Each year the President designates a theme for Black History Month and this year's theme is Black Health and Wellness. This theme couldn't be more perfect, because for the first week of Black History Month a collective of black-owned businesses have come together to raise money for the organization Black Mamas Matter (an organization dedicated to advocate and shift the culture of Black maternal health, rights, and justice).
These amazing businesses will be donating 25% of their profits for the entire week of February 1-7. Each one of them are an extension of Black entrepreneurs and business owners that paved the way such as Madame CJ Walker, Robert Gordon, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, and so many more! For this Black History Month, let's celebrate and support our community by buying black and giving back at the same time when you buy from any of these businesses. Did I mention these black businesses were owned by women? BOOM!!
1. Bash Baby | @bashbabyclothing
The perfect blend of mama & me, diversity inclusive and faith-based apparel. From one mama to another.
2. SweetMay | @sweetmay.co
Inspired by my two amazing kiddos, my sweet Em and my sweet Ay. After having my daughter, I had a hard time finding things I really liked for her in-stores so I started making hair accessories for her. My son then said to me, "mama you could do this in real life". So I took his advice and opened up this shop because of them!
3. Olivia J | @shopoliviaj
Olivia J was created after I found that there was a huge lack of socks and tights that fit children properly. Most were a generic tube mold that ended up falling off of my daughter after five minutes. I started doing research for manufacturers and trying to figure out how I could solve the issue. Once I found a manufacturer, the rest was history. We turn three in February and I could not be more excited about where our company currently is at going into it’s third year. Our loyal followers have helped to spread the word beyond belief and I’m so incredibly grateful.
4. Marlo Bea | @shopmarlobea
Head wraps & hair accessories with bold and unique prints inspired by cultural diversity for babies, kids & adults. Each product is handmade and processed in California.
5. Rooted Baby Co | @rootedbabyco
Beautifully modern baby and children's accessories inspired by African culture. Alfreda created this brand to pass on her heritage for her son and to also share the rich traditions of Africa with others. The Rooted Baby Co's items are named after landmarks in Ghana and inspired by the beautiful colors and prints of the motherland.
6. Phoenix Rayne | @phoenixrayne_
An online boutique that specializes in Children's headwear and accessories. We create modern accessories for your stylish babes. Phoenix Rayne is named after my babies and all the inspiration for the shop comes from them. Here at Phoenix Rayne we want to create the perfect accessories to complement your little ones outfits, and at the same time express their personalities and individuality.
7. Eizzy Baby | @eizzybaby
Designed for you. Crafted for kids! Eizzy Baby makes products that effortlessly transitions with your child from baby to toddler. From your house to outdoors, and everywhere in between, each Eizzy Baby product is thoughtfully curated to be the perfect balance of functionality and simplicity.
8. Cojo Avenue | @cojoavenue
This Florida based brand provides everyday wear that is fun, minimal, good-natured & ethically sourced clothing for your baby.
9. Demi's Corner | @demis.corner
Shop the mini influencer way. Demi's Corner provides the best accessories & clothes for your girly girls and littles alike.
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It's the most wonderful time of the year and I just couldn't be happier!! There are a few major holidays to celebrate this month (Christmas being my main event) and I have curated a little list for everyone to check out to either learn about other holidays or add to your own holiday's book list. Along with holiday celebrations, this month is also National Cookie Day and Rosa Parks Day. Tis the season to be jolly and spread peace to all..
1. Silent Night (The Christmas Choir) by Lara Hawthorne
Celebrate the magic of Christmas with this beautifully illustrated book, based on the world's best-loved carol. Rediscover the Nativity Story in all its glory—from quaking shepherds to heaven-sent angels—as the song lyrics are brought to life on every spread. The world’s diversity is reflected in a cast of characters with a range of skin tones. A gorgeous book for all the family to share during the festive season.
2. The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
Each ring of the doorbell brings more friends to share the delicious cookies Ma has made in this beloved classic.
3. Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford
Kwanzaa is Kayla’s favorite time of year. But this year, it looks as if a heavy snowstorm will keep her big brother, Khari, from getting home in time for the festivities! Will Khari miss the celebration completely? Or will Kayla and her brother somehow find a way to be together for Kwanzaa? A perfect introduction to Kwanzaa, this book will teach children all about the traditions and practices that make it a special winter holiday.
