Category: Uncategorized

Featured

Stargazing by Jen Wang

Written and Illustrated by Jen Wang, Published by First Second, 2019. (Graphic Novel, ages 9-12)

Initially when I started this blog I thought that I would highlight picture books and feature middle grade novels by making book trailers. Pretty soon I realized that I simply cannot make book trailers fast enough, so I’ve decided to incorporate more children’s books sans trailers. (Don’t worry, I’m still making trailers!) It’s the new year so it’s the perfect time to try new things! I loved this graphic novel from Jen Wang. Not only did it remind me of my high school experiences with my friends, but I love how it shows diversity within an ethnic group and allowing all its characters live full authentic storylines.

BACKGROUND

When a new neighbor moves in, the normally reserved Christine is intimidated by the bubbly and gregarious Moon. When the two become unlikely friends, jealousy, secrets, and a medical emergency threatens their bond. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

This middle grade read is perfect for readers hungry for everyday stories that deal with family, school drama, and friendships.

PAIR WITH

Twins by Varian Johnson

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Featured

The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee

Written by Helena Ku Rhee, Illustrated by Pascal Campion, Published by Random House Children’s Books, 2020. (Realistic fiction, ages 4-8)

This particular story shows how hardworking families make good memories out of less than ideal situations. It also reminded me of my own story. My father owned a store when we were kids and I remember my brothers and I spending hours upon hours amusing ourselves along the shelves and hiding behind the counter. When I asked my dad later why we were there so much, he answered that he had to work weekends, but still wanted to spend time with the family. As a result, we have many fun memories even though it was at an unlikely place.

BACKGROUND

Daniel’s parents both work as night janitors. It just so happens that their babysitter has also cancelled. Reluctantly Daniel accompanies his parents their work, a huge corporate building. Just when he starts getting grumpy, his parents whisper the secrets of the paper kingdom. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a fifteen minute read aloud. A great way to highlight family, imagination, and resourcefulness.

PAIR WITH

Drawn Together by Minh Lee

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Fauja Singh Keeps Going: The True Story of the Oldest Person to ever run a Marathon by Simran Jeet Singh

Written by Simran Jeet Singh, Illustrated by Baljinder Kaur, Foreword by Fauja Singh, Kokila, 2020. (Biography, 4-8)

This is such a great biography! The best part is the foreword by Fauja Singh himself. His unwavering spirit and optimism shine through his words and I absolutely adore the fact that he tells young readers “Maybe one day you can break my record for the oldest person to ever run a marathon. Nothing would make me happier!”

BACKGROUND

Born in a village in Punjab, Fauja couldn’t walk. Everyone said that he would never be able to walk, but then he did. People said he couldn’t be a farmer, but then he was. People said he couldn’t run a marathon, but then he ran multiple, even when he was 100 years old. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

This is a twenty minute read aloud that is suitable for a biography unit, a way to model empathy, perseverance, and goal setting.

PAIR WITH

The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Asian American Month 2020: Kalpana Chawla & Chien-Shiung Wu

IMG_3447IMG_3448

NAME: Kalpana Chawla

DATES: 1962-2003

YOU SHOULD KNOW: Not only was she an astronaut and engineer who loved to fly, she also was the first woman of Indian origin to go to space. She was awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor posthumously in 2004.

LEARN MORE:

Astronaut Friday: Kalpana Chawla

Nasa: Kalpana Chawla

 

 

NAME: Chien-Shiung Wu

DATES: 1912-1997

YOU SHOULD KNOW: A Chinese American physicist she made significant discoveries in the field. She also was the first woman to serve as president of the American Physical Society and was awarded the Wolf Prize in Physics in 1978

LEARN MORE:

Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu, The First Lady of Physics

Atomic Heritage Foundation: Chien-Shiung Wu

BOOKS

There are a few independently published titles about Kalpana Chawla, but that was all I could find.

A previous blog entry for a book about Chien-Shiung Wu:

Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom by Teresa Robeson

Asian American Month 2020: Vicki Manalo Draves & Tiffany Chin

While I have been loving learning about all these incredible women, the frustrating part is that there is literally no children’s books written about pretty much any of them. While I have started to write myself I would please like to put out the idea to authors to PLEASE WRITE A BOOK ABOUT THESE AMAZING PEOPLE! Thanks!

IMG_3441KNOWN AS: Vicki Draves

NAME: Victoria Manalo Draves

DATES: 1924-2010

YOU SHOULD KNOW: Born to an English mother and Filipino father, this Filipina American was the first in Olympic history to win gold in both springboard and platform diving at the 1948 London Olympics. She also was the first Asian American Olympic gold champion paving the way for others.

LEARN MORE:

Vicki Draves interview

Triumph of Vicki Manalo Draves

IMG_3443

KNOWN AS: Tiffany Chin

NAME: Audrey Tiffany Chin

DATES: 1967-

YOU SHOULD KNOW: Tiffany was the first person of non-European descent to be the U.S. figure skating champion when she won in 1985. Her example paved the way for more skaters notably Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi.

LEARN MORE:

7 Asian American sports trailblazers who changed the games.

BOOKS

Unfortunately there are no children’s books about either Vicki Manalo Draves or Tiffany Chin.

 

Ruby’s Sword by Jacqueline Veissid

Written by Jacqueline Veissid, Illustrated by Paola Zakimi, Published by Chronicle Books, 2019. (Picture book, ages 4-6)

RubysSwordIt’s summer and usually this means trying to take my boys out in parks and trails as much as possible. It also means a lot of rocks, sticks, pinecones, shells and other items from the wild that fill pockets, my bag, and even random areas of the house. This book perfectly encapsulates that natural curiosity and imaginative play with whimsical illustrations.

BACKGROUND

Ruby along with her two brothers (all brown skinned with dark hair) run into the wild. Tired of being left out of their games, Ruby creates her own adventures with some perfectly natural “swords”.

BEST FOR

About a ten minute read aloud that is ideal to encourage imaginative play. It can also be a great way to open a unit about the summer season, the wind, and relationships with siblings.

PAIR WITH

The Storm by Akiko Miyakoshi

Rain by Linda Ashman

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Ruby’s Sword

Shop your local indie bookstore

Meet my Writing Bunnies!

Bunnies (1)

This is Dottie and Cinna B. They are my support group while I attempt to write and illustrate my own picture books. Between daily life, the huge learning curb on crafting a story, writing book reviews, and book committee obligations, I have less and less time to blog and make my book trailers. I still plan to make them, but just less frequently. I still will include an extra blog post every other week, probably highlighting a publishing company, fun projects, or just what I’m working on. Thanks for your patience!