The 10th Multicultural Children’s Book Day

The 10th Multicultural Children’s Book Day is happening on January 26, 2023! Because MCBD is one of our favorite events, we are participating for the 5th year in a row!

This year I am thrilled to review Enly and the Buskin’ Blues  written by Jennie Liu. Read on to enjoy the review as well as a bunch of terrific, FREE MCBD resources.

Enly and the Buskin’ Blues Synopsis:

Twelve-year-old Enly Wu Lewis is determined to go to music camp and follow in the footsteps of his musician father, who died years ago. But his mom, a single parent working two jobs, is saving every penny for his older brother’s college tuition. So Enly sets out to earn the money for camp on his own, by busking with an obscure instrument he can only kind of play. When someone drops a winning scratch-off lottery ticket into his tip box, Enly thinks it’s the answer to his problems—but he’ll have to face teenage thieves, his disgruntled best friend and his own family if he wants to achieve his dreams.

Enly and the Buskin’ Blues Spoiler Free Review:

Enly and the Buskin’ Blues is a diverse middle grade tale by Jennie Liu that takes place in a gentrifying city. The story refreshingly features characters from all walks of life. Enly is bi racial (his mother is Chinese and father was white) and his best friend Pinky is black. He also has an elderly piano teacher Ms. Maisie and is friendly with a disabled war veteran nicknamed “Saxophone Joe.” The story touches on difficult economic circumstances as well as conflicts that arise when money comes between Enly and Pinky.

Enly desperately wants to attend music camp over the summer with Pinky. It’s his chance to become a musician just like his late father. The only problem is that the $2,800 cost is out of his reach. There’s no way his single mother can afford that tuition. But Enly thinks he can earn the cash by busking with his keyboard. This is where the action starts but there are no spoilers here so you’ll have to read all the twists and turns for yourself!

Readers will connect with the feeling of hope and determination that Enly exudes. Jennie Liu captures the essence of possibility that comes from daring to dream and giving it your all despite the odds. Enly and the Buskin’ Blues is a positive book that is motivating but not preachy. I’m hoping there is going to be a follow up because these characters are likable and I’d love to see where their determination takes them next.

About Multicultural Children’s Book Day:

This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen. The two diverse book-loving moms saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.

10 years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues. Read about MCBD’s Mission & History HERE.

MCBD 2023 is honored to be Supported by these Medallion Sponsors:

 

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE:

Mia Wenjen (Pragmaticmom) and Valarie Budayr’s (Audreypress.com)

🏅 Super Platinum Sponsor: Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media

🏅 Platinum Sponsors: Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 50+ Languages 

🏅 Gold Sponsors: Interlink Books, Publisher Spotlight 

🏅 Silver Sponsors: Cardinal Rule Press,  Lee & Low, Barefoot Books, Kimberly Gordon Biddle

🏅 Bronze Sponsors: Vivian Kirkfield, Patrice McLaurin , Quarto Group, Carole P. Roman, Star Bright Books, Redfin.com, Redfin Canada, Bay Equity Home Loans, Rent.com, Title Forward

MCBD 2023 is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors:

Sivan Hong, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Josh Funk , Stephanie M. Wildman, Gwen Jackson, Diana Huang, Afsaneh Moradian, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Eugenia Chu, Jacqueline Jules, Alejandra Domenzain, Gaia Cornwall, Ruth Spiro, Evelyn Sanchez-Toledo, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Kiyanda and Benjamin Young/Twin Powers Books, Kimberly Lee , Tameka Fryer Brown, Talia Aikens-Nuñez, Marcia Argueta Mickelson, Kerry O’Malley Cerra, Jennie Liu, Heather Murphy Capps, Diane Wilson, Sun Yung Shin, Shannon Gibney, John Coy, Irene Latham and Charles Waters, Maritza M Mejia, Lois Petren, J.C. Kato and J.C.², CultureGroove, Lindsey Rowe Parker, Red Comet Press, Shifa Saltagi Safadi, Nancy Tupper Ling, Deborah Acio, Asha Hagood, Priya Kumari, Chris Singleton, Padma Venkatraman, Teresa Robeson, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, Martha Seif Simpson, Rochelle Melander, Alva Sachs, Moni Ritchie Hadley, Gea Meijering, Frances Díaz Evans, Michael Genhart, Angela H. Dale, Courtney Kelly, Queenbe Monyei, Jamia Wilson, Charnaie Gordon, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, Debbie Zapata, Jacquetta Nammar Feldman, Natasha Yim, Tracy T. Agnelli, Kitty Feld, Anna Maria DiDio, Ko Kim, Shachi Kaushik 

MCBD 2023 is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts!

MCBD 2023 is Honored to be Supported by these Media Partners!

Check out MCBD’s Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!

📌 FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Follow #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, connect with like-minded authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians.

You can read our past MCBD reviews here: >2019 >2020, >2021 >2022