Books to Sing: Song-Based Picture Books is an article by Sue McCleaf Nespeca from the last Book Links. The article offers reasons to incorporate singing into story time as well as a list of recommended titles.
Month: July 2005
Childsake
Childsake — Nature and the Environment is a lovely website dedicated to children’s books on nature and the environment. The site lists over 300 books for children by topic. You can also browse new entries as well as the featured topic of the month.
Research on Storytimes
If you are doing storytimes for preschool children, either as a parent or as a professional, you need to know about the recent research and how to incorporate it. A good place to start is Storytimes for Preschool Children Can Incorporate Curren Research by Ellen Fader.
Harry Potter Forum
I have finished the latest Harry Potter book and completely loved it! If you are looking for a place to discuss the new book head to the Leaky Lounge. Click on Flourish and Blotts and then The Princely Nook to discuss the latest book.
Margaret Mahy Article
STUFF: The lion, the witch and the tattoo offers a warm and personal glimpse into Margaret Mahy, author of many many books for children from wild and wonderful picture books to magical and creepy books for older readers.
Annick Press
London Free Press: Gritty books appeal to teens is a look at Canadian Annick Press which publishes amazing books like Secrets in the Fire. Their focus is on getting teens to read books that are more reflective and well-written but also speak to today’s serious issues. Knowing how great Secrets in the Fire is, I am happy to say that they are achieving their mission.
I must add that I do not agree with their premise that graphic novels are not literature and that we need to start fussing about WHAT kids are reading. I think that time and time again we have seen that the act of reading is what is important, especially for boys who will only read comics. Just let them read, but let us as children’s professionals make sure that when they are ready to try something deeper, it is right there waiting for them.
Kathleen Jeffrie Johnson
Kathleen Jeffrie Johnson, author of some wonderful psychological fiction for teens, including A Fast and Brutal Wing and Target, has a new website.
Via cynsations
Kenneth Oppel
Kenneth Oppel, author of Airborn, has now added the sequel, Skybreaker, to his amazing website. Visit the Skybreaker section to get a glimpse into what will happen in the sequel.
Wrecked
Wrecked by E. R. Frank will be published in October. Frank, author of Friction and America, has once again tapped into the teen psyche and created a real page-turner.
Anna is a teen who gets into a car accident where her best friend is hurt badly and another girl is killed. Anna believes that it is her fault, even though there is evidence that the girl who died was drunk and had swerved into Anna’s lane. The book compellingly reveals Anna’s past through her recovery from her accident and her post traumatic stress disorder. I enjoyed the fact that Anna and the other teens in the book were not perfect. They drink, lie and are really alive. Additionally, the adults in the book are complex and vivid. Both of Anna’s parents are wonderfully drawn.
All of this adds up to a book that kids will really enjoy. The book would work for reluctant readers, because the pace is fast and the story is riveting. Recommend this one to teens who enjoy reality-based fiction and they will find great writing too.
Waking Brain Cells 