Mom and Dad say I’m a blend of dark and light:
“We mixed you perfectly, and got you just right.”
Mike has awesome hair. He has LOTS of energy! His parents love him. And Mike is a PERFECT blend of the two of them.
Still, Mike has to answer LOTS of questions about being mixed. And he does, with LOTS of energy and joy in this charming story about a day in the life of a mixed-race child.
Hello to you all ~
Following the great success of our first book Chocolate Me! (www.chocolatemetoo.com) we launched an idea that made us all think about culture in a different way. With the exploration of this second book, we are excited to continue the multi-cultural dialogue that brings “mixed” to life.
We all have so many stories that make up who we are. We are often side-tracked by the issue of race or having to pick a side. The truth is we have to be happy in who we are and that is what Mike and Mixed Me! represent. We have had amazing feedback from all over the world about this project and we hope that we do our part to create a healthy dialogue about being “All in the mix”!
Taye and I are dedicated to this “rebranding of humanity” and opening a dialogue for learning about different cultures through our own experience. SHOUT IT!!! MIXED ME! is CHOCOLATE ME!
All the best!
Shane Evans & Taye Diggs
Highlights From Starred Trade Reviews
“Mike’s unerring sense of self (“I’m a beautiful blend of dark and light”) and the powerful love that surrounds him make this a rewarding, valuable read for families of any makeup.”
—Publisher’s Weekly, starred review
“[A] well-written, fun story of acceptance, friendship, and love. The text, colors, and design make this a good choice for read-alouds, but there are many details in the artwork (usually containing the word ‘mixed’ or a synonym thereof) that make it good for one-on-one sharing.”
—School Library Journal, starred review
“Some kids call him “Mixed-up Mike,” but the protagonist makes clear that he isn’t mixed-up at all—just mixed . . . Mike’s confidence in his own appearance and coolness as well as the way he proudly embodies diversity, including a certain level of androgyny, make this a refreshing read. Evans’ integration of rough-textured fabrics into lively and colorful mixed-media illustrations will make readers want to reach out and touch them . . . If all kids had the confidence about who they are that Mike has, what a wonderful world this would be.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
