Valarie Budayr's Blog, page 82
November 29, 2014
An Air of Mystery: Middle Reader Mystery Books & Activity Round-up
Lately, I have been in the mood for a good mystery and I also remember when my kids were growing up how much joy they got out of books like the Nancy Drew series and the Hardy Boys Mystery series. It seems to me that kidlit mystery books these days just keep getting better and better so I want to share past JIAB “air of mystery” bookjumps that will not only keep your little sleuths reading, but offer up activities to compliment those books as well.
Holes by Louis Sachar (And some Holes-inspired Activities)
Holes is my favorite Louis Sachar book. The history of Kate Barlow and Stanley’s great-great grandfather woven into the story brings a new dimension to a children’s chapter book. He gives children the ability to make connections between history and Stanley Yelnat’s story. He pulls you into the harsh conditions of Camp Green Lake and keeps you captivated with the mystery surrounding it. None of the camps I ever went to had buried treasure. I read this with my mom when I was ill. It’s not just a story for kids, but for kids and parents to enjoy together.
Creepy Castles, Dark Dungeons and Powerful Palaces! Haunted Histories by Marilyn Scott-Waters and J.H. Everett
A great book that spawned a fun blog post full of mysterious and medivial activities!
How to Make a Popsicle Stick Catapult
Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright, is a delightful, beautifully written story, and one of those books that stirs my desire to explore. The story begin with a brother and sister who arrive via train from the city to visit their country cousin. The children discover an old, mostly abandoned summer colony of houses near a swamp that used to be a lake. There, they meet another brother and sister team with the most peculiar names. The children come across a group of old houses, mysteriously vacant and abandoned on the shore of a swampy lake. Somebody has been there — there’s a warning and an inscription carved into a rock. Can the children keep their find a secret? Who left the houses and where did they go? What’s lurking in the lake?
The Girl from Felony Bay by J.E. Thompson
Abbie Force has a mission: solve the mystery of her father’s accident and alleged theft. Since he has been in a coma for nine months and cannot defend himself, it is Abbie’s job to put the pieces together. Her life has been uprooted—her father’s unavailable; her home has been sold to a new family; she has to leave her beloved school; and now she has to live with her mean aunt and uncle that don’t give one lick about her. Her summer is starting off horribly. That is until she meets the new family that has moved into her old house with the same last name and a daughter near her age—Bee. These two adventurous girls become fast friends and on their many adventures through the plantation, discover a plot afoot right under their very noses.
“The Danger Box” by Blue Balliett is a wonderfully fun and quirky mystery by the author of “Chasing Vermeer” and ” The Wright 3″. The Danger Box is her fourth novel where she leaves the art scene of her previous three books behind and plants us firmly in the rural town of Three Oaks Michigan. There we find Zoomy, a sweet, legally blind 12 year old boy, living with his grandparents. Zoomy is a boy who notices everything. When his head gets too full of things it makes him nervous and he starts tapping and twitching to relieve his brain. His grandmother after noticing this tendancy, bought him some notebooks and encouraged him to write his thoughts down. Now every time he observes something it gets placed on a list, written with a purple pen inside his notebooks.
Horten’s Miraculous Mechanisms BookJump Adventure
Ten year old Stuart stumbles on a note daring him to find his great-uncle’s hidden workshop full of wonderful mechanisms, trickery, and magic.
“I have to go away, and I may not be able to get back. If I don’t return, then my workshop and all it contains is yours if you can find it- then you’re the right sort of boy to have it.
Affectionately,
Your Uncle Tony
P.S. Start in the telephone booth on Main Street.
Would you like to create a afternoon of sleuthing, mysteries and mysterious adventures? Grab a copy of our FREE Secret Codes, Mysteries and Adventure downloadable PDF Activity Guide! This guide is 19 pages of fun including activities like Creating and Deciphering Invisible Messages, baking “I Spy” Cookies and learn more about the US President who was a master decoder! Click the image below to get your free copy!
The post An Air of Mystery: Middle Reader Mystery Books & Activity Round-up appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
November 27, 2014
Are You Thankful for Book Friends ?
