Links, Awards, and The Edge of the Forest

I'm taking a few moments to share some interesting posts and news I've seen over the past couple of days.

Links:
First off, Rebecca at Rebecca Reads shares a story about a recent trip to the library where a lady commented that her eight-month old son was too young to be reading books. Rebecca asks the very important question, "Is there such a thing as too young for books?" I'm sure you all know what I think about that, but go on over and let Rebecca know what you think.

Jen at Jen Robinson's Book Page and Amanda at A Patchwork of Books are both giving away five copies of Mary E. Pearson's new young adult novel, The Adoration of Jenna Fox. I have a copy sitting on my shelf but haven't had the opportunity to read it, although I've read great reviews everywhere. If you'd like a chance to win a copy, Amanda's contest ends Sunday evening, 6/22, and Jen's ends Tuesday, 6/24 at 9:00 AM Pacific Standard Time, so hurry over and sign up.

And while you're over at Jen's site, check out her very fun post about Father's in Children's Literature. She lists the five best and worst fathers from her 2008 children's/YA literature reading.

Speaking of father's in children's literature, that's the theme of this month's Carnival of Children's Literature, hosted by Susan Taylor Brown. Her deadline for submissions is today, so if you want to contribute, be sure to submit your article today at this site.

Book awards
This week, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards were announced in three categories:

• Fiction and Poetry: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, illustrated by Ellen Forney
  
• Nonfiction: The Wall by Peter Sís
• Picture Book: At Night by Jonathan Bean

A special citation was also given to Sean Tan's graphic novel, The Arrival. Visit the Horn Book Site to read more about the awards, the books, and the honor books that were named.

The Edge of the Forest
Finally, the June issue of The Edge of the Forest, the online children's literature journal is up. Thanks to Kelly for listing the features:

• An interview with singer-songwriter—and author of Middle Grade fiction—Dar Williams, by YA author Carrie Jones.
• Poet J. Patrick Lewis graces The Edge of the Forest with a bittersweet original poem.
• Sarah Stevenson (a.fortis) and TadMack (Tanita S. Davis) talk vampires in Fiction with Fangs.
• Not one, but two Summer Reading features: Julie M. Prince takes reading to the pool and Sarah Mulhern suggests summertime reading for kids of all ages.
• Gail Gauthier is this month's Blogging Writer.
• We have three great columns this month: Candice Ransom considers The Long Summer for A Backward Glance, teacher Stacy Dillon gives us her students' picks for Kid Picks, and Little Willow tells us What's in Teens' Backpacks this summer.
• Reviews in all categories—from Picture book to Young Adult.