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WHERE SCHOOL TEXTBOOKS HAVE FAILED BLACK STUDENTS, THE JUST LIKE ME SERIES IS A HUGE SUCCESS

http://www.justlikemebooks.com

Washington, DC - (6-11-03). A new report shows that Just Like Me Books inspire and motivate Black children like no other children s books on the market. Washington, DC teacher Elizabeth Davis (Vocational Teacher of Year in 2000) used the Just Like Me Series in all four of her classes and found that the attitudes of students changed dramatically. Students expressed to Ms. Davis that the books helped erase negative stereotypes they believed about Black people and made them feel smarter. Ms. Davis said, "In my 31 years of teaching I have never seen anything like the Just Like Me Books. These history-coloring books designed for younger children (grades 1- 6) have inspired and motivated my 7th, and 8th graders. These books have definitely made a major impact on all my students."

The Just Like Me Series takes a child on a journey through time from the past to the future. The journey begins in ancient Africa with the first book of the series, teaching children about ancient African discoveries like mathematics, the first 365-day calendar, ink, and paper. The journey continues to early America in the second book where children learn about the many great Black inventions like the first working refrigerator, the carbon filament light bulb, and the first motorized street sweeper. At this point the historical journey ends and the child's own personal journey into the future begins in the final book of the series. The child flips through pages and pages of possible hobbies that can become rewarding careers with good grades and hard work.

Due to the state of school textbooks, the Just Like Me Series is a must for every Black parent in the country according to Ms. Davis. The textbooks we use in classrooms around the country marginalize African American students by indicating everything from Africa is negative and Black contributions aren't as important as contributions made by white Americans.

School textbooks teach Black history in two parts, slavery and post slavery. These textbooks highlight slavery, civil rights leaders and activists but only a couple of scientists and inventors. The vast majority of African scientists and Black inventors are never mentioned at all in history books. Thousands of our customers from around the country have told us that the Just Like Me Series is the only set of books in the country filling in the enormous holes left by school textbooks. Customers can order by going to the website at www.justlikemebooks.com or 888-586-BOOK.

(distributed through BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com)