Hello friends and for those friends in the United States wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Last week I had the great pleasure of meeting one of my favorite book friends, Mia Wengen from Pragmatic Mom. Mia and I have communicated via our blogs for a very long time now and then last year we started a book celebration called Multi-Cultural Children’s Book Day together. We did all of these things virtually. We had never met in person until last week in Boston and the National Convention of Social Studies teachers. What a great gathering it was. We were there to share the great news of Multicultural Children’s Book Day with social studies teachers and like minded Expo individuals. It we a fast paced weekend but oh we had so much fun.
Here’s a very tiny look at our time together sharing tour love of being global multicultural citizens.. I’m just giving you a little sneak peak. You’ll get to see the rest a bit later. Don’t you just love surprises ? I know I do.
Mia and I were the guests of our Platinum Sponsor Wisdom World Press. You’ve seen me review many of their books right here on Jump into a Book. They’re a multicultural children’s book publisher who invites readers to discover and explore their world. Their books are simply gorgeous !!! We had many fun filled days with owner Joseph Fitzgerald, Mary-Kathryne Steele, Steven Williams, and author Alexis York Lombard. Wisdom Tales Press works tirelessly to make sure children have multicultural choices in their book selections.
Just down the row from us were a group of very happy people from Heifer International. Heifer International empowers families to turn hunger and poverty into hope and prosperity – but their approach is more than just giving them a handout. Heifer links communities and helps bring sustainable agriculture and commerce to areas with a long history of poverty. Their animals provide partners with both food and reliable income, as agricultural products such as milk, eggs and honey can be traded or sold at market.
When many families gain this new sustainable income, it brings new opportunities for building schools, creating agricultural cooperatives, forming community savings and funding small businesses.
They have a great program called Read to Feed. Read to Feed is a reading incentive service-learning program that offers global education opportunities and will foster in children a love for reading, a passion to help others and a motivation to help create a better world. One of my favorites is One Hen which will be reviewed here shortly.
Another group who Mia and I immediately made fast friends with is an organization called H2O for Life. H20 for Life connects schools in the United States with schools in developing countries to complete WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) in Schools projects. H2O for Life educates, engages and inspires youth to learn, take action and become global citizens. They provide students with a unique and valuable learning experience through service-learning opportunities focused on the global water crisis.
I’ll be highlighting a booklist all around water issues in developing countries for them as well as celebrating World Water Day with them in 2015. We enjoyed our time with Lori and Amy. We found kindred spirits in our search to bring awareness to being a global citizen and sharing that with our children.
Let’s not forget that Mia and I are celebrating once again Multicultural Children’s Book Day on January 27th 2015. This year we have 110+ bloggers. 10 co-hosts, and incredible line up of sponsors as well as collaborating with The Children’s Book Council and our fundraiser with First Books. It’s an exciting time.
I’m so thankful for each and every one of you who comes by to visit. I’m thankful that I live in a world where I get to read often and am so inspired to jump into the books I read. Wishing all of you many things to be thankful for today and always. Happy Thanksgiving !!!
Valarie
The post Are You Thankful for Book Friends ? appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
November 26, 2014
Three Months of Book Giveaways: Kidlit Books with an Air of Mystery
With the winter months upon us, I feel this is a great time for readers of all ages to snuggle in with a good book. I have been blessed with tons of amazing books titles for kids over these last few months and I want to get these books into the hands of young readers. SO, for the next three months Jump Into a Book will be hosting a book giveaway every Wednesday! Some giveaways will be a single title, some will be a “Book Bundle,” but all will be books that your readers will love and cherish. I think these books will also make great gifts as well! Here’s what we are giving away this week (NOTE: All of these books are physical books, not Kindle versions).
Kidlit Books with an Air of Mystery INCLUDED IN THE GIVEAWAY:
The Calder Game by Blue Balliett
This new mystery from bestselling author Blue Balliett is now available in After Words paperback!
When Calder Pillay travels with his father to a remote village in England, he finds a mix of mazes and mystery . . . including an unexpected Alexander Calder sculpture in the town square. Calder is strangely drawn to the sculpture, while other people have less-than-friendly feelings towards it. Both the boy and the sculpture seem to be out-of-place . . . and then, on the same night, they disappear! Calder’s friends Petra and Tommy must fly out to help his father find him. But this mystery has more twists and turns than a Calder mobile . . . with more at stake than first meets the eye.