4. Rosa by Nikki Giovanni
Fifty years after her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus, Mrs. Rosa Parks is still one of the most important figures in the American civil rights movement. This tribute to Mrs. Parks is a celebration of her courageous action and the events that followed.
5. Nativity by Cynthia Rylant
Cynthia Rylant takes the beloved text of the nativity story, as told in the King James Bible, and lovingly illustrates it in her simple but bold style that has been called “stunning” by School Library Journal. As she did with the creation story, Rylant has created a sublime take on a classic story that will appeal to readers of all ages.
6. Shante Keys and the New Year's Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport
Shanté Keys loves New Year's Day! But while Grandma fixed chitlins, baked ham, greens, and cornbread, she forgot the black-eyed peas! Oh no―it'll be bad luck without them! So Shanté sets out to borrow some from the neighbors.
7. I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison
It's the most wonderful time of the year, and a mother and daughter are enjoying the sights and sounds of the holiday season. The little girl hears sleigh bells ringing and carolers singing. She smells chestnuts roasting--CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH!--and sees the flashing lights of the department store windows--BLING! BLING! BLING! She spreads the spirit of giving wherever she goes. And when she reaches Santa, she tells him her Christmas wish--for peace and love everywhere, all the days of the year.
8. My First Jewish Baby Book: Almost everything you need to know about being Jewish―from Afikomen to Zayde by Julie Merberg
Hip illustrations accompany snappy, rhyming text in a fun, fabulous package that is a must-have for any Jewish baby's nursery. This tiny tome covers quintessential foods such as bagels and brisket, rituals and holidays including Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Shabbat, and Hanukkah, as well as important cultural references (F is for Fiddler on the Roof!) with a little Yiddish thrown in. Parents and grandparents will love sharing every concise, funny entry with the little ones in their lives.
9. My First Dreidel by Pottery Barn Kids
Teach your little one how to play this classic Hanukkah game with our My First Dreidel set. Complete with a dreidel, coins and a convenient bag to store it all in, they’ll have so much fun collecting their winnings!
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What is your first name & how old are you?
My name is Amaya and I am eight years old.
Does it have meaning and/or why did your family choose it?
Amaya means a princess in Hindi.
What cultures or ethnic backgrounds do you identify with?
We are an African American and South Asian family.
Do you celebrate any major holidays that defer from traditional American holidays? If so, which one is your favorite?
Yes! We also celebrate Diwali (the Festival of Lights) and Holi (the festival of colors). We don’t have a favorite because we love what they all represent.
We love adding new books to our library and sharing with our community. What book did you choose to share and celebrate cultural diversity and why?
I Love Masala Me - it is a multicultural children’s book written by my family @growingupguptas that celebrates children that come from multicultural/south Asian interracial backgrounds. It is my favorite book because I can see myself in the characters. It is one of the reasons my dad and mom authored the children’s book.
What does Diwali mean to you and how do you celebrate it?
Diwali means that good always wins over evil and that light is greater than darkness. It is a time for renewal and celebration. Some of the ways we celebrate Diwali are by singing Diwali songs, turning on all the lights in our home, making Indian food together, cleaning our home, getting new clothing, and having s’mores around the fire pit at night.
Share one fun fact about you that most don’t know.
I love MATH!
**To learn more about Amaya and her family, follow them @growingupguptas - Amaya is pictured wearing our Jyotsna Biggie Bow.]]>1. I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont
High on energy and imagination, this ode to self-esteem encourages kids to appreciate everything about themselves—inside and out. Messy hair? Beaver breath? So what! Here's a little girl who knows what really matters.
2. I'm NOT just a Scribble by Diane Alber
Scribble, the book's main character, never thought he was different until he met his first drawing. Then, After being left out because he didn't look like everyone else. Scribble teaches the drawings how to accept each other for who they are. Which enables them to create amazing art.
This book not only has illustrations that any child can personally recognize but it also addresses inclusion without boundaries so that anyone can relate to it.
3. The Boy with Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee
Meet a boy with feelings so big that they glow from his cheeks, spill out of his eyes, and jump up and down on his chest. When a loud truck drives by, he cries. When he hears a joke, he bursts with joy. When his loved ones are having a hard day, he feels their emotions as if they were his own. The boy tries to cope by stuffing down his feelings, but with a little help and artistic inspiration, the boy realizes his feelings are something to be celebrated.
4. Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting by Yuyi Morales
This original trickster tale, with its vivacious illustrations and dynamic read-aloud text, is at once a spirited tribute to the rich traditions of Mexican culture and a perfect introduction to counting in both English and Spanish.
5. The Bat Book by Charlotte Milner
Discover why these mammals are essential to the world we live in, learn just how much they matter, why they are under threat, and what we can do to help. Bright, bold, and beautiful illustrations accompany fascinating fun facts about these furry flying mammals in this adorable kids' book.
6. Cancer Party! by Sara S. Olsher
When Sara Olsher was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 34, her first thought was how to tell her six-year-old daughter without scaring her. Cancer Party! is the result of that conversation and experience. It is the book Sara wished she could have snuggled up on the couch and read with her child. Cancer Party! is a little bit science, a little bit silly, and a lot straightforward.
7. Oh, the Seeds You Can Sow by Jessica Lisk
Janie Grace is excited to finally get to work on her Papa's apple orchard, but little does she know, she is about to learn a lesson that will change her life forever. How can someone so small create such a big change? Join Janie Grace, a spunky seven-year-old, on a big adventure as she learns the value of planting just few good seeds in the world around her.
Janie Grace is excited to finally get to work on her Papa's apple orchard, but little does she know, she is about to learn a lesson that will change her life forever.
Want a little more?? Here you go..
Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz
Ring! Ring! Ring! Can you hear his call? Paletas for one! Paletas for all!
What’s the best way to cool off on a hot summer day? Run quick and find Paletero José!
Follow along with our narrator as he passes through his busy neighborhood in search of the Paletero Man. But when he finally catches up with him, our narrator’s pockets are empty. Oh no! What happened to his dinero? It will take the help of the entire community to get the tasty treat now.
Lil’ Loteria: A Bilingual (English/Spanish) Picture Word Bingo Game by Lil' Libros
Lil’ Loteria is a fun twist on a traditional classic that turns the game of bingo into a bilingual learning game! Kids learn memory and matching skills plus vocabulary words in English and Spanish.
Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela thinks that six names is way too many! But as she learns more about how her names connect her to her family, Alma becomes very proud of all her names.
Be Bold! Be Brave! 11 Latinas who made U.S. History by Naibe Reynoso
A bilingual book that highlights 11 Latinas who excelled in various fields including medicine, science, sports, art and politics. By presenting the true biographical stories of these outstanding Latinas in rhyming verses, young readers will easily follow their journey to success. Some of the women highlighted include Antonia Novello (first female Surgeon General in the U.S.), Ellen Ochoa (first Latina to go to space), Sonia Sotomayor (first Latina Supreme Court Justice,) Rita Moreno (first Latina to win an Oscar), Selena, and Pura Belpre (first Latina to incorporate and promote bilingual literacy in Public Libraries).
]]>1. Different Like Me by Xochitl Dixon
Sometimes the things that make us different can leave us feeling like a fish out of water. Take your child on this whimsical journey where each unique child works with the others to launch a giant colorful fish balloon. Along the way, the children learn to celebrate differences and uncover what they all have in common, so that even a "fish out of water" finds belonging.
2. Where are you From? by Yamile Saied Méndez
When a little girl is asked a simple question, she can’t seem to find the right answer. With help from her abuelo, she gets a better answer than she expected. With themes of identity and home, this book is a must for anyone who has ever felt like they don’t belong.
3. Island Born by Junot Díaz
This book is a celebration of creativity, diversity, and imagination. Every kid in Lola’s school is from somewhere else, but Lola left The Island when she was a baby — and can’t remember it! Her family’s memories help her to imagine an extraordinary journey back to The Island.
4. Don't Go Bananas (Game) by Da Vinci's Room
Based on the ABCD Model of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Kids work to identify what triggers their emotions, analyze the beliefs they have about those situations, explore their reactions and look for ways to change their thought patterns.
Tackling 5 Emotions: The game works through 5 strong emotions - anger, sadness, worry, fear and jealousy. Players answer question prompts about different emotions and situations as they play the cards
5. Bag of Feelings (Toy/Game) by Kimochi
The Kimochis Mixed bag of feelings includes 33 Kimochis plush feelings and the 64-page feel guide (with fun and easy communication tips) all in a sturdy canvas bag. Invite spontaneous play and build emotional vocabulary!
