Cybils Nominations Open Up Tomorrow

Tomorrow, nominations for the 2009 Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards open up and will remain open until October 15th.

Be sure to stop by the Cybils site and nominate your favorite books published between October 16, 2008 and October 15, 2009 in the following genres:

• Fiction Picture Books
• Middle Grade Fiction
• Young Adult Fiction
  
• Nonfiction Picture Books
• Middle Grade/Young Adult Nonfiction
  
• Science Fiction and Fantasy
• Poetry
• Graphic Novels 
• Easy Readers and Short Chapter Books
  

The panelists are being announced are gearing up to see what books in their genre are going to be nominated. I'm super excited to be serving again this year on the Middle Grade/Young Adult Nonfiction Panel.

Here are the panelists and judges in that category:

Panel Organizer: Susan Thomsen, Chicken Spaghetti

Panelists (Round I Judges):
Alicia Blowers, The LibrariYAn
Sarah Rettger, Archimedes Forgets
Jennie Rothschild, Biblio File
Jill Tullo, The Well-Read Child (me!!!)
Erin Walker, Erin Explores YA

Round II Judges:
Wendy Burton, Six Boxes of Books
Jennifer Donovan, 5 Minutes for Books
Dave Judge, Adventures at Wilder Farm (Author Lita Judge's blog)
Colleen Mondor, Chasing Ray
Lisa L. Owens, L.L. Owens-Children's Writing Blog

I can't wait to see what gets nominated!

Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again (Review and Giveaway)

ATTENTION: This contest is now closed. Thank you for your entries! 

 

Today I'm excited to be offering a huge prize pack in celebration of the release of the new nonfiction children's book: Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again by Juliana Hatkoff, Isabella Hatkoff, and Craig Hatkoff

Synopsis from Scholastic:
"When Winter, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, was found trapped with her tail badly damaged, she was not expected to survive. This is her miraculous story, from her rescue to learning how to swim again to her unprecedented success using a prosthetic tail. This is also a celebration of her indomitable spirit."

Winter's story is one that I believe many children will truly enjoy. The copy is comprehensive yet written simply enough for a young reader to be able to understand. Full color photographs of Winter throughout her journey accompany the text on each page, giving children a close-up look at the lovable dolphin.

In celebration of the book's release, one (1)  reader will receive a Winter’s Tail prize pack!

• Dolphin Plush
• Dolphin Key Chain
• Winter’s Tail game for Nintendo DS
• Copy of Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again Book 
  

Entry Rules: 

• To enter, please leave a comment below by Monday, October 12, 2009 at noon, Eastern Standard Time. 
• Receive an additional entry by linking to the giveaway on your blog. Please leave your link in the comments section. 
• Receive one more entry for a total of three possible entries by linking to the contest on Twitter. Be sure to use @wellreadchild in your tweet. 

More information and resources:

• Official website 
• Meet the Authors
• Discussion Guide/Lesson Plan
• Meet Winter the Dolphin via Winter’s Tail Virtual Field Trip. Watch the live webcast on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 from 1:00 P.M. – 1:45 P.M. (ET).

Watch the Book Trailer: 
 

Shipping Guidelines:

The Winter’s Tail book promotion is open to participants with a United States mailing address only (international readers can enter if they have a friend in the States who can accept their prizes by mail!)

What My Children Are Reading (September 24 edition)

I'd like to offer a BIG THANKS to those of you who've signed up to host a Thursday in the coming weeks. There are still some November and December slots available, so please let me know if you'd like to host.

This week my daughter and I have been enjoying Dr. Seuss. Before she was born, I bought a collection of Seuss books for her library, and only recently has she begun to show interest.

The rhymes are perfect and silly, and the illustrations make her giggle. No wonder these books have been beloved by kids for years. The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs & Ham, and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish are her favorites!


What are your kids reading this week? Leave your link in the comments below, and I'll post them throughout the day!

