This article was last updated 31 December 2025 What’s better than a book award? A list of best books! Why? There are more titles to choose among and to compare and contrast. While judges who determine book awards are looking at lots of competing titles critically, with a list of bests, we get to see […]
Best of the Year Lists Are the Best! Read More »
This is one in our Double Scoop Sundae series featuring a pair of thematically-related books and ideas for teachers and library program developers seeking ways to extend storytime with them. Two new picture books, each released in the US in both English and Spanish editions, center needlework as a way many families keep alive family stories and
Stitching Generational Stories Read More »
As a librarian who has provided readers’ advisory support on the front line with kids, teens, and adults, and now trains library staff in both public and school libraries to deliver support for readers and would-be readers, I have come to recognize some salient differences among the age ranges: Genre fiction written for and engaging
A Smorgasbord of Series for Middle Graders Read More »
This is one in our Double Scoop Sundae series featuring a pair of thematically-related books and ideas for teachers and library program developers seeking ways to extend storytime with them. From a single point to a line, from a flat area created by connecting lines to a multidimensional entity, our concrete and imaginary worlds both supply us
Get in Shape with a Pair of Picture Books Read More »
As individuals, some of us tend to messy disorder while others keep the laundry quickly folded and the dishes stacked back in their places before day’s end. In spite of these personal styles, each of us belongs to a larger, and generally well ordered, social framework. These frameworks are as diverse as human languages and,
We’re putting a bit of a twist on Translation Month this September. We frequently highlight linguistic translators and their work in making children’s books from around the world accessible to English language readers. We look for them to receive credit from publishers on book covers and seek out their skillsets in workshops and on panels.
Translating Classic Art into Contemporary Picture Book Illustrations Read More »
August is a time to celebrate the women authors who can be read in more than the language in which they write. Thanks to their recognition by publishers, and the skillful work of professional translators, we want to call attention this year to the following women during the Women In Translation month of August. The
Kid Lit Women in Translation Read More »
Demonstrators, protesters, activists—what’s the difference? All work to deliver a public effect. Demonstrators make a public stand among a group of like-minded people that may be against or for an element of the status quo in public life. Protesters, as the word indicates, also take a public role, usually within a group, against something that
Real Life Activist Heroes Read More »
If you’ve worked in a school or a library, you’ve met kids who absolutely thrive on asking questions, truly listen to responses, and then move on to explore proffered answers more deeply. These are not likely to be the kids who work diligently for high marks (although assignments that pique their interest can invite stellar
Invitations for Autodidactic Middle Graders Read More »
