Kindness

Every Kid Has a Story to Tell

Bear’s Book by Claire Freedman and illustrated by  Alison Friend is a charming story about friendship. Bear faces a Problem: he has run out of books to read. Undaunted, he decides to write his own book! Bear gathers his materials. He has everything he needs except… a Big Idea and a clear Beginning, Middle and End to his story.

Bear postpones his project in favor of a good back scratch in the woods. There his friend mouse approaches Bear and asks for his help. Bear, being a great friend, naturally agrees to pitch in. He ends up helping a series of his animal friends each of whom has a unique problem.

His friends are grateful and Bear enjoys helping them out. However, his story remains unwritten. Bear returns home intent on completing it. As he recalls the details of his day’s adventures, he realizes that he has the perfect story to tell. He buckles down to create his book

At the end of the day, his friends visit bear with a thank you gift—a basket filled with fresh berries. Bear then shares his book with his friends. In a delightful and unexpected twist, a fold-out page opens to reveal Bear’s book that is based on the adventures the friends shared that day.

Young readers will easily discern the benefit of helping out their friends. They will also delight in the idea of creating their own books based on their individual adventures. This would be a great project for parent and child or as a classroom activity.

AQ Lens: One of the tasks which adopted children must handle is to organize the facts of their lives into a cohesive story. This book can spark a willingness to work on such a project. Kids can add extra details in the future. Illustrations can be drawn or photographs from their own life could be used. Even if kids are reluctant to actually create the book, parents can encourage a conversation that talks about the elements of the child’s story which they might want to describe.

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"Bear's Book" by Claire Freedman, a book review

Every Voice Counts

Every-Voice-Counts

The books reviewed on this blog voice and reflect some of my core values. An emphasis on kindness forms a recurring thread as does inclusivity and empathy. Peter H. Reynolds, an author featured several times has created another gem, Say Something. It invites readers to contribute their unique voices and talents to the world.

When they choose to stay hidden or silent, they silence their voices, waste their talents, and abdicate their opportunity to make a contribution. They miss their chance to make the world a better place.

Reynolds tells readers “The world needs your voice.” He reassures them that “it doesn’t need to be perfect… [or] loud.” They can speak in many ways: “with words, with action, with creativity.” Their voices can be as varied as their individuality. Every voice counts!

In simple, brief text Reynolds explains the power of an individual with focus, passion, and a dream. He shows them they each have value and their dreams matter. He asks them to engage actively in life, to channel their determination creativity, and persistence to bring their dreams into existence. They must engage with vigor, joy, and inclusion. Take part in life and enjoy the ride.

Say Something illustrates how life is fundamentally a “team” sport that requires partnering with others. This expands the dream as well as the likelihood of success. Kids must learn to advocate for themselves, to engage and collaborate, and most importantly, to see others not as stepping stones but as partners. No success is worth crushing others to achieve it. In fact, one’s greatest joy can be found in bringing others along, in creating a tide that lifts all. Similarly, each of us shares an obligation to speak out and stand up for our values. Not only adults. Kids must also choose to intervene when others are being marginalized, bullied, or ignored.

AQ Lens Adoptees often bring an infusion of talents and interests which vary wildly from their adoptive families. Say Something helps them value their differences and see them as the blessing they truly are This book celebrates the joy and wonder of our “uniquenesses” and affirms both their value and the importance of bringing them to life and putting them to good use.

Listen to our–GIFT Family Services’ podcasts on Adoption-attuned Parenting.

Snippets of Kindness: the Power of One

Snippets-of-Kindness-the-Power-of-OneDiane Alber wrote and illustrated Snippets: A Story about Paper Shapes. It is a clever, charming book which at first glance appears to be about having fun with arts and crafts materials. If one pauses to read the Dedication, however, the reader learns that the book has a far more important purpose: “You can change the world one snippet of kindness at a time.” Spreading kindness is a worthy purpose indeed and children benefit from understanding how they can bring kindness to life in their daily lives.

The book is set in “a strange little place” where everyone conforms to exactly the same shape. No differences or asymmetry are tolerated. Sameness is the norm and none question it until Snippet, a new shape appears. He wants to play. He is rebuffed because his different (asymmetric) appearance threatens their sense of stability. He’s told that he should stay with his own kind “over there.”

Every child has faced a similar exclusionary experience regardless of the identified cause; kids know how it feels to be the odd man out. They can empathize with Snippet’s shock at being rebuffed as well as his earnest efforts to convince the group of his “worthiness. Similarly, they can understand Snippet’s relief when he finds a group where he fits, feels welcome, and his shape is the norm.