Today's Contributions:

In Need of Chocolate
Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns

The Art of Irreverence
Welcome to my Tweendom
Fantastic Find

Be sure to visit In Need of Chocolate next week for the roundup!

Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week kicks off this Saturday, 9/26/09, and already there are some great posts talking about banned books and the importance of protecting our and our children's freedom to read.

This one by Laurie Halse Anderson really struck a chord with me. In the post, Anderson discusses three recent attempts schools and parents made to get two of her books banned from high school classrooms. Anderson says,

"If you are looking to get a head start on observing Banned Books Week, feel free to write to the schools involved with these challenges. PLEASE, I BEG YOU: be civilized and polite!! Our country is suffering an influenza of rudeness. Calling names and heaping scorn does not further discussions or change attitudes. It just builds the barricades higher.

If you have personal experience with TWISTED, as a reader, a parent, an educator, or a librarian, please share those experiences (in a positive, constructive way) with these people."

If you are interested in participating in Banned Books Week, check out the ALA's Ideas and Resources page to get even more ideas for addressing the issue and taking action.

National Book Festival, September 26, 2009

If you're going to be in the DC area next weekend or want to make a road trip, please check out the National Book Festival. It's free to the public!

From Monica on behalf of the Library of Congress:

"The festival, which will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2009, is slated to feature over 70 best-selling writers, illustrators and poets.

New this year, the Library is bringing the festival direct to mobile phone users with their first-ever mobile campaign. By texting ‘BOOK’ to 61399, mobile phone users can opt-in to receive the latest festival announcements as well as author presentations and signing schedules. The text campaign is one of many interactive features to bring booklovers up-to-the minute festival information. The Library’s Twitter feed (@librarycongress, hashtag #nbf) and Facebook page already have thousands of followers.

Additionally, festival fans can now download author podcasts, which can be accessed free of charge through the Library’s website or on iTunes. The recordings feature candid interviews with award-winning authors George Pelecanos, James Patterson, Rickey Minor, Nicholas Sparks, and more. Finally, The Washington Post is hosting live online discussions in the week leading up to the festival with several participating authors, including Annette Gordon-Reed, Ken Burns, and Douglas Brinkley."

Check out the Festival website for more info!

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire is the sequel to The Hunger Games, and it truly is the book I’ve been most anticipating to read this year.It starts off a little slow, not that that’s a bad thing. It’s just not as fast-paced in the beginning as The Hunger Games. Katniss and Peeta are back in District 12 as the champions of the Hunger Games, and while their financial lives have significantly improved, they are both haunted by the events that transpired during The Hunger Games. At least Katniss finds comfort in the fact that her family is safe and well fed, and she makes an effort to help out Gale’s family as much as he’ll let her. As you can expect, things have changed between Katniss and Gale, and matters are also still unresolved between Katniss and Peeta.

While things look good on the outside, the Capitol is furious about the stunt Katniss played in the Hunger Games that resulted in the first ever occurrence of two champions. The Capitol sees it as an act of rebellion, and there are hints of rebellion in other districts. After a threatening visit by President Snow, Katniss must decide if she will follow her heart or play the part of a girl who is in love with her fellow champion. This is when things really start getting good.

A surprise twist of events fastens the pace, leaving me on the edge of my edge until the super duper cliffhanger ending.

So, what did I think about the book? It definitely lived up to my expectations. I loved the twists and turns. I loved to see Katniss coming to terms with the way her mother acted when her father died, and I suspect that this will this develop in the third book. I also think that more of Katniss’s healing abilities to come into play, and she’ll realize that she’s more like her mother than she cares to admit.

Of course, I did not expect this book to let us know who Katniss would choose—Gale or Peeta. Just when she’s leaning toward one, she starts feeling differently about the other, so I’m excited to see how that will play out. Personally, I’m on Team Peeta, but maybe that’s because I’d probably choose a baker over a hunter.

What I thought was most interesting about the book was the detailed look at many of the districts and the fever of uprising that Suzanne Collins sprinkled throughout. I think the last book is going to be the darkest one yet, and Katniss is really going to face some difficult situations and have to make some tough decisions.

