Friday, January 30, 2026

Florida Literacy Week 2026

The 18th annual statewide Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! is scheduled for the week of January 26-30th, 2026. This event is designed to raise awareness about the importance of reading to inspire Florida's students and families to make reading part of their daily routines.




  RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR LITERACY WEEK, FLORIDA

Mermaids on a Mission to Save the Oceans by Janet Balletta (Goodreads Author)Alyssa Figueroa (Illustrator)Alexander C. Appello (Illustrator) 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38089580-mermaids-on-a-mission-to-save-the-oceans

Great tool for teachers and good read for children  #MermaidsonaMissiontoSavetheOcean

Mermaids on a Mission, as the title implies, is a book about seven mermaids who protect the ocean from mankind’s pollution. Each of the mermaids have a special power that allows them to save the valuable oceans and special creatures and plant life. The conversation between the mermaids describes the culture and characteristics of each of them. I love Fina from South America and her mission to protect injured animals in Aqua Pura.
Teachers have an excellent tool to teach children how important the oceans are by following the example and action the mermaids did to keep the waters clean from pollutants.


The illustrators, Alyssa Figueroa and Alexander C. Appello, created brilliant illustrations that make the story enjoyable to read to young children.
The author Balletta includes a helpful Teacher's Guide which introduces vocabulary, discussion questions on a deep and well research topic. Congratulations Mrs. Balletta!
Mermaids on a Mission to Save the Oceans is most highly recommended.


The Golden Seahorse: El caballito de mar dorado by Camelia KuhnSara Cruz  (Illustrator) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75719850-the-golden-seahorse

The Golden Seahorse is a mythical character that helps a little girl faces her fears to swim. A girl named Camila was afraid of the ocean because she didn’t know how to swim, but her mother told her not to be afraid because in the ocean there was a golden seahorse that would rescue her.

It is a bilingual book (English-Spanish) with coloring pages with vivid images to illustrate this sweet children's book tale. I recommend this book for preschoolers to first grade students.

The Author, Camelia Kuhn is a kindergarten teacher based in Florida.   He was born in Hartford, Connecticut and grew up in Puerto Rico. From an early age, she found a love for reading through her loving mother who told her children's stories that inspired her to write this tale.  


Good read for children to face fears #TheGoldenSeahorse

El caballito de mar dorado es un personaje mítico que ayuda a una niña a enfrentar sus miedos para nadar. Una niña llamada Camila tenía miedo al océano porque no sabía nadar, pero su mamá le dijo que no tuviera miedo porque en el océano había un caballito de mar dorado que la rescataría.

Es un libro bilingüe (inglés-español) con páginas para colorear con imágenes vívidas para ilustrar este dulce cuento infantil. Definitivamente recomiendo este libro para niños en edad preescolar a estudiantes de primer grado.

La autora, Camelia Kuhn, es maestra de kínder y está radicada en la Florida.   Nació en Hartford, Connecticut y creció en Puerto Rico. Desde temprana edad, encontró el amor por la lectura a través de su amorosa madre quien le contaba historias infantiles que la inspiraron a escribir este cuento.

The Purple Shell: La concha de mar púrpura by

Maritza Martínez MejiaValerie Mojica (Illustrator) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5257416526

The Purple Shell invites us to become ecologically aware to protect the beaches. This bilingual tale (English & Spanish) is based on a true story. Contains coloring pages, facts, and questions to take care of our planet, our common home.

On her first trip to the sea, a lovely girl realized how much garbage people leave in the sand and decided to clean up the beach with her mother. After collecting sodas and wraps, they found a purple shell, which they received with joy as a reward for such a laudable task.

The author and the project "LuzDelMes Ecotales" invite you to be aware of how to take care of the planet. This book contains facts and questions to take care for our planet, our common home.

Ecological Awareness for children #ThePurpleShell #LuzDelMes 

La concha de mar púrpura nos invita a tomar consciencia ecológica para proteger las playas. Este cuento bilingüe (inglés & español) se basa en una historia real. Contiene páginas para colorear, datos y preguntas para cuidar nuestro planeta, nuestra casa común.

