It is Asian American and Pacific Islander Month! To celebrate I had the privilege to review The ABCs of Asian American History by Renee Macalino Rutledge and Illustrated by Lauren Akazawa Mendez back in May last year. I wrote it for a company I am no longer with, so when I left so did the review. This book is amazing and shouldn’t be forgotten. Thus I am happy this Asian and Pacific Islander Month to republish it for the world to see again and to honor our fellow Asian and Pacific Islander American brothers and sisters. Read on!
The ABCs of Asian American History by Renee Macalino Rutledge and illustrated by Lauren Akazawa Mendez
Publisher: Ulysses Press For Young Readers
Reading age: 5 to 8
Grade level: 1 -2
Synopsis: Celebrate and learn about the many cultures that fall under the Asian American umbrella in this alphabetically organized, rhyming, and colorfully illustrated picture book for kids!
An inclusive compilation of the holidays, famous figures, traditional dress, cuisine, and other interesting facts from 19 Asian American groups (as defined by the 2020 United States Census), including Korean Americans, Chinese Americans, Filipino Americans, Pakistani Americans, Japanese Americans, Hmong Americans, and more.
Review
Aimed for ages five and up, I have to admit that this adult found this book fun. Written in a fun poetic rhyme, you will learn about traditional holidays, and prominent figures, foods, dress from 19 different Asian American groups, including Korean Americans, Chinese Americans, Filipino Americans, Pakistani Americans, Japanese Americans, Hmong Americans…
As we get deeper into the spooky season October also marks Fillipino American History Month. Now what better book to review then than Bunso Meets A Mumu by Rev Valdez!
BUNSO MEETS A MUMU
Genre: Children
Published: May 30, 2023 (Paws Publishing)
Meet Bunso, a boy with a really scary problem. It’s the Mumu, the Filipino version of the Boogeyman, who likes to frighten kids who don’t do as they are told by their elders! The Mumu will not let Bunso draw (on the walls), eat ice cream (before dinner), or play video games (his older brother’s). But Bunso has had enough! Gearing up to fight back against this destroyer of fun, Bunso makes surprising discoveries about the Mumu (and himself) in this fun, comic-like picture book that introduces children to Filipino culture and words.
Bunso has a problem his older sister keeps telling scary stories and is now telling him the MUMU is going to get him if he doesn’t behave. Same with his Mom and Dad, The MUMU will get you if you don’t behave! His older brother just won’t let him play with his video games. Is this the curse of the MUMU? Wait what is a MUMU? Bunso is about to find out!
This book is the most adorable ever! While targeted at young children this book can be loved by all ages. I read it to my book-loving ten-year-old twin boys and they really loved it. I confess I loved it!
Drawing from Filipino heritage and folklore Valdez creates a book for the whole family. Children will like the cool comic book-like drawing and Valdez writes with child-like dialogue that will reel young readers in. Parents and maybe older kids with like the worked in Fillipino culture and words therefore expanding their minds or finding a kindred spirit in Bunso’s world being Fillipino-American. Bunso Meets A MuMu looks like it’s the first in a series of Bunso Meets stories introducing other mythical monsters from Filipino culture. I for one can’t wait.
My rating 5 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rev Valdez is a Filipino-American illustrator based in San Francisco, CA. He’s passionate about introducing young readers to the myths and mythical creatures of Filipino culture through fun and funny visual storytelling.
Happy Friday! As I spotlight the adorable for the whole family Rufus and Magic Run Amok by Marilyn Levison! Read on!
Rufus and Magic Run Amok
Publication Date: June 13, 2023
Genre: Children’s Books/ Ages 6 – 12
Rufus Breckenridge is an ordinary ten-year-old with a best friend and a great comic book collection. He is not a witch like his mother, aunt, and grandmother. Witches take lessons to learn how to control their magical powers so they can use them to help other people. Where’s the fun in that? Besides, witches are weird. At least that’s what lots of people think.
When Big Douggie, the school bully, chases Rufus home, Rufus makes him do a double backflip. He decides to keep his new-found magical powers a secret. But the more spells Rufus casts, the stronger his magic grows. Soon Rufus’s magic is running amok!
A former Spanish teacher, Marilyn Levinson writes mysteries and novels for kids. Her books have received many accolades. Her juvenile novel, Rufus and Magic Run Amok, was an International Reading Association-Children’s Book Council Children’s Choice and has recently come out in a new edition. And Don’t Bring Jeremy was a nominee for six state awards. Her YA horror, The Devil’s Pawn, will be out in a new edition in January 2024.
As Allison Brook, she writes the Haunted Library series. Death Overdue, the first in the series, was an Agatha nominee for Best Contemporary Novel in 2018. Other mysteries include the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club series and the Twin Lakes series.
Marilyn lives on Long Island with her kitties, Romeo and Juliet. She loves traveling, reading, doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku, and chatting on FaceTime with her grandkids.
Now it’s THURSDAY! I am here joining The Bursting Bookshelf’s blog tour for a double whammy as I am spotlighting TWO books. Marisol: A Little Girl With A Big Dream and Adam Baum: The Autistic Engineer (Grow with STEM Series) by La Tanya Brooks.
Marisol: A Little Girl with a Big Dream
Marisol: A Little Girl with a Big Dream is written to help young children and their parents realize that great possibilities are limitless. LaTanyas goal is to design books that inspire children, especially at-risk children, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering (STEM related careers). Traditionally male oriented, STEM careers are often viewed as careers that are not pursued by women, much less minority women. She also feels it is important to eliminate some of the handicapping implicit biases people unconsciously impose on themselves and others. LaTanya continues to promote STEM awareness to create a more diverse STEM community.
Adam Baum: The Autistic Engineer is cleverly written and inspires children of all abilities to pursue STEM careers. Adam realizes his differences makes it difficult for him to make friends, as other kids tease him by pointing, laughing and calling him Atom Bomb. Things began to change, one day…The story is captured by vivid illustrations that engage the reader from start to finish. The book also features reading comprehension questions to reinforce the lessons in the story.
“LaTanya is both an educator and author of excellence,with a heart full of compassion and concern for our students, she diligently works to connect with them and guide them to their dreams. Her book will inspire all of our students to strive toward their highest potential.”
–Dr. Parrish, School Counselor
Marisol is an excellent book that encourages kids to to follow their dreams. Children will certainly make self-to-text connections with this book. –Gracie Garcia, Deepark, TX Educator
Highly recommend her book for every single little girl in Houston and beyond!!! –Krystal Perkins, HISD Magnet School Coordinator
“Marisol is a wonderful book, and I am lucky enough to have an autographed copy. I encourage all of you to buy it. I am going to use it with my students, and I know they will love it.” –Barbara Wheat, HISD Reading Interventionist
“Marisol” is a quintessential book that will inspire students to strive for excellence. I strongly recommend this book for any child. –Laura Guevara, Parent
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brooks’ goal is to design books that inspire children, especially at-risk children, to pursue STEM-related careers. Traditionally male oriented, STEM careers are often viewed as careers that are not pursued by women, much less minority women. She also feels it is important to eliminate some of the handicapping implicit biases people unconsciously impose on themselves and others. Brooks continues to promote STEM awareness to create a more diverse STEM community. Brooks says, “I believe that this book will appeal to readers because it is relatable, motivational and encouraging. STEM is an exciting, hot topic that is essential to 21st century learning. For teachers and parents, there are follow-up questions that assess children’s comprehension and emphasize the importance of an open dialogue between parents or teachers and kids.”
Freelance Writer Janny(Jan Marie)C 