Horten’s Miraculous Mechanism by Lisa Evans
As if being small and having S. Horten as his name isn’t bad enough, now 10-year-old Stuart is forced to move far away from all his friends.But on his very first day in his new home, Stuart’s swept up in an extraordinary adventure: the quest to find his great-uncle Tony–a famous magician who literally disappeared off the face of the earth–and Tony’s marvelous, long-lost workshop. Along the way, Stuart reluctantly accepts help from the annoying triplets next door… and encounters trouble from another magician who’s also desperate to get hold of Tony’s treasures.
The Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski
Petra Kronos has a simple, happy life. But it’s never been ordinary. She has a pet tin spider named Astrophil who likes to hide in her snarled hair and give her advice. Her best friend can trap lightning inside a glass sphere. Petra also has a father in faraway Prague who is able to move metal with his mind. He has been commissioned by the prince of Bohemia to build the world’s finest astronomical clock. Petra’s life is forever changed when, one day, her father returns home – blind. The prince has stolen his eyes, enchanted them, and now wears them. But why?
Guys Read: Thriller
A body on the tracks
A teenage terrorist
A mysterious wish-granting machine
The world’s worst private detective
The second volume in the Guys Read Library of Great Reading is chock-full of mystery, intrigue, and nefarious activity.
DETAILS ON GIVEAWAY:
ONE winner each receive a one copy of all three books. Giveaway begins November 26th and ends December 3rd, 2014
Prizing & samples courtesy of Audrey Press
Giveaway open to US addresses only
ONE lucky winner will win one copy of each book listed above.
Residents of USA only please.
Must be 18 years or older to enter.
One entry per household.
Staff and family members of Audrey Press are not eligible.
Grand Prize winner has 48 hours to claim prize.
Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on November 27th
The post Three Months of Book Giveaways: Kidlit Books with an Air of Mystery appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
November 25, 2014
Want to teach your kids how to be kind ? A Kindness Booklist for Kids
I’ve always thought the best way to teach my kids to be kind is to be kind myself. While that’s a really good start, I can’t be with them all day long and life is filled with opportunities to be both kind and unkind. This got me thinking, what books are out there that teach kindness?
Here’s a look at what I found.
The Kindness Booklist for Kids
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein
Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
Hank Finds an Egg by Rebecca Dudley
Ben Rides on by Matt Davies
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe
Horton Hears a Who ! by Dr. Seuss
A Home for Bird By Philip C. Stead
The Monster’s Monster by Patrick McDonnell
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
Hey Little Ant by Phillip M. Moose
Pinduli by Janell Cannon
Fill a bucket: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud
**some of these links are affiliate links
FREE GIFT!
Feeling a sense of gratitude in your life? “Conditions of the Heart” is a FREE kids activity book filled with fun activities & crafts that teaches values and conduct. Grab your copy HERE:
The post Want to teach your kids how to be kind ? A Kindness Booklist for Kids appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
November 23, 2014
Weekend Links: Discovering Our World
So far this month has been jam-packed with insightful education, Booklists, Activities and Resources for Kids and parents interested in raising global citizens. I would like to share them this weekend as my Weekend Links Round-up. Enjoy!
JIAB favorite Marie’s Pastiche and family is in the midst of a virtual travel to West Africa. This sight has delighted me all month with wonderful posts sharing info about this country, their culture, the festivals, cook and eat traditional foods, learn of traditional handicrafts with hands on exploration and many activities. This week she had a wonderful post on Anansi Stories – Trickster Tales from West Africa.
Crystal’s Tiny Treasures offered up a wonderful Native American Book inspired review and giveaway and an excellent link-up!
Feel like learning about The Dances of India? Check out this post at Crafty Moms Share: Dances of India Book Review
Home School Life Journal spent some time this week exploring Western India with a yummy recipe and some breathtaking images.
Mommy Maleta has a post as well that is near-and-dear to my heart: Exploring Lebanon
As you all may know, November is Native American Heritage Month and Leanna from All Done Monkey created a wonderfulChildren’s Books about the Cherokee booklist.
FREE GIFT FROM JIAB!
“Conditions of the Heart” is a FREE kids activity book filled with fun activities & crafts that teaches values and conduct. Grab your copy HERE:
Need gift ideas for Christmas? Give the gift of education and guidance with Donna Ashton’s The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook Now available through Audrey Press Books!
