Link to buy Diverse City by Shawna Ray on Amazon
A student and teacher favorite, Take a Trip to DIVERSE CITY welcomes you to afree state
A student and teacher favorite, Take a Trip to DIVERSE CITY welcomes you to a
This special B5 edition
includes a CD with national music group B5 (kids might know their song “Get
Your Head in the Game” from High School Musical) narrating the book and Shawna
Ray singing the book in song form with added B5 chorus.
Inspired
by a true story, this educational children’s book begins as some of the kids on
the playground in Same City will not let Jacob play because his skin color is
different than theirs. Zachary stands with his friend and invites the kids on
an imaginary trip to explore Diverse
City
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Shawna
Ray is also a singer, songwriter, and mother of two students. She shares
her passion for unity and talks to kids and young adults about diversity and
resolving conflict in relationships with a full assembly presentation. Shawna
tells the true story about her son Zachary and his friend Jacob who inspired
her first book, encouraging young authors to follow through with their ideas.
Shawna has a degree in Public Relations from Otterbein
College and has previously worked in Outreach and Engagement at The Ohio State University and as an event coordinator and disability/diversity awareness trainer and program coordinator with
Goodwill Columbus and United Way Central Ohio . Shawna currently lives in Columbus, Ohio.
ABOUT B5: Atlanta Georgia Bryan Diverse
City
Book Content:
Take a Trip to Diverse City
Ó COPYRIGHT1/1/05 Shawna Ray
A Children’s
book
Dedicated to
Zachary & Jacob: May you always appreciate your differences and treasure
your friendship.
‘Twas a gray kind of day outside in Same City.
The school bell rang; recess was beginning.
Jacob and Zac tried to join the ballgame.
But some kids told Jacob that he couldn’t play.
For his skin was “brown” and theirs was “white,”
Zac stood by his friend knowing that was not right.
“Why?” he thought, “should it matter at all?”
Each child in the class had a difference he saw.
“They’re trippin!” said Jacob, and Zachary agreed.
“A trip – hey, let’s all go to Diverse City
Some kids were afraid and chose not to go,
But adventure is fun and soon many followed
“Good food,” Zac said, “is the first thing we need.
Let’s walk down the street and get something to eat.”
At Same Café, the food can be dull
By adding some spice it becomes flavorful.
Let’s dine a place with savory meals.
We’ll enjoy all the various blends and appeals.
The aroma is sweet and the menu delights.
Everyone can find something they like.
Embrace all the tastes and the sounds and the smells.
New friends are welcome to dine and to tell
Stories and memories of journeys they’ve shared.
The table is open; acceptance is there.
Next stop is the art shop; the colors are vast.
You can paint every shade, be creative and laugh.
Mold the soft clay into balls and cool shapes.
Make a cup, a bowl or a tall flower vase.
We all have ideas that are new and exciting.
Let’s color together or sit alone writing.
Think of a story, imagine the scene.
It’s great to create when the mind is so free.
“Who wants to move on?” Zac said to his friends.
I hear a cool sound that is drawing us in
To the streets where live music is filling the air;
A bouncy drum beat and loud trumpets do blare.
A band plays aloud; music lifts like the moon.
Each different sound is forming a tune.
It then turns so gently as the melodies change
To a ballad sung sweetly, like soft falling rain.
“Each one is so wonderful, don’t you agree?”
Zac talked as he walked down Diverse City streets.
There are people at work, each with skills of their own
By joining together we get much more done.
“If all were the same, we’d be missing all this.
We need everyone to share their unique gift.
We learn from each other and life can be found
In all styles and flavors, new sights and new sounds.”
As they returned to the classroom later that day
The kids were different and everyone played.
There’s so much more fun in a place filled with color,
Where all are free to enjoy one another.
THE END, or maybe just the beginning of many more
adventures…
