I am excited to announce that Barbed Wire Between Us made Kirkus’ list of The Most Anticipated Children’s Books of Spring 2026! BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US by Mia Wenjen ; illustrated by Violeta Encarnación ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026 A significant portrayal of ongoing U.S. civil rights violations, exposed through the experiences of young children. Japanese Chinese American…
Category: Diverse Books for Kids
Diversity books for kids including authors and characters of color and diversity themes.
FREE Diverse Books from Read Your World – Sign Up Ends Soon!
Sign up to become a book reviewer and receive free diverse children’s and YA books from Read Your World. Registration ends Dec 31, 2025! How can I participate in Read Your World Day? From September through December, get FREE diverse children’s and YA books by posting a short review on social media! Get…
ALA and Meeting Simon Tam
Simon and I met years ago when he was seeking letters of support for the appeal to trademark his band’s name. At that time, we met over the phone. During the creation of We Sing from the Heart, we met over Zoom and via email. I also follow him on social media, so it feels…
Activities for We Sing From the Heart
We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Victor Bizar Gomez ALSC Notable Children’s Book 2025 Carter G. Woodson Book Award Middle Level Honoree Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book Junior…
APALA Awards and Aloha Everything!
Congratulations to author Kaylin Melia George and illustrator Mae Waite of Aloha Everything for winning APALA’s Best Picture Book of 2025! Leanna interviewed Kaylin during their Kickstarter for Aloha Everything: The Ig Live is part of Read Your World’s weekly interview series by Leanna to showcase diverse children and YA book creators. I always…
Today is My Book Birthday for FORTUNE COOKIES FOR EVERYONE! + 5 Signed Book GIVEAWAY!
Today is my book birthday! To celebrate, I’m giving away 5 signed/inscribed copies! To enter, please leave a comment below! Fortune Cookies for Everyone! (Smithsonian): The Surprising Story of the Tasty Treat We Love to Eat by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Colleen Kong-Savage, published by Red Comet Press Junior Library Guild Gold Selection An investigative…
We Sing From the Heart’s FIRST Birthday & 3 Signed Book GIVEAWAY!
I am humbled and thrilled for the recognition that We Sing From the Heart has received. We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court ALSC Notable Children’s Book 2025 Carter G. Woodson Book Award Middle Level Honoree Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction…






