Coloring the Rainbow A Story about the Power of Connection – Review

This post is a partnership with Catherine Rose. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

This is a beautiful book about honouring and sharing our unique gifts, connecting with others and celebrating diversity.

“Every voice must be heard!” That’s the main message the younger readers will find after following a boy passionated about music as he sets off playing and looking for other musicians. On his journey, other children join him, each bringing a new sound and contribution.

An amazing parade of children, animals and melodies shows how our differences are what makes “harmony” better.

The rhymes and rhythm makes it a great read aloud. I would recommend for children 4+.

GIVEAWAY

Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Coloring the Rainbow and a $100 Amazon gift card!

https://gleam.io/oYrzB/coloring-the-rainbow-book-giveaway

https://widget.gleamjs.io/e.js

The Monsters of Marymount Mansion! Review

*This post is a Gregory G. Allen. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.

“The Monsters of Marymount Mansion!” is a great choice of reading for this Halloween season. Fun, engaging and with a fast paced narrative that makes it impossible to put the book down.

Toby and his family live in a basement of Celeste’s house. She is a good friend and looks after them. She also allows them to come out on Halloween night (for obvious reasons!), giving them the chance to enjoy outside, see things and interacts with other people.

But now that Toby tasted adventure and exploration, not to mentions sweets and treats, he wants more. Will our monster friend be able to fit in?

A tale about self-love, accepting who we are, diversity, empathy and friendship. Can be read independently, but also a wonderful read aloud to share.

Appeals to 1st-3rd graders

GIVEAWAY

Enter for the chance to win a signed paperback copy of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion, a signed paperback copy of each of the author’s previous picture books** (Chicken Boy: The Amazing Adventures of a Superhero with Autism, Chicken Boy: A Superhero with Autism Deals with Doctors & Dentists, and Irving the Theater Nut!), and a $50 Amazon gift card to buy other books! **All books teach children not to fear those who are different and to be proud of themselves FOR those differences.

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

– A signed paperback copy of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

– A signed paperback copy of Chicken Boy: The Amazing Adventures of a Superhero with Autism

– A signed paperback copy of Chicken Boy: A Superhero Deals with Doctors and Dentists

– A signed paperback copy of Irving the Theater Nut

– A $50 Amazon Gift Card

Four (4) winners receive:

– A signed paperback copy of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

TO ENTER:

https://gleam.io/B1Uur/the-monsters-of-marymount-mansion-book-giveaway

https://widget.gleamjs.io/e.js

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gregory G. Allen is an award-winning author, screenwriter, filmmaker, and actor. His children’s books include Chicken Boy: The Adventures of a Superhero with Autism, Chicken Boy Deals with Doctors & Dentists, and Irving the Theater Nut! He is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and The Dramatist Guild. The idea for his monster book goes back to the first musical he ever wrote, which was produced for the stage when he was 15, with the message that it’s okay to be different.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Shelby Goodwin is an illustrator, letterer, graphic designer, and all-around creative living in Hoboken, NJ. She is extremely passionate about children’s media and the power of art to romanticize the everyday. When she is not making things, she can be found with her spouse and three cats exploring new places, eating pastries, or cuddling up in her favorite reading chair.

Praline Lady – Review

The ARC copy was gifted to me by the author. All opinions and enthusiasm are my own

June 24th is Pralines Day. Pralines are a cooked mixture of sugar, nuts, and vanilla, often ground to a paste for use as a pastry or candy filling.This beautiful book is a great choice of read aloud to celebrate it. 

In New Orleans, in the 19th century, free women of colour earned a living selling the treat.“Praline Lady” tells the tale of one of these women, as she walks the streets of the French Quarter selling her delicacies and meet interesting characters and shows the reader cultural and historical elements of that time.

The narrative is rich, enjoyable and full of information. The rhythm is perfect for reading with a group of children and the story creates many opportunity for interaction and reflection. We feel like we are walking with the Praline Lady and have fun along the way. 

More than that, it’s a great resource to discuss female entrepreneurship, slavery, food as a cultural element and representation. 

