If Our Mission Were a Children’s Book, It Would Be ‘My Friends Around the World’
My Friends Around the World
Local Author Janet Nelson
Local Illustrator Eh Soe Dwe
At Read With Me MN, we believe literacy is about more than reading words on a page. It’s about affirming identity, centering representation, and helping children feel seen.
If our mission could take the form of a picture book, it would be My Friends Around the World by local author Janet Nelson and illustrated by local artist, Eh Soe Dwe.
This book may not yet be widely known across the Twin Cities but it absolutely should be.
A Story Rooted in Saint Paul Classrooms
Janet Nelson signing books we gave away to families at our Omega D.E.A.R. event at Cafe Marguerite 2/21/26.
Janet’s inspiration came directly from her work with children and families through Saint Paul Public Schools’ ECFE program.
“My work with children and staff from diverse cultures inspired me to write this book,” she shared. “It is a way to honor my coworkers and the families that I have met all these years.”
While the main character’s experience of leaving Kenya and building new friendships reflects Janet’s own story, “The part about leaving Kenya and having to make all new friends is my experience”, the other children in the book are inspired by real students and their families.
“All the other characters in the story are real kids who through their parents shared with me a little bit about themselves, and I wanted all that reflected in the book in words and illustrations.”
This isn’t a generic diversity story. It is specific. It is local. It is Minnesota.
“This book needed to exist because this is a Twin Cities story,” Janet said. “The book is not just for immigrants but a tool for young children to help them find great friends in any culture. I notice young children struggling to figure out who they can be friends with.”
Immigration Without Erasing Identity
One of the most powerful threads in the book is that immigration does not mean leaving your identity behind.
Janet intentionally shows the main character staying connected with friends in Kenya. Language, food, music, and traditions travel with families.
“I wanted my readers to know that most if not all immigrants are not ashamed of where they immigrated from,” she explained. “The language, food, music, and some traditions follow them wherever they go.”
For immigrant and multilingual students, her hopes are clear and heartfelt:
“I hope immigrant and multilingual students feel they belong when they read this book. I hope they feel that they can accomplish anything they work hard for. I hope they feel proud when they speak their home language. I hope they do not feel ashamed if their parents do not speak English well or if they have an accent.”
That is representation in action.
For students born in Minnesota, the book offers both mirrors and windows.
“I hope students born in Minnesota will learn that not everyone is born here and they can learn a lot from students who were born in a different state or country,” Janet said. “Students will learn that the world is quite big and not everyone speaks English.”
Uplifting Illustration as Storytelling
My Friends Around The World is illustrated by local Karen artist Eh Soe Dwe. A young creative deeply connected to the Karen immigrant community.
Janet describes feeling “so lucky” to collaborate with Eh Soe Dwe.
“She is young and talented and cares so much about the Karen immigrant community.”
Their partnership shaped the book in meaningful ways. In fact, the title itself came from the illustrator.
“I was struggling with the title for my book… eventually she said ‘My Friends Around The World’ would be a great title based on the illustrations and we agreed.”
The artwork also expanded the story beyond the written words.
“The beautiful illustrations went beyond what I had expected. She got creative and captured what I was trying to say. She included the main character on every page.”
That detail wasn’t originally planned, but it deepened the emotional arc of the book.
Illustration isn’t secondary, it is storytelling!
Why This Book Matters for Literacy
When asked why culturally relevant books are essential in closing the literacy achievement gap, Janet put it simply:
“When children see themselves in books, it motivates them to pick up the book and read it.”
She continued:
“Reading one inspiring book will help them unlock the love for reading. Students seeing illustrations of characters who look like them will make them be interested in investigating the book more and may help have a voice and feel valued.”
This is exactly why representation-centered literacy work matters.
Imagine This in Every Minnesota Classroom
Janet believes that if My Friends Around the World were placed in every elementary classroom across Minnesota, it would spark powerful conversations.
“I believe the book would open up some discussions about all kinds of topics like immigration, culture, future jobs, traditions, friendships, travel, and more.”
“Students in all parts of Minnesota would understand how diverse our state is.”
And perhaps most beautifully, Janet shared what it means to her personally:
“This story means a lot to me and to the students I have met in my teaching career. It will help me to remember them always… I feel like I have accomplished something important in my life as an educator and my book will continue to teach after I retire.”
A book that continues teaching long after the author retires.
That’s impact.
A Call to Our Community
We believe My Friends Around the World deserves to be more widely known. In homes, in classrooms, and on the shelves of local bookstores across Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and greater Minnesota.
This is a Minnesota story. A Twin Cities story. A classroom story.
If you’re a parent, educator, librarian, or bookstore owner, seek it out! Request it. Stock it. Share it. Because literacy is more than reading, it’s belonging.
Learn more about Janet Nelson and purchase My Friends Around the World on her website here and Eh Soe Dwe on social media here.