Multicultural Children's Book Day Book Review 2024

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Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2024 is in its 11th 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 their Mission and history HERE.

I had the opportunity to review the beautiful book “Old to Joy” by Anita Crawford Clark. This picture book captures the essence of the intergenerational bond between a young girl and her grandmother. The narrative centers around a young girl named Joy, who spends time in her grandmother’s old house, surrounded by old trees and various old items. Initially, Joy is unsure if she can find enjoyment in such a setting, but through the course of the story, she learns to appreciate the beauty and history that each old thing holds.

The book is an authentic celebration of African American family heritage, depicted through the joyful and loving relationship between Joy and her Grandmama. Author and illustrator Anita Crawford Clark infuses the story with her own experiences, creating a rich, vibrant world that invites readers to see the value in the old and the stories they tell.

Anita Crawford Clark’s work as an author-illustrator brings to life the characters and settings with warmth and detail, offering young readers a glimpse into the importance of family connections and the treasures that can be found in the wisdom of older generations. Her book serves as a touching reminder of the joy that can be discovered when we take the time to explore and appreciate the world around us, especially the parts that may initially seem uninteresting or outdated.

My students and I had the opportunity to share our thoughts and feelings about the story. We also completed a creative exploration and shared stories about what they made (you can find the activity below). It was quite humorous when a student told me my phone was old, but I still appreciated its value! We explored our character strengths and decided that this book should go under Appreciation of Beauty.

Old to Joy is an added gem to any classroom or home library!

Appreciation of Beauty Activity

Objective:

Students will explore the concept of appreciating the value in older things and the stories they hold, just like Joy learns to do with her Grandmama’s belongings in “Old to Joy.”

Materials Needed:

Copies of “Old to Joy” by Anita Crawford Clark for the class

Construction paper

Crayons, markers, or colored pencils

Glue sticks

Scissors

Magazines or newspapers for cutting out pictures (optional)

A variety of “old” items can be brought in by the teacher or students (e.g., a vinyl record, a black and white photograph, a vintage toy, etc.)

Activity Steps:

Read the Story: Begin the activity by reading “Old to Joy” aloud to the class. Engage the students by asking them to predict what Joy might learn from her Grandmama’s old things as the story progresses.

Discussion: After reading, have a class discussion about the book. Ask students what they thought about Joy’s experience and if they have ever discovered something interesting or special about an old item from their family or elsewhere.

Show and Tell: Show the class a few old items that you have brought in. Share a brief history or story about each item and explain why it’s special. Encourage students to ask questions and share their thoughts on each object.

Creative Exploration: Give each student a piece of construction paper and ask them to draw or create a collage of their own “old to joy” item. It could be something from their own life, something they wish they could learn more about, or even an imaginary item with a story they create.

Sharing Stories: Once the students have completed their artwork, have them present their “old to joy” items to the class. Encourage them to tell a story about their item, explaining what makes it special and what joy it could bring, much like the items in Joy’s grandmama’s house.

Reflection: As a closing activity, ask students to write a short paragraph on the back of their construction paper about why it’s important to value older things and the lessons they can teach us. They can also write about how they felt doing this activity and what they learned from it.

Display the Work: Create a classroom bulletin board or display area where students can showcase their Appreciation of Beauty artwork and stories.

Why Intergenerational Relationships Matter

Intergenerational relationships help to bridge the gap between the young and the elderly, offering a myriad of benefits:

Cultural Continuity: They enable the passing down of traditions, languages, and history, ensuring cultural continuity.
Mutual Learning: Both children and elders can learn from each other. Children gain wisdom and life lessons, while elders stay connected to new ideas and youthful energy.
Emotional Support: Such relationships provide emotional support and a sense of belonging for both parties, often leading to stronger familial and community bonds.
Countering Ageism: By promoting regular interaction between generations, we can counteract stereotypes and ageism, fostering a society that values all stages of life.

More Picture Books Celebrating Intergenerational Bonds

Picture books can be a wonderful resource for teachers and parents looking to introduce the concept of intergenerational relationships to children. Here is a list of books that beautifully depict these connections.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, the wisdom and stories of older generations can sometimes be overlooked. However, fostering intergenerational relationships is crucial for both young and old, as they provide opportunities for mutual learning, shared experiences, and deep connections that span across ages. These relationships are a cornerstone of society, enabling cultural transmission and nurturing empathy and respect among generations.

Read Your World celebrates Multicultural Children’s Book Day and is honored to be Supported by these Medallion and Ruby Sponsors!

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, Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 50+ Languages, Lerner Publishing Group

🏅 Gold Sponsors: Barefoot Books, Astra Books for Young Readers

🏅 Silver Sponsors: Red Comet Press, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, Lee and Low Books, Cardinal Rule Press

🏅 Bronze Sponsors: CK Malone, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Anita Crawford Clark, Star Bright Books, Blue Dot Kids Press, Brunella Costagliola, Red Fin, Fabled Films