diverse books Archives - Multicultural Children's Book Day

Creators Empowering STEM Diversity in Multicultural Books

September 7, 2019 by Valarie Budayr Leave a Comment

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

Kidlit Books that Share Physical and Developmental Challenges {Part 2}

July 17, 2019 by Valarie Budayr

Like we mentioned in the previous post about our new 2019/2020 Multicultural Children’s Book Day Classroom Kit-Understand and Celebrate our Differences, we encountered more amazing books on these topics than we had room for in the final Kit!

ADHD
Allergies
Anxiety/Separation Anxiety
Asthma
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Cancer
Charcot Marie Tooth
Cerebral Palsy
Cystic Fibrosis
Deaf/Partial Hearing Loss
Degenerative Diseases
Diabetes
Disfiguration
Down Syndrome
Dyslexia
Epilepsy
Glasses
Limb Differences
Mental Illness
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Person with Albinism
Person with Brain Injury
Physical Disabilities involving Walking
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Prosthetic Implants
Sensory Processing
Someone Who Uses a Wheelchair
Someone with an Alcohol Problem
Someone with Dwarfism
Spinal Disorders
Speech and Language Difficulties
Tourette Syndrome
Visual Impairment

So instead of not sharing all of these wonderful book recommends within the already robust kit, we thought we would share them as a bonus Kidlit Books that Share Physical and Developmental Challenges. Below is “Part 2” of this project and “Part 1” can be found here.

Autism

No One Needed to Know by D.G. Driver

Heidi’s older brother, Donald, is 16 and autistic. She has always loved playing with him, but now she’s 11 and her life is changing. She’s embarrassed to have her brother around and doesn’t want her friends to know about him. High school boys bully him. When the kids at her school find out about him, she gets bullied too.

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskin

This book is the rare YA book that addresses the subject of autism. Caitlin has Asperger’s. The world according to her is black and white; anything in between is confusing. Before, when things got confusing, Caitlin went to her older brother, Devon, for help. But Devon was killed in a school shooting, and Caitlin’s dad is so distraught that he is just not helpful. Caitlin wants everything to go back to the way things were, but she doesn’t know how to do that. Then she comes across the word closure–and she realizes this is what she needs. And in her search for it, Caitlin discovers that the world may not be so black and white after all.

Chronic Illness

Tiger Livy by Erin Garcia and Betsy Miller

This book is about dealing with a serious, chronic illness as a young child. Tiger Livy” is the story of a brave six-year-old who inspires empathy, patience, and grit in young readers. It was created for children struggling with chronic illness.

Livy is a vibrant, clever little girl who usually loves to play and pounce like a tiger. That is until one day when she unexpectedly gets very sick. Now Livy isn’t able to play the same, she doesn’t feel like herself, and some of her friends treat her differently.

Finding inspiration from her favorite feline, Livy transforms her mindset and takes on the monumental task of mentally and emotionally healing from chronic illness.

Epilepsy

Sometimes I Get the Wiggles — Be an Epilepsy Seizure Hero! by Andee Cooper

Kannon is a little boy with a form of epilepsy that sometimes gives him the wiggles, and when that happens, just like Jell-O, his whole body jiggles. Kannon would very much like to go to school with everyone else his age, but he worries his condition might scare the other children away. After much thought, he comes up with an idea to enlist and train all of his classmates as Seizure Heroes as a way of helping his teacher and his fellow students see him through each school day. Based on a true story and written by Kannon’s mother.

Explaining Mental Illness to Kids

The Face at the Window by Regina Hanson

This is best for mid to upper elementary as it is about lady kids are afraid of and think she is evil until the girl’s mom explains that she has a mental illness and her “mind plays tricks on her.”

“Hidden Disabilities” (food allergies, anxiety, depression)

(depression) The Colour Thief by Andrew Peters and Molly Peters

A child recounts his experience of losing his father to depression in this poignant and beautifully illustrated picture book. The boy’s father disappears into a world without color. As the father seeks help, color begins to reappear and with it hope. An ideal book for parents and caregivers to share with children to help them make sense of the devastating effects that depression can cause.

(anxiety) Please Explain Anxiety to Me! By Laurie Zelinger

This book translates anxiety from the jargon of psychology into concrete experiences that children can relate to. Children and their parents will understand the biological and emotional components of anxiety responsible for the upsetting symptoms they experience. Please Explain Anxiety to Me, 2nd Edition gives accurate physiological information in child-friendly language. A colorful dinosaur story explains the link between brain and body functioning, followed by practical therapeutic techniques that children can use to help themselves.

