Right now, in the Spring, when the world seems scary, this may be the comforting book about what’s beyond our back doors that we all need right now.
Review of the Day: Outside In by Deborah Underwood, ill. Cindy Derby
March 26, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Hey, Whatever Happened With the Rabbit hOle? The Future of the World’s First Explor-a-Storium
March 25, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Imagine a place that turns the entire notion of children’s books and museums on their head. Picture an Explor-a-Storium a.k.a. an interactive children’s museum where everything inside is children’s book related. Mad, you say? Absolutely. Now check out how close we are to completion…
Report from China from an International School Librarian: Making Sense of School Closures
March 24, 2020 by 4 Comments
A librarian that’s personally witnessed the SARS outbreak, Arab Spring, the onset of H1N1, swine flu, the ouster of President Morsi, Ebola, and now COVID-19 offers advice and perspective on school shutdowns.
Guest Post: Wrestling with School Library Closures by J. F. Fox
March 24, 2020 by 1 Comment
There will come a time when this pandemic ends and we can get back to business as usual. Which is to say, the business of fighting to protect our school libraries and school librarians from the chopping block. Written before the arrival of COVID-19, author J.F. Fox’s piece here today is no less timely for what it has to say.
Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus, Jose Aruego, and Ariane Dewey
March 23, 2020 by Leave a Comment
In this episode you will find a multitude of plover adjacent ideas, thoughts about developmental issues and when it’s right to seek help vs. let things work out on their own, and why it’s weird Leo isn’t a lion. Like, not even a little bit.
Review of the Day: Clever Hans by Kerri Kokias, ill. Mike Lowery
March 19, 2020 by 2 Comments
I don’t think it’s ridiculous at all to suggest that this book pretty much has it all. For the animal lovers, a cute and smart colt. For the mystery lovers, a true tale that lays out the clues, the detectives, and the surprising solution. And for lovers of science, this is a superb recounting of how people learn more about the natural world around them.
Ancient Wisdom for Trying Times. An Interview with the Duo Behind The Fabled Life of Aesop
March 18, 2020 by 1 Comment
Essentially this could be considered a college course on both the role fables have played in history over the centuries, as well as a deep dive into what it takes to make a book as exquisitely beautiful as this one.
Call for Submissions: How Do Books For Our Youngest Readers Inspire Action Towards Equity?
March 17, 2020 by Leave a Comment
The Illinois Reading Council is excited to announce a call for manuscripts for a special issue of their double-blind, peer-reviewed journal. The theme is: How do Books for our Youngest Readers Inspire Action Towards Equity?
Fuse 8 n’ Kate: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, ill. Helen Oxenbury
March 16, 2020 by 5 Comments
Nothing! Kate gets introduced to Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury for the very first time. We take a deep dive into the bear’s motives here. Amongst other things.
Ghosts of Newbery Past, Present and Future? Welcome to This Year’s 90-Second Newbery Film Festival
March 13, 2020 by 2 Comments
Stuck inside? Wanna watch some videos? Then welcome to the best of the best of the 90-Second Newbery Festival. Hamilton parodies, D&D spoofs, Westerns, Ninjas, and more abound!
Review of the Day: Fly On the Wall by Remy Lai
March 13, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Behold a story that runs, caterwauls, spies, sneaks, rides, and generally has a wonderful time. This is a book I can’t show my colleagues at work because my 8-year-old won’t let it out of her sight. A fairly high bit of praise, if I do say so myself.
A New Podcast for Your Children: Story Seeds Is Live!
March 12, 2020 by 1 Comment
There’s a new podcast in town. Listen in, then stay tuned for a special PSA from Jason Reynolds sharing 8 tips on how to fight COVID-19.
Guest Post: What We’re Missing: Gems of World Kid Lit #2.
March 12, 2020 by 1 Comment
David Jacobson comes to recount the creation of the Japan-China-Korea Peace Picture Book Project. This includes the books in the series and the issues faced in the three countries in this ambitious and sensitive project.
In Which the Proprietor of This Blog Allows One Christian McKay Heidicker to Speak His Piece
March 10, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Today we welcome newly minted Newbery Honor winning author Chrstian McKay Heidicker to talk about his latest book. And no. It does not involve a psychotic Beatrix Potter . . . . yet.
Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault, ill. Lois Ehlert
March 9, 2020 by Leave a Comment
It’s hard to be gloomy in the presence of this upbeat little number. Can you believe it’s our first Bill Martin Jr. book on the show? We discuss a glaring mistake in the art, why kids desire to have parties on the tops of trees, and more on this week’s episode of the podcast.
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