The African American Children's Book Fair

National Day of Racial Healing January 16, 2024

Every year the W. K. Kellogg Foundation on January 16 celebrates a Day of Racial Healing by sponsoring events on healing racism. They provide a platform where indivuals and organizations can address issues of racial inequality.  "As we enter into 2024, we’re resolving to be open and honest with ourselves and those around us about our experiences and the impact of racism. #HowWeHeal begins with us, and #RacialHealing can only begin if we commit ourselves to it."

 https://dayofracialhealing.org/take-action/

Martin Luther King Jr Day: Daring to Dream

 "Everybody can be great ... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."

‘Shifting the Cultural Climate through the Study and Practice of Kingian Nonviolence’ is the theme for the 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Day. To honor King’s memory, since 1994 this federal holiday has also been celebrated as a day of service. How would our world look like if everyone did his part to build a better world. The website for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service encourages people to think of the holiday as “a day on, not a day off” by volunteering for local causes. MLK inspired millions of people in his lifetime and continues to inspire us to this day. Across the globe, activists look to King for inspiration and courage. Modern movements for racial equality and justice, such as the Black Lives Matter movement, are extensions of the work that he started.  Join with people around the country to make a difference especially this year with so many families in our country and around the world affected by Covid and war.  Visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service for ideas and opportunities to volunteer.  Days of Service help to raise awareness, mobilize volunteers, and provide individuals with an opportunity to engage and build new connections, and help nonprofits find support for their programs. MLK Day of Service is intended to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, create solutions to social problems, and move us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”

https://americorps.gov/serve/volunteer/mlk-day

https://thekingcenter.org/king-holiday-2024/

John Legend - Happy Xmas (War Is Over) (Official Animated Video)

From John Legends Christmas Album, A Legendary  Christmaas

Have a Joyful and Peaceful Christmas!

Wish

 

"Wish" stars Oscar winner Ariana DeBose as a 17-year-old girl named Asha, who wishes on a star when she senses a darkness in the Kingdom of Rosas, casted by King Magnifico that no one else does.   When Asha asks for help from the stars, a fallen star appears to help her save the kingdom. With Asha’s courage and determination, she is able to reconnect humans with the power of wish-making, a theme reflected in many of Disney's movies. Afro Latina star Ariana DeBose explains Asha is about building community and being unselfish. Wish brings together the power of wish-making, fairy tales and representation  on the big screen.  “Wish,” is the movie commemorating Walt Disney Studios’ 100th anniversary and will be released on November 22.

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with Afro Latino Children's Books

National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America from September 15 to October 15. Unfortunately, many Afro Latinos have complained that they have been excluded from this cultural recognition. Films and TV shows like the popular novelas and books have rarely included Afro Latino culture.  Now their diverse and vibrant stories are beginning to be told.  In pop culture, movies like Miles Morales feature an Afro Latino character. Here are a few books for children to enjoy the rich voices and talents of Afro-Latino storytellers.

Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa
by Veronica Chambers, illustrated by Julie Maren
Introduce your kids to Celia Cruz, the world-renowned salsa singer. This picture book biography celebrates her vibrant personality and passion for salsa music that touched millions of fans. The stunning artwork and captivating narrative will have you pressing play on a Celia-inspired playlist when you’ve finished reading.  (Ages 5 - 8)

Hands
by Torrey Maldonado

This deeply moving story will captivate tweens and teens from cover to cover. It’s about a boy named Trev who must decide what kind of man he wants to become. To protect his family from his abusive stepfather, Trev takes up boxing. But when his talent for art opens an alternative path for protecting his family, Trev must decide whether to fight against an immediate threat or work toward a better future. (Ages 10+

Flora la Fresca & the Art of Friendship

by Veronica Chambers, illustrated by Sujean Rim

This heartwarming story follows Flora, a Panamanian American girl, as she navigates the ups and downs of friendship and family. Between her best friend moving away and her sister’s all-consuming quince preparations, readers can't help but relate to Flora and her experiences.  (Ages 8 - 12)