The post Weekend Links: Discovering Our World appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
November 20, 2014
The Mayflower And The Pilgrim’s New World
As I am writing this blog post, I am fully aware that Thanksgiving is only a few days away. Plans still need to be made to get the turkey in the oven at the right time, what side dishes need to be prepped (including my corn cake stuffing!) and the pumpkin pies still need to be baked. I can picture in my head what my soon-to-be food ladened table will look like with tidy napkins held by pilgrim-shaped napkin rings and a cornucopia sitting in the middle of the table to symbolize the abundance this year’s harvest has brought.
As lovely as these traditions are, it is far from the truth about what actually happened those many, many years ago in our nation’s history. Who were the pilgrims? Why were they traveling on a ship called the Mayflower? Is Plymouth Rock really a rock ? To find the answers to these questions and the truth of our long celebrated Thanksgiving dinner we happened upon a book which not only shared the story of the Mayflower and the Pilgrims but inspired us to pack our suitcases and head to Massachusetts to have a look at the famous ship and the colony which was founded by the pilgrims.
The Mayflower And The Pilgrim’s New World
Nathaniel Philbrick, who is a New York Times Bestselling author and National Book Award Winner for his book Mayflower. When I first read Mayflower I really felt it was an important book that I wished they would teach it in schools. Shortly after that thought, The Mayflower was adapted for young people. I quickly got a copy and we started reading it as part of our family book time.
The Mayflower ~ The Ship
Why the Mayflower and not some other ship ? The Mayflower was a merchant vessel which made frequent journeys across the channel bringing English cloth to France and returning to England with French wine. The Mayflower was 100 feet in length and rated at 180 tons which meant she was capable of holding 180 casks of wine. Wine ships like the Mayflower were also known as “sweet ships” because the wine which spilled out of the casks helped to dispel the horrible stench from the ship’s bilge.
The master of the Mayflower was Christopher Jones who was also part owner. He was a very skilled sea captain and along with merchant voyages he also did some whaling excursions up in Greenland. The Mayflower and her captain were very capable of sea voyages.
The journey was long. Setting sail in September, they finally arrived in the New World November 9th 1620. For the pilgrims the journey was very dark and they were housed on the tween decks on the ship. The provisions were kept in the hold, the lower half of the ship. Life on the Mayflower was dark, dank and airless with a length of only 75 feet and 5 feet high. To create privacy, the pilgrims built thin walls making little cabins. In and outside of those little cabins were all of their possessions they needed for the journey. The tween decks overflowed with people, clothing chests, barrels of food and drink, chairs, pillows and blankets. It was very cramped . The passengers were not allowed on deck and so this was their home for 60 days.
As I read selections from the book The Mayflower, my young boy sat and listened imagining what life was like on this vessel. The re-enactors are brilliant and go about the ship in their 17th century life. They interact with visitors and one can get a good glimpse of life on the Mayflower.
“Ahoy Land Ahead.” After being ship side for awhile I could easily imagine the sweetness of those words after a harrowing 60 day journey across the Atlantic. This brings us to our 2nd question, “Is Plymouth Rock real? ”
Yes it is. The first place they arrived on land, they named after the place they had departed from, Plymouth England. From here on out the spelling of the word Plymouth changes to Plimouth. I’m not sure why but that’s how it is. Creative spelling is now accepted.
Plimouth Plantation is a few miles up the road from where the Mayflower is docked. We spent the day hearing from the pilgrims themselves and even partaking in some of the daily work.
My sweet boy is always up for a little carpentry work. He loves wielding an ax and can be found often cutting firewood around here.
Nathaniel Philbrick is a masterful storyteller and brings to life the time and creation of the first Pilgrims and Plimouth Plantation. We often romanticize the first Thanksgiving by mentioning how the Native American’s saved the pilgrims from dying that first winter from the food they brought them. Nice adaption but it isn’t true. The truth is that the first Thanksgiving happened at the end of their first year at Plimouth after the harvest. It was also the time of year when all the migrating birds and deer were arriving and could be hunted for meat. The Native American’s arrived with deer and birds and provided a harvest feast that we still take part in. Those first 11 months the pilgrims had spent angering the Native Americans and it was a miracle that they could say they survived that first year. Is what “saved” the pilgrims was Massasoit, a Native American elder, offered to assist them. Also in the pilgrim’s defense they behaved appropriately by paying back corn that was given, sending envoys to keep channels of communication open and proclaiming their loyalty to Massasoit. This fragile peace lasted for 50 years until the next generation took over. Together Pilgrims and Native Americans shared a successful cooperative balance in community.
