Sunday, January 31, 2016

Lessons for Living support Literacy Week!


To support Multicultural Children’s Book Day and Literacy Week, I added to my Blog and Pinterest Boards some FREE activities, Book Trailers and Reading information. I wrote the stories, but I had never contemplated to look up Lessons for Living characters, setting and conflict with a different perspective. 


Happy Readings!

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/luzdelmes/bilingual-children-books/
Lessons for Living Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/Kdz9mG1Xc5k  via @YouTube

                                                        See you at my Next Event!

Author Maritza Martinez Mejia Social Media Visit:
E-mail: hazeleyes@luzdelmes.com
Website: http://www.luzdelmes.com/
Amazon Author Page:
Twitterhttps://twitter.com/luzdelmes
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/luzdelmes/bilingual-children-books/

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Massive Review Linky #ReadYourWorld

Designed by Estella Mejia
Vanilla and Chocolate/Vainilla y Chocolate's Reviews are live on Multicultural Children’s Book Day Book Review Linky! Look at #20, #26, #35, #224 

Thank you Agatha Rodi, Ann Morris, Gayle Swift and Janet Balletta for your time and wonderful reviews.
You can visit and read the reviews on: 

http://www.jumpintoabook.com/2016/01/multicultural-childrens-book-day-book-review-linky/



For contact information and lessons for living expositions visit:
E-mail: hazeleyes@luzdelmes.com
Website: http://www.luzdelmes.com/
Amazon Author Page:
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/luzdelmes/bilingual-children-books/
Lessons for Living Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/Kdz9mG1Xc5k  via @YouTube

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Local Author Reads at Palm Pointe


"In recognition of Multicultural Children’s Book Day, the beginning Spanish class at Palm Pointe Educational Research School @ Tradition welcomed award winning local author Maritza Mejia. Mrs. Mejia read her book  Vanilla and Chocolate/Vainilla y Chocolate. Multicultural Children’s Book Day has as its mission not only to raise awareness for children’s books that celebrate diversity, but to get more of these books into classrooms and libraries." Visit: http://lucielink.stlucie.k12.fl.us/local-author-reads-at-palm-pointe/




Diversity in Children's Literature




Diversity in children’s literature has been a controversial topic in the last years, but thanks to movements like We Need Diverse Books and Multicultural Children’s Book Day, the message has been clarified and promoted all over the nation.
Authors, illustrators, educators and bloggers have been an important element to make sure children have access to books that celebrate diversity. Feature characters from diverse cultures, countries and race are an important building block of the learning process in classroom and at home. It is fundamental to teach students from early age that different does not mean to be wrong.


I’m pleased to be part not only as an author, but also as a reviewer of the Multicultural Children’s Book Day on January 27th, 2016. This event helped me promote my books and increase followers in my social media.
Fellow authors reviewed my book Vanilla and Chocolate. Visit the Massive Review Linky and read it on review #20, 26, #37 and #224.

I reviewed and designed book activities for the following authors. Feel free to share it.

1.   Shaggai Sukkah written by Heidi Smith Hyde & illustrated by Jing Jing Tsong
2.  Amelia Gets Busy! written by Agatha Rodi & Illustrated by Joanna Scott
http://luzdelmes.blogspot.com/2016/01/bookreview-and-classroom-activity-of.html 
3.  ABC Adoption and Me by Gayle Swift and Casey Ann Swift & illustrated by Paul Griffin
http://luzdelmes.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-and-classroom-activity-of.html

4. Everything is Different by Written by Ann Morris & Illustrated by Melissa Wright
http://luzdelmes.blogspot.com/2016/01/review-and-activity-of-everything-is.html




About MCCBD
The MCCBD team’s mission is to spread the word and raise awareness about the importance of diversity in children’s literature. Young readers need to see themselves within the pages of a book and experience other cultures, languages, traditions and religions within the pages of a book. MCCBD encourages readers, parents, teachers, caregivers and librarians to follow along the fun book reviews, author visits and event.  


