Yay! Today is Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCBD)! This is my 6th year participating in MCBD as an author sponsor and reviewer, and my third as a co-host! Woo hoo! It’s my favorite book event every year! More information about MCBD and the Read Your World Zoom Party is below right after my book review.
This year I have the honor of reviewing Two Bicycles in Beijing, written by Teresa Robeson and illustrated by Junyi Wu, which was #gifted to me as part of MCBD.
Summary:
Absolutely stunning picture book based in Beijing, China! The story is told from the viewpoint of a red bicycle, named Lunzi – how cute and fun is that?!?!
Lunzi and her best friend, Huangche, a yellow bike, came from the same factory and sat next to each other by a window in a bicycle shop in Beijing, where they contently watched the hustle and bustle of the world together. They were happy. But one day a girl bought Huangche and they were separated! Oh no! Shortly afterwards, a boy came and purchased Lunzi. Lunzi was hopeful she would be able to find Huangche. The boy and Lunzi rode all over Beijing and they kept seeing flashes of yellow, but, to Lunzi’s dismay, it was never Huangche. Does Lunzi ever find Huangche? Are they ever reunited? How? I don’t want to ruin the ending for you so you will have to read this charming book for yourselves to find out!
Review:
I absolutely love this book! The story is sweet and poetic, and shows how special and strong friendship is. Kids of all ages will be able to relate to Lunzi and Huangche’s friendship and their heartbreak when separated. The illustrations are wonderful and have a crayon colored look – perfect for a children’s book!
Traveling with Lunzi through Beijing and passing by all the landmarks and places I have visited made me nostalgic for Beijing. All those wonderful sights and sounds! For those who have been to Beijing, they will recognize the places mentioned. For others, this is a wonderful way to introduce them to a new city! I also appreciate how the author so naturally intersperses Chinese words throughout the story. Kids will pick up on these words without even realizing they are learning! Such a fun way to introduce a few foreign words and culture to young kiddos.
As a bonus, the author includes a glossary of the Chinese words in the story, as well as some information on the sights mentioned in the book. More fun learning! Yay!
About the Author:
Teresa Robeson was born in Hong Kong, raised in Canada, and now lives on a mini-farm in Indiana with her scientist husband, younger son, and quirky chickens. She draws upon her Chinese heritage, Canadian-American sensibilities, as well as her background when she writes. A 2013 trip to China with her family inspired this whimsical story.
In addition to TWO BICYCLES IN BEIJING, Teresa has also written the APALA Picture Book Award-winning book, QUEEN OF PHYSICS, and an essay in NONFICTION WRITERS DIG DEEP. She has may more books coming so stay tuned!
You can see more about Teresa and follow her at:
http://teresarobeson.comhttps://www.instagram.com/tmrobeson/
Now, for more info about MCBD 2021 and the Virtual Zoom Party:
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2023 (1/26/23) is in its 10th 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 books into the hands of young readers and educators.
Ten 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 2023 is honored to be Supported by these Medallion Sponsors!
FOUNDER’S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Pragmaticmom) and Valarie Budayr’s (Audreypress.com)
🏅 Super Platinum Sponsor: Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media
🏅 Platinum Sponsors: Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 50+ Languages
🏅 Gold Sponsors: Interlink Books, Publisher Spotlight
🏅 Silver Sponsors: Cardinal Rule Press, Lee & Low, Barefoot Books, Kimberly Gordon Biddle
🏅 Bronze Sponsors: Vivian Kirkfield, Patrice McLaurin , Quarto Group, Carole P. Roman, Star Bright Books, Redfin.com, Redfin Canada, Bay Equity Home Loans, Rent.com, Title Forward
Poster Artist: Lisa Wee
Classroom Kit Poster: Led Bradshaw
MCBD 2023 is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!
Authors: Sivan Hong, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Josh Funk , Stephanie M. Wildman, Gwen Jackson, Diana Huang, Afsaneh Moradian, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Eugenia Chu, Jacqueline Jules, Alejandra Domenzain, Gaia Cornwall, Ruth Spiro, Evelyn Sanchez-Toledo, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Kiyanda and Benjamin Young/Twin Powers Books, Kimberly Lee , Tameka Fryer Brown, Talia Aikens-Nuñez, Marcia Argueta Mickelson, Kerry O’Malley Cerra, Jennie Liu, Heather Murphy Capps, Diane Wilson, Sun Yung Shin, Shannon Gibney, John Coy, Irene Latham and Charles Waters, Maritza M Mejia, Lois Petren, J.C. Kato and J.C.², CultureGroove, Lindsey Rowe Parker, Red Comet Press, Shifa Saltagi Safadi, Nancy Tupper Ling, Deborah Acio, Asha Hagood, Priya Kumari, Chris Singleton, Padma Venkatraman, Teresa Robeson, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, Martha Seif Simpson, Rochelle Melander, Alva Sachs, Moni Ritchie Hadley, Gea Meijering, Frances Díaz Evans, Michael Genhart, Angela H. Dale, Courtney Kelly, Queenbe Monyei, Jamia Wilson, Charnaie Gordon, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, Debbie Zapata, Jacquetta Nammar Feldman, Natasha Yim, Tracy T. Agnelli, Kitty Feld, Anna Maria DiDio, Ko Kim, Shachi Kaushik
MCBD 2023 is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts!
MCBD 2023 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
- MCBD 2023 Poster
- Mental Health Support for Stressful Times Classroom Kit
- 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
- Gallery of Our Free Posters
- FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program
📌 Register for the MCBD Read Your World Virtual Party
Join us on Thursday, January 26, 2023 (TONIGHT!), at 9 pm EST for the 10th annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day Read Your World Virtual 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, and connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians.
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 this incredible review, Eugenia!!
It was my honor to review your beautiful book! Truly loved it!