My only problem with the book is the fact that I have to wait so long for the next one. I am so not good with cliffhangers, and this one was a doozie.

Have you read it yet? What did you think?

What My Children Are Reading (September 17 edition + call for hosts)

Time for the latest edition of "What My Children Are Reading!" Here is what my little daughter and I have been reading recently.


Find My Feet by Salina Yoon

In this adorable board book, six animals from a cat to a horse are missing their feet, and children are challenged to match the feet on a turning wheel with the animals on each page. The wheel is easy enough for my daughter to turn, and this book has kept her entertained since we received it. To be honest with you, we don’t read the actual text that’s on each page. Instead, I turn the wheel and ask, “Is this the cat’s feet?” She responds by saying, “No, it’s not the cat’s feet,” and so on until we do find the feet. With this pattern, she’s able to “read” the book to herself and even read it to her daddy the other day. She was so proud of herself.

ISBN: 978-0-375-85111-7 | Publisher: Robin Corey Books, 9/8/2009 | Source: Review copy from publisher


Dark Night by Dorothee De Monfreid

A little boy named Felix takes a walk through the forest at night and encounters a frightening tiger, crocodile, and wolf. Luckily, he finds himself in the home of a rabbit who has a unique way to help Felix find his way home and frighten away the scary creatures. On first reading I was worried that my little one would be scared, but she absolutely loves the simple, yet engaging story, and Dorothee de Monfreid’s charming illustrations are well worth picking up the book.

ISBN: 978-0-375-85687-7 | Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers | Source: Review copy from publisher


What’s Inside Your Tummy, Mommy? By Abby Cocovini

I reviewed this book last year, and recently introduced it to my daughter because, well, she’ll be getting her very own little brother this winter! When she first learned of the pregnancy, she didn’t really quite understand what was going on, so I brought out this book to see if it would help. It really did. At 2 ½, she doesn’t really understand or care about the technical descriptions, so I just flip through the pages and show how the little baby in the mommy’s belly grows and grows. After a couple of readings, she pointed to my belly and informed me that a baby was growing inside and that it would get really big and come out. Sooo…I consider that a success. We have to look at the book at least once or twice a day now.

ISBN: 978-0805087604 | Publisher: Henry Holt BYR, April 2008 | Source: Review Copy from publisher


Call for Hosts

So now that you know my news, I need your help! Things are going to get really busy really soon around here, and I’m already struggling with keeping up this “weekly” post that I sometimes only remember about on Thursday nights. I really love seeing what everyone else is reading with their kids, so I was hoping that some of you would be willing to host the meme on Thursdays not only to keep the meme going but to also get people linking to your blogs.

If you’d like to host, leave a comment in the post, telling me which of the following weeks you’d like. I’ll post the schedule in my side bar, so everyone will know where to go.  As a reminder, this is open to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, librarians, and anyone who reads with kids!



October 1: In Need of Chocolate

October 8: In the Dailies

October 15: Brimful Curiosities

October 22: Rebecca Reads

October 29: The Art of Irreverence



November 5: Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns

November 12: Chronicle of an Infant Bibliophile

November 19: Joey & Aleethea

November 26: Meadowbrook Kindergarten Stars

December 3: Lap Readers

December 10: books4yourkids.com

December 17: Om ~ Mama ~ Shanti

December 24:

December 31: Laughing Stars





Thanks, and I so look forward to hear what your kids have been reading this week!

The Cybils 2009

On October 1, nominations for this year's Children's and Young Adult Blogger Literary awards (Cybils) will open up. Check out the Cybils site for news and information. There's already a lot of great content up, so don't wait until October 1 to visit.

