Beautiful Rainbow World

As part of Multicultural Children's Book Day, I am reviewing the book Beautiful Rainbow World by Suzee Ramirez and Lynne Raspet (Two Poppies, 2014), generously donated by the authors. 

It's a really great idea for a book-- the authors got photographers to contribute diverse photos of children and then they put them alongside lyrics by folk singer Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou.  You can download a free MP3 of the song with purchase of the book. (Right now they are offering free shipping, too- just go to their website here and use coupon code "MCCBD"- it's good through March 31). 

As an activity for kids, I think it would be great to listen to the song while looking through this book.  I can imagine kids would like pointing out their favorite photos and the adult could guide them in a conversation about why they like that picture and have them come up with stories about the kids and what they might be like.  It's a fun way to foster and encourage diversity.

Multicultural Children’s Book Day's official hashtag is #ReadYourWorld. The co-creators of this unique event are Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom and Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book/Audrey Press. You can find a bio for Mia and Valarie here.

MCCBD’s  2015 Sponsors include Platinum Sponsors: Wisdom Tales Press, Daybreak Press Global Bookshop, Gold Sponsors:  Satya House,  MulticulturalKids.com,   Author Stephen Hodges and the Magic Poof, Silver Sponsors: Junior Library Guild,  Capstone Publishing, Lee and Low Books,  The Omnibus Publishing. Bronze Sponsors:Double Dutch Dolls, Bliss Group Books, Snuggle with Picture Books Publishing,  Rainbow Books,   Author FeliciaCapers,   Chronicle Books   Muslim Writers Publishing ,East West Discovery Press.