The full name of this event is Multicultural Children’s Book Day and the official hashtag is #ReadYourWorld on Twitter and other social media.

The co-creators of MCCBD are Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom and Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book/Audrey Press. Find a bio for Mia and Valarie here. View the Diversity Book Lists and Resources for Educators and Parents here. Connect with Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Facebook

MCCBD Sponsors
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2016 Medallion Level Sponsors #ReadYourWorld include the following:
Platinum – 
Wisdom Tales PressStoryQuest Books, Lil Libros
Gold – Author Tori Nighthawk, Candlewick Press
Silver – Lee and Low Books, Chronicle Books , Capstone Young Readers
Bronze – Pomelo Books, Author Jacqueline Woodson, Papa Lemon Books, Goosebottom Books,Author Gleeson Rebello, ShoutMouse Press, Author Mahvash Shahegh, China Institute.org

MCCBD Co-Hosts
Multicultural Children’s Book Day has 12 amazing Co-Hosts and you can view them here. 

Classroom Reading Challenge
MCCBD holds a 
Classroom Reading Challenge. This very special offering offers teachers and classrooms the chance to very easily earn a free hardcover multicultural children’s book for their classroom library. These books are not only donated by the Junior Library Guild, but they are also pre-screened and approved by them as well.


The Classroom Reading Challenge has begun! Teachers can earn a free diversity book! #teachers, #books  http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/?p=1796

Maritza Martinez Mejia Social Media:
E-mail: hazeleyes@luzdelmes.com

Monday, January 25, 2016

Book Review and Activity of Everything is Different

Written by Ann Morris
Illustrated by Melissa Wright
For Multicultural Children’s Book Day #ReadYourWorld
Reviewed by Maritza Martinez Mejia – Author 


Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCCBD) falls on January 27, 2016. The mission of MCCBD is to not only raise awareness for kids’ books that celebrate diversity, but to also get more of these of books into classrooms and libraries. MCCBD assigns a book for participating bloggers to review.

I reviewed Everything is Different. The story begins when a father invites his son for a short trip abroad. During the adventure his son learns not only simple things such as flying means being above the clouds, but also he discovers a few differences between the United States and the United Kingdom.
Brett’s dad patiently explains how different things work in another country like in United Kingdom people drive on the other side of the street than we do and the British accent is different from the English accent.

The following day, they had a wonderful experience at the Bolsover Castle when they switch roles and Brett’s dad becomes the student and let his son explores the world with a different perspective as a tour guide.  They had also an unforgettable day at an English pub called Whiterspoon where they eat food not beer. The adventure ends buying souvenirs to bring home.

My favorite sentences are in page five when Brett's Dad said, "You will learn that not everyone does things the same way we do. But if it works for them, that is what is important. Being different does not mean they are wrong."

With colorful illustrations, Ann Morris develops a clear message “different does not mean wrong.” This book is an excellent resource for teaching concepts of geography, history and diversity. I highly recommend this book for students in 4th to 5th grades.

Activity to Everything is Different  designed by Maritza Martinez Mejia

*Create an acrostic poem with the word Different*

D----------------------------------------------
I-----------------------------------------------
F----------------------------------------------
F----------------------------------------------
E----------------------------------------------
R---------------------------------------------
E---------------------------------------------
N---------------------------------------------
T---------------------------------------------


