Marimba Books

07/02/2024

20/10/2023

Celebrating 35 years of sharing Black stories, history and culture through children’s books.

08/05/2023

Teachers: we appreciate you!
Happy

(illustration credit: Priscilla Garcia Burris | from the picture book Aloha for Carol Ann by )

28/02/2023

As we close out Black History Month but never our work to learn about and lift up the lives and contributions of Black people …

“February is a reminder that Black history should be an integral part of American and world history. It is something that we celebrate all year round.”

- Wade and Cheryl Hudson, founders, Just Us Books

photo by

07/02/2023

Valentine’s Day is just a week away and we’re getting ready with this sweet series that celebrates the people and things kids love!

19/01/2023

27/12/2022

Today is the first day of ⁠ ⁠ - a week long African-American and Pan African holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture.

Each day of Kwanzaa focuses on one of seven principles, called the Nguzo Saba. The greeting for each day of Kwanzaa is ‘Habari Gani,’ which means ‘what’s the news?’ The response is the principle for that day (listed below).

Each day of Kwanzaa, we’ll highlight a book that focuses on the principle of the day. Follow us here on or Instagram for daily posts.

17/11/2022

Author Traci Sorell thinks now is as good a time as any to reframe how we talk with young children about Thanksgiving. (We agree)

Here’s how:

https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2022/11/16/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-thanksgiving?fbclid=IwAR1BTD6r1K8CkgGVtFaLhvb_A9tVGuyawEk5oBVnwnxcMVVIPf-N-_k6EhM

There are various approaches to take the conversation at different ages. And books can be a helpful resource.

03/11/2022

Great kidlit suggestions for Native American Heritage Month and *every* month.

08/05/2022

Happy Mothers Day!!!

20/05/2021

“These days, so many kids move away from familiar surroundings, and I hope Carol Ann’s story will resonate with them.”

Author Margo Sorenson talks about her picture book Aloha For Carol Ann and the perseverance (2+ decades & 50+ revisions) that made it possible!

https://jamarattigan.com/2012/05/22/author-chat-a-special-aloha-from-margo-sorenson/?fbclid=IwAR3KPhW9wIzuVvtSTtASl5dagM8ESaUWfJz3FThTrVeenpHYlz9jJqxNGuA

Of all the wonderful things Hawai’i has to offer — breathtaking natural beauty, world-renown beaches, stunning tropical flora, rich cultural diversity, divinely delicious variety of eth…

11/11/2020

Here is more great reading to share!

Celebrate the stories and voices of Indigenous authors and illustrators with these books for kids.

11/11/2020

Children's Books by Indigenous Authors to Add to Your Bookshelf Today

https://www.helpingkidsrise.org/post/great-children-s-books-by-indigenous-authors-ownvoices?fbclid=IwAR2sqwsgn28PNtvnF_BSAqg98QUi7aJe0WDDtKljQ6sraO3uJUg8hfEwYXI

Celebrate the stories and voices of Indigenous authors and illustrators with these books for kids.

21/10/2020

🎉 Cynthia Leitich Smith Named Winner of the 2021 NSK Neustadt Prize for Children’s Literature

https://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/blog/news-and-events/cynthia-leitich-smith-named-winner-2021-nsk-neustadt-prize-childrens-literature?fbclid=IwAR3GVmBv8O5HKqo-DGehS2lGFd6KU_tL5jp5KyUbHnxm2BHcIE0aPOxAhPI

World Literature Today, the University of Oklahoma’s award-winning magazine of international literature and culture, today announced Cynthia Leitich Smith as the winner of the 2021 NSK Neustadt Prize for Children’s Literature.

08/10/2020

Five Ideas for Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2020

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-american-indian/2020/10/07/indigenous-peoples-day-2020/?fbclid=IwAR3fEmq1LBiaXw06LmS0svTgy8BUl4savTQOZV_vQNaz66y6mxl0u9CHzHU #.X38BxGV6AOs.facebook

On Monday, October 12, 14 states and the District of Columbia, more than 130 cities, and growing numbers of schools will observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day. If you and the young people in your life are looking for ways to honor and celebrate Native America at home, the teacher services coordinator at...

15/09/2020

Did you see today’s Google Doodle?


https://www.google.com/doodles/celebrating-felicitas-mendez?fbclid=IwAR0cx8bjnpiNOnDX5d0f7alW_TDk6CHg9uMmxqxWhGYzpGLuPADivg1PK1I

Celebrating Felicitas Mendez

17/06/2020

EyeSeeMe has a new subscription service and we’re happy to see our book From Where I Stand in the picture book box. 📚🎁

20/05/2020

Remembering Tom Low, co-founder of Lee & Low Books

https://justusbooks.blogspot.com/2020/05/remembering-tom-low.html?m=1

Our hearts were saddened to hear of the transition of Tom Low, co-founder of Lee & Low Books. We have known Tom since before he and Ph...

05/05/2020

Teachers: We appreciate you! Happy

illustration credit: Priscilla Garcia Burris (from the picture book Aloha for Carol Ann by Margo Sorenson)

22/04/2020

Today is Earth Day! 🌎🌱🌻 More than a billion people participate in this global initiative to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our planet.

Want to take action right at home? Here are a few activities to get you started.

📚 Conrad Saves Pinger Park by Grammy winner Carvin Winans - named one of National Environmental Education Week's "Green Books for Students"
https://justusbooks.com/9781603490245/

13/04/2020

We Need Diverse Books Launches Emergency Fund for Diverse Creatives in Children’s Publishing

https://diversebooks.org/wndb-launches-emergency-fund-for-diverse-creatives-in-childrens-publishing/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE We Need Diverse Books Launches Emergency Fund for Diverse Creatives in Children’s Publishing April 13, 2020 Washington, DC — We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) is pleased to announc…

08/04/2020

Home & Classroom Teaching: Native American Children’s-Teen’s Books & Resources

https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/2020/04/home-classroom-teaching-native-american-childrens-teens-books-resources/

Compiled by Cynthia Leitich Smith With tremendous appreciation of all the teachers and child-caregivers who’re navigating this difficult time, I have assembled a list of Native children’s and young adult (teen) books along with supplemental educational and/or entertaining resources. It reflects ...

30/03/2020

Parents and educators - If you’re looking for free learning resources We Need Diverse Books has compiled a list that includes offerings from Just Us Books and many more organizations and publishers.

Publishing industry friends - there’s info for us posted there too

https://diversebooks.org/covid-19-resources/

COVID-19 Resources RESOURCES FOR AUTHORS 2020’s Virtual Bookish Events Resources and Tips for Creating Virtual Events Add Your 2020 Free Virtual Events to ’s List Everywhere Book Fest …

27/02/2020

Latinx in Publishing Debuts Writers Mentorship Program
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/82515-latinx-in-publishing-debuts-writers-mentorship-program.html

Literary nonprofit Latinx in Publishing has launched a new initiative, the Writers Mentorship Program, which is aimed at providing unpublished and/or unagented writers who identify as Latinx with professional mentorship opportunities.