When I Am the Leader

"When I am a representative,

I will be a member of the House of Representatives within the United States Congress

I will more or less fulfill the people's interests and objectives."

Do you ever have a difficult time trying to explain politics to kids? What about the election process? If so, When I am the Leader is a great book to start the conversation. Not only does it describe the roles of elected officials, it also highlights occupations in education that children are familiar with. For  kids who already have aspirations of what they want to be when they grow up, When I am the Leader is a great readr. It describes more than 20 occupations, many of which are determined through elections. The book explains what it means to be a senator, school principal, police officer, mayor and many other professions.

The rhyming prose makes the book easy to read, and makes up for the lack of color in the illustrations. The back of the book features a substantial notes section, which is helpful for classroom lessons. This book is effective in teaching children what it means to be a leader, because it focuses on the duties of each occupation, not on how much  money is made, which can be why many children do or don't want to go into a specific profession.

If you know a child who demonstrates leadership abilities and/or qualities When I am the Leader is a great way to instill future ambitions in them. When I am the Leader is written by Fannie T. Brown and is available at BarnesandNoble.com. Or if you live in, or plan to visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, you can find the book at the Grand Strand Cultural Arts Foundation, which is located at 1208 Hemingway Street in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words

"We will bring change through our voice."

"Our words can change the world"

- Malala Yousafzai



Today is the anniversary of Malala Yousafzai being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize one year ago today. In honor of Malala and her achievement, I am reviewing Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words- a picture book about how Malala became an internationally known advocate for education.

Malala was born in Mingora on the River Swat in northern Pakistan. Her father, a school principal, named her after a Maiwand woman who helped save her village from invaders over 100 years ago.

When the Taliban took control of Malala's village, they forbade girls to go to school. Malala continued to go to school anyway, and shea began writing a blog about why everyone should have the right to an education. The blog was published in Urdu, but also in English by BBC.

In 2011, Malala was recognized for her writing, and received Pakistan's first National Youth Award for Peace. This angered the Taliban, and in 2012, Malala and two of her friends were ambushed and shot while riding in a school bus. Thankfully, everyone survived, and on her 16th birthday, Malala spoke at the United Nations urging every nation to help make it possible for every child to go to school for free.

Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words is a wonderful book that celebrates courage, and is an example of how one person can make a difference. Malala Yousafzai is now world-known as an advocate for education. Learn more about Malala and the work she is doing at www.malala.org

Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words

Written by: Karen Leggett Abouraya

Illustrated by: L. C. Wheatley

My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz

 

Do you love salsa music? I love it, and in celebration of Hispanic American Heritage Month, I am reviewing the bilingual picture book My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz.Celia Cruz was a salsa music legend, who is known as the Queen of Salsa, and rightly so. Had she not brought her beautiful music to the United States, salsa music would not be what it is today in the U.S.

 

Celia Cruz was born in Cuba, and she grew up around beautiful music and colorful clothing, both of which influenced her singing. She came from humble beginnings; her father was a railroad worker- but their lives were filled with music that brought them much joy, despite being poor.

 

Celia was gifted at a young age and would sing songs with both African and Cuban rhythms to her family as well as neighbors. She did well in school and was encouraged by her teacher to "go into the world and sing." Celia began singing in competitions with her cousin, but some would not let her sing because of her dark skin - but that didn't discourage her! She left Cuba during the revolution, and moved to the U.S., where she became a U.S. citizen. Celia brought salsa music to America that blended rock, rumba, mambo and jazz music. Celia Cruz was so successful as a singer in America that she was honored by presidents, and became known as the Queen of Salsa.

 

My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz is a wonderful children's book, not only because it teaches us about an important Hispanic woman in history. It's exceptional because it is a story of triumph, that educates children about a woman who crossed borders and broke boundries to pursue a talent that enriched and changed the world. The book's beautiful illustrations do a beautiful job of representing the energy that Celia brought to her music, and the descriptions of the sounds of nature and food she cooked with her family encourages children to pay attention to their surroundings to find inspiration to be creative. Most of all, it is a book that teaches children that you can overcome obstacles if you don't give up, and that is a lesson any child of color should be taught at a young age, if they are to survive and be successful in life.

