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Self-confidence plays a vital role in our lives. Having confidence that we can do anything with our abilities encourages us to do well, regardless of the challenge. With confidence, everything seems possible and worth trying. Our health and well-being increases with confidence. A healthy level of self-confidence leads everyone to see the positive and contributes to a  successful life. Far too often we struggle with our confidence. Sometimes, people see themselves as someone who is not capable of doing certain things because they are hard. While it is understandable to experience doubt when facing a challenge, getting to know yourself is one of the keys to success. When you start to open yourself to see the good things in you, you will see how far you can go, much farther than you originally thought. Both adults and kids may struggle to search for confidence. It is why teaching and encouraging our children to discover their strengths and think positively is helpful. Fortunately, the exceptional author Gabi Garcia delivers another encouraging book to assist us,  entitled I Can Do Hard Things: Mindful Affirmations For Kids.  In this book, parents and kids can learn different affirmations focused on building self-confidence and courage. This book introduces children to the practice of using mindful affirmations for encouragement when needed. The beautiful diversity in the world reflected in the story is a powerful eye-opener for everyone who reads it.  The Mindful Affirmations Children Can Gain From This Book Just like adults, children face different internal battles every day that some parents may not be aware of. One of these battles can be with their self-confidence.  Despite their youth, it is important for children to learn that although life may be challenging, they can still accomplish things with their abilities. Having self-confidence can lead them to many opportunities and learnings in life. Here is what  kids can learn from the book I Can Do Hard Things: Mindful Affirmations For Kids.  Kids will learn to listen to their inner voice. All kids have inner voices, and the messages kids tell themselves matter. By learning how to listen to their inner voices with this book, children can begin to connect with themselves. It is helpful for every child to touch their inner power and resilience to conquer and face different challenges. Kids will learn that they are capable of doing hard things too. As kids begin to listen to themselves, they will realize that even though things are hard, they have the capability, power, and strength to take action in the best way they can. This resilience is a powerful quality that a child can nurture as they grow.  Kids will be encouraged to keep on learning and do great things. As a result of the different experiences presented in the story, kids will be encouraged to keep on learning. In addition, children can learn how to speak up, take action, and manage their emotions.  Along with the creative illustrations that illuminate the story and its helpful message, this book is sure to encourage every child who sometimes doubts themselves, their worth, and their abilities. Grab a copy of this book and share with your kids that they can also do hard things.  I Can Do Hard Things: Mindful Affirmations for Kids: get your copy from Bookshop.org or Amazon.com Buy from Bookshop.com – https://bookshop.org/a/14451/9781949633009 Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. When you purchase a book through my affiliate link Bookshop will match 10% to independent bookstores. Buy from Amazon.com – https://amzn.to/37foNJg If you want to know more about different diverse children’s books for your little unicorns, make sure to visit our website at https://www.cosmicunicorns.com/ and follow our social media accounts for updates! _________________________________ More About the Author Gabi Garcia is a mama, licensed professional counselor, and picture book author. She spent the last 20 years serving children K-12 as a teacher and school counselor. Gabi writes books that support parents, educators, and caregivers in nurturing mindful, socially, and emotionally aware children. Her books include Listening to My Body: A Guide to Helping Kids Understand the Connection Between Their Feelings and Sensations and Listening With My Heart: A Story of Kindness and Self-Compassion and Mateo Finds His Wow: A story of Wonder and Gratitude. © 2020, Cosmic Unicorns – All Rights Reserved