He is comfortable with his asymmetrical group and the symmetric shapes feel at home with their “kind”. But Snippet recognizes that they are missing a chance to build something marvelous, complex and inclusive. He wants “to see all the shapes get along.” Mustering his courage, Snippet decides to approach the Symmetrics to help them discover “the beauty of being unique.”  He does not succeed immediately. But Snippet persists until he persuades the Symmetrics to join together with the Asymmetrics. Because of the bravery and kindness of “just one” they were able to play together and create “great art.” When kids come to believe in the power of one, they will recognize their personal ability to make the world a more kind place. Imagine a world where every child learns that they can choose to be an “I-stander” instead of a bystander.

Snippet’s actions offer young readers a model for ways they also can be brave, kind, and persistent. I like that the story makes a point for inclusion and diversity without specifying what kind of diversity. The message applies whether the excluding difference is based on race, gender, ability, or any other kind of distinction.

Kids often hear that they should be kind. By providing examples of kindness in action, we give them ideas for how they can choose to act kind.

Adoption-attunement-snippets-of-kindness-the-power-of-oneAQ Lens: Adopted children frequently encounter rude comments that focus on adoption, for example: Why did your mom not want you? What was wrong with you? Why don’t you look like your family? Needless to say, these are painful moments for children. A book like this offers a way that parents can open conversations and provide insight and support that address the hurt and worry so that kids don’t struggle to shoulder it by themselves.

 

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Trading the Monochrome for a Spectrum of Color

Humans, like all animals, experience a level of comfort and security when they feel included in a group that reflects who they are, how they behave and what beliefs they share. While such tribalism can engender a certain level of security, all this sameness can eventually feel monotonous, boring and constraining. Using the metaphor of color, author-illustrator Arree Chung offers a convincing example of the benefits of mixing things up. Best known for his very successful Ninja series of books, his latest book,  Mixed: A Colorful Story fights against small-minded tribalism.

It showcases the power that an individual can wield to lead their tribe. One outspoken color rallies the rest of “his kind” by convincing them that they are better than the other colors. They shouldn’t spend time together. They certainly should not live in the same communities with those lowly “others.” The other color groups follow his lead. Each group decides to live in a separate part of the city where only their color is allowed to reside. They feel secure and content spending time only with their  “own kind.” Until …

A yellow happens to share a bench with a blue. They pause for a moment and choose not to fight, insult or ignore one another. Each sets aside their tribal expectations and make their own determination. Exemplifying a different leadership direction they pause long enough to notice the impact the other color has on them. Yellow feels blue’s gentle sense of calm while blue senses that yellow lifts his spirits. At first, their respective color communities are dismayed and offended by this unexpected mixing.

Love triumphs, however, and blue and yellow decide to marry. Soon they produce a lovely baby who blends the best of both of them. They name him “Green.” Soon more and more colors decide to explore friendships with members of other color families. Eventually, many mixed relationships occur and a panoply of lovely colors emerges. Each contributes a unique characteristic and creates a hubbub of diversity.

While the story may seem quite obvious, perhaps even heavy-handed to adults, the illustrations and sparse text vitalize the story in an engaging and persuasive way. Children will draw a message of inclusion and respect for including others regardless of the way in which they might differ from one another. In the end, like a box of crayons that includes the entire rainbow, a richer tapestry emerges.

trading-the-monochrome-for-a-spectrum-of-color-adoption-attunementAQ Lens: The inclusionary message of this story will connect with adoptees who lead lives based on the reality that adoption grafts them from one family into another. On some level, they will always reflect the characteristics of their DNA and they will also reflect the nurturing influence of their adoptive family. They become an embodiment of blending both. Their adoptive family will be enriched by the addition of their presence. The storyline offers an opportunity to talk about the emotions the various characters expressed–both the pleasure of being included plus the pain of feeling “othered” and the very real impact that tribal preferences impose. If the child seems open, parents can turn the discussion to the similarities in their child’s life.

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What Is #DiverseKidLit?

Diverse Children’s Books is a book-sharing meme designed to promote the reading and writing of children’s books that feature diverse characters. This community embraces all kinds of diversity including (and certainly not limited to) diverse, inclusive, multicultural, and global books for children of all backgrounds. We encourage everyone who shares to support this blogging community by visiting and leaving comments for at least three others. Please also consider following the hosts on at least one of their social media outlets. Spread the word using #diversekidlit and/or adding our button to your site and your diverse posts.

