Amara, The Brave Mermaid

HerBrina Sade Shepherd, a community advocate and children’s book author, created Amara, The Brave Mermaid, which features a topic some might choose to avoid. The story’s mystical theme centers around a mermaid whose grandmother explains their history and relationship to the souls who chose freedom outside the slave trade by jumping into the sea to become merpeople. The book’s crystal-clear images, combined with soothing blue and green water-colored illustrations, are a sharp contrast to the fate of many enslaved people.  

The story’s format reflects the African American tradition of oral storytelling and invites difficult conversations about U.S. history. As we know from history, some who chose to jump ship managed to swim back to their own shores.

Picture book for ages 6 - 10

Despite the tough topic, this book ultimately celebrates courageous decisions and the importance of seeking freedom and pursuing dreams, even in the face of an unknown future, and it’s a crucial message for today’s youth. The author #gifted an ARC for an honest review.  

HerBrina Sade Shepherd serves on young professional organzational boards. Learn more about HerBrina and her books at www.herbrinasadeshepherd.com.  

Join us on 1/30/25, 9 pm EST for 13 years of Read Your World Day celebration! Register for our Read Your World Virtual Party: https://readyourworld.org/virtualparty . Dive into multicultural book discussions, timely issues, and diverse recommendations, and win a 10-Book Bundle + Bonus Prizes! US and Global participants welcome. Follow #ReadYourWorld for the conversation! See you on 1/30/25!    

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 is honored to be Supported by these Medallion:

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 and  Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 60 Languages 

🏅 Gold Sponsors:  Third State Books 

🏅 Silver Sponsors: Red Comet Press and Lerner Books 

🏅 Silver Corporate Sponsor:  Scholastic Books 

🏅 Bronze Sponsors:  Lee and Low 

🏅 Corporate Sponsor: Crayola Education and Scholastic

Read Your World is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!

Authors: Stephanie M. Wildman, Martha Seif Simpson, Anna Jennings, Gwen Jackson, Afsaneh Moradian, author, author, author, author, Josh Funk, Nancy Tupper Ling, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Gea Meijering, Eugenia Chu, Dorktales Story Time, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Authors J.C. Kato and J.C.², Cynthia Levinson, Diana Huang, Rochelle MelanderLisa Chong, Lisa StringfellowBrunella Costaglioga, Lindsey Rowe Parker, Rachel C. Katz, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Shifa Safadi, Lisa Rogers, Sylvia Liu, Eva Clarke

Read Your World is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts and by our Partner Organizations! 

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📌 FREE RESOURCES from Read Your World Day

I'll Meet You in Your Dreams

This bedtime rhyming book highlights the parent and child bond, tracing a lifelong path of togetherness. The story and fluid, ethereal illustrations show pairs of humans and natural creatures connecting, separating, and reconnecting across the years. As the multicultural child grows into an adult, eventually the caregiver and former child only meet in dreams. This story is a valuable resource for introducing love, aging, and phases of life to young readers.    

THE STACK

The Stack is a whimsical, rhyming story of Luna’s singular mission to build a stack to… how high will it go?

Kiddos will love this imaginary story, the tower of extraordinary items, and illustrations created with colored pencil, collages, and paint. The book's theme is a simple and important one for children and adults, which is...you can reach your dreams if you keep climbing.

Boosting Children's Reading Habits*

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

This is a modified section from my August Newsletter.* Feel free to sign up for the next issue here.

While we already love reading to our children,” Alissa Wilkinson’s article offers several great points for keeping reading fun. She encourages us to read more, particularly when busy schedules take over. All of us can benefit from being more intentional about finding the time to settle down with a kiddo and a book.

Here are highlights from the article, along with my read-with-a-child tips.

Reasons to read books:

·       aids in the brain’s development of understanding others,

·       can heighten feelings of empathy,

·       establishes a great foundation for socio-emotional learning, cognitive development, reading appreciation, and so much more. 

Several strategies for reading more often:

·       keep library and personal books close by to grab during downtimes

·       make it a communal activity by having story time during playdates/play groups, especially as a calming effect during rambunctious activity or to soothe hurt feelings,

·       read what you and your kiddos enjoy instead of choosing books to meet other people’s expectations, include STEAM/STEM selections, imaginative, and simply silly stories. 

These features a few suggestions. Check out the whole article for more information, great tips, and tools for getting back into the habit of reading.