I'm Your Peanut Butter Big Brother by Selina Alko

There simply aren't enough children's books that feature interracial characters, so I did a little happy dance when this one arrived in my mailbox. In I'm Your Peanut Butter Big Brother a little boy talks to his soon-to-be brother or sister and imagines what he or she will look like. He himself is a blend of "semisweet dark Daddy chocolate bar," and "strawberry cream Mama's milk." The result? A "peanut butter big-brother-to-be." Will the new baby be "coffee with lots and lots of cream," "ginger cookie brown," or "midnight licorice purple"? The boy goes through the colors of his playmates and family and then imagines what the baby's hair, eyes, and lips will look like.

Vivid illustrations match the equally vivid descriptions, resulting in a book that celebrates the rich diversity within a family. This would make a great choice not only for interracial families who are expecting a new baby, but I also think for any child who is going to be a big brother, sister, cousin, etc. I haven't met many expectant mothers, fathers, or other family members who aren't curious about what a new baby will look like and who he or she will resemble, so this book could serve as a great discussion starter with children about what the new baby-to-be will look like. It's also portrays a very positive image of diversity, which makes me super happy to see in a children's book.

What Other Bloggers Are Saying:

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast: "It’s a book that truly celebrates family and the thrill and mystery of an impending birth, especially for a young child, as well as the extra-added and lovely in-utero riddle of multiracial children." (read more...)

Kids Lit: "It is one to be shared with new older siblings but also one that can lead to great discussions and even greater acceptance in our children." (read more...)

Mulatto Diaries: "The whimsical elaboration of possibilities makes this the rare “issues-book” you’d want to snuggle up and read with your kids. " (read more...)

ISBN: 978-0375856273 | Knopf Books for Young Readers | March 2009 | Source: Review copy from publisher | Age range: 4-8

Parents' Choice Award Winners: Books and Magazines

I've been a bit uninspired by some of the books I've recently read and haven't found any review worthy. I hope to be back soon with some great recommendations for you.

In the meantime, please check out the books that won this years Parents' Choice Awards. They're organized by genre.

While you're at it, check out of the children's magazines that also won awards.

Congrats to all of the winners!

The Fairy Tale Detectives (The Sisters Grimm, Book 1) by Michael Buckley

The Fairy Tale Detectives is the first book in Michael Buckley's "The Sister's Grimm" series. I've been meaning to read it for quite some time because I knew the thought of a mystery featuring girl sleuths and fairy tale characters would be appealing, but I only recently stumbled across it at the library.

Sabrina and Daphne Grimm's parents have been missing for a over a year, and they've been shuffled from foster home to foster home. When a mysterious and kind of kooky old lady claims to be their grandmother, their social worker is eager to send them to her. Of course, the eldest sister is filled with suspicion since her parents have always claimed that her grandmother was dead, and it takes a while to warm up to Granny Relda. When they arrive at Granny Relda's mysterious house, they soon learn that they are part of the Grimm family...yes, descendants of the Brothers Grimm. The most surprising part is that those "stories" the Grimm brothers wrote were real, and fairy tale characters are living incognito in the small town where the girls have moved. When a giant threatens the safety of the town and Granny Relda herself, it's up to the Sisters Grimm to save the day.

Sometimes when I'm reading and evaluating books for this blog, I tend to get caught up in flaws and forget that I'm supposed to be evaluating it for the audience in which the books were intended. For me, I would have liked more character development, and the writing wasn't perfect. I was a bit annoyed when the author had Puck explain who he was. After all, who HASN'T read A Midsummer Night's Dream? I then had to remind myself that most middle graders probably haven't. Yeah, us English majors can get a bit uppity sometimes.

HOWEVER, I do think that this book and the entire series will appeal to many many kids if they haven't discovered it already. I think girls especially will like the young sleuths, and if kids are familiar with fairy tales, they'll be delighted at all of the fairy tale references and Michael Buckley's interesting and unexpected depictions of them. It's fast-paced and humorous, and the end leaves a bit of suspense that begs you to read the next book.

Give this to kids who love to read about mystery and magic.

