Multicultural Children's Book Day Post - I Have Cerebral Palsy Book Review

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Poster Artist: Rebecca Burgess
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.



I Have Cerebral Palsy
By Mary Beth Springer
Published by Star Bright Books

A review copy of I Have Cerebral Palsy was provided by Star Bright Books for the purpose of an honest review in conjunction with Multicultural Children's Book Day. 

Mom's Review
I Have Cerebral Palsy is written in the first person, narrated by Sydney, the girl pictured on the cover. She explains that she is much like other children, but suffered a brain injury at birth that resulted in her having CP. She goes on to explain what that means for her daily life, like using adaptive devices to do things she likes, like draw and play baseball. At the conclusion, Sydney expresses the wish that readers will have become, through learning her story, more comfortable and accepting in their interactions with people who have CP. Back matter explains Sydney's adaptive tools and introduces the Miracle League, her baseball league.

As with all my book reviews, you'll see my personal opinion. You already know that I share books that I like for one reason or another. While I did not select this, I cannot have picked a better book to have been offered for MCBD this year! This story of a person with CP hits close to home - those who know me or have followed this blog for a while know that my brother had CP. Sydney's adaptive devices sure looked familiar!  I Have Cerebral Palsy does an exceptional job at what it sets out to do: introduce the reader to Sydney and demystify her life, her condition, and her tools. Because Sydney herself narrates her story, the reader is immediately put on intimate footing with the girl - this is more like a conversation between kids than an adult author conveying information to a young reader. Sydney covers different subjects about which her peers may be curious and also admits that it hurst her feelings when she is laughed at. We as readers connect with her through her prose and photographs; I am certain that those who read Sydney's story will fulfill her concluding wish. 

I Have Cerebral Palsy does an excellent job breaking down barriers between those with CP and those without. 


About the Author
As a child growing up on a farm near La Crosse, Wisconsin, Mary enjoyed the trips to the library. She started writing for magazines and newspapers in 2001. I Have Cerebral Palsy was written to increase the understanding of what cerebral palsy is, thus enhancing the meaningful interaction between physically challenged and non-physically challenged children. (From Star Bright Books website)




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, Children’s Book Council

🏅 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 

 

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

MCBD 2024 is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts!

MCBD 2023 is Honored to be Supported by our Partner Organizations! 

Check out MCBD's Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!

📌 FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day

📌 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!

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