#ReadYourWorld

I love this book SO MUCH. It’s an absolute celebration of diversity in learning, an eye-opening read, and a motivational push for us all to refuse to settle for one system that is meant to work for all. Because, as most of us know, one system cannot work for everyone, not equally anyway.

Hacking the Code: The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a D-Kid, written by Gea Meijering and illustrated by Mads Johan Øgaard, was given to me in return for an honest review for Multicultural Children’s Book Day. You can find out more information on this awesome celebration of multicultural children’s books right below my review.

Kees is in 5th grade, and is an all-around happy and fun-loving kid who excels in some areas at school, but struggles in others. He was diagnosed with dyslexia a few years before, and does have extra help when it comes to reading and writing, but still, he feels a lot of anxiety when he has to read or write in class. I was a very shy kid and really did not like reading aloud in school, so I can only imagine how Kees felt, with that added stress of trying to decipher each word rapidly, out loud. But Kees is an excellent mathematician, can create all types of plans and projects, and has even devised a whole concept on how our brains may be wired differently than each other - complete with a questionnaire to fill out to determine whether you are Apple or Android! So why does he constantly feel anxious about the difficulties that he faces with deciphering words? Why is he still being made to follow the same methods other kids seem to find easy when it’s obviously not working for him?

Kees and his best friend like to play really funny pranks, and the principal tends to dole out consequences that they enjoy (like cleaning up the playground). But one day he asks that they write an essay, and this causes quite a bit of distress for Kees… I won’t say any more because I don’t want to spoil this wonderful story. All I can say is read it, because Kees has a lot more insight than the adults around him AND he has some great solutions to offer too!

What I love most about this book is how fun it is to read, but also how insightful it is. I have three children, all of whom have different ways of learning, and one who has an anxiety disorder. She read Hacking the Code after I had finished it, and absolutely loved it too, and really related to how Kees feels when he has to read or write off the bat in front of others. But I think the most important message in this book is that even though we have come along way with testing for learning disabilities and providing remedial classes that may help, we still need to do a lot better about actually listening to people with these kinds of disabilities, and coming up with solutions that may not fit in a typical class setting.

(Side note: my daughter who read the book is 8 and sometimes struggles with chapter books due to her anxiety: when she sees a wall of text it makes her nervous. She did not have that problem with this book at all because the lay-out is super accessible. The font is a great size, and the text is interspersed with really fun illustrations. This book also exists as an audiobook for those who prefer to listen to text - I cannot praise the author enough for doing everything they can to make this book accessible to all!).

And in addition to everything I have mentioned above: this book is so relatable! I think that there are so many children who will relate to Kees’ experiences, as well as those his friends and classmates experience. Kees teaches us to be kind, to listen, and to also look at everything in different ways, because there really are many sides to everything!

#hackingthecode

There is a free lesson plan and activity guide available for Hacking the Code right HERE.

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2023 (1/26/22) is in its 10th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who 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.

Ten 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 our 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, Brunella Costagliola Bronze Sponsor

Poster Artist: Lisa Wee

Classroom Kit Poster: Led Bradshaw

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

Authors: 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, Shanequa Waison-Rattray, Susan S. El Yazgi, Shirim Shamsi

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

📌 Register for the MCBD Read Your World Virtual Party

Join us on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 9 pm EST for the 10th annual Multicultural Children's Book Day Read Your World Virtual Party!

This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.

We will be giving away a 10-Book Bundle during the virtual party plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants welcome. **

Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, and connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. We look forward to seeing you all on January 26, 2023, at our virtual party!