Yesterday, the American Library Association released its 2009 list of Youth Media Awards. Drum roll please … John Newbery Award Most distinguished contribution to children’s literature. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Author), Dave McKean (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: HarperCollins (September 30, 2008) Publisher’s synopsis: Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn’t live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are…
Author: TCBR Contributor
TCBR Contributor
The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is a resource devoted to children’s literacy. We publish reviews and book lists of the best books for kids of all ages. We also produce author and illustrator interviews and share literacy based articles that help parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians to grow readers. This article was written and provided by one of TCBR's regular contributors.
Link and a Quote is my version of a coffee (or tea) break with a good piece of cake … Links: In honor of Australia day, here is a link to a fab book which will be released on March 19, by Penguin. It’s titled Wombat Walkabout, and is illustrated by Australian artist Sophie Blackall. I don’t have my own copy to make a fair review, but I had a quick glance at this whimsical wonder a few months back and feel that it’s going to be a big hit during toddler and preschool story times. The story is clever,…
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox (author) and Helen Oxenbury (illustrator) Reading level: Ages 2 – 6 Hardcover: 40 pages Publisher: Harcourt Children’s Books (October 1, 2008) Tomorrow, January 26, is Australia day. So, I just had to blog about Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. What does this book have to do with Australia day? The author, of course. Mem Fox is an Aussie and the author of my favorite Australian classic, Possum Magic. There is probably a good chance that you have heard about this book. It is getting excellent praise from all…
Link and a Quote is my version of a coffee (or tea) break with a good piece of cake … Link (or in this case, links): With the Caldecott and Newbery awards a week away (they will be announced on January 26), I have decided to share with you the predictions from one of my favorite blogs: A Fuse #8 Production From taking a peep around the blogosphere, it seems to me that the following books certainly win the people’s choice award: Newbery Savvy by Ingrid Law The Underneath by Kathi Appelt Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor Caldecott In…
[podcast]https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Emily-Gravett.mp3[/podcast] Listen: [9min 46sec] Bianca Schulze and Emily Gravett. Photo Credit: Charlie Young I’m Bianca Schulze, bringing you a conversation with award-winning author and illustrator, Emily Gravett. As you listen to her talk you’ll hear the wonderful child-like humor that is behind her great books, such as: Orange Pear Apple Bear, Wolves and Monkey and Me. The latter just happened to be the first book I blogged about. So, what better author to debut The Children’s Book Review podcasting. We begin with hearing about Emily’s book, Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears, which she was promoting at the time of…
I found the following two board books to be adorable. Even though they are by two separate authors, they completely compliment each other. Hug Hug! makes a great gift for dads (Fathers day or just because), and Kiss Kiss! is a wonderful present for moms (Mothers day or just because); collectively they make a sweet little baby shower gift. Hug Hug! by Lorie Ann Grover (author) and Rebbecca Malone (illustrator) Reading level: Ages 0 – 3 Board book: 24 pages Publisher: Little Simon (December 16, 2008) The simplicity of this book and the natural instinct all animals, including humans, have…
Link and a Quote is my version of a coffee (or tea) break with a good piece of cake … Link: Time, as in Time magazine, have a wonderful compilation of lists titled The Top Ten Everything of 2008. Of course the list I found to be most relevant to blog about was the Top Ten Children’s Books. I was happy to see a few of the books I reviewed are on the list: Too Many Toys by David Shannon – check out our interview here. The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen (author) and Dan Hanna (illustrator) – check out…
To have early childhood literacy at the forefront of the next education agenda is the goal of many. Primrose Schools, a nationwide preschool franchise, is doing something about it. This Saturday they will be donating $200K to Reach Out and Read – a national non-profit organization that promotes early literacy by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud in pediatric exam rooms across the nation. The donation will be followed by an inauguration-focused curriculum in all Primrose preschools the next week. In celebration they have put together a wonderful video of children…
I’m back! And this time I have brought a friend, Luisa LaFleur. Well actually … she’s been around for a while, but I have been a little slack at introducing her. Better late than never, right? So to bring in the new year, here is Luisa’s mini biography (also known as a biography in a nutshell): Luisa LaFleur reviews bilingual books for The Children’s Book Review to help parents choose the best books for their budding linguists. She was born in Argentina, attended school in NYC and speaks three foreign languages–Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. Formerly an editor in NYC, Luisa…
The Children’s Book Review’s new year resolution: Quality verses quantity, but quality in quantity when possible. I’m busy settling into my new pad in San Francisco, but will resume regular posting very soon. Happy new year!