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 13th 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!
Tanya Konerman, Author 