Even though it's the dog days of summer, there's still a lot going on in the blogosphere! Check out these sites and stories:Lois Lowry talks about her latest book, The Willoughby's on NPR's The Weekend Edition. I posted Lemony Snicket's review of The Willoughby's here.
The UK's Booktrust, in association with Children's Laureate Michael Rosen, has established a new "Funny Prize" in Roald Dahl's honor to recognize children's authors who write funny books. A panel of 5 judges will select a short list of six books in each of two age groups: six and under and seven to fourteen. Books will be selected on September 13th, to coincide with Roald Dahl Day, and the winners will be awarded at a ceremony in London in November. Fiction, non-fiction and poetry will be included. Listen to Michael Rosen talk about the award on NPR's Weekend Edition.
Love nonfiction? Want to connect with the best children's authors of nonfiction? Then the I.N.K blog is for you! Interesting Nonfiction for Kids (I.N.K.) is a blog dedicated to readers who want to learn how nonfiction writers "practice their craft: research techniques, fact gathering and detective work. Check out how they find unusual tidbits, make the facts interesting and write something kids will love to read. Explore how photos and illustrations are integrated with the text to explain an artist's vision of the world." Authors who contribute to the blog include: Sneed Collard III, April Pulley Sayre, Kathleen Krull, Susan Goodman, Sue Macy, Vicki Cobb, Tanya Stone, Karen Young, Linda Salzman, Jan Greenberg, Gretchen Woelfle, Jennifer Armstrong, Kelly Fineman, Anna Lewis, Steve Jenkins, Loreen Leedy, Dorothy Patent, David Schwarta, and Dan Brown. This is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in nonfiction!
The I.N.K. authors are hosting a Spectacular Fifteen Book Blast Give-Away to support the children's nonfiction community. In one sentence or less, explain why you read the I.N.K. blog. The lucky winner will receive 15 SIGNED copies of some of the best nonfiction books available for children. Entries must be received by September 5.
If you are a parent, teacher, librarian or someone who is around kids, you've noticed how much they love graphic novels. However, not all adults are on board with the genre. Never fear! The Graphic Classroom blog is here! A recent post highlighted mini comics: a bundle of 25 for $3...I know, great huh! Click on the link to find out how to order. If you are a reader of graphic novels, The Graphic Classroom is looking for reviewers: "We are especially looking for teachers or librarians in middle school and high school to write reviews appropriate for those age groups. We do not pay, but those "hired" will get to keep the books reviewed for inclusion in their classroom." Click on the link above for how to apply.
Curriculum Matters highlights a new book by Jo Boaler that focuses on why so many students seem to dislike math and what can be done about it. The book, What's Math Got to Do With It? Helping Children Learn to Love Their Favorite Subject—and Why It's Important for America, offers classroom approaches and strategies for parents that she believes can boost students' math skills and reduce their fear of that subject. Parents and teachers may want to put this book on their summer reading list.
The "web extras" for the July/August issue of the Horn Book Magazine is available. This month at the American Library Association's annual conference, Newbery winner Laura Amy Schlitz and Caldecott winner Brian Selznick presented their acceptance speeches. I did not attend, but I hear through the blogosphere that both were unforgettable. Their speeches will be in the print edition of Horn Book Magazine, but there are also web extras for both authors, so don't miss them!
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