It’s time for the 2nd Annual Multicultural Children’s Book Giveaway and KidLit TV is teaming up with Pragmatic Mom, Jump into a Book, Franticmommy, The Educators Spin On It, What Do We Do All Day?, Teach Mama, and Multicultural Children’s Book Day to give parents, teachers, and librarians in need, a chance to win a multicultural book bundle for their school library.
Libraries play an important role in everyone’s life. The library is a place where knowledge and the love of reading shine! However, budgets for school programs are being cut, and school libraries have been heavily affected. Hours for library time have been shortened in some schools, and even non-existent in others.
Up until September 30th you can enter to win a curated bundle of multicultural books featuring StoryMakers guests and additional kid lit authors.
BOOKS IN GIVEAWAY BUNDLE!
Marvelous Cornelius
Written by Phil Bildner, illustrated by John Parra
Published by Chronicle Books
In New Orleans, there lived a man who saw the streets as his calling, and he swept them clean. He danced up one avenue and down another and everyone danced along. The old ladies whistled and whirled. The old men hooted and hollered. The barbers, bead twirlers, and beignet bakers bounded behind that one-man parade.
My Forgotten Self
Written by Lynyetta G. Willis, illustrated by Michele Phillips
Published by Inner Pathway’s Publishing
Tiev is a playful girl who vividly dreams about the many paths her life can take. However, when she shares these dreams with her family, they quickly tell her why she cannot be any of the things her heart desires. Feeling lost, hurt, and confused, Tiev encounters a powerful and loving Being. Tiev gets a glimpse into who she truly is and the amazing gifts waiting for her along each of her desired paths.
Monster Needs Your Vote
Written and by Paul Czajak, illustrated by Wendy Grieb
Published by Mighty Media Kids
Election season is here and Monster is ready to vote but, why cast your ballot when you can run for president instead? With speeches, debates, and a soapbox or two, Monster’s new tale is a campaign to encourage kids to stand up and fight for what the believe in!
Little Elliot, Big Fun
Written and Illustrated by Mike Curato
Published by Henry Holt & Company
Little Elliot, the polka-dotted elephant, and his friend Mouse go to the amusement park to see the sights and ride water chutes, roller coasters, carousels, and more. But Elliot isn’t having much fun the rides are too wet, too fast, and just too scary until Mouse figures out a way to help him overcome his fears. Together, Mouse and Little Elliot can do anything!
Emma and Julia Love Ballet
Written and illustrated by Barbara McClintock
Published by Scholastic Press
Emma is little and Julia is big. They both love ballet. Emma is learning to be a ballerina andJulia is a professional ballerina. They are both excited about the big performance in the theater tonight. Emma will be watching from the audience and Julia will be dancing onstage! Afterward, Emma will go backstage to meet her ballet hero!
Booked
Written by Kwame Alexander
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers
Twelve-year-old Nick learns the power of words as he wrestles with problems at home, stands up to a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams. Helping him along are his best friend and teammate Coby, and The Mac.
Peep and Egg
Written by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Joyce Wan
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Peep wants Egg to hatch so they can do fun things together, like watch the sunrise, splash in puddles, and play hide-and-seek. But Egg is “not cracking.”
Marta! Big & Small
Written by Jennifer Arena, illustrated by Jen Arena & Angela Dominguez
Published by Roaring Brook Press
As Marta explores the jungle, she knows she’s bigger than a bug, smaller than an elephant, and faster than a turtle. But then she meets the snake, who thinks Marta is “sabrosa” tasty, very tasty But Marta is “ingeniosa,” a very clever girl, and she outsmarts the snake with hilarious results.With simple Spanish and a glossary at the end, this fun read-aloud picture book teaches little ones to identify opposites and animals and learn new words.
Monster Slayer
Written by Gladys Barbieri, illustrated by Linar Safar
Published by Castlebridge Books
Spirited Gladys Elizabeth has a big problem: her pesky little sister. But when the monsters come out at night and interrupt her sleep, she realizes she is not up for the challenge. An unlikely ally shows up just in time, and Gladys Elizabeth learns a valuable lesson about the meaning of family
A Morning With Grandpa
Written by Sylvia Liu, illustrated by Christina Forshay
Published by Lee & Low Books
Mei Mei’s grandpa is practicing tai chi in the garden, and Mei Mei is eager to join in. As Gong Gong tries to teach her the slow, graceful movements, Mei Mei enthusiastically does them with her own flair. Then Mei Mei takes a turn, trying to teach Gong Gong the yoga she learned in school. Will Gong Gong be able to master the stretchy, bendy poses?