The Worry Woo Series by Dr. John Irvine

Determining whether your child is frustrated is not as simple as saying If you re frustrated and you know it clap your hands! Often the problem is covered up by temper tantrums, sulkiness, acting out and tears. So what is a parent to do? Wearing his psychological cape “Superhero”, Child-Psychologist, Dr. John Irvine, has come to save the day! With his new book Helping Young Children Manage Frustration & Anger, the respected Australian icon has come to the aid of distraught parents and educators. Dr. John has accomplished this by teaming up with WorryWoo creator, Andi Green, to create their second companion book to her WorryWoo Monster series. This time educator/ psychologist, Irvine , concentrates on Twitch, The Monster of Frustration. He begins by explaining that frustration cannot be pigeonholed into a one size fits all classification. Instead, Dr. Irvine explains how each child may display a different set of behaviors. To find out if your child is frustrated, the author has devised a series of behavioral assessment questions. Once you have completed these and determined which type of Twitch you re dealing with, you ‘re on your way to making use of the given exercises for his/her specific needs. Subtitled A practical guide for parents and educators to help their little Twitches, this book presents delightful drawings, fun exercises and competent information for parents and teachers. It offers an opportunity to see your child in a different light, deal with minor issues before they become problems, and most importantly, creates a positive shared experience!

Physical Disabilities involving Walking

Hip, Hop, Hooray for Brooklynn! by Jill Harold

This book is about having fun working toward movement goals while wearing an orthopedic (clubfoot) brace, This upbeat story is about Brooklynn, a little bunny who loves to hop. Brooklynn wears a brace at night, but she is determined to learn how to hop rope in time for the Hippity Hop Games. Armed with hop rope rhymes and a can-do attitude, Brooklynn shows that persistence pays off and can be a lot of fun.

What book recommends would you like to share?

The Author/Platinum Sponsorship July Flash Sale has BEGUN!

It’s time!

Back by popular demand is our MCBD 2020 Author Sponsorship July Flash Sale! And this year, we are throwing in a special deal on Platinum Level Sponsorships as well (limit of 3)!

Planning for MCBD2020 is already underway and we can’t help being in awe as to how far this non-profit initiative has come.

Mission: Raise awareness for children’s books that celebrate diversity by getting more of these books into classrooms and libraries. Multicultural Children’s Book Day is celebrated on the last Friday of January. 2020 will be our 7th year and our much-anticipated Twitter Party on the day of the celebration grows bigger (and more fun!) every year.

From October through February, Multicultural Children’s Book Day is especially active on social media and the buzz surrounding this event gets national even global support and recognition. The whirlwind that is Multicultural Children’s Book Day is a proven way to get books into the hands of young readers while also raising awareness with parents, caregivers, teachers, and librarians.

We know Author Sponsorship is an amazing and powerful way for Authors to get visibility and readership for their work. Last year’s July Flash Sale was huge success and authors and publisher appreciated the cost savings.

NOTE: Medallion Level Sponsorship options for MCBD2020 (1/31/20) will be available by September 1, 2019…but in the meantime…

Lock in your MCBD 2020 Author Sponsorship during the July Flash Sale!

The differences between MCBD’s Sponsored Posts and Sponsorship Levels

July 13, 2019 by Valarie Budayr

Its no secret that Multicultural Children’s Book Day is committed and passionate about shining the spotlight on diverse and multicultural kids’ and YA books in as many creative ways as possible.

Over the years, we’ve worked hard to fine-tune our paid offerings so that they give our authors, publishers, and organizations the most “bang for their buck.” Spreading the word of diverse books, authors, publishers, and resources in the most effective ways possible is what we strive for on a daily basis.

To date, our two most popular and effective options are our Sponsored Post Program and our yearly Sponsorship Level opportunities. We’d love to spread the word of diversity in children’s literature via either a Sponsored Post or a Sponsorship Level for MCBD2020, but we also know that figuring out the difference between the two can be confusing!

With that in mind, here are some of the differences between the two:

The differences between MCBD’s Sponsored Posts and Sponsorship Levels

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS for MCBD2020:

*Sponsorships are only offered from October to January 1 of any given year and are a unique marketing tool to help authors, publishers, and organizations to tap into the HUGE momentum and buzz that surrounds our on and offline event. MCBD2020 is on 1/31/20, but things really start to get exciting and crazy around November 1.