En su primer viaje al mar, una niña encantadora se dio cuenta de la cantidad de basura que la gente deja en la arena y decidió limpiar con su madre la playa. Después de recoger sodas y envolturas, encontraron una concha purpura, la que recibieron con alegría como premio de tan loable tarea.

El autor y el proyecto "Cuentos Ecológicos LuzDelMes" invitan a tener conciencia de cómo cuidar el planeta. Este libro contiene hechos y preguntas para cuidar nuestro planeta, nuestra casa común.

Resources

Thank you for your support!🌷 #LuzDelMes 🌠  

ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza MartineMejia

Mother, Theologian, Author, Educator and Translator

Member: Read your Wold Board of Trusteed, Read to Me, Day! Ambassador 
ANLMI & Gremio Poético Colombiano 

FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016, Premio Verso Dorado 2022 


Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Read Your World: Mission, Sponsors, Resources, Virtual Party, and More!

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 its mission and history HERE.

Read Your World poster

📌 FREE RESOURCES from Read Your World Day

Read Your World Day Virtual Party Image

📌 Register for the Read Your World Virtual Party:  https://readyourworld.org/virtualparty 

Join us on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 8 pm EST, celebrating 14 years of  Read Your World Day 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 are 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 29, 2026, at our virtual party!

2026 Big Giant Linky – Read Your World

View all the book reviews participating in the 2026 Read Your World celebration!

                       Sponsors help make Read Your World Day possible. Join us! 
                      Get all the details below: 2026 Sponsorship Opportunities:

ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza Martínez Mejía
Mother, Theologian, Author, Educator, and Translator
Member: Read Your World, Board of Trustees,  Read to Me, Day! Ambassador 

Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016, 
Premio Verso Dorado 2022 

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Multicultural Children’s Book Day with LuzDelMes Reviews

This year, I have a list of amazing bilingual, English and Spanish picture books that I received as part of the annual Read Your World Day on January 29, 2026. This non-profit children's literacy initiative, founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen, raises the awareness of the ongoing need to include books in homes and schools that celebrate diversity. 

I have been a reviewer since 2016 of Read Your World (formerly known as Multicultural Children’s Book Day). I am an author sponsor for six of them, and a proud member of the Board of Trustees. Thank you, Multicultural Children’s Book Day, for your dedication and enormous mission to promote children's literature. 

MY REVIEWS 2026

Fortune Cookies for Everyone! 

Mia WenjenColleen Kong-Savage (illustrator)

Fortune Cookies for Everyone is more than a Children’s Story; it is a book with history, investigation, and sweet-sour family memories. It starts when Grandma Miyako hosts her grandchildren for a takeout meal. At the end of the meal, she hands out the fortune cookies and begins to share the story of this popular treat. Grandma told their grandchildren that she knew the true inventor of the fortune cookie, but the origin was not clear; two cities in California claim and dispute over their origin.

 Fortune Cookies for All is a compelling mystery that contains US history and celebrates immigrants and their pursuit of the American dream. I highly recommend this book.

Tío Ricky no habla inglés 

Maritere R. BellasJayri Gómez (illustrator)

Uncle Ricky doesn't speak English, and his nephew Enrique has to translate everything for him. Sometimes Enrique isn't in the mood to help his uncle, since translating isn't an easy task. He even tried to help his uncle Ricky learn English by playing dominoes, and something interesting happened. Enrique is a role model for all bilingual members of our community who discover that being bilingual can make a difference.

With vivid illustrations and expressive faces by Jayri Gómez, she brings the colorful Caribbean culture to life. Author Maritere captures the essence of being bilingual and tells us that what can sometimes be a burden is ultimately a blessing and an opportunity that can save the lives of their families and the community. 


Camelia KuhnSara Cruz (Ilustrador)

The Golden Seahorse is a mythical character that helps a little girl faces her fears to swim. It is a bilingual book (English-Spanish) with coloring pages with vivid images to illustrate this sweet children's book tale. I definitely recommend this book for preschoolers to first grade students.


