In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and the REED Foundation for Autism

The “One Big Canvas” book series seeks to celebrate differences, showcasing how each individual, regardless of his or her own unique qualities, can be an integral part of a much larger picture.

The Reed Foundation understands autism is a highly prevalent and often misunderstood neurological disability. They hope that these positive and engaging children’s stories will promote acceptance, understanding, and kindness for all.

ABOUT THE BOOKS

One Big Canvas: The Masterpiece

Written by Jay Miletsky

Illustrated by Luis Peres

Ages 3-9 | 24 Pages

Publisher: New Paige Press | ISBN-13: 978-0578496382

Publisher’s Synopsis: Join a spunky collection of paintbrushes as they set out to create a grand masterpiece.

When some of the brushes don’t cooperate, is it because they are misbehaving…or is there another reason entirely? In this story, young readers are introduced to some of the behavioral differences in their autistic peers.

Without ever mentioning any particular challenge or disability by name, this story helps children recognize and understand what autism is, and impress upon them the importance of showing kindness to those who are different, wrapped into a fun story with lighthearted, engaging characters.

They worked through the day, then stopped and admired,

the wisdom their now-painted canvas inspired:

their painting was perfect, It all meshed just fine,

with its colorful circles, and angry green line.

It was a true masterpiece, not one thing was wrong,

including the hum of their single-note song.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3v9ibq3

One Big Canvas: The Molding of Clay

Written by Jay Miletsky

Illustrated by Luis Peres

Ages 3-9 | 24 Pages

Publisher: New Paige Press | ISBN-13: 978-0578496382

Publisher’s Synopsis: The brushes are back! Join Reese, Estelle and the rest of the gang in the art studio in another adventure as they learn the value of kindness and understanding.

When Clay comes to visit from the other side of the art studio, the brushes are excited to welcome their friend. But when a few of the brushes start acting differently, Clay needs to be reminded that it’s important to be accepting:

“Some brushes are different, so we like to remind,

it’s kind to be caring, so take care to be kind.”

Will Clay leave the brushes in frustration, or will he learn to mold his thinking as he comes to understand and accept that brushes have different abilities and challenges? Without ever mentioning autism or any particular disability, The Molding of Clay helps introduce children to the behavioral differences of their autistic peers, creating an opportunity for discussion. It helps teachers and parents impress upon them the importance of understanding, acceptance and kindness, through a fun, lighthearted story with quirky and colorful characters.

https://amzn.to/3dIFdxZ

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

The REED Foundation for Autism is committed to providing individuals with autism the opportunity to learn, live, work and thrive at every stage of their lives. For more information, please visit https://www.reedfoundationforautism.org.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK SERIES

ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

The Masterpiece

Written by Mr. Jay

Illustrated by Luis Peres

The paintbrushes have assembled in their art studio. They are determined to create a masterpiece. Only Estella sits off to the side and sings her own tune. The other brushed understand it is her way. They invite her but do not force her to participate. Then Byron decides to go off on his own to create paint circles. The other paintbrushes accept his efforts and join the fun. Suddenly, Lee decides to splatter green paint everywhere. Instead of getting angry, the other paintbrushes continued to add more colors. All day long, they worked together until the painting masterpiece was completed.

This tale teaches young children that each person is unique. Sometimes differences can not be controlled, but that does not mean all of us can succeed when allowing for our differences.

OUT OF A DIFFERENT MOLD

The Molding of Clay

Written by Mr. Jay

Illustrated by Luis Peres

Excitement runs high in the art studio because the paintbrushes are expecting a visitor, a lump of grey modeling clay, appropriately named Clay. When Clay comes barreling into the studio, Paul holds his ears because loud sounds bother him, while Estelle hides in a corner humming. Clay wants them to stop, but the brushes explain that it is their way. A small brush named Jerry keeps bantering Clay with his paintings of boats. Finally, Clay realizes that he himself can transform himself into many different forms so it must be okay, so he changes shape to take part in the fun.

