Sunday, January 28, 2024

Dive into Diversity: Exploring 2024's Multicultural Children's Book Day Gems (Part 2)

Embark on a literary adventure with our spotlight on the 2024 Multicultural Children's Book Day. Explore three captivating gems: "Please Don't Give Me A Hug!" by Judi Moreillon, navigating the delicate balance of consent; Deedee Cummings' whimsical odyssey "In the Nick of Time Too," weaving themes of friendship and empathy; and Dr. Tee-Tee's "Together til' the End: Ife's Incredible Friends," a tale of enduring companionship.

These reviews are your passport to a vibrant literary landscape where multicultural voices resonate, and where unity is fostered among young readers. Join us on this journey through diverse narratives, contributing to the tapestry of children's literature. Enjoy and #Read your world!

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"In the Nick of Time,Too"

by Deedee Cummings

Illustrated by Charlene Mosley

Publisher: Make A Way Media, LLC Published: 2022

ISBN of 978-1-95-1218-33-1 Pages:40

This heartwarming holiday yarn centers around the endearing characters of Nick Saint and his steadfast friend, Cooper. This sweet narrative delves into the wonder of Christmas, revealing a surprise visit that evolves into a journey of self-discovery and an experience that reveals the true essence of the holiday spirit.

Breaking away from the typical Christmas story, Cummings crafts a narrative brimming with festive charm, imparting a compelling message of kindness and hope. Nick and Cooper embark on a mission to spread these virtues in their daily lives, providing readers with a poignant reflection on the significance of these values during the holiday season and beyond.

In this way, the book appeals and resonance with children of all ages and backgrounds. Through the relatable characters of Nick and Cooper, readers are encouraged to embrace the challenge to spread love, hope, and kindness. More than an entertaining read, the story is a call to action, motivating young minds to make a positive impact in their communities.

Important to MCBD, "In the Nick of Time Too" beautifully captures the diversity of love and kindness, underscoring that these virtues come in various forms and colors. With a timeless message that extends beyond the festive season, the book leaves readers with a heartwarming sense of joy and a renewed understanding of the universal values that bind us all. This holiday tale, adorned with acts of kindness and compassion, is destined to become a cherished favorite, inviting families to revel in the magic of Christmas.

Friday, January 26, 2024

Dive into Diversity: Exploring 2024's Multicultural Children's Book Day Gems

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"Please Don't Give Me A Hug!"

by Judi Moreillon,

Illustrated by Estelle Corke

Publisher: Star Bright Books Published: 2021

ISBN of 978-1-59572-917-0 Pages: 14

This story unfolds a poignant exploration of how children express and receive friendliness, love, and affection. The book not only celebrates individual preferences but also interweaves crucial themes of empathy and emotional intelligence. Moreillon skillfully navigates the intricacies of children's comfort levels regarding physical affection, delivering a powerful message that underscores the beauty of diverse

expressions of love.

The narrative encourages young readers to recognize and respect the unique boundaries of others, fostering empathy from an early age. Corke's illustrations vividly bring characters to life, enhancing the emotional impact and making it relatable for children of various backgrounds. Beyond its universal appeal, the book stands out for incorporating empathy and emotional intelligence into the narrative.

It serves as a valuable resource for parents, educators, and caregivers, fostering conversations about personal boundaries and cultivating a positive and inclusive atmosphere for children to navigate social interactions with understanding and respect. "Please Don't Give Me A Hug!" is a must-read, transcending diversity to become a catalyst for conversations about empathy and emotional intelligence.

Valorena Publishing Goes Silver and Announces Its Inaugural Scholarship in Time for MCBD 2024

Multicultural Children's Book Day (MCBD) stands as a vibrant celebration dedicated to promoting diversity in children's literature, fostering cultural understanding, and encouraging young minds to explore the richness of various backgrounds through the power of storytelling. In this spirit, Valorena Publishing proudly embraces its Silver Sponsorship of MCBD, marking a decade of unwavering commitment to advancing literacy and inclusivity.

Valorena Publishing has been at the forefront of championing diverse voices and perspectives in children's literature for 10 years. Our enduring dedication has significantly contributed to creating a more inclusive literary landscape, where young readers can discover stories that reflect their own experiences and those of others.

Doubling-down on our commitment to diversity in publishing and picture books, Valorena Publishing has this year launched the Valorena Publishing & Cocoa Kids Collection Books Scholarship and Awards event. This initiative exemplifies the company's passion fro nurturing future authors, illustrators and literary talents from diverse backgrounds. The scholarship and awards program aims to provide support and recognition to aspiring creators who bring unique perspectives to the world of children's literature.

As a Silver sponsor of the MCBD and the driving force behind the Valorena Publishing & Cocoa Kids Collection Scholarship and Awards, Valorena Publishing continues to make a lasting impact on the world of literacy development and the literary landscape, ensuring that every child can find stories that resonate with their own cultural identity and broaden their understanding of the world.

Thursday, November 23, 2023

It's time to give thanks.

And there's no better way to show gratitude than to give back! That's why this year, we're thrilled to announce the Valorena Publishing & Cocoa Kids Collection® Scholarship supporting education, literacy and children's publishing.

Here are all the details:

(Nov. 21, 2023—Palisades, NY) Valorena Publishing is delighted to announce the launch of a new initiative aimed at furthering empowering literacy, children's publishing, and emerging female professionals in this field.
Hosted on Bold.org, The Valorena Publishing & Cocoa Kids Collection® Scholarship seeks to support BIPOC and multicultural women to live authentically and share their unique stories by providing a $500 scholarship to support their studies and development in fields related to children's picture books.

This scholarship is open to female, BIPOC, and multicultural high school, undergraduate, or graduate students with a creative portfolio, published projects, or those actively engaged in a course of study related to literacy, literature, poetry, writing, publishing, editing, or illustration. The application deadline is March 12, 2024.
Dr. Valerie Williams-Sanchez, a Ph.D. in Literacy (St. John's University, NY) is the founder of Valorena Publishing and the Cocoa Kids Collection® books.

Dr. Williams-Sanchez expressed her hope that this scholarship will assist other BIPOC and multicultural women, like herself, in doing work or pursuing study relevant to the development of children's picture books.
"When I was developing my own book series, I faced a significant need for financial support to complete my publishing projects and academic studies," Dr. Williams-Sanchez said. "It is my hope that this prize, in even a small way, will make the journey a bit easier for the next generation of aspiring women of color looking to make their mark in the publishing space."
Valorena Publishing strongly believes that books serve as the backbone of society, imparting valuable lessons from a young age. For children, books often represent their first encounters with the world, shaping formative experiences that influence their views on society. The importance of diverse voices and characters in books cannot be overstated. Children's picture books featuring children of color, telling stories of empowerment, and supporting literacy development are crucial in communities of color and to readers everywhere.
To learn more about the Cocoa Kids Collection® series, visit: www.CocoaKidsCollectionBooks.com
To apply, for this scholarship, visit: https://bold.org/scholarships/valorena-publishing-and-cocoa-kids-collection-scholarship/

Just a few days in, the scholarship has already received some amazing submissions. But we'd like to hear from more applicants! So please, do help spread the word.

Also, know that the early support of the Cocoa Kids Collection® books Indiegogo campaign contributors have made so much of this possible, for which we remain eternally grateful!

Wishing you and yours a holiday season full of grace, gratitude and thanksgiving.

Warmly,

Dr. Valerie ~

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