Kai and the Magic Jacket Written and illustrated by Tricia Chinn Campbell
Published by Blissful Thinking Publishing
When Kai receives an anonymous gift, he is unexpectedly introduced to ancestors from another time. In this coming of age story, Kai is offered guidance while confronted with choices and peer pressure. Kai And The Magic Jacket will encourage children to develop confidence!
Here’s how it works:
- Enter to win via the Rafflecopter widget below.
- Winners are chosen randomly. We’ll notify all winners via email.
- You’ll give us the name of your librarian, and address of your school library.
- We’ll send the books to your school library, in your name!
Thank you to these featured publishers for producing wonderful multicultural books.
Lee and Low
Inner Pathway’s Publishing
Blissful Thinking Publishing
Mighty Media Kids
Henry Holt & Company
Scholastic Press
HMH Books for Young Readers
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Chronicle Books
Roaring Brook Press
Castlebridge Books
Current and former librarians share why they believe school libraries are essential:
“A school is just a building, a floor, walls, doors, windows and a roof, without a library. A vibrant library program is the life force of a school; a professional librarian, the heart which keeps it moving. Our school libraries foster innovative thinking, a desire to locate the truth in the most efficient way, and a sincere love of reading. School libraries are not a luxury; they are a fundamental and essential element in generating and insuring lifelong learning.”
— Margie Myers-Culver, K-12 Certified Teacher Librarian
“As a retired school librarian, I certainly know the importance of school libraries. With more and more school librarians being eliminated it is of the utmost importance that we advocate and publicize the important role they play.”
ABOUT
Pragmatic Mom
Pragmatic Mom was born of several circumstances; one child’s lackluster academic year, a mishap during a reading session, and realizing it was okay for a mom to love kid lit more than adult fiction. Mia Wenjen chronicles her family’s journey through education, parenting, and children’s literature via Pragmatic Mom. Mia is a leader in literacy and parenting. She is one of the co-founders of Multicultural Children’s Book Day.
Connect with Pragmatic Mom on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Jump Into A Book
Jump Into A Book (JIAB) is a site about the love of children’s books and how they can be incorporated into our everyday lives through play, crafting, cooking, movies, games, traveling and author visits. At JIAB, they strive to pull books off shelves and stories off pages to create reading experiences for families. Amazon and iTunes best-selling author and founder of Audrey Press, Valarie Budayr is a play and reading advocate, whose mission is to inspire children, families, and communities to experience and create a world together through books while having fun.
Connect with Jump Into A Book on Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Franticmommy
Rebecca Flansburg (a.k.a Franticmommy), is a freelance writer, blogger and virtual assistant. Franticmommy.com, is filled with laughter and love about the joys of parenthood. Rebecca is also committed to helping women realize their work-from-home dreams, enjoying life beyond the cubicle, and find clarity in the work/life/family balance.
Connect with Franticmommy on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Multicultural Children’s Book Day
Multicultural Children’s Book Day’s (MCCBD) mission is to not only raise awareness for the kid’s books that celebrate diversity, but to get more of these of books into classrooms and libraries.Children’s reading and play advocates Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book and Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom have teamed up to create an ambitious (and much needed) national event. On January 27th, 2014 Jump into a Book and Pragmatic Mom presented the very first Multicultural Children’s Book Day as a way of celebrating diversity in children’s books. The results and support overwhelming as authors, publishers, parents, teachers, bloggers and librarians joined forces to offer up an online event designed to shine the spotlight on diversity in children’s literature.
Connect with Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
The Educators Spin On It
Making everyday moments into teachable opportunities is the focus of The Educators’ Spin On It. The site was created by educators Kim Vij and Amanda Boyarshinov, certified educators and experienced teachers, currently stay at home moms, who have found blogging and Pinterest a key social media tool to share resources with parents.
Connect with The Educators Spin On it on Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube.
What Do We Do All Day?
Here at What Do We Do All Day? we find creative ways to fill the days of our adventurous, lovely and crazy urban life. We blog about the books we read, food we eat, places we go and a few extra thoughts just to keep you on your toes.
Connect with What We Do All Day on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Amy Kilpatrick Mascott is the creator of teachmama.com, where since 2008, she has shared tools and resources parents can use to become the best teachers they can be for their children.
A Reading Specialist, writer, and literacy consultant, Amy’s work has been featured on dozens of online and print publications, including Scholastic Parents, PBS Parents, readwritethink.org, PBS Digital Studios, and more.
Amy is a former high school English teacher who has truly expanded the walls of classroom, sharing her expertise at local and national events and publishing her first book with Scholastic, Raising a Rock-Star Reader: 75 Quick Tips for Helping Your Child Develop a Lifelong Love for Reading in 2015.
