Mystical, mythical, and fantastical creatures seem to be taking the forefront of literature! Everyone, adult and kid alike, wants to read about these creatures and escape into a different world. One particular such being that is perhaps the most popular and powerful is the dragon. While adults are finding dragoncentric romantasy like Fourth Wing, children’s […]
It’s the end of another publishing year and the best lists are snowing upon us! What we love about the plethora of these lists from children’s literature experts, review publications, and national press resources is how so many perspectives pop into focus: diverse list makers see “best” in so many different—and complementary—ways. Some of the
Celebrating Titles Featured on 2024’s Best Books for Kids Lists Read More »
August is celebrated annually as Women In Translation Month. This is the time when we turn specific attention—and give gratitude—to the women writers and the women translators who make possible access to stories from many languages to readers who can access them only in their own home languages. Professional translation is an art, just as
Women Who Connect the World of Books to Readers Read More »
Summertime brings with it many wonderful things. In most places you get longer days, warmer weather, and no matter if you like them or not…more bugs! Outside our doors there is an entire society of fantastic critters going about their day in a miniature world that could easily go unnoticed to the untrained eye. This
Perfect Pair: Un-Bee-Lievable Bug Books Read More »
Sometimes it appears that attention from many quarters comes to rest on one theme or an object with unanticipated universal agreement that this is the IT topic for the moment. This year in kids’ books we’re seeing that happen with—eyeglasses! In books that come to us from Spain, the Netherlands via New Zealand, the United
Look Here! These Books Are Spectacular! Read More »
The newly released list from Bank Street College of Education reflects their Children’s Book Committee’s choices from 2023’s publications. Bank Street’s seal of “best” is recognized by librarians, teachers, teacher training programs, and parents as a gold standard guide to children’s books. The selection committee is composed of more than two dozen members who are
Bank Street Books Announces Newest Best Children’s Books of the Year Read More »
But wait, there’s a difference?! OF COURSE I would know they’re all different, right? I’m a whole adult human, a teacher, a mother, a writer. I’ve read thousands of fairy tales and folktales. Surely SURELY I know the difference! Well, when faced with trying to articulate which is which and what is why off the
Fairy Tales, Folktales, Oh, My! Read More »
Fusing the delights of music and story is a powerful way to teach basic concepts as well as explore deeper ideas and emotions. Over my nearly 30 years of teaching young children, I’ve set a LOT of knowledge to simple tunes: the names of continents, oceans, countries and states, math concepts, simplified steps of the
Tales in Tune: Music and Picture Books Read More »
Each January, the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) announces their Outstanding International Books list during a meeting at the American Library Association conference. The latest list, reflecting books published or released in 2023 and chosen by a committee of USBBY members, has just been released and we are delighted to find
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