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Opal Lee and What it Means to Be Free (A Book Review)

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Keeping the Dream Alive: 30+ Children’s Books to Read for Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Or Anytime of the Year)

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The 2022 Ultimate List of Diverse Children’s Books

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Stacey’s Extraordinary Words by Stacey Abrams (A Book Review)

The Best 21 Diverse Children’s Books of 2021 to Read Over and Over Again

How to Create a Habit of Reading Together as a Family – Tips for Parents

New Release Tuesday: New Books Published November 16, 2021

New Release Tuesday: New Books Published November 9, 2021

Carla and the Christmas Cornbread: A Book Review

Notable Native People: A Book Review

New Release Tuesday: New Books Published November 2, 2021

Gift Guide for Book Lovers: A Few of My Favorite Gifts for Bibliophiles

Literary Road Trip Series: Fall in Love with Woodloch Resort

Black Joy Matters: 8+ Children’s Books Featuring a Black Santa

Cover Reveal: Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady and Gracey Zhang

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“This is for the undefeated. This is for you. And you. And you. This is for us.”

Bookface courtesy of Kwame Alexander’s @kwamealexander’s picture book The Undefeated. A must-buy book for any home or school library.

Have you read this book yet? 👇🏾

#theundefeated #bookfacefriday #bookface #bookfacefriday @versifybooks @kadirnelson #bookfacekids #bookfacelicious #bookfacemagazine #60daysofblackhistory #blackhistory365 @bookfacemagazine

Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott

SAVE this post for your next trip to your local indie bookstore or library or share it with a friend.

Do you know the story of Georgia Gilmore?

Georgia Gilmore was a cook at the National Lunch Company in Montgomery, Alabama. When the bus boycotts broke out in Montgomery after Rosa Parks was arrested, Georgia knew just what to do. She organized a group of women who cooked and baked to fundraise for gas and cars to help sustain the boycott. Called the Club from Nowhere, Georgia was the only person who knew who baked and bought the food, and she said the money came from "nowhere" to anyone who asked. When Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested for his role in the boycott, Georgia testified on his behalf, and her home became a meeting place for civil rights leaders.

This picture book highlights a hidden figure of the civil rights movement who fueled the bus boycotts and demonstrated that one person can make a real change in her community and beyond. Georgia Gilmore’s cooking helped feed and find the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

I am totally inspired by Georgia Gilmore’s bravery and determination to do her part and make a difference by doing the one thing she loved doing most: cooking.

Sweet Justice is available now wherever books are sold. Ages 4-8 and up. Have you read this one yet? 👇🏾#sweetjustice #sweetjusticegeorgiagilmore #georgiagilmore #newreleasetuesday #newreleases #blackhistory365 #60daysofblackhistory @randomhousestudio @rgregorychristie

In partnership with @wonderhere, I introduced to you the Black Culture Anthology almost one year ago today. The Black Culture Anthology is a collection of over 100 pages of narratives, informational articles, activities, recipes, games, and handcrafts.

This Anthology, paired with a Child’s Companion Notebook for reflecting and responding to what is read, has touched the hearts of families of all backgrounds from all over the world.

Our friends at @wonderhere are excited to release a 2nd Edition this February! And here’s the best part… they want to feature YOUR little writer in this 2nd Edition! Introducing the “Black Culture Is…” Writing Competition!

Children ages 7-17 are invited to join in this writing competition celebrating Black culture. They will feature several entries online, and will choose ONE grand winner whose writing piece will be published in the second edition of the Black Culture Anthology!

The writing piece must answer the prompt "Black culture is...". The piece can be in any format (essay, poetry, etc) and has no word count requirement. See the link in @wonderhere’s bio for the Submission Form Link.

Help us celebrate Black culture by celebrating the writers of the next generation! #writingcompetition #kidswritingcompetition #writersoﬁnstagram #blackcultureanthology

Looking for the best Martin Luther King Jr. children’s books?

