The New York Times > Babes in a Grown-Up Toyland
This article starts by asking if the new interests of children in video games, TV and other electronic diversions are eroding childhood. Then interestingly, it goes on to ask if our belief in a sheltered childhood is incompatible with modern society.
At the end of the piece, a comparison is made between The Secret Garden as a book of yesterday and Harry Potter as a phenomenon of today. But there is still a place for The Secret Garden in libraries and in lives. And there are many of us, including children’s librarians, giving children sheltered childhoods and sharing books that are modern right next to old favorites. It never has to be one vs the other. They can be done side by side. Modern children in a sheltered world.

New York Daily News – Babies are bookin’ it
A nice article on new toddler programs, baby reading areas, and board book collections in Brooklyn.

Mesoj is a blog from an education librarian from Alabama.

The last I knew, David Almond had a site through Random House. Now check out his new site! It is both evocative and functional, offering biographical information, books and reviews, writing tips, a FAQ for schools, and a notice board.

The Leaf Chronicle has this article that offers a small collection of children’s books that look at complex issues in life. The books include subjects like adoption, dementia in a grandparent, and friendship.

The Rabbit Hill Festival of Literature
will be held in Westport, CT in late March and early April. It sounds simply wonderful. I am so envious of the tour of Weston Woods studios.

ProudParenting.com
This site provides information and support for parenting GLBT children and teens or being gay parents who are raising children. It offers book reviews, news, and more.

Apple.com offers this trailer for the movie based on the book Millions. It looks simply lovely.

Buffalo News – Reading in tandem is an article about an elementary school that is using fifth graders as reading role-models for K through 2nd graders who are having trouble learning to read. The 5th graders read aloud to the younger children, showing how much they like books. The program is brand new, so there is no data about how effective it is, but the idea sounds like a great one for both the older and younger kids.