The Joy of Children's Literature

The Reminder Be sure to enter the Holiday Books Giveaway ! Leave your email address in the comments section so that if you win, I can contact you for a mailing address. Note: I do not keep email addresses or submit them to publishers or anyone else. Email addresses are only used for receiving mailing addresses of winners and then deleted. The Request I am in the process of revising The Joy of Children's Literature for a second edition. If you have used this book, please let me know if you have constructive feedback. The Resource I have enthusiastically blogged here , here , and here about the production blog of The Library of the Early Mind , a feature-length documentary film about children’s literature directed by Edward J. Delaney and produced by Edward J. Delaney and Steven Withrow . Today, I was thrilled to find out that Steven Withrow (in the picture on the left with his daughter) will be contributing a monthly "field notes" column over at Seven Impossible ...

I loved NCTE --not the "getting ready to go" part, which I hate, but the actual "being there" part. I learned so much from many great educators and authors. One of the many highlights of the conference for me was the Authors' Blog session, which I chaired. Laurie Halse Anderson, Maureen Johnson, Justine Larbalestier, Barbara O'Connor, and Lisa Yee were all on the panel and let me tell you -- these women are amazing! I didn't have my camera but several of the authors have already blogged about the session--check out Laure Anderson , Barbara O'Connor , Lisa Yee and Justine Larbalestier's blog posts. During the question/answer phase of the presentation, the authors discussed and raise very important issues that I think all teachers should consider. One of the questions I asked was about receiving posts that contained personal information. Children and young adults become very connected to these authors through their books and the authors' blog...

I am so thrilled to offer a book giveaway contest for two beautiful holiday books: The Christmas Magic by Lauren Thompson with pictures by Jon J. Muth and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King illustrated by Gail de Marcken. Below is a sneak peak into the story and illustrative magic of both books followed by contest entry information. THE CHRISTMAS MAGIC Far, far North, when the nights are longest and the stars shine brightest, Santa begins to prepare for his big night of giving. He gathers his reindeer, feeds them parsnips and berries, and polishes his bells and his sled. Then lovingly, he chooses toys for every child in the world. For Santa loves them all, and he knows what each child at heart wants most. Then, with the thrum of magic that makes reindeer fly, he spreads the Christmas joy and warmth throughout the world--as he always has -- and always will until the end of time. From best-selling author Lauren Thomas, and Caldecott Honor Artist Jon J Muth. T HE NUTCRA CKER AND THE MOU...

"My book is free? Lock it up at once!" —Lemony Snicket, regarding the new free online edition of THE BAD BEGINNING For a limited time, you can read 100% of A Series of Unfortunate Events #1: The Bad Beginning for free online with Browse Inside! View Lemony Snicket’s video response to this latest unfortunate event. http://www.lemonysnicket.com/

Storywalks are used to promote reading to preschoolers A Pennsylvania elementary-school program used an "Everyday Heroes" theme to get preschoolers excited about reading and learning. As part of the Storywalk program, preschool-aged children toured classrooms staffed by a police officer, a school nurse and other "heroes" on hand to answer questions after children were read stories about their professions. Early-childhood education efforts like Storywalk are paying off, kindergarten teacher Betsey Wilson said. "Some kids are coming in here reading," she said. "It's unbelievable." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Indiana educators recognized for elementary-school book club Two educators at Stony Creek Elementary School in Indiana are receiving national recognition for a book club they created to help promote reading outside of school. The club features monthly lunch sessions at the school media center, where first-grade teacher Karen Duvall and media sp...

Several years ago, I got hooked on reading authors' blogs. At first, I was just amazed that they had time to write blog posts, but then I realized that they are, after all, writers and that's what they like to do--write! I subscribed to all the authors' blogs that I could find. But, then I quickly realized that not all authors' blogs are created equally. So, I kept the ones I found the most enjoyable and over the years I have learned so much from these authors and about these authors that has brought me personal enjoyment and has infinitely informed my instruction. I began to wonder how many teachers know about authors' blogs and/or how many think about authors' blogs as a teaching resource. Soooooo... I contacted several of my favorite author bloggers and asked if they would present with me on a panel at the National Council of English conference in Philadelphia about blogging...and they said YES!!! So, next week I leave for Philly to chair a session with Laur...

New Book and Author features from Reading Rockets : Goin' Someplace Special : Our Interview with Patricia and Frederick McKissack The McKissack's have written stories about the African American experience for more than 25 years. They draw from some of their own childhood favorites — Brer Rabbit, fairy tales, myths, and the poetry of Langston Hughes — to create beautifully drawn characters who learn to use their wits and appreciate their own gifts. In Goin' Someplace Special, young 'Tricia Ann makes her way to one of the only places in 1950s segregated Nashville that welcomes her with open arms: the public library. Our Newest Booklist: Thanks for the Dreamers Artist, chef, inventor, storyteller, tree-planter, dreamer, do-er. In this lovely collection of books you'll meet a group of incredible people — some famous and some not — who have each made a difference in the world. Listen! I Have a Story to Tell… Legends, pourquoi stories, and trickster tales — Native America...

From: Publishers Weekly , 11/2/2009 From accounts of civil rights heroes, to harrowing (and hopeful) stories about contemporary teenagers, to picture books that perfectly capture friendship, curiosity, or flights of fancy, 2009 held a treasure trove of wonderful reading for children of all ages and interests. Narrowing them down to just 30 titles wasn't an easy task, but we believe the following books stand out for their remarkable writing, indelible characters, and arresting artwork. Picture Books The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors by Chris Barton, illus. by Tony Persiani (Charlesbridge). The unlikely subjects of this fascinating picture book biography exemplify ingenuity and dedication to chasing one's dreams. The Curious Garden by Peter Brown (Little, Brown).\ With humor and some showstopping spreads, Brown offers a green fable about the rebirth of a city, without a hint of preachiness. Yummy: Eight Favorite ...