It is fulfilling to see young children full of joy doing what they love and being their true selves. From small things to their biggest dreams, loving parents always aim to be supportive, but sometimes they get stuck in their own personal aspirations for their children. The parents who are open to understanding and helping their kids develop into the person they want to become are incredibly admirable. Not all parents see things the same way as their children and sometimes they worry about society’s expectations, their culture’s judgments, or possible religious retribution. While this is understandable in some cases, having an open mind and heart-filled conversations with kids, like the book The Boy & The Bindi, can be a way of understanding.  Some children see themselves as different from the gender they are born with and would love to express their gender in a new and diverse way. These scenarios may be just fine for some parents, but  may be challenging for others. Gender expression is just one reason why having open and accepting conversations between parents and kids is so important. As young kids learn how to talk about these issues with the people they trust, they will learn how to be true to themselves and handle situations that may not be in alignment with their society, culture, or religion. Big thanks to the author Vivek Shraya for bringing the same message into her picture book entitled, The Boy & the Bindi. Best Realizations From the Boy & the Bindi Book In the story of The Boy & The Bindi, there is a young boy who is interested in wearing his mother’s bindi that is traditionally worn by Hindu girls and women. While this may seem uncommon to some, the mother didn’t punish her son. She agrees to do what her son wants and allows him to discover the magic of a bindi.  As adults with knowledge and experience, we have many duties and responsibilities to fulfill in order to help children develop their skills, characteristics, and dreams. To help them achieve their dreams, we must support, listen and talk to them. These important conversations can help children cultivate critical thinking skills and feel valued and understood no matter what gender path they align with. In the book The Boy & The Bindi, both children and adults can learn lessons to strengthen their connection. Here is just some of the wisdom you can gain from this wonderful book: Understand the importance of discussing gender identity between child and parents.   In regards to gender identity, as well as most issues important to our children, it is important to listen and talk with them without judgment. Just as the mother of the boy did when she discovered that her son wanted to wear a bindi. With open discussion, children will feel safe sharing with you what they are discovering about themselves and their gender.  Children will learn how to express themselves. Seeing how the young boy gathered the courage to tell his mother what he wanted in The Boy & The Bindi, other children may find the courage to speak their truths.. While it may not be easy, children will learn the process and how to start expressing themselves with this book as an example. This book itself opens up a great opportunity for parents to dialogue with their children.  Children will learn that their dreams are valid. Regardless of their gender identity, the dreams of young children are valid. Whether or not they feel different from the gender norm, children have always had the right to reach for what they think can help them grow as a person. As long as they are not hurting other people and just being true to themselves, children can prosper, grow, and develop into the best version they can be.  To sum it up, ensuring good conversation and communication within the family can make all the difference. It may be hard or challenging at times, but it is always beneficial. Start a conversation with your kid today with this book, The Boy & The Bindi.  The Boy & the Bindi: get your copy from Bookshop.org or Amazon.com Buy from Bookshop.com – https://bookshop.org/a/14451/9781551526683 Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. When you purchase a book through my affiliate link Bookshop will match 10% to independent bookstores. Buy from Amazon.com –  If you want to know more about different diverse children’s books for your little unicorns, make sure to visit our website at https://www.cosmicunicorns.com/ and follow our social media accounts for updates! _________________________________ More About The Author Vivek Shraya is an artist whose body of work crosses the boundaries of music, literature, visual art, and film. Her album with Queer Songbook Orchestra, Part‑Time Woman, was included in CBC’s Best Canadian Albums of 2017, and her first book of poetry, even this page is white, won a 2017 Publisher Triangle Award. Her latest book is I’m Afraid of Men. She is one half of the music duo Too Attached and the founder of the publishing imprint VS. Books. A Polaris Music Prize nominee and four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist, Vivek was a 2016 Pride Toronto Grand Marshal, and has received honours from The Writers’ Trust of Canada and CBC’s Canada Reads. She is currently a director on the board of the Tegan and Sara Foundation and an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Calgary. Reviews “The easy rhyming and vivid colors make this an unforgettable look into Hindu culture.” ―Kirkus Reviews “Suitable as a gentle introduction to Hindu culture, this simple reflection will complement multicultural collections. The beautiful and detailed illustrations, such as those of Ammi’s traditional dress and jewelry, provide additional cultural context.” ―Booklist “Shraya’s story defines and affirms important values of Hindu culture — and nudges gender norms, as well.”―Publishers Weekly © 2020, Cosmic Unicorns – All Rights Reserved