Married to an elementary school principal, Amy resides in the DC Metro with her three crazy-cool kids (11, 10, and 8 years old), a dog, two birds, and one fish.
Connect with Teach Mama on Facebook, Instagram, Pinter
KidLit TV
KidLit TV is a community of authors, illustrators, educators, and parents all working together to bring great books to kids. We hope to reinforce an appreciation of reading that children will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Click here for more.
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All Rafflecopter entrants must reside in the United States and be at least 13 years old.
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We love to hear from YOU!
Fabulous list of books you are giving away! Wow – wonderful additions to any school library!
Thank you, Traci! Best of luck!
Wow! I love the kidlit community. It’s all about making sure our world has windows and mirrors through literature. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway chance but more for the work you do — which always seems full of joy.
Thank you, Linda! Yes, it’s definitely important for kids to be able to identify with characters who look and feel like them. Thank you for your support!
There are so many wonderful diverse books. I cannot pick just one or two. Thanks for the incredible giveaway. As always, you continue to amaze.
That’s okay! Loving more than one diverse book is great! Thank you for always supporting us whether it’s on the site, Facebook, or Twitter. Yeah, I see you! :D
Great selection of books and a wonderful way to increase diversity in our libraries!
Thank you! Agreed, diverse books are needed in every library!
Favorite multicultural books (at the moment!): Brown Girl Dreaming; Caminar!
Excellent choices, Margaret!
Thank you for these wonderful book recommendations. I will be sure to purchase a few for the start of the school year for all my students.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide even more books that all of my students see themselves in! I have so many favorites- Currently the Little People Big Dreams series and Mary had a Little Glam;)
You’re welcome, MaryEllen! Windows and mirrors are essential to telling stories for children of all ages.
This is a wonderful giveaway! KidLit is such an awesome resource for keeping us informed and in in touch with children’s books and their authors. Although I have many favorite books celebrating diversity, one that stands out currently is The Book Itch by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson. What a great story showing how one man broke the myth that black people don’t read by providing much needed access to a place centered around reading, knowledge and intellect that became the cultural center of the community.
Valerie, ‘The Book Itch’ is one of my favorites! I’m so happy you chose that as a favorite too. Black children do love reading, but they have to be supported at home, in school, and by the kid lit world. Overall, we need more community-based bookstores across the United States. No child should be denied the right to literacy.
My favorite diverse book is: “The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read”. This is an amazing giveaway. The more we can expose children to diverse ideas and images, the better!
That sounds like a great choice, Alyssa! Agreed. Children are better off for being exposed to diverse images of other kids and their lives. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
I love the variety of diverse books on shelves today. My favorite new genre of books include those written in free verse. So I love Brown Girl Dreaming, Booked, Crossover, on and on. Such a diverse genre and so many authors choosing to write this way to tell diverse stories!
You’re speaking my language, Stacey. Kwame Alexander and Jackie Woodson are a few of our favorites. Have you seen Kwame’s piece in the New York Times?
I have so many favorite diverse books, but I love Todd Parr’s It’s Okay to Be Different for all age groups! Project Mulberry (Linda Sue Park) is another I have loved for several years. It’s a great fit for my Illinois community of learners, reflecting their own experiences. In addition and for the same reason, I also love, Lowji Discovers America (Candace Fleming).
Thanks, Heather! Todd and his books are amazing! Kids really see themselves in his words and art. Have you seen our shows and content all about Todd Parr? Check it out: https://kidlit.tv/?s=todd+parr!
It’s wonderful that your students are able to see themselves in kid lit and that you’ve sought those titles out. Keep up the great work!
I love this giveaway! I am most recently in love with Last Stop on Market Street.
Ooh, ‘Last Stop on Market Street’ is such a wonderful book, Tonya. So many kids can see themselves in Matt de la Pena’s words and Christian Robinson’s illustrations. It’s a great mix of vintage style illustration and contemporary issues.
We just borrowed Oscar’s Half Birthday from the library and loved it – the story isn’t about diversity/multicultural topics but I thought the illustrations were fabulous in this respect.
That’s such a cute book, Kathy! The illustrations are definitely mirrors for kids who are biracial or members of mixed race families.
My favorite diverse book is anything illustrated by super-hero Jerry Craft.
Jerry Craft is totally a super hero, Amanda! I love ‘The Offenders’!
We’ve always loved The Snowy Day for so many reasons.
Ezra Jack Keats’ ‘The Snowy Day’ is a classic! It’s timeless.
I am so thankful for the Kitlittv community. I have gain such insight from this article and many others. Thank you. I will be telling my fellow librarians friends about this KidLitTV give-a-way.
