Seven days, Seven books. Day 6. Where are You From? by Yamile Saied Mendez, illustrated by Jaime Kim

Today is Multicultural Children's Book Day (#ReadYourWorld), which is organized to celebrate and spotlight diversity in children's books. 

In that spirit, I'm sharing the beautiful, lyrical picture book Where are You From? written by Yamile Saied Mendez and illustrated by Jaime Kim (HarperCollins).

This poetic and heartfelt picture book addresses a question that I'm sure is part of many family discussions in recalling history and roots of ancestors. The lyrical text exudes universal feelings of love, comfort, and pride in ancestry, while also acknowledging some difficult truths about the treatment of some people based on the color of their skin.

Yet, the beautiful, soft kernel of Where are You From? remains throughout the story--words full of pride and love. 

This book begs to be reread, and lends itself to being shared in any setting, whether that be at bedtime or story time at school. Children love to hear stories of themselves, and to talk about their own stories, as well as look toward future possibilities of what they might become. This book opens the discussion into personal histories of all.

I highly recommend adding Where are You From? to your library and sharing it with the little ones in your life.