Thank you to iRead Book Tours for having me as a part of the official blog tour for It’s Me by, Jeff Kubiak. This wonderful non-fiction children’s book is one that everyone should read no matter their age. Check it all out here and then enter to win a copy of the book for yourself.
Book Title: It’s Me by Jeff Kubiak
Category: Middle-Grade Non-Fiction (Ages 8-12), 57 pages
Genre: Children’s/Middle Grade, Non-fiction, own voices
Publisher: EduMatch Publishing
Release date: November 14, 2020
Content Rating: PG. Although the book reads like a graphic novel, it does contain topics dealing with racism and other social issues.
It’s Me is dedicated to every person who has ever felt less about who they are or want to be because of someone else’s opinion, feelings, or prejudice. Let’s ditch the prejudiced labeling, and embrace our Human Race for the diversity, inclusivity, equity, and individuality we all deserve.
Buy the Book
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It’s Me is wonderful! This non-fiction children’s book should be on shelves in classrooms and homes everywhere. With great pictures and plenty of topics for discussion, It’s Me explores the differences between people in our society and works to breakdown barriers to bring understanding and empathy to others.
I do think it is important to note that while this is a children’s book, it is not aimed at young children. Readers ages 8 years and older are more appropriate as they will be able to comprehend the topics covered and have conversations around them.
Jeff loves children’s literature , “One Drop of Kindness” is Jeff’s first published children’s book. It’s Me reads like a fun graphic novel, but it is entirely non fiction. Every character in the book is a real student, or educator. It is so important for us to give access, equity, inclusion, and compassion to all those we meet. “Seeing” each other and embracing our differences are jewels to life! Jeff taught for ten years as an elementary school teacher in grades 4, 5, and 6 and has seven years of administrative experience. He’s always looked at education from a different lens: from someone who hated and struggled with school. Jeff vows to always do his best to help increase opportunities for all students to feel heard, noticed, celebrated, challenged and safe. Jeff works hard to push back against the old model of “Industrialized Education” and fight compliance. There is not a day that goes by that he is not looking ahead to improve teacher pedagogy, student engagement and digital access for all. Being a former world class swimmer and coach and looks at education from perspectives that others don’t. Jeff knows what it takes to fail, struggle, win and go through the daily challenges that we all face. Jeff is based in California and can be found at jeffkubiak.com, Twitter at @jeffreykubiak and https://jeffkubiak.blogspot.com/.
connect with author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads
Meet the Author: Jeff Kubiak
What made you want to write a book about underserved and people in marginalized demographics? – Having spent many years coaching, teaching, and educating others, I saw a huge lack of empathy, acceptance and understanding for so many different people; black, brown, lgbtq, less abled, second language learners and so much more. I saw the need to bring up the conversation and help others “see” who we all really are. The unique thing about this book,is that all the vignettes are written by the characters in the book; true stories, by real people.
Tell us about your first book, One Drop of Kindness. What was your thought process there?
Once again, having spent so much time in schools, you can really get a pulse of a culture the moment you step foot on a campus. Students, teachers, staff, and parents are either smiling, laughing, interacting, and helping each other; Or, you see sadness, despair and even hatred. If we can start embedding kindness into everything we do, at a very young age, I truly believe we can change the world, for the better.
If you could put yourself as a character in your book, It’s Me, who would you be?
I can really identify with many of the real students and educators in the book. When I was young, I was picked on, then I began to bully others. It made me feel like I was better than them and I got laughs from others. I also suffer from anxiety and depression, and know the struggle first hand.
If your readers could remember one thing about you, what would it be?
That I am a work in progress trying to help others become more aware, better, kinder and less biased. I have made so many mistakes in my past, but I reflect, grow and become better each day. We need to empower others to become anti-racist, equity minded, and ditch the prejudice labeling.
What is something unique about you and or how you were brought up?
I was raised in a small town by two amazing people. My parents had so much love that they took in over 30 foster youth before I was 18 years old! I saw first hand that so many children were mistreated, abused, neglected and just plain unloved. This is one thing that I look back on that has helped me embrace and want to do what is right for others. Equity and inclusion are always at my forefront.
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