United States – Asian American & Pacific Islander – Page 2

Gyo Fujikawa drew some babies and made history

It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way by Kyo Maclear

April 25, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I have read It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way before. However, I had forgotten what a gem Kyo Maclear’s story was. Therefore, it was like finding it all over again. Once reading, I remembered a few things, but new information came to light. We know Gyo Fujikawa for her babies of all colors. But this was not always the case. She, along with a select few, decided to put diverse characters in their images. Yet, in the 1960s, this did […]

I might have a little Punky in me

Punky Aloha by Shar Tuiasoa

April 25, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Punky Aloha was a book I found in an email newsletter from the publisher. I then looked it up on a site where we can order and find book information and occasionally, a full reader copy. And Shar Tuiasoa’s book was there with a reader copy link I could use. I was blown away by how adorable Punky Aloha was. There she was in her big glasses, her piled-high hair and her impishly sweet smile. I was hoping Punky would not be a “bratty kid” […]

Bitter, Sweet, Love, Family

Hundred Years of Happiness by Thanhha Lai

April 4, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I had many emotions and thoughts while reading Hundred Years of Happiness. I was wondering the nationality of the family (you learn Vietnamese) as I was curious where the food came from and where the traditional represented (colors are important to cultures and I was wondering why white was not used). Then, I would become emotional as I realized this is not really a happy story, but a bittersweet one about the love of a grandchild and grandparents. And where one grandparent, the grandmother, is […]

Before he rumbled in the Bronx, wore a tuxedo and voiced a monkey

The Rise (and Falls) of Jackie Chan by Kristen Mai Giang

March 29, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

The Rise (and Falls) of Jackie Chan is one of my favorite picture books that I have read, or at least, read this year. Kristen Mai Giang’s picture book highlights the life of the actor Jackie Chan. It is humorous, informative, and inspirational. From a poor child living in an ambassador’s home, but was limited to a small room and forced to share a bed with his parents, to international martial arts and move star, Chan’s life unfolds. Due to the poverty his family faced, […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

Help Our Mission