About MCCBD

The MCCBD team’s mission is to spread the word and raise awareness about the importance of diversity in children’s literature. Young readers need to see themselves within the pages of a book and experience other cultures, languages, traditions and religions within the pages of a book. MCCBD encourages readers, parents, teachers, caregivers and librarians to follow along the fun book reviews, author visits and event.  The full name of this event is Multicultural Children’s Book Day and the official hashtag is #ReadYourWorld on Twitter and other social media.
The co-creators of MCCBD are Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom and Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book/Audrey Press. Find a bio for Mia and Valarie here. View the Diversity Book Lists and Resources for Educators and Parents here. Connect with Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Facebook.
MCCBD Sponsors
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2016 Medallion Level Sponsors #ReadYourWorld include the following:
Platinum – 
Wisdom Tales PressStoryQuest Books, Lil Libros
Gold – Author Tori Nighthawk, Candlewick Press
Silver – Lee and Low Books, Chronicle Books , Capstone Young Readers
Bronze – Pomelo Books, Author Jacqueline Woodson, Papa Lemon Books, Goosebottom Books,Author Gleeson Rebello, ShoutMouse Press, Author Mahvash Shahegh, China Institute.org
MCCBD Co-Hosts
Multicultural Children’s Book Day has 12 amazing Co-Hosts and you can view them here.

Classroom Reading Challenge
MCCBD holds a 
Classroom Reading Challenge. This very special offering offers teachers and classrooms the chance to very easily earn a free hardcover multicultural children’s book for their classroom library. These books are not only donated by the Junior Library Guild, but they are also pre-screened and approved by them as well.
Share the post "Book Review of Chocolate Milk, Por Favor for Multicultural Children’s Book Day and Banana Sandwich Recipe #ReadYourWorld"
The Classroom Reading Challenge has begun! Teachers can earn a free diversity book! #teachers, #books  
http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/?p=1796



Friday, January 22, 2016

Book Review & Activity of ABC Adoption and Me

ABC Adoption and Me

By Gayle Swift and Casey Ann Swift

Illustrated by Paul Griffin

For Multicultural Children’s Book Day #ReadYourWorld

Reviewed by Maritza Martinez Mejia – Author  



Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCCBD) falls on January 27, 2016. The mission of MCCBD is to not only raise awareness for kids’ books that celebrate diversity, but to also get more of these of books into classrooms and libraries. MCCBD assigns a book for participating bloggers to review.

I reviewed ABCAdoption and Me. This book provides an easy way to open the door to conversations about adoption. It may look like a children's book, but it is for anyone going through or thinking to adopt a child.

It begins with instructions on how to use the book, follows by the elements of adoption in a way a child can understand making connections with the alphabet. The illustrations support the message on how the children will relate to the adoption process.
This book displays knowledge and experiences not only from the author
Gayle Swift as an adoptive parent, adoption coach and foster parent, but also from the co-author Casey Ann Swift as an adoptee, teacher and supporter of the project.
I highly recommend this book for all who are exploring the option of adoption.

Activity to ABC Adoption and Me designed by Maritza Martínez Mejía @2016

Fill in the bubbles


About MCCBD
The MCCBD team’s mission is to spread the word and raise awareness about the importance of diversity in children’s literature. Young readers need to see themselves within the pages of a book and experience other cultures, languages, traditions and religions within the pages of a book. MCCBD encourages readers, parents, teachers, caregivers and librarians to follow along the fun book reviews, author visits and event.  The full name of this event is Multicultural Children’s Book Day and the official hashtag is #ReadYourWorld on Twitter and other social media.
The co-creators of MCCBD are Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom and Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book/Audrey Press. Find a bio for Mia and Valarie here. View the Diversity Book Lists and Resources for Educators and Parents here. Connect with Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Facebook.
MCCBD Sponsors
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2016 Medallion Level Sponsors #ReadYourWorld include the following:
Platinum – 
Wisdom Tales PressStoryQuest Books, Lil Libros
Gold – Author Tori Nighthawk, Candlewick Press
Silver – Lee and Low Books, Chronicle Books , Capstone Young Readers
Bronze – Pomelo Books, Author Jacqueline Woodson, Papa Lemon Books, Goosebottom Books,Author Gleeson Rebello, ShoutMouse Press, Author Mahvash Shahegh, China Institute.org
MCCBD Co-Hosts
Multicultural Children’s Book Day has 12 amazing Co-Hosts and you can view them here.