 

 

My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz

Written by: Monica Brown

Illustrated by: Rafael Lopez

Biblio Burro: A True Story from Columbia

Written & illustrated by: Jeanette Winter 

 

What would you do if there were no books available to read to your children? What if there were no libraries that gave children access to books? This was the case for many villages in Columbia, until one man decided to bring books to children who didn't have them.

Biblio Burro tells the story of a teacher in Columbia who traveled miles and miles to bring books to poor villages in Columbia that had no access to books. Luis Soriano lived in the jungles of Columbia and loved reading books. However his love of reading soon resulted in a house full of books that made it hard to live. Luis decided that he would bring the books he's read to those in villages who had none.

Luis one day then ventures out with one donkey to carry him, and another donkey to carry a crate of books to get books to children in faraway hills of Columbia. His first trip is to El Tormento, where he weathers hot sun and even a bandit who tries to rob him, but he does not let that deter him. He continues on and when he arrives at the village, he is greeted by elated children ready to receive his books.

What started with a collection of 70 books and one trip, has grown to trips every weekend, delivering more than 4,000 books to hundreds of people who would otherwise not have books to read.

Biblio Burro is a wonderful picture book with colorful and lively illustrations that brings Luis' story to life. The story not only teaches children  about giving to others, but also encourages them to value those things that we many times take for granted.

In 2010, the Biblio Burro Foundation was established to provide education and literacy to disadvantaged rural children and teens in the northern villages of Colombia. For more information about the foundation visit it's Facebook pages,  www.facebook.com/BiblioburroFoundation/info in English, or in Spanish at https://www.facebook.com/Biblioburro-32811799715/timeline/.

 

About BookBuzz4Kids.com
BookBuzz4Kids.com reviews books that celebrate culture and educate young children ages 1-10. Our mission is to celebrate children’s books that promote diversity, so that parents of all cultural, diverse backgrounds, including special needs, have a source where they can find children's books that represent them and their children. BookBuzz4Kids.com also aims to support independent self-published authors who represent write culturally diverse books.

Take Me Out to the Yakyu

Do you know a child who loves baseball? If so, Take Me Out to the Yakyu is the perfect picture book! In this colorfully illustrated book, a young boy tells you all about how he enjoys going to the ballgame in both America and Japan.

In this baseball adventure, children learn that the word "yakyu" is the Japanese word for baseball. Children also learn the similarities and differences that exist in baseball in America and Japan. For example, in America, before the game, people buy hot dogs and peanuts; in Japan they buy soba noodles and edamame (soy beans).

Another similar custom is how in Japan during the 7th inning, the Japanese sing a team's anthem, similar to how we sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" here in America during the 7th inning.

The best part of the book is how it teaches children Japanese words for pitcher, fast ball, and even words for family members, and it includes a glossary in the back for the Japanese words used in the book.

If you want to teach a child about Japanese culture, Take Me Out to the Yakyu is a great introduction.

Take Me Out to the Yakyu

Written & Illustrated by: Aaron Meshon

Date Published: 2013

Little Erroll: The Story of Admiral Erroll M. Brown, First Black Coast Guard Admiral

"Erroll always listened to his teachers, completed his school work & stayed out of trouble. The teachers were very fond of him because he was a bright student. 
He loved to read and he especially loved math!"

August marks the anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard, established in 1789, and I thought it would be the perfect time to review the picture book Little Erroll: The Story of Admiral Erroll Mingo Brown: First Black Coast Guard Admiral, about the first African-American to become an admiral in the United States Coast Guard.

Erroll Brown was born in Ocala, Florida in 1950 and came from modest beginnings. He lived with his grandparents, and did many chores for them around the house including washing clothes and mowing the lawn. One day he asks his grandpa if he could help with steering the tractor. Because he was so small, his grandfather did not want Errol to help with such a dangerous job, but Errol insisted that if he sat on his grandpa's lap, he could steer the wheel - and that's just what he did.

It is with that persistence and perseverance that allowed Erroll to make honor roll in high school and play football despite constantly being teased for being small. When Erroll receives a letter to attend the Coast Guard Academy, he accepts and attends in 1968. At times, he struggled in his studies, but after meeting a black Coast Guard captain, he was determined to succeed and completed his engineering program. In 1972, Erroll was presented with his officer commission by the vice president of the United States, and eventually becomes became the first African-American  admiral in the Coast Guard.

