Set of (4) Mini Mirrors Board Books for Toddlers
Set of (4) Mini Mirrors Board Books for Toddlers
Everyone deserves to see themselves on the page, starting with our youngest readers. The Mini Mirrors series features books for toddlers that celebrate diverse families and experiences.
Our 2022 titles were authored by student parents enrolled in Generation Hope’s Scholar Program in Washington, DC.
These books do a lot in less than thirty pages! They help kids learn about the days of the week and the community members that make up our families, or explore sounds and rhymes while teaching about Central America. They use imagination and curiosity to help kids manage separation anxiety, or celebrate diversity while honoring identities that don’t always get featured in books.
Books in This Set
Authors: Tayla, Sarah & Sholachauntel
Illustrator: Jordyn Flood
Learn the days of the week with Sebastian and meet his extended family of neighbors!
On Mondays, Sebastian reads poetry with Mr. and Mrs. Howe. On Tuesdays, he plays with parrots at the Iveys! While his mom is at school, Sebastian spends each day at a different home in his apartment building. What happens the rest of the week as he plays the days away? This rhyming book, written by student parents, celebrates the power of community coming together to help raise a child.
ISBN: 978-1-950807-52-9
Age: 1-3
Lexile: AD450L
Format: Board Book
Page Count: 26
Originally Published: Nov 15, 2022
Authors: Araceli, Edith & Juliana
Illustrator: Shurjo Mukhi
Toddlers will love this fun chanting book celebrating Central America!
From swimming in the sea in Panama to smelling abuela’s cafecito in Costa Rica, there are so many things to love about Central America! This fun and rhythmic book, inspired by Brown Bear, Brown Bear, was written by young mothers who wanted to celebrate their Central American heritage with their children. The sweet sayings, fun sounds, and charming collages in a bilingual children’s book will make little ones clap, smile, and learn about the world.
ISBN: 978-1-950807-56-7
Age: 1-3
Lexile: AD130L
Format: Board Book
Page Count: 22
Originally Published: Nov 15, 2022
Authors: Emely, Isayana, Daysha
Illustrator: Ian Springer
A whimsical book about imagination that will comfort kids with separation anxiety.
What’s mama doing all day? The student parents who wrote this book know the questions that kids can have when their mamas need to leave for work or school. And they know the power of young imaginations, too! This book reassures them of mama’s love when they’re apart. Whether fighting dragons or earning credits, all these mamas are out making the world a better place in their own way.
ISBN: 978-1-950807-58-1
Age: 1-3
Lexile: AD450L
Format: Board Book
Page Count: 26
Originally Published: Nov 15, 2022
Meet The Authors
The young student parents of Generation Hope wanted to create books for toddlers that were inspired by their own children and lived experiences as busy college-going mothers. With the support of SMP teaching artists and talented emerging illustrators, Generation Hope authors collaborated in small groups to write fun and engaging books that celebrate all families. Their books are reaching our youngest readers through an exciting partnership with Inspired Child’s early childhood education programs across DC, as well as Author Talks, book donations, and book sales. Proceeds from their books support new authors and fund scholarships for the Generation Hope community.
Marilyn is the oldest of six siblings and an immigrant from El Salvador. She is the first in her family to pursue a college education. As a first-time author, she’s proud to accomplish a dream she’s had since childhood. Writing this book was important to her because she hasn’t felt seen or represented in children’s books. She wants other underrepresented mothers to know that there is no perfect way to be a mom. What matters most is that you love your children!
Juliana is from Mexico and has four children: Julian, Mia, Emelia, and Lyanna. She recently graduated from George Washington University School of Medicine where she studied Biomedical Informatics. She enjoys drawing and reading with her kids. Juliana is excited to share a slice of life of Latino culture and hopes this book will help kids connect with their cultural heritage.
Edith is from Honduras and has a son named Keyden who is in kindergarten. She currently works as a medical assistant and studies medical sonography at Northern Virginia Community College. Edith loves reading and running. She enjoys reading with her son and hopes other parents will enjoy reading this book together with their children, too.
Araceli is from Honduras and is a mother to four children: Alena, Bryan, Carlos, and Ismael. She is a student at University of the District of Columbia where she studies Human Development. Araceli wrote this book to teach her children about their heritage, and to show them that they can do anything. She never thought she would be an author and is excited to share this book with her children — and with you!
Chae is a second-generation Korean-American and a parent attending nursing school. Being a young single mom and going back to school after having her son was challenging. She wants to encourage all the young mothers out there to believe in yourself and to celebrate where you are right now.
Sinnah is the youngest of three siblings and immigrated to the U.S. from Sierra Leone in 2001. She is currently pursuing her bachelors in Family and Consumer Science. As a young mother to two amazing children, Romeo and Laila, it was important to her to write a story that honored the diversity of mothers. She is so happy she had the opportunity to write this book to encourage mothers who are underrepresented in children’s books. She wants you to know that anything is possible as long as you believe in yourself.
Daysha was born and raised in P.G. County, Maryland, and is the mother of two boys, Dakari and Dakai. She is currently a student at Bowie State University where she majors in theater and dance. For fun, she likes to travel and to model. Daysha wrote this book to help children get through the rough days in daycare apart from their mothers. She hopes this book helps mothers and their babies cope together!
Isayanna, better known as Izi, is a proud Hispanic woman with two boys, Elijah and Lexson. She currently attends the University of the District of Columbia where she majors in social work. She enjoys nature walks and planning fun activities for her kids. Izi wrote this book to let children know that no matter where your mommy is—whether it be at school or at work—she does it for you to have a better future with many opportunities. This is her first book and she hopes you enjoy reading it as much as she enjoyed writing it for you!
Emely is a first-generation Salvadoran-American and a recent graduate of the University of Maryland. She is a mom to a beautiful young lady, Ms. Mia. She enjoys artistry through painting and makeup. Where Could Mama Be? is her first book ever. Emely wrote this book for the mommies and kiddos who struggle a bit during drop-off. To the kiddos: The time apart is temporary. While you wait for us, have fun and make friends! To the mommies: However you may feel, it is okay; you are not alone. No one is perfect but you are more than enough for your child!
Tayla is a recent graduate of Trinity Washington University and the mother of two beautiful daughters, Madison and Chloe. She was raised alongside her two brothers, Tyler and Treavon, by her grandparents, Jeanette and Bennie. They impressed upon her the importance of community love, and she wanted to share that in her first children’s book.
Sholachauntel is a recent graduate of Trinity Washington University and the mother of a 4-year-old boy named Sebastian. She is a Washington, DC native and is currently pursuing a masters in Black Studies at Morgan State University. This is her first book. Shola wrote this book to depict the early years of being a teen mother, raising her son with the help of her community.
Growing up in a predominantly African-American community in Washington, DC, Sarah understands the importance of having the support of a village. She was raised by an extended family of neighbors, teachers, and friends of the family.
Authors: Sinnah, Chae, Marilyn
Illustrator: Alex Perkins
Showing love for all the different mamas being their unique selves!
If we know one thing for sure, there are many sorts of mamas, and they are all worth celebrating! This inclusive toddler book champions mothers doing their jobs and pursuing their passions, alongside their admiring kiddos. Written by three student parents, this book especially highlights mothers who might not normally appear in the pages of a book. From construction mamas to student mamas to tattooed mamas—there’s no one way to look like a mom!
ISBN: 978-1-950807-59-8
Age: 1-3
Lexile: AD140L
Format: Board Book
Page Count: 28
Originally Published: Nov 15, 2022