Author: Cicely Lewis
Genre: Children's Fiction | Christian | OwnVoices
Reading Level: 2 - 3
Release Date: January 1, 2024
ISBN 13: 979-8765624210
Description:
Shimmer, sparkle, twirl . . . I am a creative girl!
It's Science Fair time! Imani wants to win, but needs to find an idea that can beat the crowd-favorite volcano. Can Imani think outside of the box to take home the blue ribbon?
Read Woke™ Books are created in partnership with Cicely Lewis, the Read Woke librarian, to reflect the diversity of our world.
My Thoughts
Think Outside the Box
It is Science fair time at Imani’s school, and Imani is uncertain because all It is science fair time at Imani's school. All her classmates seem to be choosing the same ideas that she has, which leaves her with nothing to do. She is down in the dumps, and her dad notices it when she gets home and encourages her to think outside the box.
A visit to her aunt's store gives her an idea. Imani then goes home and starts using the scientific method to test her project. The day of the science fair arrives. Her biggest rival is confident about his project, but Imani, though nervous, silently awaits the outcome.
The book had me really engrossed. I actually read it three times to ensure I missed nothing!
What I Liked (in no particular order)
- The artwork is adorable
- The teacher is a person of color
- The science used in the story
- The topic of perseverance is addressed with thinking outside the box
- The think about it questions at the end of the book
- The explanation of the CROWN Act signifies that it is okay to be your authentic self
- The reader comes away with a few great takeaways
- Do not give up
- You do not have to do what has already been done
- Parents, it is necessary to tune in to your children
What Gave Me Pause
- The word hair magic: the skill and the ingenuity used in creating a style and getting a certain effect is embodied by actual magic. A child might believe it is that simple to change a hairstyle.
My Recommendation
Parents will enjoy reading this book with their children, independent readers will enjoy reading about themselves or someone like themselves. I did not have that as a child, so it makes my heart happy that the next generation can identify characters like themselves within the pages of the books they read. Great job, Cicely!
I received a free copy of Imani and the Great Hair Experiment Via Multicultural Children Book Day and Lerner Publishing, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of #ReadYourWorld.
Cicely Lewis is a school librarian with a passion for creating lovers of reading based in Georgia. In 2017, she started the Read Woke challenge in response to the shootings of young unarmed black people, the repeal of DACA, and the lack of diversity in young adult literature. She was named the 2020 National Librarian of the Year by School Library Journal and Scholastic, a 2019 Library Journal Mover and Shaker and the 2019 National Teacher Award for Lifelong Readers by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and Penguin Random House (PRH).
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.
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
Poster Artist: Rebecca Burgess
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
MCBD 2024 PosterMental Health Support for Stressful Times Classroom Kit
Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parents
Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Activism and Activists Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Empathy Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Kindness Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit
FREE Teacher Classroom Poverty Kit
Gallery of Our Free Posters
FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program
📌 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!
Thank you so much for sharing this lovely article with us. We appreciate your support and participation for Multicultural Children’s Book Day very much!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. It was my first year participating and it was truly a pleasure!
DeletePost a Comment