It is this part of the story I like the most. The part where everyone works together to create their community to live in. For that I am always grateful. In thinking about those first pilgrims and the beginnings of our annual feast, I am truly thankful for this journey back in time to know the true story. We feel a connection now to Thanksgiving like never before.
This book is an incredible read and great way to study the 17th century. Below are links to the Mayflower and Plimouth Plantation. It’s about an hour outside of Boston and really worth the visit.
As always, I’m very thankful for the book adventures we’ve shared throughout the years. Here’s wishing you a happy and abundant holiday season.
Would you like to see all of Jump Into a Book’s Booklists all in one handy place? Please follow my new Pinterest Kidlit Booklist Board HERE:
Follow Valarie Budayr @Jump into a Book’s board Jump Into a Book Kidlit Booklists on Pinterest.
The post The Mayflower And The Pilgrim’s New World appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
November 19, 2014
3 Months of Giveaways! 3 Mystery Books for Middle Readers
With the winter months upon us, I feel this is a great time for readers of all ages to snuggle in with a good book. I have been blessed with tons of amazing books titles for kids over these last few months and I want to get these books into the hands of young readers. SO, for the next three months Jump Into a Book will be hosting a book giveaway every Wednesday! Some giveaways will be a single title, some will be a “Book Bundle,” but all will be books that your readers will love and cherish. I think these books will also make great gifts as well! Here’s what we are giving away this week (NOTE: All of these books are physical books, not Kindle versions).
This week I am giving away some wonderful Mystery Books for Middle Readers. Three great titles that will appeal to both boys and girls. Good luck!
On an island on the edge of an immense sea there is a city, a forest, and a boy named Oscar. Oscar is a shop boy for the most powerful magician in the village, and spends his days in a small room in the dark cellar of his master’s shop grinding herbs and dreaming of the wizards who once lived on the island generations ago. Oscar’s world is small, but he likes it that way. The real world is vast, strange, and unpredictable. And Oscar does not quite fit in it.
But now that world is changing. Children in the city are falling ill, and something sinister lurks in the forest. Oscar has long been content to stay in his small room in the cellar, comforted in the knowledge that the magic that flows from the forest will keep his island safe. Now, even magic may not be enough to save it.
The House of Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
Matteo Alacrán was not born; he was harvested.
His DNA came from El Patrón, lord of a country called Opium–a strip of poppy fields lying between the United States and what was once called Mexico. Matt’s first cell split and divided inside a petri dish. Then he was placed in the womb of a cow, where he continued the miraculous journey from embryo to fetus to baby. He is a boy now, but most consider him a monster–except for El Patrón. El Patrón loves Matt as he loves himself, because Matt is himself.
Everyone has heard of haunted houses. You know, the ones that the mailman crosses the street to avoid. But it turns out that books can be haunted too. Of course all books are full of surprises—but The Boo! Book has a spooky one: A ghost! He rearranges the words, flips the pictures upside down, and waits very patiently for his special version of a surprise ending.
In the spirit of the classic The Monster at the End of this Book, this clever tale features a pop-up ghost encounter and friendly fun for all ages.
DETAILS ON GIVEAWAY: ONE winner each receive a one copy of all three books. Giveaway begins November 19th and ends November 26th
Prizing & samples courtesy of Audrey Press
Giveaway open to US addresses only
ONE lucky winner will win one copy of.
Residents of USA only please.
Must be 18 years or older to enter
One entry per household.
Staff and family members of Audrey Press are not eligible.
Grand Prize winner has 48 hours to claim prize
Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on November 27th
The post 3 Months of Giveaways! 3 Mystery Books for Middle Readers appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
November 18, 2014
Want to Put an End to Name Calling ? Never Say a Mean Word Again
Inspired by a medieval legend about the Jewish poet Samuel Ha-Nagid, “never say a Mean Word Again” by Jacqueline Jules, and Durga Yael Bernhard, is a wonderfully crafted story about two little boys, one Jewish and one Muslim, who try to settle their differences.
This light-hearted look at a very serious problem of name calling. After a series of accidental events, Hamza (the muslim boy), calls Saumuel, (the jewish boy) some very unkind names.