Classroom Reading Challenge
MCCBD holds a 
Classroom Reading Challenge. This very special offering offers teachers and classrooms the chance to very easily earn a free hardcover multicultural children’s book for their classroom library. These books are not only donated by the Junior Library Guild, but they are also pre-screened and approved by them as well.

Share the post "Book Review of Chocolate Milk, Por Favor for Multicultural Children’s Book Day and Banana Sandwich Recipe #ReadYourWorld"
The Classroom Reading Challenge has begun! Teachers can earn a free diversity book! #teachers, #books  
http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/?p=1796

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Book Review and Activity of Amelie Gets Busy!

Written by Agatha Rodi

Illustrated by Joanna Scott

For Multicultural Children’s Book Day #ReadYourWorld

Reviewed by Maritza Martinez Mejia – Author


Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCCBD) falls on January 27, 2016. The mission of MCCBD is to not only raise awareness for kids’ books that celebrate diversity, but to also get more of these of books into classrooms and libraries. MCCBD assigns a book for participating bloggers to review.

I reviewed Amelia Gets Busy! 
written by Agatha Rodi and illustrated by Joanna Scott.I recommend this book for children ages 5-8 years old. 

Since the beginning of the story, the main character, Amelia seems impressed with all the wonders around her at the village’s farm with her Greek grandma named yiayia.  Visiting Grandma is an opportunity to enjoy nature, flowers, plants, birds and farm animals. The lovely yiayia protects Amelia with affection and care. The children story ends with a fond display of yiayia’s favorite keepsake box where she keeps the reason to be impressed of farm’s life.

The author Agatha Rodi uses elegant rhymes to make the story dances with poetic structure. Soft pastel illustrations depict the simple and beautiful gardening and farming’s Greek life style. 

My favorite lines:

“A jar of yiayia’s favorite cherry jam
Some pieces of spinach pie and feta cheese
Full of spices and crispy dough.
I always take my village with me,
The blue light and the hues of the rainbow
That make me say wow!
That’s why I’m so impressed!’



Activity to AmeliaGets Busy! designed by Maritza Martínez Mejía @2016

The last stanza in the book tells why Amelia is so impressed:

1.    Create your own keepsake box
2.   Fill out the five lines
3.   Add all the things that make you are impressed


A jar of ----------------------------------------------------------
Some pieces of -------------------------------------------------
Full of ------------------------------------------------------------
I always take my -----------------------------------------------
The --------------------------------------------------------------
That makes me say wow! 
That’s why I’m so impressed!



About MCCBD
The MCCBD team’s mission is to spread the word and raise awareness about the importance of diversity in children’s literature. Young readers need to see themselves within the pages of a book and experience other cultures, languages, traditions and religions within the pages of a book. MCCBD encourages readers, parents, teachers, caregivers and librarians to follow along the fun book reviews, author visits and event.  The full name of this event is Multicultural Children’s Book Day and the official hashtag is #ReadYourWorld on Twitter and other social media.
The co-creators of MCCBD are Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom and Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book/Audrey Press. Find a bio for Mia and Valarie here. View the Diversity Book Lists and Resources for Educators and Parents here. Connect with Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Facebook.
MCCBD Co-Hosts
Multicultural Children’s Book Day has 12 amazing Co-Hosts and you can view them here.

All Done MonkeyCrafty Moms Share,Educators Spin on it,Growing Book by Book,Imagination Soup,I’m Not the Nanny,InCultural Parent, Kid World Citizen,Mama Smiles,Multicultural Kid Blogs,Spanish Playground

Classroom Reading Challenge
MCCBD holds a 
Classroom Reading Challenge. This very special offering offers teachers and classrooms the chance to very easily earn a free hardcover multicultural children’s book for their classroom library. These books are not only donated by the Junior Library Guild, but they are also pre-screened and approved by them as well.

The Classroom Reading Challenge has begun! Teachers can earn a free diversity book! #teachers, #books  
http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/?p=1796