DiverseKidLit

 

 

We hope this community serves as a resource for parents, teachers, librarians, publishers, and authors!

#DiverseKidLit is Hosted by:

Gayle Swift, Author of ABC, Adoption & Me Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Google+
Gauri @ Kitaab World an online bookstore for South Asian children’s books, toys and games
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram
Mia @ Pragmatic Mom Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest /

Want to be notified when the next #diversekidlit linkup goes live? Click here to join the mailing list. Interested in joining as a host or an occasional co-host? Contact Katie at thelogonauts.com.

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Families Come in Different Shapes and Sizes

families-come-in-different-shapes-and-sizes-great-big=book-of-families

Mary Hoffman, author of the highly acclaimed Amazing Grace picture book series, has written a powerful book about families: The Great Big Book of Families. This book is big both in physical size and in scope. It depicts a comprehensive range of diversity: how they look, who they can include, where they live, how they connect with one another, and the challenges they face together. She gently makes the point that regardless of their individual challenges or differences, families are valuable and important to each other.

Originally published in 2011, it ranks number 14 on Amazon. I assert that this proves that readers are hungry for books that respect and include diversity.

The Great Big Book of Families fills a need for children to see their life experiences reflected in the books they read. Kids need this affirmation. Equally important, it opens a window onto the life experiences of others whose family appearances or circumstances may differ from the child’s personal experiences. [bctt tweet=”As children gain a broader view of the world, their empathy, tolerance. and sense of exclusion expands. #ValueDiversity #GlobalCitizens #EmpathyKindnessTolerance” username=”GayleHSwift”]. The benefit of this inclusiveness is significant.

Ros Asquith’s lively illustrations respectfully depict an inclusive range of differences in looks, circumstances, or challenges. While some of the differences are the ones which easily and quickly come to mind, others are more unusual, especially in a picture book. The text mentions a variety of homes in which people live and even mentions that some people struggle to find homes and some are homeless. This is done without judgment or finger-pointing. Similarly, it talks about jobs: “In some families, everyone has a job. In others, only one person goes to work. Some parents work from home. And some can’t get a job at all.”

These are the kind of realities that kids actually face. This book offers the chance for children to further explore these hard truths with the adults in their lives. Some other topics mentioned include holidays, foods, clothes, pets, transportation, feelings, and family trees.

The Great Big Book of Families serves up an important chance to open children’s eyes. [bctt tweet=”Our experience of life does not define the standard for what is “right” or “better” or the only way that is acceptable or good. #TeachToleranceSeekJustice” username=”GayleHSwift”]. This book would make a great addition to the family, classroom or school, or public library as a way to teach tolerance and acceptance.

adoption-attunement-lens-AQ-lens-families-come-in-different-shapes-and-sizesAQ Lens: As mentioned in many previous book reviews, adoptees routinely experience feelings of being different from children who remain with their biological families. It’s a topic with which they wrestle throughout their lifetimes. Reading a book like this helps them to see that other children and families also experience some sense of otherness. The Great Big Book of Families can trigger conversations about differences and may open the door to discussions about a child’s deep feelings about family, adoption, and acceptance.  (Remember, however, never dismiss the loss of one’s first family as trivial or insignificant.)
Welcome to #DiverseKidLit ! Please join us in sharing your diverse children’s book links and resources, as well as visiting other links to find great suggestions and recommendations.

What Is #DiverseKidLit?

Diverse Children’s Books is a book-sharing meme designed to promote the reading and writing of children’s books that feature diverse characters. This community embraces all kinds of diversity including (and certainly not limited to) diverse, inclusive, multicultural, and global books for children of all backgrounds. We encourage everyone who shares to support this blogging community by visiting and leaving comments for at least three others. Please also consider following the hosts on at least one of their social media outlets. Spread the word using #diversekidlit and/or adding our button to your site and your diverse posts.

DiverseKidLit

 

 

We hope this community serves as a resource for parents, teachers, librarians, publishers, and authors!

#DiverseKidLit is Hosted by:

Gayle Swift, Author of ABC, Adoption & Me Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Google+
Gauri @ Kitaab World an online bookstore for South Asian children’s books, toys and games
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram
Mia @ Pragmatic Mom Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest /

Want to be notified when the next #diversekidlit linkup goes live? Click here to join the mailing list. Interested in joining as a host or an occasional co-host? Contact Katie at thelogonauts.com.

(Never participated in a linkup before? Please click here for a more detailed step-by-step.)

