I am so excited to be a Multicultural Children's Book Day reviewer this year!! I somehow missed signing up last year and it made me really sad. It was the only year I didn't participate in this amazing event. I am blaming going back to work full time. However this year I made sure to sign up as a reviewer!! Today I am going to share the first of the books I am reviewing and it is such a sweet book about inclusion. It is called Hide and Shh! A Not-So-Sneaky Sister Story about Inclusion by Christine Dendy and illustrated by Nathalia Takeyama. It is recommended for ages 5 to 7.
From the Publisher:
Joining the fun can be tricky especially when you want to play your way. It’s even trickier when you’re not quite sure of the game’s rules. Come along in this charming story as Dinah and her sister, Chloe, figure out how to be flexible and inclusive so everyone can have a great time.Flexibility is a challenging skill to learn, even for adults. However, it is an essential life skill that all children need to acquire for proper development. Hide and Shh! illustrates in a poignant way how adapting and valuing others’ ideas can add to the enjoyment of all.
From Me:
This is a sweet story about sisters. Dinah is the younger sister, and she has Down Syndrome. She has trouble with language and uses sign language to help communicate. Her favorite part of the week is Sunday because it is fun day and when she can play with her big sister, Chloe. This Sunday however, Chloe rushes outside to play with her friends instead of playing with Dinah's animal cards with her. Dinah decides to follow along however Dinah is not very good at playing spies. Spies is similar to hide and seek. Dinah has trouble staying still and being quiet. Chloe gets a bit frustrated, but her friends want to include Dinah. They slowly find a way to play with Dinah and still enjoy their game.
As a younger sibling I remember always trying to tag along with my sisters. They and their friends were not as willing to have me join as Chloe and her friends. I love how real this story is. The story does a great job of sharing Dinah's Down Syndrome and disabilities without coming out and stating them. Dinah has trouble with words and uses sign language. There are pictures of the sign language symbols for some of the words.
Dinah also loves acting like animals as well as seeing them. She has animal cards which she likes to pick one and then act like. She has the cards with her outside during the game and gets distracted by the animals or the behavior of the animal she is trying to imitate. I imagine Dinah would love Howl Like a Wolf. The perfect activity to go with the book is to try acting like various animals and learning about the animals. And of course, discussing Down Syndrome and how people are different and how to include people with differences in your games and play.
At the end of the book there is a page explaining Dinah's Down Syndrome and her different behaviors due to it. It also has information about American Sign Language and resources to learn more. This book is wonderful to introduce people of different abilities and with different conditions to kids. It is a great book for both home and school. I could see it used to discuss differences as well as an introduction to a unit on animal behavior.
About Multicultural Children's Book Day
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2024 (1/25/24) 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 our Mission and history HERE.
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
Ruby Sponsor: 
Crayola 
Poster Artist: Rebecca Burgess
Classroom Kit Poster: Barefoot Books
MCBD 2024 is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!
Authors: Gwen Jackson, Josh Funk, Eugenia Chu, Sivan Hong, Marta Magellan, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Angela H. Dale, Maritza M Mejia, Authors J.C. Kato and J.C.², Charnaie Gordon, Alva Sachs, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Lisa Chong, Diana Huang, Martha Seif Simpson, DARIA (WORLD MUSIC WITH DARIA) Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou, Gea Meijering, Stephanie M. Wildman, Tracey Kyle, Afsaneh Moradian, Kim C. Lee, Rochelle Melander, Beth Ruffin, Shifa Saltagi Safadi, Alina Chau, Michael Genhart, Sally J. Pla, Ajuan Mance, Kimberly Marcus, Lindsey Rowe Parker
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📌 FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day
- MCBD 2024 Poster
- Mental Health Support for Stressful Times Classroom Kit
- Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parent
- Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit
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- Gallery of Our Free Posters
- FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program
📌 Register for the MCBD Read Your World Virtual Party
Join us on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 9 pm EST celebrating more than 10 years of Multicultural Children's Book Day Read Your World 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 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 25, 2024, at our virtual party!
