People come in all shapes and sizes and, yes, colors, too. We are all different, unique, original. Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all looked exactly the same, if we all liked to do exactly the same things and we...

Cornrows or 'canerows' in the Caribbean is a hair braiding technique that originated in Africa where the hair is braided to the scalp. Locs are a thin rope-like thread of hair created by braiding, twisting, or matting and these originated in India. The braids are...

Connections can happen between anyone, even a sixth-grader like Rusty and an elderly woman like Hazel who goes around town in a wheelchair. Into the Wind by William Loizeaux is a beautiful story about an unlikely connection that exudes beauty. One day, Hazel asked Rusty...

Melanin Brown Discovers America, written by Candice Davis and illustrated by Benedicta Buatsie, is a middle-grade book that centers around thirteen-year-old student Melanin Brown. Melanin is a seventh-grader at Shirley Chisholm Preparatory Middle School where she has a comfortable group of friends and is proud...

Christine Paik's The Girl in the Gold Dress is a story about Hannah, a 12-year-old girl whose family is originally from North Korea. Hannah is preparing to perform in her elementary school talent show. She is doing a traditional Korean fan dance while wearing a...

Goodnight Star, Whoever You Are, written by Jodi Meltzer and illustrated by Jody King Camarra, is a children's picture book that follows the point of view of a young child who becomes enchanted by a bright star in the sky. The book begins with a...

Ella McBella in the Dark, written by Laura Pells and illustrated by Peter Trimarco, is a children's book that follows the titular character as she faces her biggest fear. Ella is a happy, active child who enjoys the outdoors. She rides her bike to the...

Santa is real. Carol knows that. She’s one of several girls living in Lady Dorothy’s Group Home. And, like any other group home full of girls, there is a mix of nice girls and mean girls. Carol is a nice girl, with a touch of...

Oh, The Way I Love You, written by Hillary J Lee, is a heartfelt children’s poetry book. It is about parents expressing their love for their children in many different ways. As soon as I started reading this book, I knew it had been written...

Moms have a lot to do each day. From getting the children out of bed, dressed, preparing breakfast and a lunch for school, then it’s off to school for the children and off to work for Mom. But it doesn’t end there. After school, Mom...