#We need diverse books

Congratulations to the winner and finalists in the Children’s book category, Minnesota Book Awards, 2015. They are all ‘critically acclaimed’ and ‘New York Best Selling’ authors and illustrators. However, let’s take look at a few books by diverse and independent authors who were not selected.

Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and NFL Hall of Fame recipient, Alan Page, along with his daughter, Kamie, have written a new children’s book to benefit his foundation, which tackles barriers to higher education for young people of color. The Invisible You focuses on the importance of diversity and how it can be a big asset in the classroom.

The book teaches kids to recognize, validate, accept, and embrace differences. This is his second children's book, the first is the endearing and uplifting Alan and his Perfectly Pointy Impossibly Perpendicular Pinky.

The Magic of Friendship by Subhash Kommuru (Kommuru Books) An older K-3 book about change, which brings about the delight of India and the Hindi language. Subhash also released Mother’s Love can Conquer any Fear!, another heartfelt book with a universal message.

Finding Home by Kristy Abbott, illustrated by Danusia Keusder (North Star Press of St. Cloud) is about a lost and bedraggled cat who was picked up on a remote snowy road in Buffalo, MN. Shortly before he was to be euthanized at an animal shelter, he was adopted and started a new chapter in his life. Beautiful illustrations and a great message about love and helping our furry friends when possible.

Author Phyllis Root and illustrator Betsy Bowen last explored the huge wetlands of northern Minnesota in their book Big Belching Bog. Now, in Plant a Pocket of Prairie, (University of Minnesota Press) Root and Bowen take young readers on a trip to another of Minnesota’s ecosystems: the prairie illustrated in gorgeous wood block artwork.

Congrats to our local indie authors and illustrators for their great releases!