Leaving one homeland to come to another is a key theme in literature.  Indeed, due to ever-shifting politics, more and more people every day leave their countries to seek safety and hope for a better life. Immigrant stories have affected the lives of many, particularly kids. When children resettle young, they may lose a sense of their identity and the culture of their homelands. Often, children may miss or forget what their life was like before they immigrated. Entire parts of their lives may only remain a distant memory. In this way, vital aspects of heritage, places, and people become lost and forgotten. While it may feel sad, there are still ways to reminisce about the comforts of the past with the help of family, relatives, and friends. Parents can help keep alive memories of when they are little. You can share happy stories and pictures about places you went together, activities you did, and other unique memories as parhe barely remembers the place she came from and the memories she got there. In Junot Diaz’s book Island Born, the character of Lola was just a baby when her family immigrated. As a result, her family and friends helped her journey back to their Island. The book Island Born is a story of a little girl who immigrated with her family. At first, Lola did not feel excited when her teacher asked her to draw her homeland. But through the stories of her family, she was able to relive the memories. That is when she started to envision their Island and the good stories behind it.  Reasons Why the Island Born Is a Good Book Investment for Kids Discover the reasons why the book Island Born is a good investment for kids below.  It will encourage children to find ways to answer different puzzles in life.  In life, there are many challenges each one of us may encounter. For kids, even the tiny puzzles turn big. Teaching them how the little girl finds a way to discover more about her previous Island is a great encouragement for children to do the same in their own lives. Each of our connections to our culture is important. It helps us remember where we came from and helps us have compassion for others and their unique cultures.  It will help children to understand their roots.  Sometimes people fail to look back on their roots. Whether intentional or not, recognizing your roots is vital to getting to know yourself and the people around you better. The little girl in the story  is a great example of someone who tries her best to understand her roots. In this way, children will learn the importance of connecting to their own culture. It will help children realize the same – Just because you do not remember a place does not mean it is not in you. Since the little girl left the Island before she could remember things, she barely knows about the place. Unlike the other kids, she doesn’t feel excited when their teacher gives them an activity that involves sharing about her roots. But as soon as she rediscovers the history of her Island, she realizes that the place also lives in her heart, and it is just that she can not remember it. There might be different reasons behind every immigration story, but both adults and kids will learn from various challenges and opportunities it brings. Join your kids in learning these best takeaways from the book Island Born today!  Island Born: get your copy from Bookshop.org or Amazon.com Buy from Bookshop.com – https://bookshop.org/a/14451/9780735229860 Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. When you purchase a book through my affiliate link Bookshop will match 10% to independent bookstores. Buy from Amazon.com – https://amzn.to/366iwA4 If you want to know more about different diverse children’s books for your little unicorns, make sure to visit our website at https://www.cosmicunicorns.com/ and follow our social media accounts for updates! More About The Author Junot Díaz was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New Jersey. He is the author of the critically acclaimed Drown; The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, which won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award; and This Is How You Lose Her, a New York Times bestseller and National Book Award finalist. A graduate of Rutgers University, Díaz is currently the fiction editor at Boston Review and the Rudge and Nancy Allen Professor of Writing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Leo Espinosa is an award-winning illustrator and designer from Bogotá, Colombia, whose work has been featured in The New Yorker, Wired, Esquire, The New York Times, The Atlantic, and more. Leo’s illustrations have been recognized by American Illustration, Communication Arts, Pictoplasma, 3×3, and the Society of Illustrators. Leo lives with his family in Salt Lake City, Utah. Reviews “With his tenacious, curious heroine and a voice that’s chatty, passionate, wise, and loving, Díaz entices readers to think about a fundamental human question: what does it mean to belong?”–Publishers Weekly, starred review “A sensitive and beautiful story of culture, identity, and belonging—a superb picture book outing for Díaz and one to be shared broadly in a variety of settings.” –School Library Journal, starred review “This important title will be enjoyed by young children and may spark many significant discussions.” –Booklist, starred review © 2020, Cosmic Unicorns – All Rights Reserved