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Empathy Is an Inside Job

empathy-is-an-inside-job-I-Am-Human

November … thoughts of Thanksgiving, family and festive gatherings come to mind. I can think of no better way to mark this important time than by focusing on having empathy and being kind, inclusive and responsible for our own choices. In her book I Am Human, Susan Verde reminds readers that it is important to be kind, not only to others but also to oneself. I appreciate this focus. I believe it helps kids to accept themselves, to recognize that they are always in the process of learning, trying, failing and trying again. No one starts out as an expert; increased competency and skills result from trial and error. And practice!

Having the courage to try and then to keep trying even in the face of difficulty,  is essential. When we hold empathy toward ourselves, it helps open the door to having empathy toward others. Once children recognize that they need not hold themselves to standards of perfection, it is a logical step to hold this same understanding toward others. They begin to see that all people are faced with the same life journey of learning through practice. All of us want encouragement from self and others, not ridicule, kindness not criticism. We need empathy and tolerance in our world now more than ever.

Peter Reynolds masterful illustrations make the perfect context for this upbeat book about our essential humanity. It highlights both our commonality and our diversity

AQ Lens: Adopted children frequently wrestle with feelings of insecurity and fear of rejection which frequently expresses itself as perfectionism. It is commonly thought that kids unconsciously choose this strategy as a way to ensure their adoptive families won’t have a reason to reject them as their birth families did. (As adults, we know that adoption is not “caused” by a child; it results from very complicated and serious issues that are no fault of the child.)

This book helps to open conversations about kindness–especially kindness towards self– and can lead to important sharing of intimate vulnerabilities with which a child wrestles. Focus first on how “some children” might feel or think. Be open to sharing some of your own fears and how you nurture empathy for self and others. Ask open questions like, “I wonder if you think about …? Or, “I wonder if you worry…” Or, “I wonder if you are angry with yourself, or your birth mother or …”

Do not press the point. Focus instead on creating a security within their hearts and minds that you are willing and able to hear whatever your child thinks and feels about himself, adoption, family, community, etc.

 

I have reviewed I Choose by Suzin Helen Carr previously. This little gem is an award-winning indie-published book yet many may not have heard of it. Written by Suzin Helen Carr and illustrated by her then seven-year-old son, the book visits various moments when a child–or adult–is called upon to make a choice. For example, what to wear, how to feel, what to see, do, eat or play. The darling illustrations bring the ideas to life in a way that will appeal to kids. I think it will increase their ability to notice and appreciate the many “choosing” opportunities that occur in their day.

The message of “I Choose,” will certainly resonate with adults who share the book with their child. Suzin has also written a version of “I Choose too” an adult version of this illuminating book. Readers can breeze through this short gem of a book very quickly. Better yet, pause and explore each page. This book can trigger many possible and significant conversations with your child. You just might be surprised by what you discover about one another.

It is essential to teach children–and to remind ourselves–that we have the power to choose and that we are responsible for the choices we make. Accountability and integrity are as important as empathy. All are essential for a society to function successfully.

Welcome to #DiverseKidLit ! Please join us in sharing your diverse children’s book links and resources, as well as visiting other links to find great suggestions and recommendations.

What Is #DiverseKidLit?

Diverse Children’s Books is a book-sharing meme designed to promote the reading and writing of children’s books that feature diverse characters. This community embraces all kinds of diversity including (and certainly not limited to) diverse, inclusive, multicultural, and global books for children of all backgrounds.

 

We encourage everyone who shares to support this blogging community by visiting and leaving comments for at least three others. Please also consider following the hosts on at least one of their social media outlets. Spread the word using #diversekidlit and/or adding our button to your site and your diverse posts.

DiverseKidLit

 

 

We hope this community serves as a resource for parents, teachers, librarians, publishers, and authors! Our next linkup will be Saturday, December 1st and the first Saturday of each month.

#DiverseKidLit is Hosted by:

Gayle Swift, Author of ABC, Adoption & Me Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Google+
Gauri @ Kitaab World an online bookstore for South Asian children’s books, toys and games
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram
Mia @ Pragmatic Mom Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest /

Want to be notified when the next #diversekidlit linkup goes live? Click here to join the mailing list. Interested in joining as a host or an occasional co-host? Contact Katie at thelogonauts.com.

(Never participated in a linkup before? Please click here for a more detailed step-by-step.)

Get #DiverseKidLit Recommendations on Pinterest!

