Me, All Alone, at the End of the World by M.T. Anderson, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes is the story of a boy who lives all by himself at the end of the world.  He lives a slow-paced, simple but wonderful life, until Mr. Shimmer shows up and decides to create World Tours of the End of the World.  The changes start slowly and the boy makes friends with other children for the first time in his life.  He shows them all of his special places, and they have great fun in the amusement parks being built at the End of the World.  But eventually the boy decides that he must leave.  “I miss the wind. So I left.” 

This is a book appropriate for sharing with older elementary students that can lead to discussion on the distractions of the modern world vs simple joys.  I think that it will speak to most people on a very deep level. 

The National Writing Project offers ideas for improving writing and learning in American schools.  They have articles, links to project sites across the country, and information on upcoming events. 

The Right Stuf is an anime store that offers more than things to purchase.  They have iPod trailers for anime, a free newsletter, a list of new releases, and podcasts!  Perfect for those of us looking to add more anime to our library collections. 

YA author, Susan Juby has a blog!  Juby is the author of Alice, I Think and other books about Alice. 

Bertie Was a Watchdog by Rick Walton, illustrated by Arthur Robins is a book about Bertie, who is called a watchdog, not because he is mean, but because he is the size of a watch.  When a burglar comes into the house, he laughs at the size of Bertie.  They have a series of contests:  who can bite harder, whether Bertie can catch the burglar, and finally who can bark louder.  It is this last contest that finally gets the burglar into trouble, because he barks so loudly and so long that the police outside hear him. 

I enjoyed the manic illustrations of the book, and kids will enjoy hearing about a tiny dog that gets the best of an enormous man.  Definitely one to share in your next doggie storytime.

Adventures of Cow by Lori Korcheck, illustrated by Marshall Taylor was listed on only one top book list on one of the children’s lit discussion lists.  But it deserved to be on more.  Written with a broad sense of humor that children will adore, it is the photographic journal of a plastic toy cow traveling through a farmyard.  Throughout, Cow misidentifies the animals, but is eventually returned safely home to his unique family.

This is the perfect book to read aloud to antsy toddlers, though even older children will enjoy the puns and mistakes.  Prepare yourself for a lot of groans and laughs.