Every person is born with their own characteristics, appearances, religion, beliefs, and personalities. These differences are noticeable and make everyone unique from one another. However, in some cases, these distinctions can cause divisions between people, countries, and cultures. Seeing other people that are different from them can sometimes cause confusion and uncertainty. To help children understand life’s beautiful diversity, it is vital to teach them how to see the goodness and purpose in differences. Unfortunately, some young kids struggle to express their feelings and share problems, fearing rejection and invalidation. To prevent this, parents can help young children in developing their emotional expression. As children start to ask questions, parents should listen non-judgmentally, explain, and help kids understand that their differences make them unique in their own way. It is important to let children feel that it is okay to have a problem, be different, and talk about their feelings. Todd Parr’s book It’s Okay To Be Different teaches this very concept in an adorable and heart-warming way. The book discusses differences, the importance of acceptance, understanding, and confidence. It’s pictures and concepts open a gateway for kids to learn to speak about their problems and feelings. The Best Gains About Diversity From The Book – It’s Okay To Be Different Teaching kids today about diversity is a vital step in helping them to develop kindness for other people. It’s Okay To Be Different is a great stepping stone to inspire kids to celebrate themselves with acceptance and confidence. Find out the benefits of reading this book for both adults and children below: Kids will learn to understand the meaning of diversity.  Through this book, kids will learn to see our diverse world through new eyes. They will also become familiar with the words similar and different, and understand how to show kindness to other people. Kids will learn to discuss their feelings and problems. Just like adults, kids also experience different problems that parents may not realize. Seeing how the characters in the book express their feelings and difficulties can also encourage kids to do the same.  Kids will learn to accept themselves and other people.  Being different sometimes discourages children from expressing themselves. By learning how to accept and understand themselves children will start to appreciate their individuality and that of others. Todd Parr’s humorous story helps kids develop more self-confidence to fully express their feelings and do what they love to do.  Rith the proper guidance, help, and support from parents, kids can grow and develop their personalities. With love and understanding, children can become kind, confident, loving, and caring for themselves and others. Nothing is more fulfilling than seeing kids grow into the best versions of themselves that they can be. Join your kids in developing their literacy, emotional feelings, and self-esteem, and celebrate diversity by checking out this book today! It’s Okay To Be Different: get your copy from Bookshop.org or Amazon.com Buy from Bookshop.com – https://bookshop.org/a/14451/9780316043472 Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. When you purchase a book through my affiliate link Bookshop will match 10% to independent bookstores. Buy from Amazon.com – https://amzn.to/3m7gNAf If you want to know more about different diverse children’s books for your little unicorns, make sure to visit our website at https://www.cosmicunicorns.com/ and follow our social media accounts for updates! More About The Author Todd Parr has inspired and empowered children around the world with his bold images and positive messages. He is the bestselling author of more than forty books, including Be Who You Are, The Goodbye Book, The Family Book, The I Love You Book, and It’s Okay to be Different. He lives in Berkeley, California. Reviews “Reading this book aloud to little ones, and discussing the pictures and concepts is a great way to start kids on a lifetime of openly discussing feelings and problems. This book has wonderful, feel-good, positive messages of acceptance and confidence that promote understanding and are fun to read for kids and the adults who love them.” ―Myshelf.com “The book unites the concept of tolerance of differences with simple images for easy understanding and comprehension. It’s Okay to be Different encourages readers to accept themselves and others.”―Children’s Literature “[Parr] wisely doesn’t zero in on specifics, which would force him to establish what’s ‘normal.’ Instead, he focuses on acceptance and individuality and encourages readers to do the same.”―Publisher’s Weekly © 2020, Cosmic Unicorns – All Rights Reserved

