Actor Taye Diggs Jumps Into Writing Children's Books with a Big Splash

"The boy is teased for looking different than the other kids. His skin is darker, his hair curlier. He tells his mother he wishes he could be more like everyone else. And she helps him to see how beautiful he really, truly is. For years before they both achieved acclaim in their respective professions, good friends Taye Diggs and Shane W. Evans wanted to collaborate on Chocolate Me!!, a book based on experiences of feeling different and trying to fit in as kids. Now, both men are fathers and see more than ever the need for a picture book that encourages all people, especially kids, to love themselves." - MyBrownBaby.com

In this modern day culture, there are many pressures affecting children. Children are subjected to peer pressure that has a dramatic impact on their self-esteem. Parents of children of color often do not know the proper way to increase their child’s self-esteem and confidence. Parents in mixed race families have even more difficulty. Taye Diggs, famous father and author, has helped by offering positive messages of self-esteem for children of color in his new book , Chocolate Me! In Chocolate Me!, Mr. Diggs' heartwarming tale addresses the problems of self-esteem and confidence. His lifelong inspiration to answer and provide a new understanding to families with children of mixed heritage is commendable.

“Chocolate Me!,” by Mr. Diggs is a conglomerated project finding its origins in Mr. Diggs own lifestyle and upbringing -- he suffered from self-esteem issues as a child. Chocolate Me addresses the issues a child faces when he/she is different from everyone else and that difference provides opportunities for all parents to begin talking with their children about being different and/or not accepted for being different.

A child may ask, "Is there another Chocolate Me!?" or "Why doesn't anyone else look like me?" These questions are often asked in innocence, but these questions need answers to maintain a child’s self-esteem. Taye Diggs' Chocolate Me! is the perfect vehicle to help parents begin discussing self-esteem and confidence while promoting self-love and acceptance.

Chocolate Me! is now available at Dollslikeme.com. By offering a variety of books (like Chocolate Me!), dolls and toys that represent children of all colors and nationalities, Dolls Like Me provides the parents with the play tools necessary to help encourage children to embrace and accept their uniqueness and beauty.

Dolls Like Me President Denise Gary-Robinson contends, "Books and toys children can relate to have a silent (but positive) impact on self-esteem and self-acceptance." Further, she believes that a child who learns his or her value and through positive messages, in books, as well as through their environment and surroundings is a child that grows up to be a mentally healthy and happy child with self-confidence and a clear understanding of his or her value in our society. Chocolate Me is just such a book.

And Our Sensitive Parenting Award Goes to...

Rory, Boo's Mom Who Writes an Open Letter to People Regarding Touching Chocolate Hair

Here's an excerpt: "While asking me about my daughter’s hair, please do not start touching it. Just because I am a vanilla parent this does not mean that you have an “in” to touch chocolate hair for the first time. I have had too many people tell me, “Oooh, I’ve always wondered what their hair felt like,” while pawing my daughter. She’s not an animal, she’s a human being.

We teach our children that strangers touching them in inappropriate ways is wrong and that they should tell an adult immediately. In our opinion, anytime a child is touched by anyone who feels that they have a right to do so, against the child’s wishes and without the child’s permission, is inappropriate.

You see, every chocolate/jam/cheetos handprint on her hair from other children and/or adults is a mark on her dignity. She is small, but she does have personal space and a sense of self-worth. When you invade that space without her permission you are telling her that she has no rights to her body; that her desire to be left untouched is not as important as your curiosity.

Even if your hands are clean, they still leave a an invisible mark."

We so agree. Rory, if you get wind of this eblast, please contact us at info@dollslikeme.com for a free copy of "When I Close My Eyes," by Ty Allan Jackson. We love it and Boo will too.

We found this open letter and lots more on interracial adoption, parenting and hair at the Chocolate Hair Vanilla Care blog. Great blog!!!

We saw When I Close My Eyes at the 2011 Harlem Book Fair and were blown away by the warm and lyrical text. "When I close my eyes, there is so much to see. It opens up a whole new world to me. I have so much fun and oh how time flies.. to come from out of the clouds, I just open my eyes." The illustrations are fabulous. We love this book; you will too! Our only issue: As of this writing the book was not available in hard cover.

Author: Ty Allan Jackson; illustrator: Jonathan Shears. 32 pp. Ages: Birth-6. Softcover. Publisher: Big Head Books, 2011. MSRP: $8.95. Available now.