The  soft watercolours illustrations are astonishing and give life to the words. Each could be framed and hang on the wall.

I really loved this one! I can’t wait to share with my read aloud group this weekend.

Author: Kirstie Myvett

Illustrations: Kameko Madere

Published by: Pelican Publishing 

Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants

This is a partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Susan R. Stoltz

This is a cute and joyful book, very relatable to young children who are learning social norms, problem solving, how to exercise good decision -making and fixing mistakes.

It’s also a great resource as it focus on the opportunities to correct what is wrong instead of the “bad” behaviour. Focusing on the solution, helps children to understand how to make good choices and deal with consequences.

Dash and Zoom are friends. But Zoom gets really upset when Dash starts to make a mess and even taking Zoom’s ball. By listening to Zoom and thinking things through, Dash not only ends up making a good choice, as she also works to fix her wrong doing and learn from her mistake.

The two dogs tale is very engaging and encourages interaction when read aloud. Illustrations are colourful and sweet.

A good choice for home libraries and Pre-K and Kindegarten classrooms.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants and a Dash and Zoom metal lunchbox

One (1) winner receives:

A copy of Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants, signed by Susan R. Stoltz and Paw-tographed by Dash and Zoom

A Dash and Zoom metal lunchbox

Two (2) winners receive:

A copy of Dash and Zoom: Little Miss Sneakypants, signed by Susan R. Stoltz and Paw-tographed by Dash and Zoom

To enter: https://gleam.io/TWZNf/dash-and-zoom-book-giveaway

PURCHASE LINKS

https://amzn.to/3MOOC64https://amzn.to/3MOOC64

https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9781733759861

The Kindness Machine

This is a partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Purple Butterfly Press. All opinions are my own

As parents, educator and grown ups, we are always telling children to be kind. The concept, however, can be a little abstracted to them, or they might think kindness needs to be a big act, a grand gesture, when in reality, some of the most meaningful kind acts are small ones. Little attitudes that can change someone’s day or even their lives.

“The Kindness Machine” by Christina Dankert and Chad Dankert is a sweet, joyful book that tells the young reader how kindness is a superpower and everyone have it. A good read aloud, very relatable and engaging. Perfect for circle time read + discussion.

Mr. Wilson comes to his second grade class with a mysterious machine. When the bedsheet is lifted, a Kindness Machine is revealed. And with it, each children in Mr. Wilson’s class press the bottom to find a way to be kind: smile, complement a friend, be inclusive, love themselves. Now they all know that have a superpower, and are ready to spread kindness.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a classroom set of The Kindness Machine or one of five individual copies!

One (1) winner receives:

A classroom set (30 copies) of The Kindness Machine will be sent directly to the winners’ school of choice, along with autographed bookplates personalized for each student and the teacher.

Five (5) winners receive:

A copy of The Kindness Machine, with bookplates autographed by author Christina Dankert

To enter:

https://gleam.io/xE0ba/the-kindness-machine-book-giveaway

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3COBXwa

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9781955119085

The Tree And The Leaf

This is a partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Bruce Nemovitz. All opinions are my own

A tree stands tall in the forest, wise and strong. On its top, the leaf believes he is in control of his life and surroundings. The reader follow his journey through seasons, changes and life cycle and how he will realize that he is a part of something bigger and connected to different parts of the tree. Connected to the river, to the sun and so many other elements in Mother Nature.

It’s a sweet story, that uses a fun rhyme to talk about belonging, connection, appreciation for what we have, nature and all the beauty and wonder that surround us. 

Illustrations are colourful and dynamic. They bring the words to life and engage the younger readers, especially the ones who cannot read the words yet.

GIVEAWAY:

Enter for a chance to win a copy of The Leaf & The Tree, autographed by Bruce Nemovitz!