Our Pinterest board highlights a wide range of amazing posts and resources for Diverse Children’s Books. Please consider following the board for even more great books!

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Who Is in and Who Is Out?

Who is in and Who is Out? Inclusive Umbrella Welcomes Diversity

The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates answers the question, Who is in and who is out? in a subtle yet persuasive way. The metaphor of a big, inclusive umbrella may be familiar to adults, however, to kids it’s relatively novel. They think of an umbrella more like a toy to play with or a tool that enables them to play in the rain with abandon and joy.

Most of us can remember the thrill of puddle jumping as a child. We can recall when the scent of rain equaled an invitation to leap for joy. This sweet story opens with a furled umbrella stacked by a closed door. It serves as the perfect visual message that adventure waits on the other side. The main character dons a slicker and rubber boots, grabs the red umbrella, and heads out. (Since his? her? gender remains hidden under rain gear, girls and boys will easily imagine themselves right in the action of the story.)

Readers will delightfully anticipate darting through the door into the splashy, squishy fun of a rain-soaked world. The story unfolds from the umbrella’s perspective as it expands to welcome people one by one under its shelter. It magically expands to include each newcomer. All are welcome regardless of size, shape, color or species! The softly colored illustrations bring the story’s message to life and feature a diverse selection of ages, races, abilities, and ethnicities. Children will absorb the timely concept of inclusivity without being knocked over the head by it.

AQ Lens:

Children who were adopted frequently wrestle with a strong need to feel as if they belong therefore this story’s theme will resonate with them. It readily lends itself to questions about feeling left out. First, ask them when they’ve observed other people being excluded and then slide into discussions about their own personal experiences. Help them to identify ways they can be a welcoming force to others. Discuss how differences can be interesting and add excitement and novelty. Again, this conversation can then shift to how they bring that “extra spice” to their own families, Talk about how that contribution matters and has value. Children who were adopted need to know that their families appreciate not only the ways in which they are similar but also the ways in which they are different. Clarity on this point helps them to feel confident that they can grow to be fully themselves.

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For more Adoption-attuned* insight, check out my award-winning picture book:

ABC, Adoption & Me: A Multicultural Picture Book

 Welcome to #DiverseKidLit !
Please join us in sharing your diverse children’s book links and resources, as well as visiting other links to find great suggestions and recommendations.

What Is #DiverseKidLit?

Diverse Children’s Books is a book-sharing meme designed to promote the reading and writing of children’s books that feature diverse characters. This community embraces all kinds of diversity including (and certainly not limited to) diverse, inclusive, multicultural, and global books for children of all backgrounds.

We encourage everyone who shares to support this blogging community by visiting and leaving comments for at least three others. Please also consider following the hosts on at least one of their social media outlets. Spread the word using #diversekidlit and/or adding our button to your site and your diverse posts.

DiverseKidLit

We hope this community serves as a resource for parents, teachers, librarians, publishers, and authors! Our next linkup will be Saturday, June 2nd and the first Saturday of each month.

#DiverseKidLit is Hosted by:

Katie @ The Logonauts
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / PinterestBecky @ Franticmommmy
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / InstagramBethany @ Biracial Bookworms
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram / GoodreadsCarolina @ La Clase de Sra. DuFault
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Google+

Gauri @ Kitaab World
an online bookstore for South Asian children’s books, toys and games
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram

Gayle Swift, Author of ABC, Adoption & Me
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Google+

Marjorie @ Mirrors Windows Doors
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest

Mia @ Pragmatic Mom
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram

Myra @ Gathering Books
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram / Goodreads

Shoumi Sen, Author of Toddler Diaries
Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Want to be notified when the next #diversekidlit linkup goes live? Click here to join the mailing list. Interested in joining as a host or an occasional co-host? Contact katie at thelogonauts.com.

(Never participated in a linkup before? Please click here for a more detailed step-by-step.)

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Our Pinterest board highlights a wide range of amazing posts and resources for Diverse Children’s Books. Please consider following the board for even more great books!

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Kindness in Action

Although it is not a recently published book, The Mitten Tree written by Candace Christiansen and illustrated by Elaine Greenstein is worth reading. The simple story line tells of a lonely elderly woman who watches the neighborhood children as they wait at the bus stop. She remembers when her children gathered there and longs for the warmth and joy of that part of her life.

One cold morning, she notices one boy stands off from the rest of the group as they romp through newly-fallen snow. She sees that he has no mittens. Her heart is touched and she decides to knit him a pair of mittens.

