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Launching a book in the middle of a pandemic has been quite an experience! I had to get creative and I launched 'Celebrate Onam With Me!' with a virtual book reading and dance party but more on that later.


If you are shopping for books this holiday season, be sure to add these books that were released in 2020!








Little Avery dreams BIG dreams. So big that he needs a little help from his pillow friends to tackle his nighttime adventures. Whimsical and charming, The Pillow Gang is a book that embraces the value of kindness and sharing, regardless of how different others may seem.










From Archana Narayanan, comes a book about a little girl, Bhoomi, who is captivated by her mother’s kolams - an Indian art form - and decides to learn the art from her mother.















Written by Shoumi Sen and beautifully illustrated by Rudra Bose, this is the third book in the series, 'From The Toddler Diaries'. It is time for Onam, a 10-day harvest festival celebrated widely in the Indian state of Kerala with a lot of fun, food, and festivities! In this latest book, we travel with little Riya to "God's Own Country" and learn how and why we celebrate Onam.






Hanuman Chalisa was composed by Sage Tulsidas in the 16th century in Awadhi language. Hanuman is a devotee of Lord Rama and one of the well-known characters in the Hindu epic “Ramayana”. There are forty verses praising Hanuman, each line has been translated by The JaiJais for children to easily understand.








Vaaranam's Children's Books launched two books this year:


Ethirpatham (Opposites) - With over 30 flaps to lift, this delightful book helps children learn about opposites in Tamil in a fun and interactive way.


Paati Veedu (Grandma's House) - Paati Veedu is a simple story that is a reflection of the author’s own childhood memories and depicts the joy an extended family brings into a child’s life.





From author/illustrator Devika Joglekar comes a book about an environmentally conscious girl, Lilu, who has decided to make homemade plastic-free Rakhi for Little Kuku. Through wonderful, vibrant illustrations and rhyming text, Lilu’s Rakhi teaches kids how to make a beautiful plastic-free Rakhi.






The following children's Books (Growth Mindset stories for Global Citizens) were launched this year to empower children everywhere to build diversity and inclusion for acceptance, for others and self:


How Our Skin Sparkles - Answer this question using this multi-award-winning (voted Teacher's Pick by Amazon) that uses culture, concept, and science to build confidence within and kindness for all.


Small or Tall, We Sparkle After All - A body-positive children's book that teaches every child to be kind to others and themselves using science, mythology, and concept.


Sparkles of Joy - Celebrate the joy of togetherness this holiday season with a story that spans the festivities from Diwali to Christmas creating conversations around kindness, social skills and cultural uniqueness.









This colorful story from author Priya Kumari and illustrator Komal Garg explains the meaning of Raksha Bandhan, the legend behind it, and how Taaraa and Chundoo give a bigger meaning to their festive day by visiting a fire station!










Centering Ayesha’s love for her cousin as much as it showcases Ritu and Chandni’s love for each other, this warmhearted debut from Ameya Narvankar (published by Yali Books) celebrates the power of young voices to stand up against prejudice and bigotry.









Do you LOVE English nursery rhymes? Well, this illustrated book will show you how to sing 8 of your favorite songs to the same tunes - In Tamil! Free audio included.







From author Diksha Pal Narayan and illustrator Abira Das, comes a book in which you can become Amateur Genealogists and Discover Your Family.










Have you read any of these books? Drop me a line and let me know what you think!

Let’s Dance


Let’s Dance is a beautifully illustrated picture book about various dances from all over the world. This would be a perfect addition to anyone wanting to build up a multicultural library for their child.


Picture courtesy Valerie Bolling


With gorgeous illustrations by Maine Diaz and rhythmic text by author Valerie Bolling, this book is a great introduction to various dance forms. The text is sparse; just enough to hold a child’s interest. The beautifully illustrated glossary at the back is a good place for parents to brush up on their dances and have conversations with their kids about how people from various nations express themselves joyfully through dance.


Thank you to Valerie Bolling for sending me a copy of your lovely book for MCBD2020.


Picture courtesy Valerie Bolling


“Glide and slide, side to side” with the Long-Sleeve Dancers from China or “Turn and twirl” with the Kathak dancers from India. This book will surely make you want to break into some form of dancing. Dance lessons, anyone?


 

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators.

Seven years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues.

MCBD 2020 is honored to have the following Medallion Sponsors on board


Super Platinum


Platinum


Gold


Silver


Bronze


Author Sponsor Link Cloud

Jerry Craft, A.R. Bey and Adventures in Boogieland, Eugina Chu & Brandon goes to Beijing, Kenneth Braswell & Fathers Incorporated, Maritza M. Mejia & Luz del mes_Mejia, Kathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry Blossom, SISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard, Josh Funk and HOW TO CODE A ROLLERCOASTER, Maya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove, Lauren Ranalli, The Little Green Monster: Cancer Magic! By Dr. Sharon Chappell, Phe Lang and Me On The Page, Afsaneh Moradian and Jamie is Jamie, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, TUMBLE CREEK PRESS, Nancy Tupper Ling, Author Gwen Jackson, Angeliki Pedersen & The Secrets Hidden Beneath the Palm Tree, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 by Mia Wenjen, Susan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher (Founders of Inner Flower Child Books), Ann Morris & Do It Again!/¡Otra Vez!, Janet Balletta and Mermaids on a Mission to Save the Ocean, Evelyn Sanchez-Toledo & Bruna Bailando por el Mundo\ Dancing Around the World, Shoumi Sen & From The Toddler Diaries, Sarah Jamila Stevenson, Tonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book Series, Teresa Robeson & The Queen of Physics, Nadishka Aloysius and Roo The Little Red TukTuk, Girlfriends Book Club Baltimore & Stories by the Girlfriends Book Club, Finding My Way Books, Diana Huang & Intrepids, Five Enchanted Mermaids, Elizabeth Godley and Ribbon’s Traveling Castle, Anna Olswanger and Greenhorn, Danielle Wallace & My Big Brother Troy, Jocelyn Francisco and Little Yellow Jeepney, Mariana Llanos & Kutu, the Tiny Inca Princess/La Ñusta Diminuta, Sara Arnold & The Big Buna Bash, Roddie Simmons & Race 2 Rio, DuEwa Frazier & Alice’s Musical Debut, Veronica Appleton & the Journey to Appleville book series Green Kids Club, Inc.

