More-igami - Multicultural Children's Book Day

Title: More-igami                     
Author: Dori Kleber

Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2016
Intended Ages: 4-8
Themes: Multicultural play, Practice/Persistence

Opening Line(s):
Joey loved things that folded. He collected old road maps. He played the accordion. He slept in a foldaway bed.

Synopsis:
When a boy who loves folded things sees origami, he wants to learn how to make a crane. But origami takes practice and patience.

What I like about this book: Origami is fun! I got a set of instructions and a box of paper for Christmas one year. The author uses a quirky main character (the accordion and the bed are quirky!!) to introduce this fun craft. And the restaurant owner that helps Joey warmed my heart in this sweet, straight-forward story. Help in life does come from unexpected places sometimes. The illustrations capture Joey's moments of concentration and surprise. With the awww ending, a student becomes the teacher. Yay, Joey!

Resources and Activities:

Try some origami! The book has two pages of back matter that describe how to fold a ladybug! Other simple instructions (shapes I remember making!) can be found on the Origami for Kids website.


The Spruce crafts website has suggestions for how to throw an entire origami-themed kids party.

More-igami is part of one of Candlewick's story hour kits, including a traceable crane figure. They also suggest a study of the history of origami for older readers. Order the PBS DVD of their show "Behind the Folds" to learn the origin.

I hope you enjoy today's selection! It was one of Kirkus reviews Best Books of 2016, but I missed it when it came out. Never too late to find a great book like this. It's a fantastic book to look for on Multicultural Children's Book Day or any day!!

This review is part of PPBF (Perfect Picture Book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books. Organized and curated by author Susanna Leonard Hill, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. #PPBF

Meet--Honeysmoke!

Title: Honeysmoke

Author: Monique Fields
Illustrator: Yesenia Moises
Publisher: Imprint (Macmillan) , January 8, 2019
Intended Ages: 3-6
Themes: Family, Racial Identity, Language

Opening Line(s):
Simone wants a color.
She asks Mama, "Am I black or white?"

Synopsis:
A young biracial girl doesn't see herself as black or white and explores possible descriptions for herself.

What I like about this book: Without being preachy, this story about a biracial girl’s skin color encourages children to pause and reflect about the words they use and opens the door for lessons on family, heredity, and creative wordplay. The spare language is suitable for all ages. Most things in the world aren't black or white, and this book embraces children's individuality and empowers them to visualize who they are and how they want other people to see them. Arnold Adoff used a similar approach in the 1973 picture book black is brown is tan, told from the adult parents' point of view. Honeysmoke starts and stays with the child. Vibrant illustrations accompany the simple text.

Resources and Activities:

Play with fingerpaints! Mix the colors and make up names for the new combinations.

Brainstorm descriptors. Older readers can do this on their own. For younger readers, perhaps provide a stack of index cards with adjectives, colorful and otherwise, and let children pick and discard from the stack.

Older readers can also discuss the weight of words as descriptions. Are broad categories necessary? Why or why  not?

For educators--Washington State has an 86-page pdf to download on biracial awareness, biases, and counseling biracial children.

I hope you enjoy today's selection!
Another review of this great book is posted by Vivian Kirkfield.

This review is part of PPBF (Perfect Picture Book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books. Organized and curated by author Susanna Leonard Hill, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. #PPBF