Tag Archives: Book Reviews

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2022 Reviews

 

On January 28, Star Bright Books proudly returned as a bronze sponsor for Multicultural Children’s Book Day! We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this celebration of representation and diverse stories. Multicultural Children’s Book Day, now in its tenth year, aims to connect young readers with multicultural books and expose them to new perspectives. This year, volunteers read and reviewed Books and Bricks: How a School Rebuild the Community, I Have Cerebral Palsy, and The Magic of Clay. We would like to share their amazing words below!*

*Click each link to read the full review.

 

Books and Bricks: How a School Rebuilt the Community

Mindfulece (Twitter: @TheMindfulECE)
“I loved this book for children. It’s wonderful to read out loud. It’s informative and includes a little bit of mystery that keeps the reader engaged. As the story unfolds it’s heartwarming to see the transformation of the main characters from hopeless to hopeful about what a thriving school can do for the community.”

 

Hannah Stere (Goodreads and Amazon)
[This] is an engaging story about a South African community that bands together to create a mutually beneficial relationship in an engaging and thoughtful way. Books and Bricks highlights the importance of a school as a community support system.”

 

Medha Tare (Instagram: @picklebunny_books)
“An inspiring example of #communitybuilding with parallels around the world.

 

I Have Cerebral Palsy

MaryAnne Kofenderfer (Twitter & Instagram: @mamasmiles)
“This book represents beautifully MCBD’s mission to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves.”

 

Shenna Bogetti (Instagram: @librarian_shenna)
[I Have Cerebral Palsy] is a great book to help build that world knowledge and help students be comfortable around others that may have cerebral palsy or another type of disability.”

 

Rachana Ramanan (Instagram: @rach_artnmore)
“This book is so beautiful – it blew my mind away – it journeys through the life of Sydney – a day at school, home, her struggle with Cerebral Palsy and makes you realize that she’s just like any other girl with hopes and dreams! As she says, ‘I’m a lot like you, but I do have to do some things differently!’”

 

Bev Baird (Blog and Goodreads)
I thoroughly enjoyed Sydney’s story and would highly recommend it. Thank you, Sydney, for your candor and sweetness.”

 

The Magic of Clay

Leanna Guillén Mora (Blog and Instagram: @craftymomsshare)
“If you have a little art lover in your life – or one that just loves playing with modeling clay! – then they will love The Magic of Clay, a wonderful new picture book from Star Bright Books, a MCBD Bronze sponsor! It is a deep dive into the science and art of clay, including how it is formed and how it can be used to make new creations.” 

 

Kelsey Ray (Twitter: @ReadingRay)
“This book is very enlightening about clay and its properties. I learned so much about the process of creating items from clay in a clear, concrete manner.”

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2021

On January 29, Star Bright Books proudly returned as a sponsor for Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Jnau! We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this celebration of representation and diverse stories. Multicultural Children’s Book Day aims to connect young readers with multicultural books and expose them to new perspectives.

 

Volunteers read and reviewed three of our titles—Twinkle, Twinkle, Diaper You!; The Big Day; and 21 Cousins—for MCBD. Below are some of their kind words. Thank you to everyone who participated and reviewed our books!

 

For more information about Multicultural Children’s Book Day, visit their website, Facebook page, or Instagram account.

 

The Big Day, written by Terry Lee Caruthers and illustrated by Robert Casilla.

The Big Day

Jennifer Burgin (Twitter: @mrsjburgin)

“. . . The Big Day ends with two full-page spreads describing aspects of Women’s Suffrage & surrounding politics of the era. It can help equip educators to discuss topics like racism, riots, suffrage and gender equality.”

 

Karina Elze (Facebook: Elze Kids Online)

“I love this book because I am able to cover so many topics with my students, whether it be the civic duty of voting, equality, or history. The illustrations are very detailed and the real newspaper headlines brought it more to life.”

 

Jason DeHart (Book Love/Dr. J Reads)

“The story is powerfully told in words from Caruthers, and would make a wonderful read aloud or shared reading for younger readers, as well as an independent read. I can even see this book as a powerful site for literacy development and cultural discussion for older readers as an introduction to a unit or prelude to a longer text.”

 

Valerie Williams-Sanchez (Valerie’s Vignettes)

“[E]xplore[s] the past in ways that make[s] history come alive, offering [a] fresh perspectives and reconstructed imagining of [an] important event in our nation’s history. . . imagines the excitement of being the first Black woman to cast her ballot in Knoxville, Tennessee.”

 

Dolisha Mitchell (Instagram: @littleblackbooknook)

“The back matter of this book includes so many fascinating facts and details such as a timeline of women’s suffrage world wide, newspaper clippings, and more details about the life of Agnes Sadler.”

 

Roberta Gibson (Wrapped in Foil)

The Big Day is perfect to share for Black History Month (February), Women’s History Month (March), and around elections. Children, particularly budding historians, are going to be fascinated by this glimpse into an important time. Delve into a copy today!”

 

Twinkle, Twinkle, Diaper You!, written by Ellen Mayer and illustrated by Ying-Hwa Hu.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Diaper You!

Zainab Hasan (Instagram: @busyammareads)

“A very sweet board book, Twinkle Twinkle Diaper You! introduces the importance of ‘parentese.’ A form of communication between a child and parent that leads to relationship building.”

 

Sita Singh (Instagram: @sitawrites)

“I love that the book features a family that is diverse and multigenerational, and includes a note that highlights the importance of interacting with your baby. This book is a must-have for all new parents, grandparents, and caregivers!”

 

Jannette Irwin

“I will recommend this book to anyone who wants to have fun while building a warm relationship with his/her baby through playful conversations.”

 

Jolene Gutiérrez

“This beautiful board book features Mommy and Baby as they interact and communicate during Baby’s diaper change. The story serves as a reminder to parents and other caregivers that every interaction with a child can be meaningful.”

 

Kristen Zellner (Eat, Pray, Travel, Teach)

“The illustrations alone are a wonderful addition to any library but I truly think this is one that should be gifted at every baby shower.”

21 Cousins, written by Diane de Anda and illustrated by Isabel Muñoz.

21 Cousins

Patricia Nozell (Wander, Ponder, Write)

21 Cousins is a celebratory exploration of family and mestizo heritage. Readers meet each cousin in this loving family in turn, making it a perfect book to explore how we are the same and different. I love that physical attributes, skills, and passions are highlighted—I think readers may find someone who is just like them (or like one of their family members).”

 

Melissa Mwai (Kid Lit Cliffs Notes)

“[T]here seems to be every different type of person in this mestizo family. Such an immediate “draw”! . . . I love that the English version works in a lot of Español! It feels very conversational.”