Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, my friends.

We are moving forward into 2019 and it will be my pleasure to share with you my reviews of the some of the year’s fabulous new picture books. Sometimes, we’ll even have giveaways, like today, thanks to our generous author, Monique Fields.

HONEYSMOKE: A Story of Finding Your Color

Written by Monique Fields

Illustrated by Yesenia Moises

Published by Imprint Books (January 8, 2019)

Ages: 3-6

Themes: Self-identity, belonging, be true to yourself

Synopsis: From Amazon:

“A young biracial girl looks around her world for her color. She finally chooses her own, and creates a new word for herself―honeysmoke.

Simone wants a color.

She asks Mama, “Am I black or white?”

“Boo,” Mama says, just like mamas do, “a color is just a word.”

She asks Daddy, “Am I black or white?”

“Well,” Daddy says, just like daddies do, “you’re a little bit of both.”

For multiracial children, and all children everywhere, this picture book offers a universal message that empowers young people to create their own self-identity.

Simone knows her color―she is honeysmoke.”

And some high praise from Booklist:

“Fields’ extensive experience writing about race and identity translates with beautiful simplicity here for younger readers, and Moises paints Simone with great tenderness… A terrific addition to the WeNeedDiverseBooks canon.”

Why I love this book:

• The vibrant cover drew me in – actually – it captivated me and each page turn brought more wonderful illustrations.
• The text will be so relatable for all young kids, not just those who are biracial. We all want to know who we are and where we belong – author Fields helps us take that journey with her words.

A bit about the author:

Monique Fields is an award-winning writer. Her essays about race and identity have appeared on air, in print, and online, including NPR’s All Things Considered, Ebony magazine, and TheRoot.com. She is the founder and editor of Honeysmoke.com, a site for parents raising multiracial children.

Connect with her here: moniquefields.com, honeysmoke.com

And here: Twitter: @honeysmokeblog

What we can all do to support our favorite authors as the years unfolds:

• Buy their books!
• Review their books!
• Ask our local library to add the book to its collection!
• Tell friends about the book!

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

Painting – A Wonderland of Color

Photo courtesy: https://artfulparent.com/painting-activities-kids-60-ideas/

Here are 60 fun painting activties for young kids…but don’t be fooled…older kids and adults LOVE getting their hands in squishy paints. I especially love the fingerpainting because it feels so good. What colors will you make? For detailed instructions: https://artfulparent.com/painting-activities-kids-60-ideas/

Another fun activity with young kids: grab some magazines/catalogs and cut out pictures of people. How many different colors/shades can you find? Paste them on a piece of construction paper for a great collage.

And here’s a link to Wendy Greenley’s PPBF post – she has provided awesome teacher resources and lots of activities in addition to a wonderful review of HONEYSMOKE: https://www.wendygreenley.com/2019/01/meet-honeysmoke

Please don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered for a chance to win a copy of this glorious book. And hop over and connect with Monique on Tiwtter.

For today’s Perfect Picture Book link up: https://susannahill.com/2019/01/11/perfect-picture-book-friday-business-pig/ and for over a thousand wonderful picture book reviews and activities, please visit Susanna Hill’s fabulous archived page: https://susannahill.com/for-teachers-and-parents/perfect-picture-books/

Wishing you all a safe and happy weekend, my friends. I can’t believe it is already the middle of January…I am off on my wild adventure in less than 5 weeks!