Three (3) winners receive an autographed copy of The Leaf & The Tree

To enter: https://gleam.io/BV9tC/the-leaf-and-the-tree-book-giveaway

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3nFbBq3

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/the-leaf-the-tree/9781952483257

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For more information, visit https://www.brucesteam.com/the-leaf-and-the-tree

Places We Have Never Been

I received this book by Lauren Muskovitz Ranalli for Multicultural Children’s Book day 2022. All opinions are my own

I’m really happy and excited to be part of the Multicultural Children’s Book Day again! This time I got to read the work of Laura Muskovitz Ranalli for the first time. And it was a pleasure! “Places We Have Never Been” is an enjoyable and easy read aloud that encourage children to explore places new to them.

Using simple and relatable language, the narrative encourages the young readers to ask questions and wonder about a place they want to visit: If it would be near or far, how to get there, which language and cultural aspects would they find…

It’s a good resource for conversations about different cultures, travel planning, to encourage curiosity and to entice adventure and exploration. Really fun to read with children 4-6 years old.

The illustrations by Emily Siwek are fun and colourful. They complement the word perfectly.

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2022 (1/28/22) is in its 9^th 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 books into the hands of young readers and educators.

MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about our Mission & History HERE.

MCBD 2022 is honored to be Supported by these Medallion Sponsors!

SUPER PLATINUM: Make A Way Media

PLATINUM: Language Lizard

GOLD: Barefoot Books, KidLitTV, Candlewick, Capstone, Abrams Books

SILVER: Pack-n-Go Girls, Charlotte Riggle, Kimberly Gordon Biddle  

BRONZE: Carole P. Roman, Patrice McLaurin, Dyesha and Triesha McCants/McCants Squared, Redfin.com, Redfin Canada, Redfin Mortgage, Redfin/Title Forward, Create & Educate, Star Bright Books, Vivian Kirkfield, Dr. Eleanor Wint, Kind World Publishing, Snowflake Stories, Lisa Wee, SONGJU MA, Melissa Stoller, J.C. Kato and J.C.², Crystel Patterson, Audrey Press, Pragmaticmom, TimTimTom, Wisdom Tales 

MCBD 2022 is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!

Charlene Mosley (official MCBD2022 Poster Creator)
Illustrator Isabelle Roxas (Class Kit Poster Creator)

Alva Sachs, Brianna Carter, Ebony Zay Zay, Rita Bhandari, Gwen Jackson, Lois Petren/The 5 Enchanted Mermaids, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, Josh Funk, Afsaneh Moradian, Eugenia Chu, Maritza Martínez Mejía, Diana Huang, Kathleen Burkinshaw, CultureGroove, Sandra Elaine Scott, Dorena Williamson, Veronica Appleton, Alejandra Domenzain, Lauren Muskovitz and Sandfish Publishing, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Kimberly Lee, Susan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher, Nancy Tupper Ling, Winsome Hudson-Bingham, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Sivan Hong, Michael Genhart, Debbie Dadey, Elizabeth Cureton, Stephanie Wildman, Maryann Jacob, Sherri Maret, Rochelle Melander, Dia Mixon, Kiyanda and Benjamin Young, Shereen Rahming, Linda Thornburg and Katherine Archer,  Rebecca Flansburg and BA Norrgard , Maxine Schur  Natalie McDonald-Perkins

MCBD 2022 is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts!

MCBD 2022 is Honored to be Supported by these Media Partners!

Check out MCBD’s Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!

FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parents

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

FREE Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit

FREE Teacher Classroom Raising Awareness on Systemic Racism in America Classroom Kit

Gallery of Our Free Posters

FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program

Join us on Friday, Jan 29, 2021, at 9 pm EST for the 8th annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day Twitter Party! Be sure and follow MCBD and Make A Way Media on Twitter!

Boy Between Worlds: The Novice Collector

This post is a partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Idle Time Press. All opinions are my own

This is the second book of the series, however, it is easy to catch up and understand the plot, even if the reader haven’t read the first book (but I would recommend reading the book one first. I might do that now lol).

A historical action adventure very relatable to middle graders. Max’s struggles, teen insecurities and anxieties, family conflicts and first love.

We follow Max Mead, a 13 years old boy, in his adventures and challenges. When his parents decide to move from Egypt, Max manage to convince them to allow him to stay with his grandfather. Along with his friends Youssef and Kiki, they will try to stop the actions of the antiquities’ thieves.

