Yay! Today is Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCBD)! This is my 4th year participating in MCBD as an author sponsor and reviewer, and my first as a co-host! Woo hoo! It’s my favorite book event every year! More information about MCBD and the annual Twitter Party is below right after my book review.
This year I have the honor of reviewing In the Nick of Time, written by Deedee Cummings and illustrated by Charlene Mosley. This is a heartwarming story about a boy, Nick Saint, learning the true meaning of Christmas and the joy and satisfaction of giving to, and helping, others. This wonderful story explores themes of kindness, awareness of other’s circumstances, empathy and compassion.
Nick, like lots of kids (including my own kiddo), loves video games and is sometimes careless with his words. He also don’t think about what others have or don’t have. In this story, Nick accidently (maybe) receives a letter meant for St. Nick from a boy at school, named Cooper. Cooper asks Santa for a job for his mom and a toy for his brother – nothing for himself. At first Nick thinks this is “stupid” – he can’t relate. But as he learns more about Cooper’s situation, he develops empathy and decides to try to answer Cooper’s letter to Santa. With his parents’ and school’s assistance, Nick is able to help Cooper and his family! Nick finally feels grateful for everything he has and even more grateful that he was able to help others.
This book is great to read with your kids to start a discussion about privilege, difficult times and the gift of giving rather than receiving.
Multicultural Aspect of the Book:
While the author does not make race an issue in the story, diversity is depicted throughout. Nick, after all, is a cute little brown boy. I love that the author wrote this book for her son (the real “Nick”) and other “little brown boys like you who do not see themselves very often in books.” It is so important for children to be able to see themselves in books to help bolster self-esteem by gaining a sense of affirmation about themselves and their culture.
Furthermore, it is crucial that ALL children are exposed to multicultural books, like this one, at a young age. I believe this will help diminish prejudicial thoughts about race and other differences. Children’s books with multicultural characters can be used to help open kids’ minds and to stimulate an understanding of diversity. It is important to expose kids to those who might be different because people will often sympathize or relate with those with whom they are familiar. These kinds of books teach children empathy towards those who look different and promote cross-cultural friendship while dispelling stereotypes. They show kids that even though some people may look different from them, people (especially children) are basically the same – everyone likes to play, gets frustrated sometimes, learns and feels pride when they help others.
Now, for more info about MCBD 2021 and the Twitter Party:
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.
Eight 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. Read about our Mission & History HERE.
MCBD 2021 is honored to be Supported by these Medallion Sponsors!
FOUNDER’S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Prgamaticmom) and Valarie Budayr’s (Audreypress.com)
Platinum Sponsors: Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 50+ Languages, Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media
Gold Sponsors: Barefoot Books, Candlewick Press, Capstone, Hoopoe Books, KidLitTV, Peachtree Publishing Company Inc.
Silver Sponsors: Charlotte Riggle, Connecticut Association of School Librarians, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, Pack-N-Go Girls
Bronze Sponsors: Agatha Rodi and AMELIE is IMPRESSED!, Barnes Brothers Books, Create and Educate Solutions, LLC, Dreambuilt Books, Dyesha and Triesha McCants/McCants Squared, Redfin Real Estate,Snowflake Stories, Star Bright Books, TimTimTom Bilingual Personalized Books, Author Vivian Kirkfield, Wisdom Tales Press, My Well Read Child
MCBD 2021 is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!
Poster Artist: Nat Iwata
Authors: Author Afsaneh Moradian, Author Alva Sachs & Three Wishes Publishing Company, Author Angeliki Stamatopoulou-Pedersen, Author Anna Olswanger, Author Casey Bell , Author Claudine Norden, Author Debbie Dadey, Author Diana Huang & Intrepids, Author Eugenia Chu & Brandon goes to Beijing, Green Kids Club, Author Gwen Jackson, Author Janet Balletta, Author Josh Funk, Author Julia Inserro, Karter Johnson & Popcorn and Books, Author Kathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry Blossom, Author Keila Dawson, Maya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove, Author Mia Wenjen, Michael Genhart, Nancy Tupper Ling, Author Natalie Murray, Natalie McDonald-Perkins, Author Natasha Yim, Author Phe Lang and Me On The Page Publishing,Sandra Elaine Scott, Author Shoumi Sen & From The Toddler Diaries, SISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard, Susan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher, Tales of the Five Enchanted Mermaids, Author Theresa Mackiewicz, Tonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book Series, Author Toshia Stelivan, Valerie Williams-Sanchez & The Cocoa Kids Collection Books©, Author Vanessa Womack, MBA, Author Veronica Appleton & the Journey to Appleville book series
MCBD 2021 is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts!
MCBD 2021 is Honored to be Supported by these Media Partners!
Check out MCBD’s Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!
FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day
Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parents
Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Activism and Activists Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Empathy Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Kindness Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Poverty Kit
FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program
TWITTER PARTY! Register here!
Join us tonight, Friday, Jan 29, 2021, at 9 pm EST for the 8th annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day Twitter Party!
This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.
We will be giving away an 8-Book Bundle every 5 minutes plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants welcome. **
Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. See you all very soon on Twitter!
Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.
Thanks so much for your wonderful review and for celebrating with us.
Thank you, Valarie, for this amazing event! It’s my absolute favorite book event every year!