Reading level: Age 9-12 | Publisher: Amulet, April 1, 2007 | ISBN: 978-0810993228 | Source: Public library

August Carnival of Children's Literature

Happy Saturday everyone! Please enjoy the August Carnival of Children's Literature hosted at In Need of Chocolate. Sarah brings us a back-to-school theme, and you can find reviews of children's books that would work well in Social Studies, Language Arts, Physical Education, and other class subjects. You can also find read-alouds, middle-grade and YA books, and more. There are links to tons of great posts, so please check it out!

What My Children Are Reading, August 27 edition

Wow...it's hard to believe the summer is almost over. Our reading routine has definitely been inconsistent throughout the summer because we've spent a lot of time playing outside in the evenings, but as the days get shorter, I think we'll fall back into our regular reading routine. Over the past week, we've managed to read at least a little bit every day, and my daughter particularly enjoyed these books.

The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone
My daughter absolutely loves this board book. The more Grover begs her not to turn the page because there's a monster at the end of the book, the more she wants to turn it. Lovable Grover's voice is captured perfectly, and my little one has fits of giggles on each page. I remember loving this book when I was a little girl, and seeing my little girl enjoy the same book is a wonderful experience.





Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems

Yes, Mo Willems continues to be a well-loved author in our home. In this book, Wilbur, a naked mole rat dares to be a bit different and wears clothes to the other naked mole rats' horror. When members of the naked mole rat colony consult Grand-pah, the wisest naked mole rat of all, they all learn a little lesson about acceptance and daring to be different. A funny book with equally funny illustrations...highly recommended.



What are YOUR kids reading this week? Leave your comments and links in the comments section below!

What Can You Do With an Old Red Shoe? by Anna Alter

Taking care of the Earth, reusing, and recycling is very important to me, and today you see a lot of books, cartoons, commercials, and toys that aim to teach kids how to do this. However, there are few products that actually seem as if they'd be interesting to kids.

Anna Alter's What Can You Do with an Old Red Shoe?: A Green Activity Book About Reuse is an exception.

Each spread begins with a little poem about how an object is no longer fit for its original purpose, and then different animal characters show kids, step-by-step, how they can reuse the old object instead of throwing it in the garbage.

For example, with an old flip-flop, you can make a stamp. You can turn an old shoe into a planter, or use odds and ends like buttons, bottle caps, and coins to make magnets and jewelry.

The step-by-step directions are easy to follow. Some are more complicated than others and may involve help from an adult, but the book is great at letting kids know what an adult should help with and how to safely execute each activity.

Not only is this a good book that offers fun crafts and activities for families to do together, but it shows children how to help keep "junk" out of the landfill and how to turn old objects into useful items.

Reading level: Ages 4-8 | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) | March 31, 2009 | ISBN-13: 978-0805082906 | Source: Review copy from publisher

One to Ten...and back again by Betty Ann Schwartz, illistrated by Susie Shakir

This interactive "pull-the-ribbon" book has been one of my daughter's favorite books since I bought it for her over a year ago. Now that she's learning to count and can recognize all of the insects and animals in the book, she wants to "read" it all of the time.

When you turn each page of the book, a brightly colored ribbon appears with an illustration of the insect or animal featured on that particular spread. For example, on the first page, you see one bee, on the second, you see two butterflies, and so on.

Everytime you turn the page, a new ribbon appears until you get to 10. Then you can flip the book upside down and count backwards from 10 to 9.




When my daughter was smaller, she had difficulty turning the pages on her own, but now at 2 1/2, she has no trouble at all. When I first bought the book, I was uncertain about how the book would withstand not-so-gentle toddler hands, but it really does look almost brand new after over a year of hard play.

I love interactive books for young children because they help kids see that reading AND learning can be fun. Do you have any favorite interactive books in your house?

ISBN: 978-1932403275 | Smartlink Books | September 20, 2007 | Source: Bought in bookstore

What My Children Are Reading, August 20 edition

As many families in the U.S. are already back to school or getting ready to go back to school in a couple of weeks, this week I'd like families to share their reading routines/habits once the kids go back to school.

