Multicultural Children's Book Day 2022
By Kim Childress
Welcome to the Ink-A-Dink! What a perfect day for me to launch the blog, one of my favorite days of the year, Multicultural Children’s Book Day #ReadYourWorld2022, sharing great books on a great day!
So much to say about this picture book for older readers, Jubilee: The First Therapy Horse and an Olympic Dream by KT Johnston, illustrated by Anabella Ortiz...
This historical picture book based on a true story, has crossover for older readers, powerfully shares the true story of Lis Hartel, a woman of many “firsts,” including the first woman with a disability ever to win an Olympic medal, and the first woman to stand equally beside men on the Olympic winners’ podium—in any sport.
As a child, Lis Hartel was a rising equestrian star, until her dreams were shattered when she was diagnosed with polio. She was told she would never walk again, let alone ride. Though she never regained full use of her arms and legs, with determination and resilience, and with the help of a “second-rate” horse, she proved her doctors wrong. Not only did she ride, she and Jubilee “danced” their way to a silver Olympic medal—at a time when women were not permitted to compete in the Olympics.
In addition to the determination of the female spirit and demonstration of how far women have come, this book beautifully shows the power of the human-animal bond. Not only for lovers of horses, but lovers of animals of all kinds will deeply connect with this book. Similar to the deep connection developed and shared between Lis and her horse, Jubilee.
And another first, Lisa opened the first riding center for people with disabilities. Soon the benefits of riding were recognzied by the edical community and became a form of physical therapy now called "hippo-therapy." Never before had anyone imagined that animals could help people in this way.
With themes of disability, special needs, illness, this book has considerable classroom potential, would be excellent for homeschooling, and deserves a place in every elementary school library. Highly recommended! #ReadYourWorld2022
Now in its 9th year, MCBD is a non-profit children’s literacy initiative with a mission to raise awareness of the need celebrate diversity in kids' books. was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on multicultural books and authors while also working to get more of these books into the hands of young readers and educators.
Join us tonight for the annual Multicultural Children's Book Day Twitter Party! Book Bundle give-awa every 5 minutes! Bonus Prizes! Free books and swag! as well US and Global participants welcome.
MCBD would not be possible without the support of its sponsors and participants, thanks to all, and especially our 2022 sponsors:
SUPER PLATINUM: Make a Way Media
PLATINUM: Language Lizard
BRONZE: Carole P. Roman, Patrice McLaurin, Dyesha and Triesha McCants/McCants Squared, Redfin.com, Redfin Canada, Redfin Mortgage, Redfin/Title Forward, Create& Educate, Star Bright Books, VivianKirkfield, Dr. Eleanor Wint, Kind WorldPublishing, Snowflake Stories, Lisa Wee, SONGJU MA, Melissa Stoller, J.C. Kato and J.C.², Crystel Patterson, Audrey Press, Pragmaticmom, TimTimTom, Wisdom Tales
MCBD 2022 is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!
Isabelle Roxas, illustrator of Class Kit Poster Creator
Alva Sachs, Brianna Carter, Ebony Zay Zay, Rita Bhandari, Gwen Jackson, Lois Petren/The 5 EnchantedMermaids, ValerieWilliams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, Josh Funk, Afsaneh Moradian, Eugenia Chu, Maritza Martínez Mejía, Diana Huang, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Culture Groove, Sandra Elaine Scott, Dorena Williamson, Veronica Appleton, Alejandra Domenzain, Lauren Muskovitz, Anna Gilchrist and SandfishPublishing, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Lee, Susan Schaefer Bernardo &Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher, Nancy Tupper Ling, Winsome Hudson-Bingham, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Sivan Hong, Michael Genhart, Debbie Dadey, Elizabeth Cureton, Stephanie Wildman, Maryann Jacob, Sherri Maret, Rocchelle Melander, Dia Mixon, Kiyanda and Benjamin Young, Shereen Rahming, Linda Thornburg and Katherine Archer, Rebecca Flansburg and BA Norrgard, Maxine Schur, Natalie McDonald-Perkins
MCBD 2022 is Honored to be Supported by our Co-Hosts and Global CoHosts!
MCBD 2022 is Honored to be Supported by these Media Partners!
Check out MCBD's Multicultural Books for Kids PinterestBoard!