We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts HERE.


Co-Hosts and Global Co-Hosts


FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day

· Our New FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit http://ow.ly/kcbZ30p3QWz

· Free Empathy Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians, and Educators


TWITTER PARTY! Register here


Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.

This is a story about two siblings who go into a friendly battle in which little sister wins! Sumo Joe is a gentle big brother to little Aikido Jo most of the day, but when their living room gets transformed into a Dohyo (a ring where sumo bouts are fought), all bets are off! Who will win this epic battle between Sumo Joe and Aikido Jo? That's what this book is about.


While Joe and his friends are getting ready for Sumo, little Jo leaves to go practice Aikido (or so it seems from the gym bag she is carrying). When she is back, the boys are seriously practicing Sumo. When Jo wants to join the fray, the boys tell that they cannot let a girl enter their ‘sacred space’!


What’s a girl to do? Well, if you are as spirited as little Jo, you invite your big brother to a friendly match to show off your moves and use the tactics of Aikido to effectively win against a bigger opponent.





The story is in rhyme and the illustrations are wonderful. I knew very little about Sumo and nothing about Aikido before I read this book. However, this cute story, along with the illustrated glossary at the back, the author’s note, and the illustrations helped me get familiar with them. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to build a diverse library so your kids can learn about martial arts forms from Japan.


The author is Mia Wenjen, a huge supporter of diverse books and I am grateful to have received this book for MCBD2020. The illustrator, Nat Iwata does a great job with the illustrations and this book is a Lee and Low Books publication. Thank you, Mia, for my very own signed copy of Sumo Joe!



 

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators.


Seven years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues.


MCBD 2020 is honored to have the following Medallion Sponsors on board


Super Platinum


Platinum


Gold


Silver


Bronze


Author Sponsor Link Cloud

Jerry Craft, A.R. Bey and Adventures in Boogieland, Eugina Chu & Brandon goes to Beijing, Kenneth Braswell & Fathers Incorporated, Maritza M. Mejia & Luz del mes_Mejia, Kathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry Blossom, SISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard, Josh Funk and HOW TO CODE A ROLLERCOASTER, Maya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove, Lauren Ranalli, The Little Green Monster: Cancer Magic! By Dr. Sharon Chappell, Phe Lang and Me On The Page, Afsaneh Moradian and Jamie is Jamie, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, TUMBLE CREEK PRESS, Nancy Tupper Ling, Author Gwen Jackson, Angeliki Pedersen & The Secrets Hidden Beneath the Palm Tree, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 by Mia Wenjen, Susan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher (Founders of Inner Flower Child Books), Ann Morris & Do It Again!/¡Otra Vez!, Janet Balletta and Mermaids on a Mission to Save the Ocean, Evelyn Sanchez-Toledo & Bruna Bailando por el Mundo\ Dancing Around the World, Shoumi Sen & From The Toddler Diaries, Sarah Jamila Stevenson, Tonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book Series, Teresa Robeson & The Queen of Physics, Nadishka Aloysius and Roo The Little Red TukTuk, Girlfriends Book Club Baltimore & Stories by the Girlfriends Book Club, Finding My Way Books, Diana Huang & Intrepids, Five Enchanted Mermaids, Elizabeth Godley and Ribbon’s Traveling Castle, Anna Olswanger and Greenhorn, Danielle Wallace & My Big Brother Troy, Jocelyn Francisco and Little Yellow Jeepney, Mariana Llanos & Kutu, the Tiny Inca Princess/La Ñusta Diminuta, Sara Arnold & The Big Buna Bash, Roddie Simmons & Race 2 Rio, DuEwa Frazier & Alice’s Musical Debut, Veronica Appleton & the Journey to Appleville book series Green Kids Club, Inc.

We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts HERE.


Co-Hosts and Global Co-Hosts

FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day

· Our New FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit http://ow.ly/kcbZ30p3QWz

· Free Empathy Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians, and Educators


TWITTER PARTY! Register here


Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.


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©2020 by Shoumi Sen

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

"... charming and informative...great way to introduce children to (Indian) culture"

~ Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Award winning author of "The Mistress of Spices" & "Before We Visit the Goddess"

“A much needed picture book on Holi, not just for the Indian diaspora but for young children living in India too."

~ Richa Jha, Award winning children's book publisher and author, Pickle Yolk Books 

"When I read Shoumi Sen’s Celebrate Durga Puja 

With Me, brilliantly illustrated by Abira Das, I must admit that I want to witness at least one Durga Pujo in my life, in Calcutta."

~ Toka Box

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