The Cosmobiography of Sun Ra Book Review Black History Month

Disclosure: Candlewick Press gave me a copy of this book free of charge to review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

Have you ever heard of Sun Ra? How about Sun Ra and the Arkestra? I hadn't until I read this great book, The Cosmobiography of Sun Ra by Chris Raschka. You know it is going to be interesting when it starts out with Sun Ra always said he was from Saturn. It goes on to basically say even though we know that is not true let's assume it is. Sun Ra was an amazing musician and composer. He formed a group of musicians called the Arkestra or Sun Ra's Arkestra. When looking at the various cultures, I like to give Hazel a well rounded look. As important as the Civil Rights Movement is, I think it is also important for her to learn a bit about the arts and the people.

Sun Ra and the Arkestra in 1992 by Pandelis karayorgis at en.wikipedia
[GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Sharing Saturday 14-2

Sorry this is up a little late. I took the time this week to visit all the amazing posts!! My life is back to somewhat normal again except that Hazel has been sick since Christmas. If you have not had a chance to visit the posts last week you should!! They are so inspiring!! Thank you to everyone who did share with us last week and who did visit! There was a tie for the most clicked, so I am going to just pick a few of my favorites. There was a wide range last week including many best posts of 2013. Plus we had lots of blogs sharing with us for the first time! Welcome!!

White Water Book Review

Disclosure: Candlewick Press gave me a copy of this book free of charge to review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

Today I get the pleasure of reviewing White Water by Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein and illustrated by Shadra Strickland. This story was inspired by a true story and although it is about Segregation it is a story to which  most people can relate.

We Are Power -- a Timely Book for Kids Aged 10-14

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This has been a crazy year. We are in the middle of a global pandemic and then the protests over the death of George Floyd and others began. I know Hazel has been watching the protests and riots with curiosity and questions. Today I am sharing a book about nonviolent activism suggested for kids aged 10-14. This book shares history as well as how nonviolent activism works. The book is We Are Power: How Nonviolent Activism Changes the World by Todd Hasak-Lowy. 

Speak Up, Speak Out! The Extraordinary Life of "Fighting Shirley Chisholm"

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Have you heard of Shirley Chisholm? She was an amazing Black woman who fought for the people in politics. She even campaigned to be the Democrat candidate for President. After Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated she had a tradition of giving a speech on his birthday at a college or university. She also played a role in making his birthday a holiday. (Source) So it seems appropriate to share this new book about this amazing woman's life with you today. It is Speak Up, Speak Out! The Extraordinary Life of "Fighting Shirley Chisholm" by Tonya Bolden. It has a forward by Stacey Abrams. This book is from National Geographic Kids and is recommended for ages 10 to 14. 

Black History Month Books for Grades 3+

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of these books in exchange for honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

February has a lot packed in it this year. We have Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year, and I haven't even started on Black History Month. Today I am going to share two amazing resources for Black History Month. These books are for grades 3 or higher. Be sure to come back on Monday for my post for the Multicultural Kid Blogs Black History Month Blog Hop. The first book I want to share has been around for a couple of years and has received a few honor rewards. It is Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Ekua Holmes. And the first thing I am going to say about this book is "WOW!!"

Around the World in 12 Dishes -- Bolivia: Arroz con Leche

 Between Hazel being sick, me being sick, holidays and snow, we have fallen very behind in Around the World in 12 Dishes. However we are going to catch up this week. The group itself seems to be having issues and may be ending, however Hazel LOVES studying a country each month so we are going to keep doing it here and will have link parties in case anyone wants to join in. (I'm in the process of seeing if I can have the codes used in my account instead so the past link parties will be available again.)

La Paz, Bolivia
By Teomancimit (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Sharing Saturday 16-7

It is time for Sharing Saturday!! This is a link party to share all of your child-oriented crafts, activities and lessons as well as your parenting and/or teaching posts. On Sunday night we also host Crafty Weekends for all your crafts (done by any age), patterns, and craft product reviews! It is the perfect place to share your creative side!! 

Does anyone else feel like February has so much packed into even though it is the shortest month? I mean Black History Month, Chinese New Year, President's Day, Valentine's Day and in our region at least a week long school vacation. Today is Abraham Lincoln's birthday.  Plus add in Steve's birthday and my mother-in-law's birthday plus my parents' anniversary and our month is a bit crazy!! Thank you to everyone who shared at last week's party!! There were many amazing ideas shared. I always love seeing what everyone has been up to and your creative ideas!! Our features are just a sampling of them so if you haven't checked them all out, you should! The features this week are Valentine's Day, Arts & Crafts and Educational. 

Sharing Saturday 17-2

It is time for Sharing Saturday!! This is a link party to share all of your child-oriented crafts, crafts made for kids, activities and lessons as well as your parenting and/or teaching posts.

On Sunday night we also host Crafty Weekends for all your crafts (done by any age), patterns, and craft product reviews! It is the perfect place to share your creative side!! And for all of your cultural posts come share them at the monthly Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop(a new one starts Sunday).

Thank you to everyone who shared with us at our last party! It was a fun party with many great ideas shared. Our features are just a sampling of them so if you haven't checked them all out, you should! This week we have three groups of features: Holiday, Parenting and Crafts & Lessons.

Mary Eliza Mahoney -- #blacklivesmatter

With our nation looking at racial relationships right now I wanted to take time to look at black lives. As I read the Facebook posts and articles and think about everything that is going on, I think about my life, my white privilege and how I have brought Hazel up. One of my biggest regrets happened years ago when I didn't say anything to a young black girl at a Macy's around Christmas time. She saw a black holiday Barbie and said something like pretty and then saw the white one and said something along the lines of prettier. I wanted to tell her no the white one is not prettier, but I got scared. What would the mother think of a white stranger talking to her young daughter? Would I scare the girl? My friend finished her transaction and we walked away. I was the only the adult who heard the young girl and by not saying anything I let that poor girl go on believing white was prettier than black which is so not true. This has weighed heavily on my mind for decades now. This has been stirred up again. 