Octopus Stew
by Eric Velasquez

Dinner turns dangerous in this unique picture book that tells two stories in one. When Abuela gets captured by the octopus she was cooking, Ramsey must save her from the tentacled villain. Fold-out pages show the story’s events as a tall tale while folding them in shows it happening in real life. Kids will love reading both versions of this exciting book. (Ages 4 - 8)

Undercover Latina

by Aya de León

Spy and heist fans will love this young adult novel about a Latina who goes undercover to infiltrate the world of white supremacists. An unexpected crush and the pressure of pretending to be someone else complicates the job. It will take all of Andréa’s smarts not to blow her cover before she can expose the white supremacists’ plans.

If Dominican Were a Color 

by Sili Recio

The palette of the Dominican Republic is exuberant and unlimited. Maiz comes up amarillo, the blue-black of dreams washes over sandy shores, and people’s skin can be the shade of cinnamon in cocoa or of mahogany. This exuberantly colorful, softly rhyming picture book is a gentle reminder that a nation’s hues are as wide as nature itself. 

Islandborn

by Junot Diaz

When Lola's teacher asks the students to draw a picture of where their families immigrated from, all the kids are excited. Except Lola. She can't remember The Island—she left when she was just a baby. But with the help of her family and friends, and their memories—joyous, fantastical, heartbreaking, and frightening—Lola's imagination takes her on an extraordinary journey back to The Island.  As she draws closer to the heart of her family's story, Lola comes to understand the truth of her abuela's words: “Just because you don't remember a place doesn't mean it's not in you.”Gloriously illustrated and lyrically written, Islandborn is a celebration of creativity, diversity, and our imagination's boundless ability to connect us—to our families, to our past and to ourselves. 

                                                    

Platnos Go with Everything

by Lissette Norman
Paletero Man meets Fry Bread in this vibrant and cheerful ode to plátanos, the star of Dominican cuisine, written by award-winning poet Lissette Norman, illustrated by Sara Palacios, and translated by Kianny N. Antigua.  Platanos are Yesenia’s favorite food. They can be sweet and sugary, or salty and savory. And they’re a part of almost every meal her Dominican family makes. Stop by her apartment and find out why platanos go with everything—especially love!

Platnaos Are Love                                                                                                  

by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris 

A delicious picture book about the ways plantains shape Latinx culture, community, and family, told through a young girl’s experiences in the kitchen with her abuela. With every pop of the tostones, mash of the mangú, and sizzle of the maduros, a little girl learns that plátanos are her history, they are her culture, and—most importantly—they are love.                

El Secreto del Plátano (the Secret of the Plátano)
by Luz Maria Mack
At first his tiny ears couldn't hear it, but Abuela shares that she can't teach something that only her heart knows. This loving and tender story of the magical union between a grandmother and her grandson was penned by Dominican author, Luz Maria Mack, and inspired by a dream where she and her Abuela met again to dance and share the secrets of the plátanos.
Sometimes the secrets of life are written in nature, under the stars, and in the sounds of the whispering leaves. This translation of The Secret of the Plátano brings a lovely intergenerational friendship to a Spanish-speaking audience.

 Nina Bonita 
 by Ana Maria Machado 
 With the help of a little bunny issues of race and colorism are addressed.

Josefina's Habichuelas 
by Jasminne Menez
Young Josefina gives up sweets for Lent and then learns how to make her Dominican family’s traditional Easter dessert.

Me and Mama
by Cozbi A. Cabrera
On a rainy day when the house smells like cinnamon and Papa and Luca are still asleep, when the clouds are wearing shadows and the wind paints the window with beads of water, I want to be everywhere Mama is.                                                                                         

Mama’s love is brighter than the sun, even on the rainiest of days. This celebration of a mother-daughter relationship is perfect for sharing with little ones!  With lyrical prose and a tender touch, the Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Honor Book Mama and Me is an ode to the strength of the bond between a mother and a daughter as they spend a rainy day together. 

