Blogs

American Indians in children's literature

Bloggers: Dr. Debbie Reese and Dr. Jean Mendoza

This personal blog, active since 2006, is run by acclaimed educators, librarians, and writers Dr. Debbie Reese, member of the Nambé Owingeh tribe, and Dr. Jean Mendoza, wife to a member of the Muscogee (Mvskoke) Creek Nation of Oklahoma. Their blog provides in-depth analyses/critiques of children’s books, along with resources for educators, commentary on recent news/trends, and other items all with the intention of helping their audience understand who Native people are. Book reviews on this blog provide a thorough explanation of the Native characters, themes, and language in the given book and assign a recommended or not recommended status, allowing their audience to see which Native books are written authentically and without stereotyping.

VISIT

The brown bookshelf

Bloggers: Paula Chase-Hyman, Varian Johnson, Kelly Starling Lyons, Don Tate, Crystal Allen, Tameka Fryer Brown, Gwendolyn Hooks, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, and Tracey Baptiste

This blog, active since 2007 , is run by a group of celebrated Black authors and illustrators. 28 Days Later project to review books for Black History Month.

VISIT

Latinxs in kid lit

Bloggers: Cindy L. Rodriguez, Sujei Lugo,

and Cecilia Cackley

This blog, active since 2014, is run by accomplished Latinx women, along with nine regular Latinx contributors. Reviewed books in three categories for easy reference: Picture Books/Early Readers, Middle Grade, Young Adult.

VISIT

I'm here, i'm queer, what do i read?

Blogger: Lee Wind

VISIT

Blogs

American Indians in children's literature

Bloggers: Dr. Debbie Reese and Dr. Jean Mendoza

VISIT

The brown bookshelf

Bloggers: Paula Chase-Hyman, Varian Johnson, Kelly Starling Lyons, Don Tate, Crystal Allen, Tameka Fryer Brown, Gwendolyn Hooks, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, and Tracey Baptiste

This blog, active since 2007, is run by a group of celebrated Black authors and illustrators. The focus of their website is to raise awareness of the many Black authors writing quality children’s literature, including picture books, middle grade, and YA categories. Posts are added a couple of times a month and include giveaways, book club picks on various themes, book reviews, cover reveals, and more. Their most well-known initiative is 28 Days Later, where for every day during Black History Month they highlight “the best new and unnoticed works by African-Americans.” Each of the blog’s contributors is an active voice in the KidLit community advocating for Black authors and creators. They also provide links to other blogs and website for those eager to continue learning.

VISIT

Latinxs in kid lit

Bloggers: Cindy L. Rodriguez, Sujei Lugo,

and Cecilia Cackley

This blog, active since 2014, is mainly run by three accomplished Latinx women, along with nine regular Latinx contributors. The main bloggers include an author, a librarian, and a bookseller. Focusing on books about, for, or by Latinxs, the blog’s focus is to promote literacy and establish interest in books within and outside of the Latinx community. New posts are added about once a week and provide book lists, book reviews, interviews, teaching ideas, and articles about publishing or Latinxs in children’s literature. Reviewed books are archived and sorted into three categories for easy reference: Picture Books/Early Readers, Middle Grade, Young Adult. Additional features of the blog include a Pura Belpré Award list, monthly book club, road to publishing series, and recommended resources.

VISIT

I'm here. i'm queer. what the hell do i read?

Blogger: Lee Wind

This popular personal blog, active since 2007, is created by Lee Wind and boasts over 3 million page views, a vibrant LGBTQ+ community, and recommendations by many other diverse bloggers and KidLit organizations. Wind is an author, as well as the director of marketing and programming for Independent Book Publishers Association and the official blogger for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. He is very active in the publishing and KidLit community as an advocate for LGBTQ+ literature and kids, and he has two books coming out in 2021. His website is currently being updated, as of March 2021, but visitors still have access to an archived version containing over 1,000 LGBTQ+ blogged books sorted into 25 categories for easy reference. New posts are added several times a week with content including book lists, promotions for his new books, discussions about issues relevant to the LGBTQ+ community, and mini reviews of books with additional reviews from the LGBTQ+ community in the comment section, all with the mission of “empowering LGBTQ Kids and Teens and their allies.” In addition to his blog, there is also a monthly video newsletter as well as frequent posts on various social media including TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram. Special features on the website include LGBTQ Kid Lit, Resources, and Events.

VISIT

Hijabi Librarians

Bloggers: Ariana Sani Hussain, Hadeal Salamah, Mahasin Abuwi Aleem, and Sara Ahmed

This blog, active since 2018, is run by a group of Muslim librarians, along with some additional regular contributors. Posts are added a few times a month, featuring in-depth book reviews/discussions, book lists, articles about Muslims in children’s literature, author interviews, and more. The blog’s focus is “to recognize and honor the books and authors that give authenticity, nuance, humanity, and celebrate the diversity of Muslim communities” in children’s and YA literature. The main bloggers are all highly educated librarians, active in library organizations, award committees, and review journals. They bring their expert opinions as librarians and as Muslim Americans to provide a nuanced review of different backgrounds, cultures, and heritages within the Muslim community. Special features of the blog also include a release calendar with books that feature Muslim characters/settings or written by Muslim authors, as well as a guide to evaluating Muslims in KidLit and various recommended resources and blogs.