“The Star Festival” Japanese Culture Picture Book Review #ReadYourWorld
2023 MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S BOOK DAY REVIEW:
THE STAR FESTIVAL
Multicultural Children’s Book Day is an annual event that not only raises awareness for kids’ books that celebrate diversity but also gets more of these books into classrooms and libraries. Influencers review books written by or about multicultural stories during the weeks leading up to and on the big day which is on January 26 this year.
I’m a co-host of Multicultural Children’s Book Day, and this year I’m thrilled to be matched with The Star Festival, a picture book written by Moni Ritchie Hadley and illustrated by Mizuho Fujisawa.
The Star Festival features a multi-generational Japanese family. A young girl named Keiko, her mother, and her grandmother (Oba) attend the Tanabata Festival. Also known as the Star Festival, it celebrates the Japanese folklore of the reunion of two mythological characters, Orihime and Hikoboshi, on a bridge across the Milky Way.
Beautiful illustrations with bold, vibrant colors capture the mood and festivity of the celebration. Young readers learn about Japanese culture through these illustrations and the storyline. Keiko eats nagashi somen, enjoys shaved ice, and delights in all the festive decorations.
When Keiko and her mother cannot find Oba, they search high and low in the sea of Obaasans in kimonos. Keiko needs to find a way to reunite with Oba. Just like in the folklore, she hopes her wish, or tanzaku, comes true.
The Star Festival is ideal for readers in grades K-3 and would make a great gift for any children who are curious about the world around them. The Star Festival has received many accolades, including a 2021 Freeman Book Awards Honorable Mention in Children’s Literature and The Best Children’s Books of the Year 2022 via Bank Street College. This book is one that children will want to read over and over again. Highly recommend!
HOW TO PURCHASE THE STAR FESTIVAL
Find The Star Festival on Bookshop.org, Amazon (hardcover, paperback, Kindle), and other retailers nationwide.
Hardcover ~ Paperback ~ Kindle
ENTER THE STAR FESTIVAL BOOK GIVEAWAY [Closed]
One lucky reader will win a copy of The Star Festival picture book. Please enter via the entry form below. The giveaway is open to entrants ages 18 years and up with a U.S. mailing address (no P.O. Boxes). Good luck!
I’M A MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S BOOK DAY CO-HOST
I’m a co-host for my 3rd year in a row! Multicultural Children’s Book Day (MCBD) is an annual event that takes place on the last Thursday of every January. As a co-host, I’m here to support and promote the mission of MCBD. Check out all the others participating on the MCBD co-host page.
GIANT LINKY FOR
2023 MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S BOOK DAY REVIEWS
THANK YOU to our wonderful participants and supporters including Co-Hosts, Medallion and Author Levels Sponsors, book reviewers, book donators, and readers! Link up your book reviews here and use this collection to discover new titles and authors for your home and classroom bookshelves. #ReadYourWorld
MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S BOOK DAY 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2023 (1/26/22) is in its 10th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.
Ten years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues. Read about our Mission & History HERE.
MCBD 2023 is honored to be Supported by these Medallion 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: Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 50+ Languages
🏅 Gold Sponsors: Interlink Books, Publisher Spotlight
🏅 Silver Sponsors: Cardinal Rule Press, Lee & Low, Barefoot Books, Kimberly Gordon Biddle
🏅 Bronze Sponsors: Vivian Kirkfield, Patrice McLaurin , Quarto Group, Carole P. Roman, Star Bright Books, Redfin.com, Redfin Canada, Bay Equity Home Loans, Rent.com, Title Forward
Poster Artist: Lisa Wee
Classroom Kit Poster: Led Bradshaw
MCBD 2023 is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!
Authors: Sivan Hong, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Josh Funk , Stephanie M. Wildman, Gwen Jackson, Diana Huang, Afsaneh Moradian, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Eugenia Chu, Jacqueline Jules, Alejandra Domenzain, Gaia Cornwall, Ruth Spiro, Evelyn Sanchez-Toledo, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Kiyanda and Benjamin Young/Twin Powers Books, Kimberly Lee , Tameka Fryer Brown, Talia Aikens-Nuñez, Marcia Argueta Mickelson, Kerry O’Malley Cerra, Jennie Liu, Heather Murphy Capps, Diane Wilson, Sun Yung Shin, Shannon Gibney, John Coy, Irene Latham and Charles Waters, Maritza M Mejia, Lois Petren, J.C. Kato and J.C.², CultureGroove, Lindsey Rowe Parker, Red Comet Press, Shifa Saltagi Safadi, Nancy Tupper Ling, Deborah Acio, Asha Hagood, Priya Kumari, Chris Singleton, Padma Venkatraman, Teresa Robeson, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, Martha Seif Simpson, Rochelle Melander, Alva Sachs, Moni Ritchie Hadley, Gea Meijering, Frances Díaz Evans, Michael Genhart, Angela H. Dale, Courtney Kelly, Queenbe Monyei, Jamia Wilson, Charnaie Gordon, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, Debbie Zapata, Jacquetta Nammar Feldman, Natasha Yim, Tracy T. Agnelli, Kitty Feld, Anna Maria DiDio, Ko Kim, Shachi Kaushik
MCBD 2023 is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts!
MCBD 2023 is Honored to be Supported by these Media Partners!
Check out MCBD’s Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!
📌 FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day
- MCBD 2023 Poster
- Mental Health Support for Stressful Times Classroom Kit
- Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parents
- 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 26, 2023, at 9 pm EST for the 10th annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day Read Your World Virtual Party! This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas. Click HERE to register
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 26, 2023, at our virtual party!