Once again young readers discover that differences are not only acceptable but that they can be transformed into new and exciting strengths.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a ‘One Big Canvas’ book series prize pack!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

• A hardcover copy of One Big Canvas: The Masterpiece
• A hardcover copy of One Big Canvas: The Molding of Clay
• A $50 Amazon gift card

Two (2) winners receive:

• A hardcover copy of One Big Canvas: The Masterpiece
• A hardcover copy of One Big Canvas: The Molding of Clay

The giveaway begins April 23, 2021, at 12:01 A.M. MT, and ends May 23, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3d5cb282224/

TOUR SCHEDULE

April 23	The Children’s Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/	Book Review
April 24	Over Coffee Conversations	https://gmarcianoblogs.wordpress.com	Beyond the Book Activity
April 25	Mommy Ramblings	http://www.MommyRamblings.org	Book Review
April 26	Life Is What It’s Called	lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com	Book Review
April 27	Crafty Moms Share	https://www.craftymomsshare.com/	Book Review
April 28	Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog	https://bamauthor.me	Book Review
April 29	A Dream Within A Dream	http://adreamwithindream.blogspot.com	Book Review
April 30	Book Bug Ca	https://bookbugca.wordpress.com/	Book Review
May 3	Jrsbookreviews	Http://www.jrsbookreviews.com	Book Review
May 4	Heart to Heart	tynea-lewis.com	Book Review
May 5	Fairview Elementary School (Library)	https://fveslibrary.blogspot.com/	Book Review
May 6	Lisa’s Reading	https://lisasreading.com	Book Review
May 7	icefairy’s Treasure Chest	http://icefairystreasurechest.blogspot.com/	Book Review
May 10	Confessions of a Book Addict	http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.com	Book Giveaway
May 11	The Children’s Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/	Book Review
May 12	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	https://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com	Book Review
May 13	The Children’s Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/	Beyond the Book Activity

Read more…

The Easter Rooster

Written by Daniel Williamson

Illustrated by Kleverton Monteiro

This rhyming picture book written in British English laments the fate of a rooster who cannot protect the chickens’ eggs on Easter. The rooster vows that this year will be different. He tries his best but falls asleep while counting sheep.

Undeterred, the rooster traces the path of the bunny thief and attempts to retrieve the eggs. Will he succeed in returning them to the farm? Will the children waiting for their Easter eggs be disappointed?

Read this picture book to find out. Recommended for preschool and primary grade readers.

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THE BOOK OF YOU: Raising Happy Kids Book Collection

Written by Prof. Tiptoe

This is a short rhyming book in which parents are reading to a small child. The parents are giving the many reasons why their child is so important. In the short rhymes, the developmental stages of a child are presented. The book ends with the child as a adult ready to write her own book for her own children.

Nothing earthshaking here. Simply a sweet, charming, rhyme book in which parents can express love of their children and build up self-esteem. It would be a nice gift for new parents.

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Little Bluebird: A Hero in Me and You

Written by Erin Murphy

Illustrated by Mykyta Harretts

Edited by Nadara Merrill

A very short book for preschoolers. This picture book teaches we may look different on the outside, but our uniqueness is also our strength. Cute illustrations that are multicultural and include disabilities.

Recommended for toddlers and preschoolers.

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INSPIRE KINDNESS: A Rhyming Read Aloud Book for Kids About Empathy and Kindness

Written and Illustrated by Lily Lopez

Lily feels out of place on her first day at a new school. She doesn’t look like the other students and they seem to ignore her in class, at lunch, and in the playground.

When one girl approaches her to welcome her, Lily is overwhelmed by one simple act of kindness. The author includes 24 tips a young child can use to express kindness and a kindness calendar that can be used as a reminder to express kindness to others.

This is a short multicultural picture book for primary grade readers. Lovely illustrations with short rhymes.

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Right Before Sleep (Milo and Cat)

Written and illustrated by Miro Tartan

Milo is trying to get to sleep. His pet cat snuggles with him. Putting their heads together, the two friends are determined to find a way to fall asleep. After trying some common tried and true remedies like counting sheep, drinking warm milk, and putting on warm socks, they decide to play music and then make the bed comfortable. Still, they are unsuccessful so the friends try to combine them together. Will they ever find a way to close those eyes?

This is a cute, rhyming picture book for toddlers and preschoolers who find it difficult to wind down at the end of the day. Remarkably, the solution is quite simple.

