Monday, January 27, 2020

Multicultural Children's Book Day Review: Dictionary for a Better World


I'm thrilled to be participating in Multicultural Children's Book Day this year! The second book I was gifted to review for the event is DICTIONARY FOR A BETTER WORLD, written by Irene Latham Charles Waters, and illustrated by Penny Weber. It is published by Lerner Books.

Description: 

How can we make the world a better place? This inspiring resource for middle-grade readers is organized as a dictionary; each entry presents a word related to creating a better world, such as ally, empathy, or respect. For each word, there is a poem, a quote from an inspiring person, a personal anecdote from the authors, and a "try it" prompt for an activity.


My Review:

Dictionary for a Better World is a series of poems with titles that begin with "A" (such as "Acceptance"), and continue through all the letters of the alphabet with one or two poems for each letter. Some of the poems are written by Irene Latham, and some are written by Charles Waters, and some are written by both.

I loved so much about this book. I loved that there was an explanation of the poem type for every poem in the book. It really help me (a poetry novice) understand the what the author of each poem was trying to accomplish. And not only are the poems beautifully written, but they are perfectly accessible for kids.


I loved that the author of the poem would share something from their life (and usually their childhood) that inspired them to work on the attribute discussed in the poem. It was really fascinating to learn more about both authors as you moved through the book.

I loved that there was an action for each attribute . . . a way for the reader to get involved and to improve themselves by trying something new. There are so many good ideas for ways to improve ourselves in this book!

Finally, I loved the illustrations. So many different types of art are on display throughout the pages, and it is beautiful. I love how the page formatting works with the words and theme of the poem. Just beautifully put together as a whole.

This book is not the type of book you devour in one sitting (although you could). This book is meant to be savored. To make you think. It encourages its readers to consider not just the ideas that are presented, but to move and to act. As a reader, I wanted time to think and reflect, and so I read a poem or two before going to bed each night. It was so inspiring, and so lovely to fall asleep thinking about how I could make myself and the world, a better place.

~~~

Irene Latham is the author of more than a dozen current and forthcoming works of poetry, fiction, and picture books, including Charlotte Huck Honor Book Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship (co-written with Charles Waters). Winner of the 2016 ILA Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet Award, she became obsessed with octopuses after reading The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery. Just like Agnes, she enjoys sending—and receiving—postcards. Visit her at www.irenelatham.com.


Charles Waters is a children’s poet, actor, and co-author of Charlotte Huck Honor Book Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship. His poems have appeared in various anthologies including One Minute Till Bedtime and The National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry. Charles performs his one-person show as well as conducts poetry performance and writing workshops for elementary and middle school audiences. He lives in New York City.


Mehrdokht Amini is an Iranian-British children’s book illustrator living in England. She graduated with a degree in Graphic Design from Tehran University and has worked as an illustrator for both educational and mainstream publishers ever since. She started her career in Iran while still studying at university, working on various projects for children’s magazines and books. After moving to England in 2004 she continued working with publishers all around the world. Mehrdokht loves working with publishers who are interested in cultural diversity because it gives her an excellent opportunity to undertake a close study of different cultures and communities, gain a better understanding of those cultures and appreciate people of different backgrounds to her own.
~~~
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 CraftA.R. Bey and Adventures in BoogielandEugina Chu & Brandon goes to BeijingKenneth Braswell & Fathers IncorporatedMaritza M. Mejia & Luz del mes_MejiaKathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry BlossomSISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. NorrgardJosh Funk and HOW TO CODE A ROLLERCOASTERMaya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove,  Lauren RanalliThe Little Green Monster: Cancer Magic! By Dr. Sharon ChappellPhe Lang and Me On The PageAfsaneh Moradian and Jamie is JamieValerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena PublishingTUMBLE CREEK PRESSNancy Tupper Ling, Author Gwen JacksonAngeliki Pedersen & The Secrets Hidden Beneath the Palm TreeAuthor Kimberly Gordon BiddleBEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 by Mia WenjenSusan 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 OceanEvelyn Sanchez-Toledo & Bruna Bailando por el Mundo\ Dancing Around the WorldShoumi Sen & From The Toddler DiariesSarah Jamila StevensonTonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book SeriesTeresa Robeson  & The Queen of Physics, Nadishka Aloysius and Roo The Little Red TukTukGirlfriends Book Club Baltimore & Stories by the Girlfriends Book ClubFinding My Way Books, Diana Huang & IntrepidsFive Enchanted MermaidsElizabeth Godley and Ribbon’s Traveling CastleAnna Olswanger and GreenhornDanielle Wallace & My Big Brother Troy, Jocelyn Francisco and Little Yellow JeepneyMariana Llanos & Kutu, the Tiny Inca Princess/La Ñusta DiminutaSara Arnold & The Big Buna BashRoddie Simmons & Race 2 RioDuEwa Frazier & Alice’s Musical DebutVeronica 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