Erroll Brown went up against racism in a post-segregation society and had many challenges along the way, but he never let that keep him from his goal. The book Little Erroll: The Story of Admiral Erroll Mingo Brown: First Black Coast Guard Admiral is a wonderful book for all children, as it teaches the important lesson that with hard work and perseverance, you can achieve your dreams.

Little Erroll: The Story of Admiral Erroll Mingo Brown: First Black Coast Guard Admiral

Written by: Shameen E. Anthanio-Williams

Frida

Painting is like her imaginary friend. 

It is there whenever she wants it. It keeps her company.
It keeps her from giving up hope.

Do you know who Frida Kahlo was? If, not, today is a great day to learn! Frida was a famous Mexican painter who overcame tremendous odds. She became one of the most well-known and beloved Latino artists. Today is Frida Kahlo's birthday, and I honor her strength and talent with a review of the children's picture book Frida, which tells the story of Frida's life with beautiful illustrations, and inspiring prose.

Frida will inspire both children and adults to never give up, and never stop living life with love. Frida Kahlo grew up in Mexico, with a father who was an artist, who taught her to paint. At an early age, Frida got very sick, but painting gave her hope, and after she became well, she continued to paint.

As an adult, Frida got in a car accident that left her bedridden a lot, but still, Frida painted; she did not let her illness or physical pain keep her from painting. Instead she painted her emotions. She used her gift and imagination to paint "ex votos" or "stories of miracles" - paintings that included scenes with words, many of which represented angels coming to the rescue of those in pain.

While the story has sad moments, it is also a story of victory, as Frida Kahlo overcame pain and sadness through her art, and is now much loved for it. If you have, or know a child who is in pain or who suffers from sickness on a regular basis, this book is a beautiful testament to the power of determination. It will teach children that they can still have a life through their pain, and in their strength, others may find hope.

Note: Frida is also available in Spanish at amazon.com

Frida

Written by: Jonah Winter

Illustrated by: Ana Juan

About BookBuzz4Kids.com

BookBuzz4Kids.com reviews books that celebrate culture and educate young children ages 1-10. Our mission is to celebrate children’s books that promote diversity, so that parents of all cultural, diverse backgrounds, including special needs, have a source where they can find children's books that represent them and their children. BookBuzz4Kids.com also aims to support independent self-published authors who represent write culturally diverse books.To suggest a book for review on BookBuzz4Kids.com, email adcwriter@gmail.com

Uncle Rocky, Fireman: Safe at Home

Independence Day is upon us and many times children area not educated on the what to do in case a fire breaks out. Uncle Rocky, Fireman: Safe at Home is a great picture book that teaches young children that being safe during a fire does not have to be scary. To prove this point he takes his nephews on an adventurous lesson in fire safety.

Uncle Rocky visits for dinner one evening with his sister and nephews Ben and Luke, and teaches them the importance of fire safety through questions and fire drills. First, he discusses the importance of smoke detectors, and then he takes nephews Ben and Luke and their parents on two routes they can take in their home to escape from a fire, should one break out in their home.

Uncle Rocky stresses many important points including:

1. Importance of staying calm
2. Having an emergency meeting place to go to after escaping a fire
3. What to do if your clothes catch on fire - Stop, drop, cover and roll! NEVER run!

Uncle Rocky, Fireman: Safe at Home is a great picture book not only because it makes children aware of  the dangers and seriousness of fires, but it also encourages family conversation, and shows how parents can take a serious subject and turn it into a family activity that could save a child's life.

Uncle Rocky, Fireman: Safe at Home

Author: James Burd-Brewster 

Illustrator: Dayna Barley-Cohrs

About BookBuzz4Kids.com

BookBuzz4Kids.com reviews books that celebrate culture and educate young children ages 1-10. Our mission is to celebrate children’s books that promote diversity, so that parents of all cultural, diverse backgrounds, including special needs, have a source where they can find children's books that represent them and their children. BookBuzz4Kids.com also aims to support independent self-published authors who represent write culturally diverse books.To suggest a book for review on BookBuzz4Kids.com, email adcwriter@gmail.com