*As part of your Sponsorship for MCBD2020, you will be matched with as many reviewers as you would like. We have a huge pool of over 800 people who sign up to get a free diverse book (supplied by you) and they, in turn, share their review and thoughts of your book on their own social media channels during the month of January.

*The buzz during our holiday is enormous and our hashtag #ReadYourWorld has historically trended on Twitter during the celebration day.
*If you choose a Medallion level Sponsorship, your logo and 2-3 book cover images become part of our active Pinterest Pinning initiative (Pinterest is a huge traffic driver for us)

*You will have a listing and links on either our Medallion Level Sponsor Page or Author Level (whichever level you choose) and that information will remain on our site for one year.

*If you choose a Medallion Level (Platinum through Bronze) your linked logo will appear on the sidebar of the MCBD site and stay there for one year.

*Your information is promoted and shared via social media from the moment you sign up and the promotion of your book or business will become heavier as the online celebration nears.

*GO HERE to download our Sponsorship Packet so you will have deeper details and rates.

As always, don’t hesitate to email me (Becky (at) MulticulturalChildrensBookDay (dot) com) if you have any questions. We are always available to help our participant SHINE and gain traction in the diverse children and YA book world.

We look forward to working with you!

The Author/Platinum Sponsorship July Flash Sale has BEGUN!

It’s time!

Back by popular demand is our MCBD 2020 Author Sponsorship July Flash Sale! And this year, we are throwing in a special deal on Platinum Level Sponsorships as well (limit of 3)!

Planning for MCBD2020 is already underway and we can’t help being in awe as to how far this non-profit initiative has come.

NOTE: Medallion Level Sponsorship options for MCBD2020 (1/31/20) will be available by September 1, 2019…but in the meantime…

Lock in your MCBD 2020 Author Sponsorship during the July Flash Sale!

9 Kidlit Books that Share Physical and Developmental Challenges {Part 1}

July 10, 2019 by Rebecca Flansburg

Recently, the MCBD Team has spent considerable time creating our 5th Free Classroom Kit for Teachers, Librarians, and parents to utilize. The theme of the 2019/2020 Multicultural Children’s Book Day Classroom Kit is Understand and Celebrate our Differences. We’ve replaced our previous title, “Understanding and Celebrating People with Disabilities,” after learning that this isn’t correct language.

Creating this downloadable kit has been eye-opening and educational and we’ve done our best to pass the lessons on to those who welcome this kit into their classrooms and homes.

Understand and Celebrate our Differences

Within this free downloadable Classroom Kit, you will find books and resource links for:

ADHD
Allergies
Anxiety/Separation Anxiety
Asthma
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Cancer
Charcot Marie Tooth
Cerebral Palsy
Cystic Fibrosis
Deaf/Partial Hearing Loss
Degenerative Diseases
Diabetes
Disfiguration
Down Syndrome
Dyslexia
Epilepsy
Glasses
Limb Differences
Mental Illness
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Person with Albinism
Person with Brain Injury
Physical Disabilities involving Walking
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Prosthetic Implants
Sensory Processing
Someone Who Uses a Wheelchair
Someone with an Alcohol Problem
Someone with Dwarfism
Spinal Disorders
Speech and Language Difficulties
Tourette Syndrome
Visual Impairment

Since this is a huge topic, we’d appreciate any suggestions you have on rounding out this list!

Go HERE to download your FREE Classroom Kit.

Bonus Special Needs and Disabilities Booklist {PART 1}

As you can imagine, the pool of amazing books to pull from that showcase the above topics was HUGE. There were many hours of discussion and decision-making that took place and the final result was a fine-tuned list of books and resources.

HOWEVER, there are many more books that we simply did not have room for in the kit so we’d like to offer a Bonus Booklist! Enjoy.

Allergies

Avril Knows by Ginny Heenen offers a positive message by showing Avril how she is seen through the eyes of an artist who paints her portrait. Avril loves learning new magic tricks. She also has an uncanny way of noticing details and things that other people don’t, and that makes her good at magic. When her parents decide to have her portrait painted Avril imagines herself as a proud magician. However, Avril learns through the eyes of the artist that her allergies are not a bad thing, but instead make her more powerful and special than she ever imagined.