Thank you so much, Julee. I’ve definitely seen you around. Thank you for letting other librarians know about KidLit TV!
Just discovered kidlit and I’m looking forward to using this valuable resource!!
Welcome, Beth! As you can see we have lots of great resources to share. Come explore kid lit with us!
My son’s favorite series is Princess Pink and the Land of Fake Balieve
Your son has got great comedic kid lit tastes, Jennifer. That series is hilarious. I live for fractured fairytales. You should check out ‘Little Red Gliding Hood’ by Tara Lazar.
So excited for the giveaway. 8 teach cultural classes to kids and this will be very helpful! Thanks!
Hi Vanessa! I’d love to learn more about your cultural classes! What are some topics? How do you incorporate kid lit?
I host a Little Library in My Community and these text readers are so necessary for the families I support with Literacy Opportunities as they are as diverse as the books that are featured!
Aamira, thank you for all you do to make diverse books accessible to your community. I’m sure the parents and children you work with are very grateful.
So many wonderful diverse books to choose from! We love the Bee-Bim Bap book and Moonbeams, dumplings & dragon boats : a treasury of Chinese holiday tales, activities & recipes, which we read recently.
Wonderful collection of titles.
“Ten, Nine, Eight” by Molly Bang for the win, with “Please, Baby, Please” by Spike Lee a close second.
We enjoyed The Skin We Live In. :-)
I don’t have a favorite multicultural book, but a favorite author-Ann Morris.
This is the first time I’m hearing about Kidlittv! Where have I been??? Looking forward to learning more.
My favorite diverse book is Nasreen’s Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan. The themes and emotions presented in the book are universal. I think it is immensely valuable for children to make emotional connections with the stories of children from around the world.
Favourite diverse book is Bifocal by Deborah Ellis and Eric Walters. Great giveaway!
How are we supposed to choose? Thank you for this great giveaway.
LOVE this site! KidLit TV is a great way for writers/illustrators/educators to connect, learn, and support each other. This diverse book giveaway is a fabulous idea and another example of how dedicated our community is to reaching all kids. Thank you!
We love the little boy in “The Snowy Day”!
So many great books. I would love to read My Forgotten Self.
I would love to win any of these books that would be appropriate for my 1st grade classroom!
I believe the right book can change someone’s world! Imagine what a dozen “right” books could do.????
I’m new here and am so excited this resource is available. Diversity is an issue in my corner of the world and I would be excited to have this bundle to help out some. Great giveaway!
It’s really hard to just choose one! We have been reading Grace for President a lot lately and totally love it.
I just discovered KitLit this week, and I think its amazing! I have been watching your Storymakers videos everyday. Keep up the great work!
I am a mom looking for more diverse books for my 1st grader, so I’m excited to find this community! Happy to have found all of the great suggestions so far. Thanks!
Theren are so many great multicultural books. It would be wonderful if I could get some in English for my ESL students.
The Snowy Day
My favorite diverse book right now is Last stop on market street. We just got it as a gift for my son’s 2nd birthday. Glad to be discovering numerous resources on this website now!!
This collection would be wonderful for my kids’ school library! Every school needs more diverse books!
You cannot go wrong with any one of these choices! A couple recent favorites for me have been anything Phil Bildner and Keame Alexander.
Our students are always becoming more diverse, so this would be a wonderful addition to our school library. The author and illustrator interviews are great and are great mentor resources for writing workshop lessons.
We love EACH KINDNESS by Jaqueline Woodson.
My favorite this year is El Deafo!
One of my newer diverse favorites is the princess in black series. The first checkout this year was one of my male students. I read book one as a read aloud last year and they flew off the shelves in the hands of boys and girls. I can see they didn’t forget about them over the summer! What a great giveaway!!!
So many amazing diverse books to choose from…Recent favorites include Lily & Dunkin, The Serpent King, All American Boys, Booked…the list goes on…
A couple of my fave multicultural books-My Name is Yoon and I Hate English!
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz and Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson are two of my all time favorites!
What a wonderful collection- so excited to enter this giveaway!
My favorite diverse book at the moment is the Alvin Ho series by Lenore Look.
Hi such a great idea! All the books look good. I want to read forgotten self.
My family loves “A is for Activist” and “Growing up Pedro.”
I think my favorite diverse book is Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson. Although I love Crossover by Kwame Alexander also.
Mostly Monsterly by Tammi Sauer! Great book that teaches about diversity and being yourself.
Our library could really use these books!
We like – “The Skin I am In” – always a nice one to read more than once.
Wow amazing giveaway. Some lucky children going to be so happy
Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown or Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia by Jeanette Winter. :)