This book was electronically gifted as part of the annual Read Your World Day on January 29, 2026. This non-profit children's literacy initiative, founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen, raises the awareness of the ongoing need to include books in homes and schools that celebrate diversity. I have been a book reviewer since 2016.

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Este año, tengo una lista de increíbles libros ilustrados bilingües, en inglés y español, que recibí como parte de Read Your World (antes conocido como Multicultural Children’s Book Day). Durante más de diez años, he sido crítica, patrocinadora de seis de ellos y miembro orgulloso de la Junta Directiva. Gracias, Multicultural Children’s Book Day, por vuestra dedicación y vuestra enorme misión de promover la literatura infantil.

Estas son las historias y reseñas 2026: 


Plumas y Amigos - Feather and Friends

Con coloridas ilustraciones la historia no presenta a Sami, originario de Afganistán, que acaba de mudarse a Seattle y le encanta dibujar. Mientras dibujaba en el pavimento una enorme ave, conoce a Rosa, quien  le encanta escribir y vive en Ecuador. Los dos descubren que comparten un interés por las aves y, juntos, se embarcan en un proyecto para crear un libro sobre todas las aves que ven durante su excursión. 

Este libro, bilingüe en inglés y español, forma parte de la colección Language Lizard Living in Harmony, que ayuda a explicar conceptos como la diversidad, la amabilidad y la amistad. Excelente libro para los programas de ESOL.

Este año, tengo una lista de increíbles libros ilustrados bilingües, en inglés y español, que recibí como parte del Día Multicultural del Libro Infantil: Lee tu mundo.  Durante más de diez años, he sido crítica y patrocinadora de autores durante seis de ellos. Es una gran aventura esperar y recibir los libros por correo, sentarme y escuchar la voz de otro autor. Gracias, Día del Libro Infantil Multicultural, por el honor de ser miembro de la Junta Directiva. 

El Patito con Botas - The Duckling in Boots

Camelia KuhnSara Cruz (Ilustrador)

Conoce a Ducky, un patito con patas brillantes. Intenta ocultarlas con unas grandes botas rojas, pero los demás patitos se ríen de él. Una noche de tormenta, cuando la granja se queda a oscuras, las patas brillantes de Ducky iluminan el camino y salvan la situación.

Con vívidas ilustraciones, el autor y el ilustrador nos traen una conmovedora historia que nos recuerda que ser diferentes es lo que nos hace especiales. Escrito en inglés y en español, perfecto para las aulas y los hogares. Recomiendo encarecidamente este libro para niños de 5 a 10 años.


La gran sorpresa de Pésaj


Ana María ShuaÁngeles Ruiz (Ilustrador)

La autora judía argentina Ana María Shua explora el significado de la libertad en la celebración del “Pésaj”. Con alegres ilustraciones en tono pastel, se desarrolla la historia de la Pascua, “Pésaj”, durante una cena familiar. El personaje principal, Jordanita, está visitando a su familia en Mendoza, Argentina, para pasar las vacaciones. Llegan durante el otoño, pero aún se siente el calor y la casa de su primo es un maravilloso lugar con un patio enorme y varias mascotas: dos perros, un gato, dos tortugas y dos loros llamados Tic y Toc. Durante la cena de “Pésaj”, Jordanita escucha el significado de la libertad de esa historia, ve que los loros están en una jaula donde no pueden volar libremente y reflexiona, ¿no debería aplicarse eso a todas las criaturas? Así que decide hacer algo con lo que culmina el libro dándonos un interesante mensaje.

                       Sponsors help make Read Your World Day possible. Join us! 
                      Get all the details below: 2026 Sponsorship Opportunities:

ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza Martínez Mejía
Mother, Theologian, Author, Educator, and Translator
Member: Read Your World, Board of Trustees,  Read to Me, Day! Ambassador 

Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016, 
Premio Verso Dorado 2022