New Picture Books about Black Lives--Segregation and Immigration

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Today I am sharing two new picture books that share different looks at Black lives and others. It seems even more important to me to share books about Black lives after the events last week at the Capitol building. Although these books aren't related I find it important to share them and help my readers have resources to teach kids about diversity both in the past and present. The first book is Northbound: A Train Ride Out of Segregation by Michael S. Brandy and Eric Stein and illustrated by James E. Ransome. 

Thank You America Quilt Jigsaw Puzzle -- Mommy Time Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent this puzzle in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own. The links shared here are also affiliate links where I will receive a small portion of any purchases made through the links at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Crafty Moms Share. 

This has been a crazy week. It is hard to believe what is going on in our country. I know I have not been myself since Wednesday. Watching the people storm the capitol was just awful. I felt like our country was truly divided and falling apart. I took a few days off from blogging because I just needed to care for me and my family and come back from all the emotions from the day. I have spent a lot of time praying and reflecting on my own life and what I want for our country as well as some crafts and puzzles. How are you doing?

A Book of Advice from a Zen Buddhist Monk to Help Us Begin This Anxious Year!

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Let's face it 2020 was a hard year. Now we are in 2021 and it is not looking much better. We are living through a worldwide pandemic. Even after the November election our politics do not seem settled or at least completely accepted. Then there is the struggle with masks. Some people wear them and others do not even when we see the numbers of people infected growing so fast and our hospitals are reaching their limits. All of this is enough to make us feel stressed and anxious. The new year usually brings hopes and dreams. We make resolutions on how we are going to change for the better. Yet this year we are all a bit overwhelmed. How do we get past all of this? 

Review of Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories -- Multicultural Monday

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

January is always an exciting month here at Crafty Moms Share. It always represents Multicultural Children's Book Day since it is held the last Friday in January and the books are reviewed throughout the month of January. I am co-hosting once again this year as well as one of the many book reviewers for the event. Tuttle Publishing is always a sponsor of this event and although this book qualifies to be part of it I am not reviewing it today for Multicultural Children's Book Day. It is one I have on my review shelf before I started getting the books for the event. 

Word for 2021--What inspires you?

 

Do you pick a word for each year? I started a few years ago. In 2019 my word was flourish, and Hazel picked believe. I spent the year trying to encourage her to believe in herself. In 2020 my word was connect. I hoped to connect with more people as well as God in more meaningful ways. I feel I did connect but not as I expected to due to Covid. As I reflected on words I thought about gratitude and then picked inspire. Hazel is choosing between strength and confidence. I love that she chose those two on her own! It shows so much growth for her this year. (Her new school is such a blessing!) What will your focus for 2021 be? Need some help? I made this word find with over 60 word of the year choices. What are the first four words you see? Do they have meaning for you?