Read Your World 2025! Featured Book
written by Elisa Stad, illustrated by Ry Menson
Published by Ginger Lotus Press
Elisa Stad writes an authentic and empowering story about cultural diversity, identity, family, and gratitude. In warm, expressive illustrations, with a color palette of oranges, greens, and yellows, Ry Menson captures the essence of this moving and inspirational picture book.
Jade is a biracial child wanting to fit in with her classmates. She sees them being hugged by their parents and longs to be hugged by her Chinese mother, who doesn’t hug her. She wants to look more like her American father who has light hair and fair skin so she can also look like her peers. After expressing her anger toward her mother about being different, her father, who she feels more comfortable around, talks with Jade about her diverse heritage. Learning about her mother and her mother’s family, Jade comes to understand, appreciate, and embrace her mother and her mother’s way of loving and caring for her. Jade now knows how to embrace herself, too.
Discussions about this story will inspire children (and adults) to not only become more accepting of themselves, but to also learn, understand, and accept more about others whether they be family, friends, neighbors, classmates, or anyone. A much needed book for today’s world, I highly recommend adding this book to home, school, and public libraries. A beautiful gift to give any time of the year, it will touch readers’ and listeners’ hearts and may open up new and amazing relationships! For fantastic book club questions, a recipe, and coloring pages, check out Elisa Stad’s free downloadable resources on her website!
Recommended for ages 5 and up.
A BIG Thank You to Elisa Stad and her team for gifting me not only an ebook version of Mama’s Love Language, but also a signed hardcover book - what a treat! And a BIG Thank You to the Read Your World Founder’s Circle, Sponsors, and all involved in Read Your World for helping to create a MORE BEAUTIFUL WORLD with your mission!
Check out many more Read Your World book reviews here!
Art by Colleen Kong-Savage
Join the READ YOUR WORLD VIRTUAL PARTY January 30, 2025 at 9pm EST!
Lots of information and resources below from Read Your World!
Read Your World 2025 (1/30/25) is in its 13th year! Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen founded this non-profit children’s literacy initiative; they are two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural diverse books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.
Read Your World’s mission is to raise awareness of the need to include kids’ books celebrating diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about our Mission and history HERE.
Read Your World is honored to be Supported by these Medallion:
FOUNDER’S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Pragmaticmom) and Valarie Budayr (Audreypress.com)
Super Platinum Sponsor: Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media
Platinum Sponsors: Publisher Spotlight and Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 60 Languages
Gold Sponsors: Third State Books
Silver Sponsors: The Quarto Group, Red Comet Press and Lerner Books
Silver Corporate Sponsor: Scholastic Books
Bronze Sponsors: Lee and Low and Star Bright Books
Bronze Corporate Sponsor: Crayola Education
Ruby Corporate Sponsor: MagicBlox
Read Your World is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!
Authors: Stephanie M. Wildman, Martha Seif Simpson, Anna Jennings, Gwen Jackson, Afsaneh Moradian, Joaquín Camp, Rahana Dariah, Ziggy Hanaor, Josh Funk, Nancy Tupper Ling, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Gea Meijering, Eugenia Chu, Dorktales Story Time, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Authors J.C. Kato and J.C.², Cynthia Levinson, Diana Huang, Rochelle Melander, Lisa Chong, Lisa Stringfellow, Brunella Costaglioga, Lindsey Rowe Parker, Rachel C. Katz, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Shifa Safadi, Lisa Rogers, Sylvia Liu, Eva Clarke, Crystal Murakami, Teddi Ahrens
Read Your World is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts and by our Partner Organizations!
Check out RYW’s Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!
FREE RESOURCES from Read Your World Day
Register for the Read Your World Virtual Party: https://readyourworld.org/virtualparty
Join us on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 9 pm EST celebrating 13 years of Read Your World Day Virtual Party! Register here.
This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.
We will be giving away a 10-Book Bundle during the virtual party plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants are welcome. **
Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, and connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. We look forward to seeing you all on January 30, 2025, at our virtual party!