Diversity within families comes in many forms. For instance, children may be raised by a sibling, a family friend, a foster parent, someone whose race is different from them, or an LGBTQ+ couple or neighbor. Young children may live in diverse family structures and cultures. In contemporary society, the term family signifies much diversity. It may mean different things to different people, depending on their family experience. The educational environments of children are vital to children’s understanding of diversity and differences. The concept of diversity includes respect and acceptance. It means recognizing that everyone is unique and understanding our differences. The book One Family is more than the typical counting book. It teaches that many things can be in one group, and it rejoices in a mix of families, too. One may refer to a single item, or it could mean a collection of things. It shows examples of what makes a pair of shoes, a flock of birds, a bunch of keys, and so on. Moreover, illustrations make these concepts easy to comprehend. One Family shows a multicultural variety of families of different ages, all enjoying one another. This book is an excellent choice for families searching for books with diverse characters. The Important Lessons About Diversity to Learn with This Book Our families are the first people ever to step foot in our lives. They teach us how to love without limits. The idea of unconditional love can only be taught through genuine care, example, and acceptance. If children learn how to love the people closest to them without asking anything in return, they will also know how to respect other people with the same limitless love every day. Here are some of the valuable lessons in this book: Embracing diversity makes a person open-minded. Diversity is important because the world we live in increasingly consists of various racial, cultural, and ethnic groups. Learning about other cultures, beliefs, or sexual preference helps us understand different perspectives. Knowledge of different perspectives helps children reject negative stereotypes and biases about different groups. Respecting differences in others opens doors to more opportunities. Teaching children to respect both similarities and differences leads to many opportunities. They will discover new things and make wise decisions, which will help them grow and improve their self-confidence. Others notice this openness, which can lead to exciting opportunities and new friends. Also, we become more interesting because of our more comprehensive worldview. Diversity adds color to life. Embracing diversity means that instead of viewing differences as something negative, they are seen as strengths, adding more color and flavor to life. Young ones learn that differences among groups exist and can be enjoyed and respected, rather than disliked and feared.  When Aidan Become a Brother: get your copy from Bookshop.org or Amazon.com Buy from Bookshop.com – https://bookshop.org/a/14451/9780374300036 Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. When you purchase a book through my affiliate link Bookshop will match 10% to independent bookstores. Buy from Amazon.com – https://amzn.to/2JdR8qY If you want to know more about different diverse children’s books for your little unicorns, make sure to visit our website at https://www.cosmicunicorns.com/ and follow our social media accounts for updates! More About the Author George Shannon is a teacher, librarian, writer, and storyteller, and he has been sharing stories with children around the world for many years. His numerous books include Lizard’s Song, Climbing Kansas Mountains, Tippy-Toe Chick Go, and The Secret Chicken Club. He has won awards such as the ALA Booklist Editor’s Choice for Tomorrow’s Alphabet, the Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book for Tippy-Toe Chick, Go!, the Washington State Book Award for outstanding picture book, and he was named Island Treasure for 2012 by the Bainbridge Arts and Humanities Council. When not busy writing books, Shannon finds himself teaching creative writing to children around the world, or attending workshops that take him to schools from the Arctic Circle to Jakarta. Reviews “The breadth of diversity on display is refreshing: families include multigenerational homes, interracial marriage, neighboring households, children who identically resemble their parents and those who don’t.” ―Booklist “Round-faced, rosy-cheeked characters representing a broad array of races, cultures, and familial make-up populate this loving concept book about the multitudes contained in the number one: “One is five. One bunch of bananas. One hand of cards. One family. In Shannon’s simple, lyrical text, well-chosen, child-accessible details suggest larger concepts of unity and collectivity, differences and commonalities, while still bolstering the fundamentals of enumeration.” ―Horn Book “The text is focused and precise, and the examples are often friendly (“One pile of pups”) and sometimes rhyming (“One house of bears. One bowl of pears”), making for a cozy read-aloud that trips agreeably off the tongue. There’s an entertaining seek-and-find element to the cited objects, perfect for sharp young eyes, and a closing spread identifies all the countable objects spread by spread. Complicate your counting curricula in the nicest possible way with this.” ―BCCB © 2020, Cosmic Unicorns – All Rights Reserved

