Lauren Simone Blogs — diverse books

The Harlem Book Fair is an iconic annual literary event that celebrates African-American literature, culture, and community. Founded in 1998, the fair gathers authors, publishers, readers, and literary enthusiasts to Harlem, New York, for a vibrant day of book signings, panel discussions, workshops, and performances. It provides a platform for both established and emerging writers to showcase their work, engage in meaningful conversations, and connect with a diverse audience. With its focus on highlighting the voices and stories of Black authors and creators, the Harlem Book Fair serves as a dynamic space for promoting literacy, fostering dialogue, and fostering a...

Reviewed by Amy Raines for Readers’ Favorite The Tale of Princess Alicia, written by Yvette Phillips and illustrated by Simonne-Anais Clarke, is a short story about a young princess named Alicia who loved to sneak away to spend time outdoors with her animal friends. Her father, King O’Neil, did not allow her to play outside because he and others were afraid of the wicked witch in the woods that liked to capture and eat those who got lost. Princess Alicia, concerned over her missing friends, made her way into the woods to find them but was captured by the witch....

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers’ Favorite Disco Balls of the Universe by Imani Ariana Grant is an informative and educational book for children that introduces them to the eight planets of the solar system. The little girl thinks everyone wonders like her what is beyond the sky and way up high beyond the clouds and the starry skies. She calls other children to explore and they find out that there are eight planets in the solar system and each one is shaped like a disco ball. They are all having fun dancing around the Sun. The first spotlight is...