Read Your World: Rock Music Activism and Asian Reappropriation
Diverse books give children the opportunity to learn about others and build empathy. This work must happen in classrooms, where students spend so much of their day. It should also happen at home, modeled by the most important people in their lives. Non-fiction narratives in particular can inspire children by highlighting the accomplishments of historically oppressed groups.
I was gifted the book We Sing From the Heart: How The Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court by Mia Wenjen, one of the founders of Read Your World. It tells an empowering story of reappropriation through a rock band’s legal battle.
This new title by Red Comet Press would be appropriate for readers in grades 3 and up. Educators and parents should note that the book deals with racial slurs and discrimination. It also touches on the First Amendment, trademark law, and US Supreme Court, but does not go into depth. The picture book provides a short and simple retelling of the story, so younger students will require additional context.
We Sing From the Heart tells the true story of the 2017 case of Simon Tam, a young musician from California. It recounts the racism Tam experienced growing up, and how he eventually formed an all-Asian American rock band. Tam decides to use his words, through the name of his band and the lyrics of his songs, to fight racism and raise awareness.
This is a story that should be shared with all children, and might be especially inspiring to Asian readers. It could also be eye-opening to musicians and other artists, because it shows how art can be activism and communities can be mobilized. It sets the stage for a discussion about reappropriation of slurs and free speech, which may be more meaningful for older children. Readers can also discuss how rock music has played a role in activism throughout history. The Slants started The Slants Foundation in 2018 to continue this work.
Each spread contains song lyrics that are relevant to the events happening. Several pages have small callout boxes that provide a definition or brief explanation of terms that may be unfamiliar. We Sing From the Heart is the picture book debut of illustrator Victor Bizar Gómez. His charged scribbles and textural shading, layered over colored backgrounds, are evocative. Each spread uses just two or three colors. The limited palette made the pictures feel almost like a newsprint to me, appropriate for the retelling of an event that is part of recent history. Gómez injects each page with whimsical elements that flesh out the experience and emotions of Tam.
Remember to listen to “From the Heart” by The Slants® after reading the book! Wenjen has also provided an activity guide for this Junior Library Guild Gold Selection book on her blog.
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 Sponsors:
🏅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: Red Comet Press and Lerner Books
🏅 Silver Corporate Sponsor: Scholastic Books
🏅 Bronze Sponsors: Lee and Low
🏅 Corporate Sponsor: Crayola Education and Scholastic
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, 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
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!
📌 FREE RESOURCES from Read Your World Day:
📌 Register for the Read Your World Virtual Party:
Join us on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 9 pm EST celebrating 13 years of Read Your World Day Virtual Party! Register here.
This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, and reading ideas.
We will be giving away a 10-Book Bundle during the virtual party plus Bonus Prizes! ** US and Global participants are welcome. **
Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, and connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. We look forward to seeing you all on January 30, 2025 at our virtual party!