“Red is a rainbow color. Green sits next to blue. Yellow, orange, violet, indigo, They are rainbow colors, too, but My color is black . . . And there’s no BLACK in rainbows.“ Angela Joy The color black outlines our lives–from the wheels on a bicycle to the robe on Thurgood Marshall’s back. Without the color black, there would be no definition, no boundaries from one object to the next.  Black is also the color of night, of shadow, of ink and ash.  Also, when used to refer to a person, or people, “Black” people also refers to the uniquely African American culture and heritage. “Black Is a Rainbow Color” is a dazzling story by debut author Angela Joy. It is strikingly illustrated by Ekua Holmes, a Caldecott Honoree and Coretta Scott King Award winner. Holmes’ illustrations use powerful lines and solid colors with subtle touches of collage detail, creating an effect reminiscent of stained glass. This adds an almost spiritual element to the celebration of blackness.For those trying to uplift and empower youth, this book is a treasure chest of optimism, resilience, and pride. Lessons We Can Get From The Book Black Is a Rainbow Color It teaches children about acceptance and self-affirmation. This book dwells in the past injustice to a community and its underlying trauma. It is a lively and touching picture book of culture and art and a people’s beauty and courage. Black may not be in the rainbow, but it is a rainbow of shades, experiences, and life. Angela Joy brings the reader on a journey to learn about how the black color may not be in the rainbow we always talk about (ROYGBIV), but it is a color in our lives. The dirt is black. In the snow, a feather is black. The tires on the bike are black.  The author also tackles Thurgood Marshall’s history of Blackness to the “power of pain movement,” which is about making the world safe and palatable for children of all ethnicities. The book focuses on black beauty and strength With all the negativity in our world, this book brings unity to all of us – regardless of our color. It emphasizes the importance of loving yourself and presents beautiful, loving, and strong Black individuals. Black children can now draw pride from their black identity, and their classmates can also consider their own identities. A positive idea about yourself is a wonderful place to begin understanding your unique identity. Black Is a Rainbow Color: get your copy from Bookshop.org or Amazon.com Buy from Bookshop.com – https://bookshop.org/a/14451/9781626726314 Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. When you purchase a book through my affiliate link Bookshop will match 10% to independent bookstores. Buy from Amazon.com – https://amzn.to/39fO9ZX If you want to know more about different diverse children’s books for your little unicorns, make sure to visit our website at https://www.cosmicunicorns.com/ and follow our social media accounts for updates! More About The Author: Angela Joy was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Before graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Minnesota, she attended New York University and Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia―where her heart will forever reside. Angela traveled abroad extensively as a background vocalist, also working in television and movie soundtracks. She currently lives in southern California with her husband and two children, writing from a small hallway desk where the walls are painted a royal shade of purple. Black Is A Rainbow Color is her first book. Ekua Holmes is a native of Roxbury, MA and a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She is the recipient of the 2013 NAACP Image Award, a Brother Thomas Fellowship, and a 5-year appointment to the Boston Art Commission. Her picture book illustrations include the Caldecott Honor book Voice of Freedom and the Coretta Scott King Award winners Out of Wonder and The Stuff of Stars. Holmes serves as Assistant Director of MassArt’s Center for Art and Community Partnerships, and manages sparc! the ArtMobile, the institution’s vehicle for community outreach. Reviews: “Joy’s words and Holmes’s art are a perfect pairing where the verse is as vivid as the paints and collage. Children (and parents) of all colors will be rereading this one plenty.” ―Washington Post, “Best Books of 2020” “Both a beautiful celebration of black culture and an excellent first black history book for young children.” ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review “A treasure trove of positivity, strength, and pride for anyone seeking to uplift and educate young people.” ―Horn Book, starred review “A beautifully told and illustrated celebration of African American people and ethnology, Black Is a Rainbow Color thoughtfully explores what the Black experience means to a child . . . A must-have for children’s collections.” ―Booklist, starred review “With Black Is a Rainbow Color, debut author Angela Joy pens a loving tribute to all the ways black is beautiful. Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award-winner Ekua Holmes’s brilliant collage illustrations elevate the text’s themes of resilience and strength.” ―Shelf Awareness © 2020, Cosmic Unicorns – All Rights Reserved