Kids Like Us

01/31/2021

Today is Multicultural Children's Book Day!! Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2021 (1/29/21) is in its 8th
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.

I am so excited to have the opportunity to review "The Scrumptious Life of Azaleah Lane" written by Nikki Shannon Smith and illustrated by Gloria Felix, was gifted to me by one of the Gold Sponsors of the event, Capstone. When looking for books to add to our collection, we look for books that are high quality and culturally relevant. We also look for books that are "mirrors" and "windows"

This story is about the Lane family - Mama, Daddy, Nia, Azaleah and Tiana Lane - who live in Washington D. C. When we meet the family, the girls are preparing to spend the weekend with their Auntie Sam so that their parents can attend a food truck event. Once the girls get to Auntie Sam's apartment and get settled, Auntie Sam says that she has a surprise for them. But before they learn of the surprise, Azaleah decides she wants to make a special treat for her mom and dad. Auntie Sam agrees but they have to go to the store to get the ingredients. Once back at the apartment, Azaleah gets to making the surprise. However, when the surprise is done, they don't taste good at all. So Azaleah puts on her detective hat to determine what went wrong. Through a series of deductions, she figures out what the problem is and creates the perfect special treat just in time.

This book was a breath of fresh air to me and I will definitely add it to our collection. I have often had discussions with colleagues asking where are the books that depict the life my children have lived. This is that book. I love that the surprise that Auntie Sam has for them, is a cultural experience. It helps to normalize that Black people like and appreciate the arts just like anyone else. I thing the book also teaches that just because something is different than what one is used to doesn't make it wrong. This point is made when they go to the grocery store to get the ingredients for the treat. Azaleah points out that the store isn't like the store where they normally shop nor are the ingredients the same brands that her mother buys. But in the end, they are able to get what they need and the surprise turns out perfect. This book also includes surprise and adventure that will keep readers engaged.

01/30/2021

Today is Multicultural Children's Book Day!! Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2021 (1/29/21) is in its 8th
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.

I am so excited to have the opportunity to review four books gifted to me by one of the Gold Sponsors, Capstone. When looking for books to add to our collection, we look for books that are high quality and culturally relevant. We also look for books that are "mirrors" and "windows"

This book "Astrid and Apollo and the Happy New Year" written by V. T. Bania and illustrated by Dara Lashia Lee, reintroduces us to twins, Astrid and Apollo, Dad, Mom, and baby Eliana. The family is attending the Hmong New Year Festival which is a big celebration for Hmong people. The event is taking place in a large arena with many, many people. The kids are told to stay close to their parents so they don't get lost. As the family looks for seats, Astrid sees a little boy all alone and crying. Astrid approaches the little boy and asks if he is lost. The little boy takes Astrid's hand and begins to pull her in the opposite direction of her family. Apollo sees what is happening and reminds Astrid that they are supposed to follow their parents. What should Astrid and Apollo do? Should they help the little boy and risk getting lost? Or do they leave the little boy on his own? Follow the twins on this adventure to see what happens.

This book is well written and the illustrations are wonderful. I would categorize this book as a beginning chapter book. I enjoyed this book more than "Astrid and Apollo and the Starry Campout" because it shows more of the Hmong culture. However, the experiences that Astrid and Apollo have are experiences that any child could relate to and may even have experienced themselves. Additionally, this book includes a glossary and study questions. I would include this book in our collection and recommend it to others.

01/29/2021

Today is Multicultural Children's Book Day!! Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2021 (1/29/21) is in its 8th
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.

I am so excited to have the opportunity to review four books gifted to me by one of the Gold Sponsors, Capstone. When looking for books to add to our collection, we look for books that are high quality and culturally relevant. We also look for books that are "mirrors" and "windows"

The first book I will review is "Astrid and Apollo and the Starry Campout" written by V. T. Bidania and illustrated by Dara Lashia Lee. I would categorize this as a beginning chapter book.

The story is about a Hmong family - Mom, Dad, twins, Astrid and Apollo, and their baby sister Eliana. As the story begins, Astrid is hiding from her family because she does not want to go camping due to a fear that she has. Apollo convinces her that camping will be fun. The remainder of the story involves the usual activities that happen when setting up a camping sight and how Astrid, Apollo, and the rest of the family react to different situations they encounter.

I think this book is well written and the illustrations are fantastic so it would meet our standard of a high quality book. One of the characteristics of the book that I liked is that it showed this family going camping, which many Hmong families do, but it also included other families camping as well. I also liked the adventure aspect of the book and I think it will keep readers' attention. This book could be used as a "mirror" book or a "window" book. The book includes a glossary of Hmong words with definitions, and a very brief history about the Hmong people.

I think this a good beginner chapter book and nice introduction about the Hmong people. I wish that it had been made clearer in the pages of the story that camping is a common activity among the Hmong people.

10/10/2019

Are we hindering our struggling readers by using a method that doesn't use cognitive research? Phonics vs cueing. It's a long article but worth the read or listen.

For decades, schools have taught children the strategies of struggling readers, using a theory about reading that cognitive scientists have repeatedly debunked. And many teachers and parents don't know there's anything wrong with it.

05/03/2019

The list keeps getting better.

And then there were 30!

05/01/2019

04/23/2019

Kadir Nelson was inspired by Kwame Alexander's poem. It "spoke to excellence, and perseverance, and triumph amidst adversity," Nelson says. "It was an ode to the sung and unsung heroes in history."

04/21/2019

Happy Sunday, everyone!

03/21/2019

Educator Lindsay Barrett offers suggestions for using diverse books to support social and emotional learning in grade 1.

02/13/2019

Educator Lindsay Barrett looks at strategies for managing big feelings: how diverse books can support social and emotional learning in kindergarten.

02/06/2019

Find your next favorite window here: https://bit.ly/2Sj9Znn

02/06/2019

And year-round, of course.