Samuel’s father, the grand vizier, noticed this and mentioned that Hama said some very unkind things. Samuel wanted his father to punish Hamza but the wise Vizier said, “No, I’ll let you punish him yourself. Make sure he never says a mean word to you again.”
As Samuel laid in his bed he thought of several very unkind things he could do to Hamza to punish him for his unkind words.
Settling on one punishment in particular, Samuel arrives at Hamza’s door with a lemon. Mahza thinking Samuel had come to help clean his shirt clearly stated that the lemon wouldn’t help so they ended up playing catch with it instead.
The next day Samuel arrived at Hamza’s house with a pen and paper. He would make him write a formal apology then he would have something to show his father the Vizier. But then they just ended up coloring instead.
Day after day this continued. Each time Samuel thought up a “new punishment”, the ended up playing together. This created a great dilemma for Samuel. What was he going to do to show his father that he had punished Hamza and that he would never say a mean word to him again ?
The entire story as well as the ending of this book is completely charming and engaging on many levels. The art is beautiful and deepens the story with it’s beautiful colors. The print is big and easy to follow and the whole feel of the book is welcoming. The best thing of this book is it’s message. Though the intention to do something unkind to Hamza to return his unkindness was clearly there, Hamza never say any unkindness coming towards him. He only say a new friend instead. It is a beautiful story of conflict resolution perfectly told. This book is out on the coffee table where it is picked up often by family and visitors alike. I’m so glad this book exist. It is an invaluable tool to teaching children how to deal with conflict in kind ways.
Something to Do:
The problem starts when Hamza views Samuel’s clumsy actions as mean intended. So to return Samuel’s unkindness, Hamza calls him mean names. Samuel then feels its his turn to show unkindness but it always unfolds into kindness. How can we do this in our own lives? How can we turn unkindness into kindness.
Let’s start with the way we speak. Here’s a few nice things to say to people whenever you should encounter them.
Hi my name is______ what’s yours?
Can I help you?
What’s your favorite color?
Say thank-you
I’m sorry.
I forgive you
Please
I’m glad you’re my friend.
You’re awesome
I like you
That’s Incredible !!
Want to play?
Want to play: Charades, hop scotch,board game, cards, Hide & Seek, Simon Says, 20 questions, I spy, Catch?
Awesome
Along with kind words, we can also choose not to view someone’s unkindness as unkindness but an invitation to play. If someone should say something unkind, compliment them on something and then include them in an activity.
Please note that I’m referring to simple childhood disagreements and not full on bullying which is a much bigger problem and is dealt with differently. It’s my hope that simple kind actions when children are small will provide them with the tools they need to deal with conflicts in a kind way as they grow as opposed to aggression.
Along the same lines of this whole post is a free gift I would like to offer my readers! “Conditions of the Heart” is a FREE kids activity book filled with fun activities & crafts that teaches values and conduct. Grab your copy HERE:
Need gift ideas for Christmas? Give the gift of education and guidance with Donna Ashton’s The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook Now available through Audrey Press Books!
The post appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
November 16, 2014
Weekend Links: We Need Diverse Books and Multicultural Children’s Books News & Updates
This week was the usual whirl-wind of activities that included amazing information, connections and links in the world of Multicultural Children’s Books. As you know Multicultural Children’s Book Day is approaching rapidly {January 27th 2015) and we already have many special things to report.
SPONSORS! MCCBD is very excited to announce that we already have EIGHT amazing sponsors for this event! Here is a list of our current sponsors and we expect a few more to hop on board soon:
Platinum
Gold
Bronze
ALSO, Mia and I have been working diligently to finish all the steps needed for MCCBD’s 5013c non-profit status and…::drum roll::: it’s complete! MCCBD is now officially a 5013c 
YAY! The much-anticipated matching process between our 80+ bloggers who have signed up to review books for the event and the authors/publishers will begin December 1. That will give all of our bloggers plenty of time to read their books and create a review and companion activity. I am especially excited to have first-hand knowledge of all the wonderful titles our bloggers will have the privilege of reviewing. I love books
Spotlight on a Sister Initiative:
We Need Diverse Books is a wonderful movement that gained momentum and recognition early this year. This author-driven initiative is a grassroots organization created to address the lack of diverse, non-majority narratives in children’s literature. We Need Diverse Books is committed to the ideal that embracing diversity will lead to acceptance, empathy, and ultimately equality.
