Today I am sharing another review for Multicultural Children's Book Day. The special day is coming fast! Today's book is a holiday book that deals with embracing our differences. The book is In the Nick of Time Too by Deedee Cummings and illustrated by Charlene Mosley. It is recommended for ages 4 to 10.
From the Publisher:
Nick Saint and his best friend, Cooper, reunite in this warm holiday story about the magic of Christmas. A surprise visit leads to a journey of self-discovery and a deeper understanding of the true meaning of the holiday spirit. Nick and Cooper receive a charge to spread kindness and hope in their everyday lives. Will Cooper listen to his friend and help Nick save the day again? Will you also be moved to action and accept Santa’s challenge to spread kindness wherever you go? Children of all ages and backgrounds will be inspired by this story and will understand that love, hope and kindness come to us in many shapes and all colors.
From Me:
This book begins with Cooper arriving at his best friend, Nick's house. Cooper is white and Nick is Black. Nick's mother informs Cooper that they are hosting a holiday party for the neighborhood. The party is to celebrate all the holidays of the season--Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. The hopes of Nick's family is to bring everyone together and share hope, joy, love, and help remind people that they are more the same than different. Nick's family also spends much of December baking cookies so the kids are in heaven at the party. It is such a fun night that Cooper ends up asleep on the couch after all the excitement. Nick's family decides to let him sleep there since they know he will go to Nick's room if he wakes during the night.
Cooper is awakened by a visitor entering through the chimney. Although the stranger is dressed in a red and white suit and has black boots on, Cooper thinks it is a robber since the man is Black. He runs to wake Nick up and have him get his parents. Nick however realizes right away that it is Santa. He explains to Cooper that his Santa is Black. They return to the living room and Santa is waiting to talk to them. He is also enjoying Nick's favorite cookies, Nickydoodles. Santa and Cooper also love them, and the recipe is shared at the end of the book. Santa leaves them an assignment of spreading hope and love to others and help others learn that the differences don't matter.
I love the many messages in this book. The first message is the holiday party. Nick's mother repeats that it is not a Christmas party but a holiday party because they all can learn about each other's holidays and celebrate together. It is about sharing and spreading hope and joy. Then there is the story of the Black Santa. Many white children do not think about Santa as Black. In our society it is often hard to find a Black Santa (whether as a decoration or a real person), but it makes sense that Santa is the race of the child. This book will get children of different races thinking about common things as well as differences. It is truly a book about spreading hope and joy. It is about celebrating differences and gaining understanding about each other. It is well written and well illustrated. I really enjoy this book and hope people will read it year after year and share their holidays with others.
About Multicultural Children's Book Day
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
🏅 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
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 Poster
- Mental Health Support for Stressful Times Classroom Kit
- Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parent
- 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!
