Tanya Konerman’s Feb./March 2026 Author Newsletter

Many kidlit writers write some, mostly, or all nonfiction. Today’s world needs us now more than ever to use our talents and skills to help kids of all ages learn about our changing world, how it affects them, and what they can do to create change for the better in areas that are important to them, their friends and families, and their communities.

Read on for more in this issue of my author newsletter!

February 2026 newsletterDownload

Spotlight Review for Read Your World 2026

I’m happy to once again be a book reviewer on Read Your World/Multicultural Children’s Book Day! As part of this annual event, I was gifted a book to review, in order to provide my honest opinion. Read on to discover more. #ReadYourWorld #IDiscoverWorldMusic #PirouetteKids

I Discover World Music

Part of the I Discover Music Series of Books

from Pirouette Kids

Babies, toddlers, and even kiddos in early elementary school love interactive books, especially ones that offer something new. Pirouette Kids’ I Discover Music series of nicely-sized board books offer just that, with each featuring real music in a particular genre, including Folk, Blues, Classical, and Music From Around the World.

With bright and fun illustrations, an easy to access and press button on each spread (as well as an on/off button on the back of the book), durable construction, and music beyond the usual nursery rhymes found in many board books, this series is delightful. It’s also designed to help the youngest book lovers learn by enhancing memory and speech skills as well as pattern recognition, promoting fine motor development, encouraging active focus and listening, and offering a way to discover new sounds and cultures through new styles of music.

In the I Discover World Music book, the six songs included are La Cucaracha (Mexico), Here Come the Mothers (South Africa), Tumbalalaika (Eastern Europe), Tico Tico No Fuba (Brazil), Tingalayo (Jamaica), and La Vie en Rose (France). Each fifteen second clip is interpreted/sung in the style and spirit of that country, with words for each song shown on that spread for easy family sing-alongs. Artwork by Margarita Fomenko also reflects each song and country. In addition, a QR code is provided on the back of the book, allowing parent and child to go online to listen to the full songs.

Whether you choose one of the books in this series, or all four, these are nice additions to family, school, or public libraries for ages 6 months to 4 years. More information on the books as well as the benefits of music and reading for children can be found at the publisher’s website: http://www.pirouettekids.com.

Read Your World is in its 14th year! Read Your World was formerly known as Multicultural Children’s Book Day. Multicultural Children’s Book Day is still celebrated at the end of January but is now more than just a one-day holiday to celebrate diverse KidLit.

Read Your World is a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to raise awareness about children’s books that celebrate diversity and inclusion, and to get more of these books into the hands of readers.

For more information, visit https://readyourworld.org/about/

Tanya Konerman’s Dec./Jan. Kidlit Newsletter

As the year comes to a close and a new one is about to begin, I’m looking to refill my well of creativity. Read on to find out more!

December 2025January 2026 newsletterDownload

Tanya Konerman’s November Author Newsletter

As we fall back into a gentler season, don’t forget to let books be a part of your days, weeks, and months ahead. I definitely will be…find out more in my latest newsletter!

November 2025 newsletter (1)Download

Tanya Konerman’s Sept./Oct. 2025 Newsletter

It’s my favorite time of the year! Cooler weather, gorgeous colors, back-to-school in full swing…what’s not to love?! This issue covers the best of fall, plus my upcoming book events and more! Enjoy!

SeptemberOctober 2025 newsletterDownload

Tanya Konerman’s August 2025 Kidlit Author Newsletter

Summer is in full swing, even if some kids have already started back in school (hello, Midwest!). One way to make summer magical and full is through reading and books. I cover this and more in my latest newsletter!

August 2025 newsletterDownload

Tanya Konerman’s June/July 2025 Author Newsletter

The year keeps rolling on, each nice day going by faster than the last as we approach the summer solstice. I’m keeping busy, rolling on too, marketing my new book, researching, and writing more. Here’s to sweet, sweet summertime!

JuneJuly 2025 NewsletterDownload

It’s Children’s Book Week: Making Every Child a Reader!

Join me in becoming an @EveryChildRead Children’s Book Week champion by celebrating the joy of reading what you want, when you want, and how you want! #StoryOcean https://bit.ly/2CQ1NkK

This Children’s Book Week, I’m encouraging each of us to find ways to help the kids in our lives find their love of books. I’m doing my part by writing children’s books that are both fun and meaningful for young readers, and by gifting fabulous kidlit to the children in my life for holidays, birthdays, celebrations, and JUST BECAUSE.

Arriving May 20th. Watch a preview here!

Join me by reading more about the Children’s Book Council’s Children’s Book Week (May 5-11) and how you can be involved too!

May 2025 Tanya Konerman’s Author Newsletter

This is a big and exciting month for me…my debut picture book releases on May 20th! Read on for how you can get a signed copy and enter to win a book bundle!

May 2025 NewsletterDownload

Tanya Konerman’s April 2025 Kidlit Newsletter

No fooling, it’s hard to believe we’ve made it to April…read on for kidlit news and more!

April 2025 NewsletterDownload

March 2025 Author Newsletter

Spring is almost here and books are the answer. Answer to what? Read on to find out more!