• What family reading challenges do you face when the kids go back to school?
  
• What changes do you make to your reading routine once the kids are back in school?
• Do your kids have the opportunity to "read for fun," or do they seem too slammed with school work and reading books for class assignments?
• If you're a teacher, do you have the ability to fit in "reading for fun" time into your classroom schedule?
• What are some tips you have for other parents?

Leave a link to your post in Mr. Linky below or leave a comment.

Babymouse #11: Dragonslayer by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

On August 25, Babymouse is back, and this time it's up to a hero on her school's Mathletes team to win back the coveted Golden Slide Rule from rival team, the Owlgorithms. The hero certainly can't be Babymouse because she's no good at math...or is she?

As always, Babymouse's imagination runs rampant as she daydreams about being a dragonslayer, a hobbit, one of the children in the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and more. Children who are familiar with these classic tales will find the references hilarious, but you don't have to know those books to enjoy this installment of Babymouse. It's full of the familiar snarky back and forth comments between the narrator and Babymouse and the funny situations Babymouse always seems to get herself into. And of course, Matthew Holm's black, white, and pink illustrations and the graphic novel format will make this a book that kids will want to read again and again.

I love the Babymouse books because of their kid-friendly format and because they reach out to a variety of readers from the most voracious bookworms to the most reluctant.

Random House Books for Young Readers | August 25, 2009 | ISBN: 978-0375857126 | Source: Review copy from publisher

The New York Times Children Book Reviews

I don't know why seeing children's book reviews in major publications like The New York Times thrills me, but it always does. This week, they present:

The Summer Reading Chronicle, where you can find reviews of "three recent novels they [kids] could polish off for fun before school begins."

AND


Children's Bookshelf, where you can find reviews of a few recent picture books.


I'm also thrilled that Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver is number five on the Chapter Books bestseller list . Go Maggie!

What My Children Are Reading Meme, August 6th edition

Welcome to this week's edition of "What My Children Are Reading." This week we've been on a "staycation" and have spent some quality time at the library. In fact, we'll probably go again today since it's a rainy day.

Here is what my daughter picked out at the library this week:

The Shell Book by Barbara Hirsch Lember

While the text is a bit too advanced for my two-year-old, she's captivated by the gorgeous photographs of different seashells that can be found in North America.

I think this would make a great book for children who want to learn some fascinating facts about shells and who love the beach.


Elephants: A Book for Children by Steve Bloom

This book immediately caught my little one's eye, and we've been flipping through it all week. Again, while the text is a bit too advanced for a two-year-old, the photographs of elephants in a variety of different locations and doing a number of different things from rolling in mud to getting a bath are absolutely stunning.

In fact, this may be one that we add to our permanent library at home.



What have your kids been reading this week? Leave your link with Mr. Linky or a comment.

Kidlitosphere 2009 Conference

Pam, a.k.a. MotherReader, has officially announced that it's time to sign up for this year's Kidlitosphere Conference that will be held in Washington, D.C. on October 17th.

Taken directly from Pam,
The day starts with breakfast from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m, where you can catch up with old friends or meet new ones. The sessions go from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will cover:

• The Blog Within: An Interview With Your Inner Blogger
  
• Building a Better Blog: Best Practices, Ideas, and Tips
  
• Split Reviewer/Author Sessions:
  It’s All About the Book: Better Book Reviews
  It’s Not About Your Book: Writing Ideas for Blogging Authors
  
• Split Reviewer/Author Sessions:
  Social Networking for Fun (and Profit?)
  
• Authors, Publishers, Reviewers (and ARCs): A Panel Conversation
  
• Coming Together, Giving Back: Building Community, Literacy, and the Reading Message (KidLitosphere Central/PBS/RIF/Literacy)

Read the rest of her post for more details.

There are a lot of awesome bloggers coming, so be sure to reserve your space! I plan on signing up as soon as I can secure childcare arrangements for the day.