Read Your World (formerly Multicultural Children’s Book Day) is on January 29, 2026!
This is my 9th year participating as an author sponsor and reviewer, and my 6th as a co-host! Wait – can that be right? Time really flies! It’s my favorite book event every year! More information about #ReadYourWorld Virtual Party is below right after my book review. This year I have the honor of reviewing three books which were #gifted to me as part of Read Your World.
Giving Thanks with Halmoni, by Kathleen Choi and Sook Nyul Choi, illustrated by Il Sung Na
This mother-daughter writing team (LOVE that!) has created a truly lovely story centered on Chuseok, the Korean Harvest Festival—often described as the Korean Mid-Autumn Festival and comparable to Thanksgiving. The book gently introduces readers to Chuseok while also telling a heartfelt story about the bond between a grandmother and granddaughter, friendship, identity, and the joy of sharing cultures and traditions with others.
In the story, sweet Su-Jin worries that her Halmoni (Korean for grandmother), who has recently moved from Korea, will miss celebrating Chuseok. Wanting to make her feel at home, Su-Jin and her friends decide to surprise her with a Chuseok party. There’s just one problem—Su-Jin doesn’t actually know much about the holiday herself. Instead of pretending, the girls do something even better: they ask Halmoni to teach them. What follows is a beautiful example of learning across generations and cultures, as the girls prepare a celebration that welcomes everyone and honors Halmoni’s traditions.
Halmoni introduces the girls to all the parts of Chuseok, from meaningful gifts and mouth-watering food to honoring ancestors and playing traditional games. It’s a wonderful, accessible introduction to the holiday, especially for readers who may be unfamiliar with Korean culture. I also loved the way the authors naturally sprinkle in Korean words and phrases throughout the story, reinforcing cultural authenticity without interrupting the flow. The fact section at the end is a great bonus, offering even more context about Chuseok.
This is the kind of book that helps young readers see both themselves and others reflected on the page. Kids will relate to the friendships and family relationships, while also learning about a different culture in a way that feels inviting and joyful. It’s a lovely reminder that sharing traditions brings people closer—and that learning about one another can start with a simple question.
#READYOURWORLD
Now, for more info about Read Your World 2026 and the Virtual Party:
Read Your World 2026 (1/29/26) is in its 14th year! Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen founded this non-profit children’s literacy initiative; they are two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural diverse books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.
Read Your World’s mission is to raise awareness of the need to include kids’ books celebrating diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about our Mission and history HERE.
Read Your World is honored to be Supported by these Medallion:
FOUNDER’S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Pragmaticmom) and Valarie Budayr (Audreypress.com)
🏅 Super Platinum Sponsor: Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media
🏅 Platinum Sponsors: Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 60 Languages and Jeanne Walker Harvey
🏅 Gold Sponsors: Publisher Spotlight
🏅 Silver Sponsors: Red Comet Press
🏅 Silver Corporate Sponsor: Kathy Choi
🏅 Bronze Sponsors: Fabled Films Press
🏅 Corporate Sponsor: Crayola Education
Read Your World is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!
Authors: Audrey Barbakoff, Federico Erebia, Teddi Ahrens, Stephanie M. Wildman, Maritza M. Mejia, Authors J.C. Kato and J.C.², Eugenia Chu, Dorktales Storytime Podcast, Josh Funk, Frances Díaz Evans, Gaia Cornwall, Eric Clock, Maria Wen Adcock, Diana Huang, Gwen Jackson, Gea Meijering, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Ismee Williams, Karin Fisher-Golton, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Tami Lehman-Wilzig, Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou, Nancy Tupper Ling, Teresa Robeson,Crystal Z. Lee, Karen Leggett Abouraya, Elly Swartz, Robbin Miller, Shifa Safadi, Tonya Ellis,Lisa Stringfellow, Sylvia Liu, Kimberly Biddle, Robbin Miller, Tonya Ellis, Nadine Pressley, Natahsa Yim Carter, and Lisa Chong.
Read Your World is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts and by our Partner Organizations!
Check out RYW’s Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!
📌 FREE RESOURCES from Read Your World Day
- FREE RYW2026 Poster
- FREE Building Community with Bilingual Books 2026 Classroom Kit
- FREE Mental Health Support for Stressful Times Classroom Kit
- FREE Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parents
- FREE 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 Read Your World Virtual Party: https://readyourworld.org/virtualparty
Join us on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 8 pm EST celebrating 14 years of Read Your World Day Virtual Party! Register here.
This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.
We will be giving away a 10-Book Bundle during the virtual party plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants are welcome. **
Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, and connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. We look forward to seeing you all on January 29, 2026, at our virtual party!