March 2025 NewsletterDownload

Tanya Konerman’s February 2025 Author Newsletter

February is a fabulous months for books! Read on to discover ways you can celebrate your love of books this month.

February 2025 NewsletterDownload

Spotlight Review for Read Your World 2025

I’m happy to once again be a book reviewer on Read Your World/Multicultural Children’s Book Day! As part of this annual event, I was gifted a book to review, in order to provide my honest opinion. Read on to discover more.  #ReadYourWorld #miawenjen #victorbizargomez

We Sing from the Heart: How The Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court

Written by Mia Wenjen

Illustrated by Victor Bizar Gómez

Published by Red Comet Press

This award-winning book for eight to twelve year-olds—an inspiring look at Simon Tam’s groundbreaking efforts against institutionalized discrimination, appropriation, and suppression of free speech—feels both urgent and necessary in today’s world.

Growing up, Simon Tam, like many Americans of non-white heritage, felt the sting and betrayal of racism in his daily life. So when, as a young man, Tam and his rock band of fellow Asian Americans were looking for a name, they decided to reclaim a derogatory term they’d heard many times, settling on The Slants. When they discovered another band consisting of non-Asians were also using that name, Tam decided to register for a trademark to protect their rights. However, the U.S. government rejected his request, labeling the band’s name racist, even though they approved trademarks for non-Asians who used similarly racist terms.

Seeing the unfairness and systemic racism involved in this decision, Tam took his battle to court. For eight years, he and others who agreed with him worked the case through the legal system, all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, encouraging and inspiring others along the way. Finally, in 2017, the Court unanimously agreed with Tam and his bandmates. The Slants® continued creating music until 2019, when they created a non-profit organization to “provide mentorship and scholarships for Asian American artists who want to incorporate activism into their work.”

We Sing from the Heart is told in a compelling yet straightforward way by Mia Wenjen (easy-to-follow text is interwoven with direct quotes, plus short sidebars offer definitions), and is illustrated by Victor Bizar Gómez in a fresh graphic style with muted colors, incorporating song lyrics from the band’s anthem From the Heart into the design. This picture book for older readers also features front and back matter: a foreword by Tam about why stories matter kick things off, while notes from both the author and Tam, more information on The Slants®, a timeline of other Asian Americans who have fought against racism since the mid-1800’s, sources, and song lyrics for From the Heart round things out.

This is a strong and important addition to every library and classroom.

Read Your World 2025 (1/30/25) is in its 13^th year! Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen founded this non-profit children’s literacy initiative; they are two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural diverse books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.

Read Your World’s mission is to raise awareness of the need to include kids’ books celebrating diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about our Mission and history HERE.

Read Your World is honored to be Supported by these Medallion:

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Pragmaticmom) and Valarie Budayr (Audreypress.com)

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

🏅 Platinum Sponsors: Publisher Spotlight and  Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 60 Languages 

🏅 Gold Sponsors:  Third State Books 

🏅 Silver Sponsors: The Quarto Group, Red Comet Press and Lerner Books 

🏅 Silver Corporate Sponsor:  Scholastic Books 

🏅 Bronze Sponsors:  Lee and Low and Star Bright Books

🏅 Bronze Corporate Sponsor: Crayola Education 

🏅 Ruby Corporate Sponsor: MagicBlox

Read Your World is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!

Authors: Stephanie M. Wildman, Martha Seif Simpson, Anna Jennings, Gwen Jackson, Afsaneh Moradian, Joaquín Camp, Rahana Dariah, Ziggy Hanaor, Josh Funk, Nancy Tupper Ling, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Gea Meijering, Eugenia Chu, Dorktales Story Time, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Authors J.C. Kato and J.C.², Cynthia Levinson, Diana Huang, Rochelle Melander,  Lisa Chong, Lisa Stringfellow,  Brunella Costaglioga, Lindsey Rowe Parker, Rachel C. Katz, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Shifa Safadi, Lisa Rogers, Sylvia Liu, Eva Clarke, Crystal Murakami, Teddi Ahrens

Read Your World is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts and by our Partner Organizations! 

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

Spotlight Review for Build a Sandcastle

Written by Eileen Rajala Meyer and Illustrated by Manica Musil

Available for purchase April 15th, 2025

This playful rhyming picture book by Eileen Rajala Meyer encourages young readers to have a great time building a sandcastle with a friend, with helpful prose sidebars featuring “Five Star Tips” from friendly and adorable Starfish. From finding the perfect spot not too close to the water, to building a solid base, using what’s at hand as tools, and adding lovely ocean-gifted decorations such as shells and sea glass as the finishing touches, each step is shown via delightful felt art illustrations by artist Manica Musil to spotlight creativity, teamwork, and patience. What a fun day at the beach!

Tanya Konerman’s Kidlit Author Newsletter: December 2024/January 2025

It’s almost the end of one year and quickly moving into the beginning of another! I’m so excited for 2025, especially May 20th, because that’s when my debut picture book will release into the world. Read more about my pre-order giveaway, plus other fun kidlit news, in this double-issue newsletter!

December 2024January 2025 NewsletterDownload