The Cot in thee Living Room

by Hilda Eunice Burgos

Each night, a young girl watches her mami set up a cot in the living room for guests in their Washington Heights apartment, like Raquel (who’s boring) and Edgardo (who gets crumbs everywhere). She resents that they get the entire living room with a view of the George Washington Bridge, while all she gets is a tiny bedroom with a view of her sister (who snores). Until one night when no one comes, and it’s finally her chance! But as it turns out, sleeping on the cot in the living room isn’t all she thought it would be.

Cesaria Feels the Beat 

by Denise R Adusei

This title will be released on June 4, 2024.

In this powerful and inspiring picture book, a deaf girl stands up for herself and takes off her shoes while dancing at her Carnival performance so she can feel the music through her bare feet. Cesaria is going to perform for the seaside Carnival. She skips past the beach barefoot, dressed in her favorite peacock leotard. But when her dance director tells her she must put on her shoes to go on stage, Cesaria signs, “Peacocks don’t wear shoes!” You see, Cesaria hears the music through the soles of her feet, but no one seems to understand…That is, until all the dancers take off their shoes, and learn to feel the music, just like Cesaria.

Cesaria Feels the Beat is a lyrical and heartfelt story about deafness, community, and Carnival.

What Can You Do With a Paleta? Qué Puedes Hacer Con Una Paleta

by Carmen Tafolla (Author), Magaly Morales (Illustrator)

As she strolls through her barrio, a young girl introduces readers to the frozen, fruit-flavored treat that thrills Mexican and Mexican-American children. Create a masterpiece, make tough choices (strawberry or coconut?), or cool off on a warm summer's day--there's so much to do with a paleta.

Black Breastfeeding Week

 

August was National Breastfeeding Awareness Month created to encourage and support new mothers who chose to breastfeed. This is a time to spread the word on the benefits of breastfeeding. All month long, people around the world are celebrating the amazing benefits of breastfeeding, while continuing the fight to ensure women have the support they need to breastfeed.  

The last week was focused on African American mothers. "In America the message needs to be heard loud and clear especially for African American mothers whose rate of initiating breastfeeding is the lowest in the country. There are social, political and cultural reasons for this disparity that need to be addressed. Today laws are being passed to protect mothers who decide to breastfeed but more work has to be done.  Women should not have to fear losing their job in order to nurture their babies."

Breastfeeding offers so many health benefits from helping mother and child bond, providing an incentive to eat healthy and allowing mother's body to heal faster. Most important breast milk provides the nutrients that human babies need.

"Communities and hospitals need to spread the word, provide support for breastfeeding mothers and initiate legislature that provides safe public and business spaces for mothers. Even as individuals, we can help mothers with words of encouragement, a cooked meal, housekeeping, shopping errands and much love. We are all part of the village."

Learn more and spread the word.  For mothers who need support here are a few groups providing information and support.

The African American Breastfeeding Network

The African American Breastfeeding Network

La Leche
https://lllusa.org/
https://www.llli.org/

United States Breastfeeding Committee
http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/nbm19

Black Moms Do Breastfeed
https://blackwomendobreastfeed.org/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Blackmomsdobreastfeed/

Healthy Horizon

https://www.healthyhorizons.com/

 March of Dimes

https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/blog/august-national-breastfeeding-month

Mocha Milk Mommy's Breastfeeding Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mochamilkmommys/

Breastfeeding Info from Weill Cornell Update

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sponsor-story/weill-cornell-medicine/2023/08/23/a-better-start-for-baby-how-to-support-breastfeeding-moms/70620865007/?fbclid=IwAR1WXvP0NCqjwRinSAueG4THNovXNtWX_iRoFVZLgO4HfIhH_HxgHYgkxUM