A Crafty ArabAfsaneh MoradianAgatha Rodi BooksAll Done MonkeyBarefoot MommyBethany Edward & Biracial BookwormsMichelle Goetzl & Books My Kids ReadCrafty Moms ShareColours of UsDiscovering the World Through My Son’s EyesEducators Spin on itShauna Hibbitts-creator of eNannylinkGrowing Book by BookHere Wee ReadJoel Leonidas & Descendant of Poseidon Reads {Philippines}Imagination SoupKid World CitizenKristi’s Book NookThe LogonautsMama SmilesMiss Panda ChineseMulticultural Kid BlogsSerge Smagarinsky {Australia}Shoumi SenJennifer Brunk & Spanish PlaygroundKatie Meadows and Youth Lit Reviews

FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day


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.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Multicultural Children's Book Day Review: Sissy Goes Tiny

I'm thrilled to be participating in Multicultural Children's Book Day this year! The first book I was gifted to review for the event is SISSY GOES TINY, written by Rebecca Flansburg BA Norrgard, and illustrated by Penny Weber. It is published by Audrey Press.

Description: 

Eight-year-old Sissy loves her life. She loves her toys, her Big house, and her Big backyard. But when Sissy’s parents decide they are going to live in a Tiny House on wheels and travel around the U.S., Sissy isn’t sure that she will like the idea of “living tiny.” But as she and her mommy and daddy learn about downsizing, repurposing, and how “stuff is just stuff” in a positive way, Sissy soon understands that living Tiny has BIG possibilities; possibilities for all sorts of adventures and learning.

My Review:

I have long been fascinated by the "Go Tiny" movement and those who have chosen to live that way. Sissy Goes Tiny gives beautiful insight into why a person or family might choose to change their lives so dramatically. In this book, Sissy loves her life. She loves her big room, and big house, and big yard. So she is a little alarmed when her parents come tell her they will be moving into a smaller, movable house that they can take with them wherever they decide to go.

I have to confess. I felt Sissy's alarm. I imagined how I would feel if, as a kid, I were asked to give up the place I loved, where I'd grown up. Honestly, I feel that alarm even as an adult. But I loved the way the book takes the reader through the process of going from Big to Small. It is about focusing on having fewer things, but more experiences. And that is definitely something I can understand wanting more of.


While I am not ready to go tiny myself, this book helped me to understand those who are. It helped me to understand why someone might choose to go tiny. And understanding how someone else feels creates empathy, which is always a good thing. Sissy Goes Tiny would be a great book for anyone considering the tiny life themselves, but it is also a great book for anyone who is interested in learning more about the tiny movement, or anyone who enjoys learning about the world around them. In other words, I think this book would be great for anyone.

I loved the unique topic (I haven't seen any other picture books on going tiny), I appreciated the diversity of having the central characters represented as a beautiful mixed-race family, and I definitely recommend you check out this fascinating story! #ReadYourWorld


~~~


In 2012, bucking societal exceptions and following her inner guidance, B.A. (Beth Ann) Norrgard shed her paralegal costume after 26 years in a downtown high rise and hand-built her tiny house.  She is a passionate advocate for others following their dreams and letting go of societal conditioning, and being free to live a larger life in a smaller space.  BA is a doer.  She has traveled over 14,000 miles with her house and writes about her minimalist, vegan life on her website, banorrgard.com

Rebecca Flansburg is the long-time project manager of Multicultural Children’s Book Day and Head Elf for Audrey Press. She is also an author, freelance writer, and blogger from Minnesota who writes about parenthood topics and being a solopreneur. She is mom to two humans and critter mom to way too many pets. Rebecca credits her quick wit and positive outlook on life for keeping her sane and successful. She is a member of Brainerd Writers Alliance and readers can also find her at BeckyFlansburg.com or on Instagram.

Penny Weber is a full-time illustrator from Long Island, New York, where she’s lived all of her life. She creates digital illustrations that mimic the look of watercolor and traditional painting. Penny attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City where she studied graphic design and illustration. In 2007 quickly signed with Wendy Mays and Janice Onken to be represented by WendyLynn & Company, (www.wendylynn.com). Penny has illustrated many books for the trade and educational market.




~~~
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 GrooveLauren 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

A Crafty Arab, Afsaneh Moradian, Agatha Rodi Books, All Done Monkey, Barefoot Mommy, Bethany Edward & Biracial Bookworms, Michelle Goetzl & Books My Kids Read, Crafty Moms Share, Colours of Us, Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes, Educators Spin on it, Shauna Hibbitts-creator of eNannylink, Growing Book by Book, Here Wee Read, Joel Leonidas & Descendant of Poseidon Reads {Philippines}, Imagination Soup, Kid World Citizen, Kristi’s Book Nook, The Logonauts, Mama Smiles, Miss Panda Chinese, Multicultural Kid Blogs, Serge Smagarinsky {Australia}, Shoumi Sen, Jennifer Brunk & Spanish Playground, Katie Meadows and Youth Lit Reviews

FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day


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.

Monday, January 13, 2020

Conquering Fears

Over the holiday break, my boys and I had a chance to do some rock climbing on a climbing wall. You pull on the harness. They clip you in. You choose "Easy," "Medium," or "Hard." And off you go.

It sounds so simple, and really, the wall isn't that high. But about halfway up, I caught a glimpse of the down. I had to refocus myself on simply finding the next handhold. Conquering my fears one step at a time.