FREE Child Safety Video, Hurry Supplies Limited

Protect your kids from Child Predators, get a FREE copy of the Safe from Harm DVD.

It happens every day. Literally: Each day, two thousand children go missing in this country. Some are runaways, but many are abducted.

What would your child do if he or she were approached by a child offender?

Working with an NBC affiliate, local law enforcement and the XEL-Defense Teams, the Safety Council went out to see how the average child would respond to such a threat. These were kids with parents who had taught them, time and time again, never to open the door or to leave with a stranger.

It was shocking to watch by hidden camera as these children, one by one, did the exact opposite of what they had been taught. Is there anything more we can do to protect our children from predators?

Yes, and through extensive research, we discovered a new way to help you teach your children. Instead of just telling these children what not to do, we practice with them exactly what they should do. The results were remarkable. Get this DVD to learn how.

Emmy Winning DVD.
Full-length, instructional program and no advertisements.
NO CHARGE ($3.98 shipping)
Only 10,000 copies so act fast

One of the very best ways to protect your children is to get this free DVD and then watch it with your family.

New Community for Moms of Color

Found a great new community for moms of color: mommybrown.

I stopped by, browsed and decided to share. According to the founder, who is anonymous (as far as I could tell), "Mommybrown’s mission is to be the definitive source for moms with children of color (of all ages) to have a high quality place to connect and share stories for the benefit of themselves and their children."

This feature-rich community includes news, a member area, photos, groups, advice, videos, polls, forums, and journals. Membership is free.

After only 6 weeks, the community already has nearly 5,000 posts and more than 1400 members -- all moms looking to share and gain perspective on raising healthy, aware children of color. Kudos to the founder(s) of mommybrown.

The "I Love Reading" One Million Words Reading Contest

This contest was inspired by our sixth grade book reviewer, Rahshemah, who devours children's novels like most kids eat french fries. She is currently reading about a million words every couple of months -- and absolutely loves science-fiction/fantasy/adventure novels.

CONTEST RULES

1. Every child is welcome to participate; however the contest was designed for children in grades 5-8.

2. Between September 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011 you must read 1 million words (up to 10 books totaling 1 million words), books already read during this time period may be included [FYI, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix contains approx 257,000 words.].

ThThe child's teacher must write a letter stating that the student is capable of reaching this goal.

4. You must submit a review (not a book report, but a review designed to help others determine whether to read this book) of the book or books read. Books must be read between September 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011.

5. Reviews must be between 100 and 300 words each. Each entry must be accompanied by a Parental Release Form (found at DollsLikeMe.com). All entries must be received NO LATER THAN April 15. 2011. Download the official contest brochure for a complete list of rules.

PRIZES

GRAND Prize (1 Awarded)
SONY Pocket eBook Reader
$75 US Savings Bond
$75 Dolls Like Me Gift Card
Reading Tote
Book Light
1 Million Word Certificate of Achievement

SECOND Prize (5 Awarded)
$25 US Savings Bond
$25 Dolls Like Me Gift Card
Reading Tote
Book Light
1 Million Word Certificate of Achievement

THIRD Prize (25 Awarded)
Reading Tote
$10 Dolls Like Me Gift Card
1 Million Word Certificate of Achievement

JUDGING

The review(s) will be judged by our Academic Committee (comprised of educators, staff and, of course, Rahshemah). Winners will be announced on our websites and via email on April 30, 2011. Winning book reviews will be published on our website along with winner's bio and photo.

Good luck and happy reading.

FREE Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor Poster

DollsLikeMe.com is offering free Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor posters throughout Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15). The 11"x17" wall posters are printed on glossy stock and shipped rolled.

"Justice Sotomayor's appointment lends a much-needed voice to the nation's highest court," said Dolls Like Me founder, Denise Gary Robinson. "Her outstanding academic and professional background demonstrate the benefits of hard work, determination and a solid education for young girls, especially young Latinas."

There is no purchase necessary to receive a free poster; however, there is a $3.75 per poster charge to cover the cost of the mailing tube, shipping and handling -- for posters ordered alone. There is NO additional fee if the poster is added to an order. There is a maximum of 5 posters per household, school or institution. Offer available while supplies last.

Additional Hispanic history products available at Dolls Like Me include the Sonia Sotomayor Biography Fun Book ($3.99), the Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor Reader ($2.99), Hijas Americanas Image: Growing Up Latina in America ($11.99), and the Hispanic Heritage Coloring Book ($5.95).