Hey yall!
Living in the world we are living in is hard enough as it is. Add in raising kids- harder. Add in raising multicultural kids in a world that doesn’t always accept them or celebrate them… that much harder.
Our kids are now 1, 3, 5, and 7. Living through 2020 with them was a hard, eye-opening period in our lives, filled with deeper-than-normal conversations, especially with our 5 and 7 year olds. They’ve seen leaders speak poorly of people that look and talk like them, but they’ve also seen people like them rise to power. Needless to say, holding our heritage in a high regard has been integral this past year.
Throughout it all, we’ve looked for ways to celebrate the beauty in our heritage, and other heritages around the country and world. As a teacher, I’m privy to some really great books that do just that. But I know not everyone has the same resources I do, which is why I’m so excited to introduce MiJa Books, an online resource of children’s books that focus on multicultural themes. It’s at the forefront of showcasing literature that babies and kids identify with, brilliantly conveyed in stories by a diverse group of authors and illustrators.
Created by the wife and husband entrepreneur team, Stephanie and Muammar Reed, the bookshop has selected titles featuring protagonists of color. They’ve created a wonderful platform for Black & Latina-Owned Indie-Bookstores and self-publishers to get their works out to a wider audience. Just as important, they’re allowing kids to see others just like them in print (representation matters to this brand!). It’s something that we can all celebrate.
Now is the time to educate our young readers. With Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, there’s a beautiful selection of books to fit each occasion, making them a must-have for every child’s bookshelf. From New York Times-Bestsellers to newly published authors, the vast collection of inspirational characters has something for all interests.
MiJa Books is a one-stop-shop for curated children’s board and picture books that feature children of color as the main characters.
Browse through their fantastic multicultural collection that they’ve undercovered and select which of these gems to add to your child’s library. They’ve done the legwork. Now parents can easily search for what story their kid will read next and read book reviews of popular titles.
Here’s a brief glimpse of some of the popular titles MiJa Books has selected for different age groups:
My Baby Loves Valentine’s Day Book Bundle
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My Baby Loves Valentine’s Day (2020) – board book by Jabari Asim, illustrated by Tara Nicole Whitaker
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Love Counts (2020) – board book by Jo Parker, illustrated by Matt Kaufenberg
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One FREE Color-Me-In Flash Card Set featuring bilingual (English-Spanish) Valentine’s Day-themed words (four double-sided cards)
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One FREE “MiJa Merch” package
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Recommended ages: 0 to 3
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Price: $16.98
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A celebration of hair, family, and self-love from debut author-illustrator Yesenia Moises
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Encourages self-empowerment, shows off our solar system, and beautifully illustrates a variety of hairstyles from the African diaspora
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Recommended ages: 3 to 8
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Price: $18.99
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Written by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho
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A lyrical, stunning picture book that tells a story about learning to love and celebrate your Asian-shaped eyes
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Recommended ages: 3 to 9
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Price: $17.99
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Written by Sarvinder Naberhaus and illustrated by New York Times bestselling and Caldecott-honor winning artist Kadir Nelson
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An inspiring tribute to the beauty and meaning of the American flag, a symbol of America’s history and people
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Available with text in Spanish and English
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Recommended ages: 4 to 9
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Price: $8.99
For more information, visit https://mijabooks.com.
Hope you enjoy this amazing resource as much as we have been!
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