hosts
    • Team
    • MCBD Timelines
    • Make a Donation: #GivingTuesday 2022
    • Media Partners
    • Disclosure
    • Contact Us
  • FREE Diverse Books
    • FREE Diverse Books for Classrooms Program
    • FREE Diversity Book For Reviewers!
    • Authors & Publishers: Donate Books for a Cause!
    • Donate
  • Sponsorship
    • MCBD2022 Medallion Level Sponsors
    • MCBD2022 Author Sponsors
    • Fundraisers & Marketing Services
      • Fundraiser | Social Media Shout Outs!
      • Sponsor of the Month (March-September)
      • Fundraising/ Sponsored Post Services
      • Multicultural Children’s Book Day ebook
    • Authors & Publishers: Sponsorship Info
  • Reading Resources
    • Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parents
    • Multicultural Children’s Book Day Classroom Kit 2022 Mental Health Support for Stressful Times
    • Raising Awareness on Systemic Racism in America Classroom Kit
    • 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
    • Neurodiverse and Autistic Voices Are Your Best Autism Resources
    • 2021 Big Giant Linky!
    • 2020 Big Giant Linky!
    • 2019 Big Giant Linky!
    • 2018 Big Giant Linky!
    • 2017 Big Giant Linky!
    • 2016 Big Giant LInky!
    • 2015 Big Giant Linky!
  • Press Kit & Stats
    • Social Proof & Media Mentions
    • 2016 Recap and Stats
    • 2015 Recap and Stats
  • Blog
  • Sign Up for Free Updates

Finding The Truth in Friendship

April 13, 2021 by Valarie Budayr

{Guest post by Lisa Rose}

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

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

The story goes like this–when Marian Anderson sang at Princeton, she denied a hotel room because she was black.  Einstein, who attended her performance overheard this conversation and offered Marian a room in his house for the night.  This story became the picture book The Singer and the Scientist (Kar-Ben Publishing, 2021, ages 4-8).

Getting this story recognized as accurate, however, was no easy task. Einstein’s account of the event is well-documented. However, Marian Anderson’s autobiography tells the story in a different way. It says that her stay with Einstein was prearranged. Given this discrepancy, I had to evaluate all of the evidence.  My conclusion was that this event was embarrassing for Marian because she wrote her autobiography before the civil rights era. Marian was a reluctant activist. She would have downplayed the conflict. I submitted the story, but also noted Marian Andersen’s version in my author’s note.

This story was almost published by a different publisher, but they didn’t want the risk of an “alternative” version of the story. I was broken-hearted by this rejection. Yet, I persisted.  I continued to inquire and investigate. Finally, I presented my findings to Marian Anderson’s estate. Her estate certified that my version was the true version of the story. Years later, I submitted this story to Kar-Ben, the editor loved it and was satisfied with my research.

I am glad that I persisted. Not only did it get my book published, but it gave me an opportunity to do my part in addressing the very real and very contemporary issues of racism and anti-Semitism. I hope that my book will help many to realize the power of friendship and understanding.

A teacher’s guide is posted on my website. www.LisaRoseWrites.com. This guide will help parents and teachers to start many important conversations with young people: conversations about shared struggles and common dreams.

Unfortunately, although there are many instances of African Americans and Jews working together to make this country a freer and kinder place, antipathies between our groups have been on the rise.  Yet, if there is one thing that slavery, the Holocaust, redlining, blacklisting, and discrimination hopefully have taught us—it’s that hate and division don’t work. In the end, when we are exposed to diversity, we realize all of the possibilities different communities offer—better possibilities, possibilities of hope, and joy.

Author Lisa Rose

Author Lisa Rose

 

Bio:  Lisa Rose lives near Detroit, Mi. Her most recent picture book The Singer and the Scientist was published April 1 (Kar-Ben Publishing).  It is the story of how Albert Einstein and Marian Anderson met and became friends. You can learn more about Lisa and her books at www.LisaRoseWrites.com

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin

Filed Under: Author Visits, Book review, Multicultural Booklist Tagged With: book review, Children's Book Author, diverse books, diverse picture books

Help us get diverse Kidlit into schools!

Newsletter

MCBD2022 Super Platinum Sponsor

MCBD2022 Platinum Sponsor

MCBD2022 Gold Sponsor

MCBD2022 Gold Sponsor

MCBD2022 Gold Sponsor

MCBD2022 Gold Sponsor

MCBD2022 Gold Sponsor

MCBD2022 Silver Sponsor

MCBD2022 Silver Sponsor

MCBD2022 Silver Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

MCBD Bronze Sponsor

MCBD Bronze Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

MCBD Bronze Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

MCBD2022 Bronze Sponsor

Stay in the loop with all MCBD Happenings!

MCBD is included in the Top 100 Children’s Book Blogs!

Children’s Book Blogs

Copyright © 2022 · Multicultural Childrens Book Day on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in