Even if you do nothing to celebrate or acknowledge Dr. King, the holiday is a wonderful opportunity to talk to children about racism, diversity, equality, kindness, friendship, and peace. Since his death in April 1968, many have stepped up to carry on his legacy including: Stacey Abrams @staceyabrams, Bryan Stevenson, Tamika D. Mallory @tamikadmallory, and others. It has truly been inspiring to see so many new activists and politicians continuing to stand up and speak out against injustices the same way Dr. King did years ago.

Over on the blog, (temporary link in bio) I’m sharing some great children’s books inspired by the life and legacy of one of our nation’s most prominent civil rights activists, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. There are board books, picture books, early reader chapter books, and recommendations for tweens. Let me know in the comments some of your favorite Dr. King children’s books. 👇🏾#mlkjr #mlkjrday #mlkjrbooks #mlkjr2022 #mlkjrday2022 #60daysofblackhistory #shelfielove #bookstacks #bookstacklove #stackemup

$1,000 Cash Giveaway!

❌This giveaway is now CLOSED. Winner: @gwenblumberg ❌

Today I’m partnering with our friends at @rileyvolvo to giveaway $1,000 in cash to one (1) lucky US based resident.

In June 2020, I joined the Riley Volvo family as an ambassador and was gifted a Volvo XC90 SUV. During my partnership, I curated a beautiful reading nook in the Stamford, CT Riley Volvo dealership. I’ve also found creative ways to tie in reading and literacy by hosting bookish events for kids out of the trunk of our car.

As a way to celebrate my continued partnership with @rileyvolvo AND champion reading and literacy, we’re partnering to help spread bookish cheer throughout the country.

The General Manager of Riley Volvo, @jamesonriley, will be racing in a National pro series this year and promoting reading and literacy along the way. He’ll be visiting local indie bookstores across the country to promote them and their store events.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Like this post
2. Follow me @hereweeread + @rileyvolvo + @jamesonriley
3. Tell me what your FAVORITE car or DREAM car is in the comments of this post.

That’s it! Good luck! Giveaway closes Tuesday, January 11th at midnight EST! Winner will be announced and contacted on Wednesday, January 12th. Must be US residents in order to qualify for the cash prize. #rileyvolvo #rileyvolvopartner #rileyvolvostamford #rileyvolvocarsstamford #literacyforall #literacymatters #volvousa #volvocars #readingmatters

Visualize Math Write & Wipe Boards

Thanks to these double-sided write and wipe math boards from @lakeshorelearning, my kids can practice number bonds, fact families, and bar models at home. #ad

These foundational math skills are great for helping to develop mental math strategies and mathematical fluency.

These durable plastic boards feature bar models, number bonds, and fact family triangles. Using dry erase markers, children can practice a variety of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division math problems allowing them to develop skills in composing and decomposing numbers. Once they’ve completed the math problem, they can use a wet paper towel to wipe the board clean.

I think these math boards are a wonderful hands-on resource for kids to visualize and solve math problems. They are recommended for kids in grades 1 – 5 and ages 6 – 10.

Use my coupon code to get 20% off any single non-sale item. My coupon code is 3302. It can be used for purchases in-store or online.

Valid through 1/31/2022 for one-time use in stores or online. Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid on items with shipping restrictions. Other exclusions may apply. Visit bit.ly/3bbUXIj for details. #learnwithlakeshore #lakeshorelearning

The Story of Ruby Bridges

In 1960, when Ruby Bridges @rubybridgesofficial was just six years old, she became one of the first black children to integrate New Orleans’ all white public school system. Greeted by an angry mob and escorted by federal marshals, Ruby bravely crossed the threshold of this school and into history single-handedly initiating the desegregation of New Orleans’ public schools.

The Story of Ruby Bridges is a story about bravery and breaking down barriers.

Ruby’s life forever changed when she was chosen to attend William Frantz Elementary school.

How will her bravery and courage inspire you?

Recommended for ages 6 - 9. Have you read this one yet? 👇🏾#thestoryofrubybridges #arlishanorwood #rockridgepress @rockridgepress @rubybridgesofficial #60daysofblackhistory #rubybridges #rubybridgesfoundation #blackhistory365 @arlisharenae