The next morning she visits the bus stop before any of the children arrive. She carefully hangs the mittens on the sturdy spruce tree and then quickly returns home to watch from her window. Sure enough, the boy who had no mittens spots them on the tree. Exactly as she had hoped, he takes them for his own.

She knits every day and replenishes the mitten tree with her handiwork. Although she remains anonymous, she finds new-found purpose in her project. Eventually, she runs out of yarn. To her surprise, on her porch she discovers a basket overflowing with yarn. Someone has noticed her endeavor! The circle of kindness is completed!

I like this book not only for its easily gleaned message of helping others but also because it highlights that one must not only notice when a person needs help, one must take action to help fulfill that need. [bctt tweet=”Kindness Is a thought before it is an action. Kindness disengaged from action is an empty promise.” username=”GayleHSwift”]

It also reinforces the fact that kindness blesses both the giver and the recipient. We must help kids learn how to be kind. Reading stories like this help to teach them the habit of noticing opportunities to be kind and then reinforces the need to take action.

This story also has the added element of anonymity. The children do not know who is knitting the mittens and the woman does not know who is gifting her yarn. This subtle point can be pointed out to young readers teaching them that kindnesses are performed to benefit someone who needs a helping hand not to gain praise or admiration from others.

AQ Lens

Just as in The Mitten Tree both the woman and the children benefit from the kindness proffered, adoption brings gains to both child and parent. (This is not to invalidate or diminish the very real grief and loss issues adoptees must handle.) Parents can use the story as a jumping off point for reiterating their deep feelings about what adopting their child has brought them. They can then ask the child to discuss some of their feelings—if they are willing. Do not force them to reveal what they are not ready to explore. Also, encourage them to share ALL of their feelings—not just the happy ones. Creating the space for a discussion of their more challenging feelings is crucial. They need to explore this emotional minefield and they need the love, acceptance and, support of their parents to navigate their explorations.

P. S. People often feel free to tell adoptees that they should be grateful for being adopted. As an adoption coach, I know this is received as a violation of personal privacy boundaries. Moreover, it is unhelpful. Unless directly involved in a specific adoption, refrain from offering uninvited advice. Adoption is too complicated, the emotions involved too complex and, the stakes are too high for outsiders to insert themselves.

Welcome to #DiverseKidLit ! Please join us in sharing your diverse children’s book links and resources, as well as visiting other links to find great suggestions and recommendations.

What Is #DiverseKidLit?

Diverse Children’s Books is a book-sharing meme designed to promote the reading and writing of children’s books that feature diverse characters. This community embraces all kinds of diversity including (and certainly not limited to) diverse, inclusive, multicultural, and global books for children of all backgrounds.

We encourage everyone who shares to support this blogging community by visiting and leaving comments for at least three others. Please also consider following the hosts on at least one of their social media outlets. Spread the word using #diversekidlit and/or adding our button to your site and your diverse posts.

DiverseKidLit

We hope this community serves as a resource for parents, teachers, librarians, publishers, and authors! Our next linkup will be Saturday, January 6th and the first Saturday of each month.

Most Clicked Post from Last Time

The most-clicked post from the previous #diversekidlit was on Diverse Female Superheroes and in Children’s Books … and Why We Need Them by author Sonia Panigrahy. She shares about her own diverse female superhero as well as some important thoughts about the need to share and promote books like this for all children. Thank so much to Bethany at Biracial Bookworms for sharing this great interview!

#DiverseKidLit is Hosted by:

Katie @ The Logonauts
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / PinterestBecky @ Franticmommmy
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / InstagramBethany @ Biracial Bookworms
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram / Goodreads
Carolina @ La Clase de Sra. DuFault
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Google+
Gauri @ Kitaab World
an online bookstore for South Asian children’s books, toys and games
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram
Gayle Swift, Author of ABC, Adoption & Me
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Google+
Marjorie @ Mirrors Windows Doors
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest
Mia @ Pragmatic Mom
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram
Myra @ Gathering Books
Blog / Twitter / Facebook
Shoumi Sen, Author of Toddler Diaries
Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Want to be notified when the next #diversekidlit linkup goes live? Click here to join the mailing list. Interested in joining as a host or an occasional co-host? Contact katie at thelogonauts.com.

(Never participated in a linkup before? Please click here for a more detailed step-by-step.)

Get #DiverseKidLit Recommendations on Pinterest!

Our Pinterest board highlights a wide range of amazing posts and resources for Diverse Children’s Books. Please consider following the board for even more great books!

Share Your Link Below