Sharing Saturday 14-4

Thank you to everyone who shared with us last week!! And to all of you who visited and commented on each others inspiring posts. I am still trying to make my way through them. There are so many inspiring ones though. I have been spending much of my week resting when I have time since I had a migraine and now have an awful cold. However I know I had a hard time choosing my features. We did have a most clicked last week! It was from Twig and Toadstools: Ice Rainbow Sun Catchers.

Sharing Saturday 14-3

Have you entered my current giveaway yet?

Thank you to everyone who shared with us last week!! And to all of you who visited and commented on each others inspiring posts. I'm still getting to some, but did check out a few. There was a tie for most clicked so we are just going with a few of my favorites. There are still many more to check out from last week--especially Valentine's Day and winter ones. Has anyone else noticed Valentine's Day posts are very popular on Pinterest right now? Ok, onto this week's party!!

Valentine's Day Wreath and more

After my multiple posts yesterday and today, I thought I would just share a simple craft with you. (In case you missed it, Virtual Book Club for Kids, Fairy Tales from Different Cultures and a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Round-Up were the multiple posts.)

First I am going to shamelessly ask you to vote for me. I need as many votes as I can get to get near the top 25. Just click on the emblem above and then click vote at Crafty Moms Share. It only takes a minute and I would really appreciate it!!

Next I am going to tell you about a really cool giveaway at Castle of Costa Mesa.  I know Hazel would LOVE those dolls!! They would go perfect with her castle blocks and play mat from Christmas!

Ok, now on to our simple Valentine's Day wreath. I was inspired by a wreath somewhere, but I don't remember where. Anyway, I cut many hearts out of scrapbook paper in different sizes. (I happen to have heart templates from my quilting days.) Then we took this Fourth of July wreath and removed the garland.

Then I traced it on paper and cut a layer around it so we could glue onto the paper and not ruin the wreath. I attached the paper ring with crepe paper leftover from Hazel's birthday and tape. Then we just glued the hearts on. I am happy with how it turned out. I do wish I had added the ribbon before gluing the hearts, but oh, well.

Now we have a bit of Valentine's Day on our front door!! More decorations to come I'm sure.

Opening the Road -- Multicultural Children's Book Day Review #readyourworld

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It is here!! I finally get to begin sharing all the wonderful books I get to review for Multicultural Children's Book Day! The official day with the link party to share all the reviews is January 29th, next Friday! Between now and then I get to share eight books with you (and then I donate them to Hazel's school or our public library). The books I got this year have a wide range from history, travel to fantasy and more. I thought with it being Martin Luther King Day I would start by sharing a book about a Black man. The book is Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and His Green Book by Keila V. Dawson and illustrated by Alleanna Harris. This book is being released on January 26, 2021 but you can pre-order it today. It is a perfect book for Black History Month (February)!

I Am Rosa Parks -- Ordinary People Change the World Blog Tour & Giveaway!

Disclosure:  All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation.  As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

Today we continue the Ordinary People Change the World Blog Tour. The Ordinary People Change the World Series is by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulous. There is a giveaway from Penguin Kids below for the whole series as well!! Today's book is I Am Rosa Parks. 

History Comics: Rosa Parks & Claudette Colvin -- Middle Grades Graphic Novel

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

As March draws to a close, I want to continue sharing resources for Women's History Month. Today's book is perfect for Women's History Month or Black History Month and of course for any day as it is a history book! The book is a historical graphic novel for middle grades. It is part of the History Comics Series. It is Rosa Parks & Claudette Colvin by Tracey Baptiste and Shauna J. Grant. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

The Proudest Color -- a New Picture Book About Race, Racism and Racial Pride

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Today I am very excited to share with you a new picture book about race, racism and racial pride. When I read this book for the first time I knew I had to share it with you. It is that amazing!! The book is The Proudest Color by Sheila Modir and Jeff Kashou and illustrated by Monica Mikai. It is recommended for ages 5 to 8.

A Place Inside of Me -- #blacklivesmatter

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It is Labor Day, a day for rest. I have been taking this weekend off somewhat so I can get Hazel ready for the new school year. It begins tomorrow and she is going back in person. After being home for six months it is a hard transition. But I wanted to continue our Black Lives Matter Series. Today's post will be different. I have had this book to review that is a poem meant to heal the heart from all the riots, hatred and wrongs going on in the world these days. As a white person I find it powerful to read and get a glimpse into what my Black friends are experiencing. I have been trying to figure out how I wanted to share this book with you. It is powerful yet simple. I knew I didn't want to group it in without picture books, because its message is too important. So here it is, A Place Inside of Me by Zetta Elliott and illustrated by Noa Denmon. 

Biographies & Non-Fiction Stories

Disclosure: We were sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are our own. 

Today Hazel and I are writing a joint post. She is going to review half the books. All of the books we have put together are biographies and non-fiction stories. Two are novels of stories about war. Let's start with the two picture books. The first book is Doctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Zosia Dzierzawska. 

Multicultural Math: Benjamin Banneker

Today I thought I would start a new series of Multicultural Mathematics. I will share about the history of math from around the world and mathematicians from around the world. Since we are in Black History Month, I thought we would start with Benjamin Banneker. To learn a bit about Benjamin Banneker, we went tot he library.