WNDB recognizes all diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities. Their mission is to promote or amplify diversification efforts and increase visibility for diverse books and authors, with a goal of empowering a wide range of readers in the process.
Similar to Multicultural Children’s Book Day, WNDB reaches out to individuals and groups involved in many levels of children’s publishing—including (but not limited to) publishers, authors, distributors, booksellers, librarians, educators, parents, and students.
WNDB is also in the process of creating and funding their newly announced Walter Dean Myers Award & Grant program “The Walter” will recognize outstanding diverse contributions by authors in Young Adult and Middle Grade literature, and provide funds to help develop new diverse authors and artists. We are excited to announce that WNDB is close to meeting its fundraising goal! Get the scoop on how you can help HERE.
Authors on Diverse Books from Undercurrent on Vimeo.
Multicultural Children’s Book Day and We Need Diverse Books are working towards the same goal, just from different angles. WNDB is working very hard to change and shift the mindset of the publishing industry and MCCBD is working to get diverse books into the hands of the end-user (kids, parents, teachers and librarians). Mia and I will be attending some huge book events soon and hope to have a conversation with the WNDB team to learn more about how we can help each other. The more of us spreading the word and shining the spotlight on diverse books, the better!
Stay tuned for more details!
FREE GIFT!
Feeling a sense of gratitude in your life? “Conditions of the Heart” is a FREE kids activity book filled with fun activities & crafts that teaches values and conduct. Grab your copy HERE:
Need gift ideas for Christmas? Give the gift of education and guidance with Donna Ashton’s The Waldorf Homeschool Handbook Now available through Audrey Press Books!
The post Weekend Links: We Need Diverse Books and Multicultural Children’s Books News & Updates appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
November 14, 2014
Three Months of Book Giveaways! Kidlit Books of Adventure and Courage!
With the winter months upon us, I feel this is a great time for readers of all ages to snuggle in with a good book. I have been blessed with tons of amazing books titles for kids over these last few months and I want to get these books into the hands of young readers. SO, for the next three months Jump Into a Book will be hosting a book giveaway every Wednesday! Some giveaways will be a single title, some will be a “Book Bundle,” but all will be books that your readers will love and cherish. I think these books will also make great gifts as well! Here’s what we are giving away this week (NOTE: All of these books are physical books, not Kindle versions).
BOOKS INCLUDED IN THE GIVEAWAY:
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
First published in 1844, Alexandre Dumas’s swashbuckling epic chronicles the adventures of D’Artagnan, a gallant young nobleman who journeys to Paris in 1625 hoping to join the ranks of musketeers guarding Louis XIII. He soon finds himself fighting alongside three heroic comrades–Athos, Porthos, and Aramis–who seek to uphold the honor of the king by foiling the wicked plots of Cardinal Richelieu and the beautiful spy “Milady.”
Captain Courageous by Rudyard Kipling
A pampered millionaire’s son tumbles overboard from a luxury liner and falls into good fortune, disguised in the form of a fishing boat. The gruff and hearty crew teach the young man to be worth his salt as they fish the waters off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Brimming with adventure and humor.
The Misadventures of Benjamin Bartholomew: You Wish
On his eleventh birthday, sad, orphaned Benjamin Bartholomew Piff accidentally adheres to all of the wishing rules—and, in wishing for the mother lode of limitless wishes, he unknowingly sets into a motion a chain of events that threatens to disrupt the balance between the magical realm of wishes and curses. Before long, Benjamin has been recruited by the Wishworks Factory director himself to fight the evil henchmen of the Curseworks Factory. In the process, Benjamin will reclaim his original wish—giving new credence to the old adage: “Be careful what you wish for . . . ”
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
ONE winner will receive a copy of each book The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, Captain Courageous by Rudyard Kipling andThe Misadventures of Benjamin Bartholomew. Giveaway begins November 14th and ends November 19th, 2014.
Prizing & samples courtesy of Authors of the above books
Giveaway open to US addresses only
ONE lucky winner will win one copy of each of the above books.
Residents of USA only please.
Must be 18 years or older to enter
One entry per household.
Staff and family members of Audrey Press are not eligible.
Grand Prize winner has 48 hours to claim prize
Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on November 20th
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