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Noelle The Best Big Sister

Written by Mikaela Wilson

Illustrated by Pardeep Mehra

Noelle is excited. Today is the day her baby sister is coming home. Noelle has made big plans to share her favorite books and toys, but when she sees her mother holding the baby she feels left out. Soon Noelle figures out ways she can share responsibilities and chores to create a unified loving family

The illustrations are large and cartoonlike with expressive multicultural characters that will appeal to young readers who are about to add a sibling to their family. There is a link to coloring pages to download as a free bonus. This book is a quick read aloud to help parents ease the transition of a new family member to children or a good choice as a gift for these families.

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Pool Party (Dottie Dotts the Cat Books)

Written by Ashley Madden

Illustrated by Chariz Elaine

A very short picture book for preschoolers that teaches young readers not to be afraid to express themselves because their friends might think they are different.

The author uses the scenario of a cat named Dottie who is invited by her friend, Andy to come to a pool party. Dottie loves to swim, but aren’t cats supposed to be afraid of the water? She fears her other animal friends will judge her. How will Dottie solve her dilemma?

Simple, easy to read text and dialogue, accompanied by large colorful illustrations.

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Millie’s Magic (Feel Loved Tales

Written by Hilary Hawkes

Illustrated by Andrea Petrlik

Millie the Mouse decides she wants to get a birthday gift for her grandfather. When she asks her grandmother what to get for him, Grandma suggests something magic.

Millie takes her grandma’s suggestion and searches everywhere for magic. She enlists the aid of a badger, a chicken, and a frog who try to direct Millie. At the end of the day, Millie is tired and exhausted.

Will Grandfather be disappointed that Millie does not have a birthday gift? What special message does he have for her that she will remember for the rest of her life?

Cute illustrations with easy to read text make this book a good choice for a bedtime or read-aloud tale for preschoolers and early readers.

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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!

MCBD 2021 Twitter Party Questions and PRIZES!

Join us on Friday, Jan 29, 2021, at 9 pm EST for the 8th annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day Twitter Party! REGISTER HERE.

This hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.

*** US and Global participants welcome. **

The Multicultural Children’s Book Day Twitter Party 2021 will be giving away a 5-8 diverse book bundle every five minutes!

We also have some bonus prizes and prizes specifically for our non-USA participants. Scroll down to see all of the amazing book bundles and prizes.

Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.

This year, our 1/29/21 Party will occur at 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET  and we promise it will be INSANELY fun and fast-paced! Be sure and follow Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Twitter so you can join the party. Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians.

GO HERE to view the 2021 MCBD TWITTER PARTY Questions!

GO HERE to view the 2021 MCBD TWITTER PARTY Prizes!

Not sure how to participate in a Twitter Party? Check out this great article from MCBD’s Project Manager HERE.

Follow MCBD on Twitter to join the party!

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

Gallery of Our Free Posters

FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program

I am proud to be a participating author reviewer for the eighth year since the inauguration of Multicultural Children’s Book Day.

Here is my review for MCBD 2021:

FINDING HER WAY

Farah Rocks: New Beginnings

Written by Susan Muaddi Darraj

Illustrated by Ruaida Mannaa

This is the second book in the Farah Rocks series. Farah’s last name roughly translates to rocks in English and that is why she refers to herself as Farah Rocks. For those who are unfamiliar with this middle-grade book series, Farah is a gifted student from an Orthodox Christian Arab family. This year she is scheduled to begin attending a middle school called Magnet Academy. While she is apprehensive, her best friend, Allie has also been selected.

Right before school opens, a tragedy occurs. A fire destroys most of their home. When Farah discovers it might have been her fault, she keeps silent. Like a “rock in her stomach,” her feelings of guilt and remorse never leave her. Will she be able to come to terms with her guilt and stop lying to her parents?

Farah is a strong female character who is not afraid of trying new things, like setting up a creative writing club, even though the school is strongly math and science based. She is tender and loving toward her younger brother, Samir, who is speech impaired. The author deftly describes Arab culture and includes a glossary to explain Arabic vocabulary as well as some advanced English concepts.

Readers receive a bonus. The author shares seven writing prompts that will nurture the talents of budding poets, writers, and journalists. There are a few nicely done black and white illustrations. Length of the book is less than one hundred and fifty pages making it a good choice for reluctant readers as well. I would highly recommend this multicultural book to be used as a read aloud and discussion text about cultural diversity.

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