【Hong Kong Archives】

There are Hong Kong Archivessome days when you feel like you just don't fit in.

Maybe you look around you and you don't see anyone who looks like you. Or maybe the food you eat and the games you play are different than everybody else's.

Fortunately, for anybody struggling with feeling alone, acclaimed author and newly appointed National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Jacqueline Woodson is back with The Day You Begin, a new picture book, illustrated by Rafael López, to remind you to stay confident, even when you feel misunderstood.

SEE ALSO: 6 important lessons from children's books worth rediscovering as an adult

When the book was first announced in December 2017, much of the story remained a mystery. We knew the title and that it was inspired by a poem from Woodson's National Book Award-winning novel Brown Girl Dreaming, and that was about it.

But now Mashable has an exclusive sneak peek at the book's cover, some of the incredible art that adorn its pages, and more info about the story that unfolds.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The Day You Beginis a moving letter of encouragement to kids who feel alone. The book opens with a somber reflection that many of us can relate to: "There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you." From there, we follow a series of students who feel like they stand out and don't fit in with their classmates.

Mashable Top Stories Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news. Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

But despite the multitude of reasons for feeling misunderstood the book outlines, The Day You Beganstarted with an observation from Woodson's own past.

"The Day You Beginstarted with a poem in Brown Girl Dreamingabout my great grandfather who was the only black child in an all-white school," Woodson told Mashable. "My mom used to tell us there’d be moments when we walked into a room and no one there was like us. I’ve walked into those rooms many times during my childhood and beyond so I had the sense that this was true of most people and began writing the story."

And from that experience, Woodson has crafted a beautiful letter of encouragement for anybody who feels misunderstood and alone with The Day You Begin.

"There will be times when the world feels like a place that you’re standing all the way outside of... and all that stands beside you is your own brave self — steady as steel and ready even though you don't know what you're ready for," the book champions.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

A Spanish-language edition of the book will be released in tandem with the English version. "I think it’s important for people of the Latinx communities to have stories published in their native languages just as we English readers get to enjoy books published in English," Woodson explained.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

And for anybody who may be struggling with confidence, Woodson has one final word of advice: "Reading can be a way of belonging. To open a book and see some part of yourself on the page makes you realize you are not alone, that somewhere in the world, maybe pretty close by, is something who feels, thinks, sees the world as you do."

The Day You Begin is out on bookshelves on August 28, 2018.

---

Featured Video For You

---

---

Topics Books Social Good

• Digital Culture
• Games
• Shopping
• Tech
• Social Good
• Entertainment
• Science
• Deals

• Then and Now: 6 Generations of GeForce Graphics Compared
• 'Thor: Ragnarok' review roundup
• Ugh, Ted Cruz cracked a 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' joke during his debate with Bernie Sanders
• A Star Wars fan in Congress wants us to know that porgs are 'dope'
• Stop Preordering Video Games
• California becomes first state to recognize third gender option on birth certificates
• New York and Las Vegas cabs start accepting China's biggest mobile payment mode
• Adobe Lightroom gets a major overhaul
• Samsung Unpacked stream is set for May 12, 2025
• Amazon Studios head Roy Price resigns amid sexual harassment accusation

• Compassionate kid donates piggy bank money to mom's charity fundraiser
• 'Human Kind' short films offer a moving glimpse into the lives of refugee families
• Indulge your love for 'Poldark' with this epic coloring book
• China is fueling a global decline in new coal power projects
• NFL reportedly in talks with Lady Gaga for Super Bowl halftime show
• Herman the cat looks worried, but we promise he's okay
• Gawken: The Gawker replacement you need to read
• Theresa May told to ditch high heels to end sexism in the workplace
• Please do your best to avoid the huge moon balloon rolling through China
• Study details the sugar industry's attempt to shape science

• Is 'Sing Sing' streaming? How to watch the A24 drama at home.
• Here's your first look at Lego's Women of NASA set
• Trump's tweets keep killing his Muslim 'travel' ban
• Mashable got a peek inside Google's New York City pop
• NYT mini crossword answers for April 24, 2025
• ZTE Axon M is a foldable, dual
• Scott Pruitt will draft industry vets for EPA's scientific committees
• Eggo gets in the 'Stranger Things' spirit with mouthwatering waffle recipes
• Hidden Siri Commands and Unusual Responses
• American woman becomes princess after meeting a real prince in a nightclub

• SpaceX's Starlink satellite launch in pictures
• Ugh, Ted Cruz cracked a 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' joke during his debate with Bernie Sanders
• If you own a Ford pickup truck, it probably just got recalled
• 'Tetris' is playable in certain Russian trucks, and for a very specific reason
• Best robot vacuum deal: Save $200 on Eufy X10 Pro Omni robot vacuum
• Kerry Washington's next project could be Facebook's first big hit
• Newark offers $7 billion in tax breaks for Amazon's new HQ
• Chelsea Handler won't do another season of her Netflix show so she can focus on activism
• Best portable power station deal: Save 44% on the Jackery Explorer 100 v2
• Diana Ross is adding another illustrious award to her long list