As any typical teenager, Max questions his abilities, his self conscious and uncertain of how to deal with new feelings. He resents his father for keeping secrets and is a little jealous of all the attentions his sister – a fencing champion- receives. During this journey, Max will learn many things, especially about himself and what he is capable. What his path might be.

The story has good rhythm and is engaging. Characters are well developed and interesting. A very enjoyable read.

GIVEAWAY:

Enter for a chance to win a Boy Between Worlds prize pack!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

• An autographed copy of Boy Between Worlds: The Novice Collector
• Two (2) 100% pashminas purchased from a vendor in the Khan el Kahlili, Cairo
• A custom bookmark
• An Idle Time Press t-shirt

Three (3) winners receive:

• An autographed copy of Boy Between Worlds: The Novice Collector

TO ENTER: https://gleam.io/VYdQF/boy-between-worlds-book-giveaway

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Eyf0gR

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9781732925847

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cynthia C. Huijgens writes for children of all ages, including children’s picture books. She holds a BA in Art and Design, Masters in Education, and is a certified K-12 Art Teacher. Cynthia graduated from Simon Fraser University’s The Writer’s Studio.

For more information, visit https://www.idletimepress.com.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph

This is a partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Kathleen T. Pelley. All opinions are my own

Jesús, Mary, and Joseph is an excellent picture book and a great choice for a Christmas gift. A tender, sweet and lovely tale of a boy named Jesús and his conversations (prayers) with God. He asks for help to get a part in the Nativity play and then perform and make his mom proud. He is also thankful for every accomplishment and challenge he overcomes.

Author Kathleen T. Pelley’s thoughtful text is simple, direct, and very relatable to young children. The illustrations are warm, inviting, and complement the words beautifully. It’s certainly a read-aloud that brings joy!

GIVEAWAY

ENTER TO WIN!

Enter for a chance to win a Jesús, Mary, and Joseph prize pack!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

A hardcover copy of Jesús, Mary, and Joseph, autographed by Kathleen T. Pelley

A paperback copy of Five Little Angels

An Audible copy of Five Little Angels

A $25 Barnes and Noble gift card

A Nativity sticker book

A shoutout on the Journey with Story podcast

Five (5) winners receive:

A hardcover copy of Jesús, Mary, and Joseph, autographed by Kathleen T. Pelley

A Nativity sticker book

The giveaway ends November 30, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

To enter: https://gleam.io/avyHd/jesus-mary-and-joseph-giveaway

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lYbq8y

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9780578651965

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KATHLEEN T. PELLEY is a native of Glasgow, Scotland, but spent most of her childhood summers playing on her grandparents’ farm in Ireland. Her passion for stories stemmed from listening to them on the radio during the BBC children’s story hour. She is the award-winning author of seven other picture books and hosts her own storytelling podcast, Journey with Story.

For more information, visit https://kathleenpelley.com.

This is Clare

This is partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Lindy Nelson. All opinions are my own

This is Clare is very enjoyable and sweet book about the adventures and explores of a greyhound dog named Clare and her fun owner, Lindy. Together they visit a temple, the park and the market. As almost every dog, Clare loves to run, to cuddle and, sometimes, she is a little naughty – which allows good laughs with the young bookworms.

The illustrations are colourful, vibrant and include multicultural elements, which enriches the book and its read aloud. The rhymes, choice of words and simple language makes the book a great resource for children learning English, especially as a second language.

It’s impossible not to follow in love with Lindy and Clare. Their tale tackles important matters like kindness, being grateful and helping others. I hope this is just the first of many stories of these two wonderful characters.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a copy of This Is Clare, along with a virtual Questions and Answers session with the author!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

A copy of This Is Clare

A virtual Questions and Answers session with the author via Skype

Nine (9) winners receive:

A copy of This Is Clare

The giveaway ends December 2, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

To enter: https://gleam.io/BSTcn/this-is-clare-giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XQA4io

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lindy Nelson is an American who has spent most of her adult life teaching English in China after graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. She enjoys arts and crafts, funny memes, eating candy, and of course, spending time with her greyhound, Clarence.