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: Book Donations
    • Donate
  • Sponsorship
    • MCBD2023 Medallion Level Sponsors
    • MCBD2023 Author Sponsors
    • Fundraisers & Marketing Services
      • Fundraiser | Social Media Shout Outs!
      • Sponsor of the Week/Month
      • Fundraising/ Sponsored Post Services
      • Multicultural Children’s Book Day ebook
    • Medallion and Author Level Sponsorships for MCBD2023 are OPEN!
  • 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
    • IG Live Interview Series
    • 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
    • Press Kit
    • Social Proof & Media Mentions
    • 2016 Recap and Stats
    • 2015 Recap and Stats
  • Blog
  • Sign Up for Free Updates

A Diverse STEM/STEAM Chapter Book that STEMulates Education!

November 28, 2020 by Valarie Budayr

{Guest Post by Vanessa Womack}

Most people know that literacy skills and positive student behaviors are important for a student to be successful. I have been an advocate for STEM or STEAM learning in schools for over 15 years, particularly for disadvantaged and students in Communities of Color.  Writing the Emerald Jones book is the first in my series of books featuring students engaged in adventures in STEAM.

A Diverse STEM/STEAM Book

STEAM skills (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) are even more vital predictors of success in the 21st century. In my debut children’s book, Emerald Jones: The Fashion Designer Diva (July 2020), I wanted to create a story that emerges a child’s imagination or a desire to dream of a successful future with their ability to excel in subjects like STEAM. Essentially, the stories meet the students where they are using hobbies, passions, interests to show them what they can achieve. In Emerald or Emmie’s case, as she likes to be called, the mathematically talented 11-year-old African American girl is on her way to becoming a fashion designer.

The idea for this book series came to me as I was returning home from a business trip in 2012. The drive from Virginia Beach to Richmond was after a failed school board campaign. During my drive, I was trying to figure out what else could I do to help students find that interest in STEM, as it was part of my campaign platform, along with year-round schools. That experience sparked the conception of the first three books. Over the next few months, I labored over the stories and developed a pathway for learning success from elementary to college. The first four stories of the series sat dormant for nearly seven years—they are long overdue to be published.

My groundbreaking books help students visualize how STEM subjects are steppingstones for their future careers. This series is geared towards students, ages 8 – 12, who live in mostly underserved urban and rural communities. Each book is an illustrated story that shows how students may apply science, technology, engineering, and math skills now to help them prepare for the future. Best of all, students can write their own stories and build a yearly plan to track grades, new developments, and education milestones.

Let’s create great stories together!

Vanessa Womack, MBA

Vanessa Womack has a LinkedIn Learning course “Managing A Diverse Team.” She is an experienced facilitator in leadership, governance, community dialogue, and soft skills.

Vanessa is the author of a children’s STEM book, ‘Emerald Jones: The Fashion Designer Diva’ and a romance novel, ‘Paint the Sky Purple’.

She earned her undergraduate degree from Baruch College (CUNY) and graduate degree from Averett University.

Vanessa had community engagement and leadership roles in a mentoring program, an advisory council member for the Virginia Commonwealth University- Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Minority Political Leadership Institute, and Initiatives of Change.

Website: www.painttheskypurple.com

Email: visionary@painttheskypurple.com

Filed Under: Guest Posts, Multicultural Booklist Tagged With: #ReadYourWorld, Children's Book Author, Diverse STEM/STEAM Book, STEM Diversity in Multicultural Books, STEM or STEAM learnin

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

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

Filed Under: Author Visits, Book review, Guest Posts Tagged With: #ReadYourWorld, book review, Books for STEM, diverse books, Erin Twamley, Multicultural books, STEM Diversity in Multicultural Books

Help us get diverse Kidlit into schools!

Join our Read Your World
Newsletter and Blog List
Be the first to know about the latest Read Your World news, new children's books, exclusive offers, and special events.
Thanks for subscribing to our newsletter!

Make a Way Media Super Platinum Sponsor

Language Lizard Platinum Sponsor

Mia Wenjen Founders Circle

Audrey Press Founders Circle

Publisher Spotlight Gold Sponsor

Publisher Spotlight 2023

Interlink Publishing Gold Sponsor

Interlink 2023

Cardinal Rule Press Silver Sponsor

Barefoot Books Silver Sponsor

Lee & Low Books Silver Sponsor

Lee & Low 2023

Kimberly Gordon Biddle Silver Sponsor

Vivian Kirkfield Bronze Sponsor

Patrice McLaurin Bronze Sponsor

Star Bright Books Bronze Sponsor

The Quarto Group Bronze Sponsor

Carole P. Roman Bronze Sponsor

Star Bright Books Bronze Sponsor

Redfin Bronze Sponsor

Redfin Canada 2023

Redfin Canada Bronze Sponsor

Redfin Canada 2023

Rent.com Bronze Sponsor

Bay Equity Home Loans Bronze Sponsor

Title Forward Bronze Sponsor

Title Forward 2023

Brunella Costagliola Bronze Sponsor

Brunella Costagliola 2023

Stay in the loop with all MCBD Happenings!

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

Children’s Book Blogs

Copyright © 2023 · Multicultural Childrens Book Day on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Cleantalk Pixel