My Soca Birthday Party

A timely resource that emphasizes diversity and inclusion, this picture book tells a contemporary story about a young girl whose friends surprise her with a “soca” party, celebrating cultural differences and similarities in the potluck dishes they bring. A story that highlights the theme of multiculturalism, it presents vocabulary relating to the African and Caribbean cultures, and its bright, captivating images depict cheerful characters. In a primary classroom, the story may inspire discussions about cultural foods and students’ favourite dishes, also allowing students to examine their cultural backgrounds, look for similarities, and celebrate differences within their classroom community. Immigration to Canada could also be explored as the students in the story come from various countries.