The Day You Begin

Thinking back to this past Wednesday when I had the honor of meeting award-winning author & illustrator, Rafael Lopez. He illustrated Jacqueline Woodson's, "The Day You Begin". Where was this when I was an adolescent! What an amazing book, and a must-read about inclusion. Check it out at #Barnes&Noble for that child you believe will change the world. Magnificently humble & kind, Rafael gave his time to the children of New Brunswick, NJ. More than 85% of New Brunswick is Mexican. He shared the story of how he came to the US at 18 years old from Mexico City not speaking a word of English. Rafael has gone on to illustrate ten children's books, including his own, "We've Got the Whole World in our Hands"; he's won more than five awards for illustrating, including the Society of illustrators Original Art Silver medal; as well as created seven US postage stamps. "At a young age, I connected to stories and drawing. Books became my ticket to distant and diverse places and I was fascinated by imagery from different cultures." What an inspiration for those 1st graders! "If I inspired one child, it was worth it." Mr. Lopez, I'm positive, you've done much more than that! #RepresentationMatters #CelebrateDiversity #writing4mylife #kinyashakur #Allin4NB