JUST JULIANA
0$5.99 – $22.99Each person is unique. One way that we are the same is that we each have a name. This is a book about Juliana. She was born with the name of Juliana Rose. Since she was born, her mother called her Juliana Rosie Posey. This did not bother Juliana until her mother started adding additional parts to her name. Then she said she wanted to be “Just Juliana.”
The Mocha Skin That Shattered The Mirror
0$3.99 – $13.99The Mocha Skin that Shattered the Mirror, is an inspiring children’s book that interrupts the thinking-that dark skin is ugly. It teaches mocha girls that loving oneself is the way to unravel true beauty! Self-esteem, image, confidence, and uniqueness are all the attributes that a mocha girl will need to love herself despite what the world thinks!
Jamal and the Large Mirror: Volume 2
0$3.99 – $13.99Jamal was a fifth grader living in Brooklyn, New York, with his mother and older brother. The two boys’ father was killed in a helicopter accident during his military service in Iraq. Before he left, though. Jamal’s dad gave his youngest son some life lessons, including “If it’s to be, it’s up to me,” about taking responsibility for one’s personal choices and actions. Using a large mirror in their home, Jamal’s father also told his son that there was a large community behind them that they couldn’t see but was giving the mirror gazer strength and support. The community that Jamal ultimately envisioned included his father as well as the late Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., former President Barack Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and others. The goal of the mirror lesson was to enforce in Jamal the assurance that he was not alone, even when his father could not be with him physically.
This wonderful book is enhanced by illustrations by Brian Rivera. The story acknowledges the realities of a father’s leaving to go to war and the impact his death has on his family. The author also illustrates that an important component in the process of resolution, as well as in healing to process grief, is to acknowledge the feelings that everyone experiences. The mirror serves as an excellent tool to help the protagonist cope, not only when his father leaves but throughout his life. While the book would benefit from some additional editing, the vital life lessons, as well as the compassion and integrity of Jamal’s father, are reflected throughout this inspirational tale. Seals’ poignant yet encouraging story is well worth reading.
The Special Little Star
0$3.99 – $9.99“Twinkle, twinkle, little star . . .”
Look up into the sky at night. Way up in the heavens, stars shine brightly down upon you. Some are large, glistening spots, but others are small twinkling specks. The Special Little Star is a tale of one of those stars. He is a small star with big dreams. He dreams of being like the other, larger stars, of no longer being teased because he doesn’t shine as brightly. When joy and happiness enter the world in the form of a tiny baby boy, this special star may just get his wish. Tracy Filigenzi gives a new angle to the Christmas story. The Special Little Star tells the story of the Christmas star, the brightly shining star that led the Wise Men to Bethlehem and then to baby Jesus. Children will read this heartwarming tale again and again.