Conquering FearsMy 13-yo got to just about the same point when he called down, "I think I have to come down!" He'd hit that same wall. But he didn't know how to get past it.
Now, I knew he was safe. He was buckled in. The rope and mechanisms would catch him if he fell. I'd already done it myself, and I knew he could do it. 

So I called to him, "Keep going! You're almost there. You can do this!"

And he did. He made it to the top. Pressed the buzzer in proof, then rappelled down to safety. Man, was that kid proud of himself!" He had faced down his fears and come out the other side as the conquering hero. There is something truly empowering in that.

Fear is a real thing. It can take hold of our minds and hearts, and can physically make us ill. It can keep us from doing the things we want to do, or from even trying to accomplish the things we want to accomplish. It whispers in our ears:

You aren't good enough.
That is too hard for you.
You should stick to what you know.

But those are lies. If we refocus ourselves, take things one step at a time, and stop thinking about those fears, we can conquer them! Maybe not on our first try, but if we keep trying, it will happen.

Sometimes we need outside support, and that's okay! That's why you should surround yourself with people who build you up. People who believe in you. People who can see things from a different perspective. Find those people! Search them out, then hold them close. I know it's made a huge difference in my life.

Conquering fears is hard. It can be scary. It can take time. LOTS of it! But I tell you what, that feeling you get when you finally make it is worth it.

Remember.

You ARE good enough!
Nothing is too hard if you're determined.
Learning new things is amazing!

What fears are you hoping to conquer?

Monday, January 6, 2020

The Art of Trying Something New

Good morning all my wonderful friends! I hope you had a fabulous weekend and a terrific holiday break, whatever you may celebrate.

With the new year (not to mention new DECADE), it's certainly a time of reflection. Looking back over the past ten years, a lot has changed for me. I moved from DC to Missouri, to Oregon, and now Utah. I began taking writing seriously. I signed with an agent. I sold a middle grade book. I broke up with my agent, and signed with another agent. I started writing picture books. I sold a picture book.

But life is way more than just books. I raised three kids from toddlers to teenagers (well, tweenager for the youngest). I struggled with feeling lonely and like a failure. I left my job of 15 years as translator. I watched my mom go through a stroke. I lost my last two grandparents. . . .

Life is full of ups and downs, and stress, and hard things. And while I used to turn to writing to escape it all, writing has become it's own kind of stress now that I'm published. It took me a while to realize I needed a new creative outlet, but I do.

In the past I've done scrap-booking. I've played piano and guitar. I had a brief stint at taking violin lessons. I've tried wood-carving, cake decorating, toll painting, and even photography. There are so many options. I certainly don't expect to become a master at any of these, but trying new things brings so much joy. It gets me excited. And just for an hour or two, it takes me away from the hard things of life.

Most recently, I signed up for a lovely webinar titled Watercolors with Jessixa Bagley, through Storytellers Academy. I haven't gotten to the watercolor part just yet, but it's been so fun (and humbling) to learn just what goes into an illustration.

Image result for laundry day jessixa bagley
Jessixa is the author/illustrator of many books, but we've been using a page from Laundry Day to have something to work on. Isn't it adorable?

She showed us the process of drawing and the tools to use (and how to use them). She taught us how to transfer a drawing from scratch paper to watercolor paper. And I can't wait to get to the watercolor part! 

Just for fun, I'll show you some of my attempts. First, to give a frame of reference, this is Jessixa's original drawing from the book that we were working towards:

Image result for laundry day jessixa bagley

She has us block in the basic shapes using bluelines. Did you know there was a pencil color called "Non-photo Blue"? I did not know this. But it's a shade that can't be detected by graphic arts camera film, or can be made to disappear by adjusting the contrast and brightness. Here is my attempt (covered with the mess of my transfer attempts from later on, so just ignore that). Hard to see, yeah?


Once we had the general shapes, we moved to more detailed sketching. I mean, mine could definitely be worse.


Next we used tracing paper to capture the main elements. Tracing is also a time to clean up your lines. Haha! Well, I did try.


And finally, we transferred the image to watercolor paper, and commenced with inking.


These efforts may not look like much, but that was a time-intensive activity! Major concentration involved, and all kinds of new appreciation for what goes into illustration. I haven't completed the course, but I've already learned so much. AND I've had fun doing it. Seriously, I highly recommend Jessixa's class. Check it out at the Storyteller Academy page.

But let's get real: I'm never going to be an illustrator (because frankly, I don't intend to put in the time to hone that ability . . . it just doesn't call to me the way writing does). But trying makes me happy. It relieves my stress. It makes me appreciate illustrators even more . . . and it makes me appreciate writing even more.

If you find yourself in a funk, don't be afraid to try something new! Maybe it'll be sketching and watercoloring, like I've chosen. Maybe it'll be dance. Maybe it'll be gardening or ice sculpting or baking macaroons. Whatever it is, allow yourself to be imperfect and just enjoy the doing. Because the art of trying something new is not about being or becoming an expert. It's about finding things that bring you joy. And who knows? Maybe you'll discover something that you do want to become an expert in. 😊

What new things are you trying lately?