6. Her Body Can by Katie Crenshaw
“Her body is beautiful—strong, kind and wise. All bodies are lovely no matter their size.” Her Body Can is a book of poetic self-love and body positivity declarations for all young girls. Its aim is to encourage our young girls to create a reality for themselves in which they love themselves and their bodies for exactly who and what they are, instead of learning to judge themselves and hate their bodies for what they are not. Our girls should know that their bodies are absolutely amazing and CAN DO incredible things—and that their worth is not measured by anything except how big they love themselves.
7. Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Feeling different, especially as a kid, can be tough. But in the same way that different types of plants and flowers make a garden more beautiful and enjoyable, different types of people make our world more vibrant and wonderful.
In Just Ask, United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor celebrates the different abilities kids (and people of all ages) have. Using her own experience as a child who was diagnosed with diabetes, Justice Sotomayor writes about children with all sorts of challenges--and looks at the special powers those kids have as well. As the kids work together to build a community garden, asking questions of each other along the way, this book encourages readers to do the same: When we come across someone who is different from us but we're not sure why, all we have to do is Just Ask.
8. Listening to my Heart by Gabi Garcia
We talk to kids a lot about how to be friends to others, but not much about how to be friends to themselves. Yet self-acceptance and positive self-talk help them build emotional resilience, happiness and well-being.
When Esperanza finds a heart shaped rock, she sees it as a reminder to spread kindness and love in the world. But when the school play doesn’t go the way she’d hoped, will she remember to show it to herself?
9. Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
Yuyi Morales left her home in Xalapa, Mexico and came to the US with her infant son. She left behind nearly everything she owned, but she didn't come empty-handed. She brought her strength, her work, her passion, her hopes and dreams...and her stories.
But wait!! There's more..
Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale by Carmen Agra Deedy
This award-winning retelling of a Cuban folktale will make you look at cockroaches differently! This is a delightful read that will introduce your family to a new fairy tale.
La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya
This book is a Latino twist on the classic fairy tale! It’s a charming bilingual retelling with gorgeous art inspired by Peru.
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There were many things to be noted and questions to be answered, but these were all too common and a big deal for me. When I would go to a lot of the brands being shared by influencers and shops alike - I noticed that there was a very specific type of look and each page looked the same. I don't believe that this was intentional or malicious, but I wanted to feel like the brands that I shopped from thought of my girls and the girls in my family - Black girls, Cambodian girls, Mexican girls, Island girls, Indian girls, and brown girls of all shades. As much as their skin tones differ, so do their hair types and I didn't see much of that either - after all we are talking about HAIR accessories.
I also found that many shops had beautiful prints and designs, but I couldn't find any that offered ethnic or bold prints. (Not a deal breaker, but I was looking for something specific.) Yes, there are quite a bit of head wrap lines for adults that offer ethnic and bold prints, but many are not marketed to children and babies. Once I found prints that I really liked and chose to buy, I would then get stuck with deciding on the style I wanted and the sizes I needed.
Now this may not be an issue for parents who don't mind spending any amount on hair accessories and/or can afford to purchase all styles in one print - that's not me. I needed wraps that I could tie in various ways and could keep them essentially forever. I wanted wraps that boldly represented my girls, their ethnic backgrounds and overall I wanted to make something that was versatile and inclusive in many ways.
I believe that I have done that and continue to find ways to improve my products and this community.
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This wrap represents the children who fall into the cracks of our communities and into the hands of predators. While I am still learning about this cause and organization, 25% of "Rychelle's" sales will be donated to OUR Rescue. During our first launch, we raised over $50 dollars and I believe we will continued to grow and give more together.
To find out more about OUR Rescue, please click the link above. I am not personally affiliated with OUR Rescue, but believe in the work they do for our children.
3. The Vanishing Lake by Paddy Donnelly
A captivating tale based in Ireland that celebrates a young girl's determination, a granddad's wisdom, and the fantastical wonders of the natural world. Something mysterious is happening at Lake Loughareema. There are days the lake is beautiful, shimmering, and full. And then there are other days when it's...empty!
4. Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen
“Our Class is a Family” is a book that will help build and strengthen that class community. Kids learn that their classroom is a place where it’s safe to be themselves, it’s okay to make mistakes, and it’s important to be a friend to others. When hearing this story being read aloud by their teacher, students are sure to feel like they are part of a special family.