Teachers, librarians, readers, educators, parents, authors and illustrators, and book lovers in general not only like to read books but they like to talk about books and share opinions and reactions. The world of blogging has allowed these like-minded lovers of books to do that and in an immediate fashion. As blogging has become more and more popular and accepted as a method for sharing book and publishing information, educators are now following recommended or favorite blogs. Each day seems to bring an awareness of another new blog. The KidLitosphere (www.kidlitosphere.org/bloggers) website offers a gateway website where the community of children’s/YA bloggers can come together and share the excitement of wonderful books—sometimes new books, some gathered thematically, some for special needs or areas. Bloggers have even created and organized their own awards for books, the Cybils (www.cybils.com) for one and also The Independent Book Blogger Award (www.goodreads.com/book_blogger_award/entry/573).
This week the International Reading Association's Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group presents just a few of the many wonderful blogs available to readers today.
BLOGS FOR PRIMARY TEACHERS AND/OR PICTURE BOOK LOVERS
Jen Robinson’s Book Page
http://jkrbooks.typepad.com
This popular blog is for librarians, teachers, and parents. Jen promotes a love of reading and literacy by posting every couple of days a lengthy book review and literacy news. She shares programs and studies in the field of literacy, children’s literature, and young adult literature. In the sidebars she includes the book title she is currently reading and the audio book she is listening to. In addition, old posts are available such as raising a reader, getting kids to read, and family reading partnerships. All of her book reviews are archived and available from 2006 to present. Furthermore, Jen sends out a weekly newsletter via e-mail. This blog is a must read for everyone.
~ Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver
The Picture Book Junkies
by Deb Melmon, Roz Fulcher, Gina Perry Kathy Weller, and Alicia Padron
http://pbjunkies.blogspot.com
A group of five professional illustrators, all addicted to picture books, write this PBJ blog. They share picture books they are reading for inspiration, interviews with other illustrators, and just released book titles and reviews. In addition, they share photographs of their studios, open up their portfolios, and share some of the illustrations they are creating and the different tools they are using such as Adobe Illustrator. Each blog post is brief and to the point. Each Friday is illustration Friday where one completed picture is revealed and explained. In one post, Alicia Padron discussed two new releases—Teatime Baby and Bathtime Baby—and what she learned as she was working on the illustrations.
~Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver
A Year of Reading
by Mary Lee Hahn and Franki Sibberson
http://readingyear.blogspot.com
These two teachers review children’s books, share stories from their teaching, and review professional books. Every Friday they participate in Poetry Friday and share a poem. One recent story by Franki titled “Teachers as readers (and runners)” compares learning to read to learning to run. She emphasizes that she had many friends who were cheerleaders, encouraging her to keep running, yet hiring a coach, a teacher, was critical. She reminds us that children deserve a teacher who is a reader just like she needed a coach who was a runner. She noted that many friends gave her tips on running. This is the same with children who learn so much from other readers about reading. Ultimately students need teachers who they can trust to teach them about reading because they are readers.
~ Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver
BLOGS FOR K-8
Blue Rose Girls; Children’s Book Professionals Talk about Books (and Other Things)
by Anna Alter, Libby Koponen, Grace Lin, Alvina Ling, Elaine Magliaro, Meghan McCarthy, and Linda S. Wingerter
http://bluerosegirls.blogspot.com
One of the unique elements of this children’s literature blog is the fact that it is written by several individuals. The blog describes the contributors as authors, illustrators, an editor, and a former librarian. A photograph at the top of the blog shows the writers, and the blog itself is enhanced because it derives from so many different perspectives which give it richness. The blogs written by these women typically have little to do with previous blog entries, but instead represent the writers’ ruminations about children’s books or whatever crosses their minds. Thus, for instance, Anna may share sketches for a new book on which she is working, Elaine may share original poems, Libby may ponder the promises and perils of writers’ conferences, Alvina may describe some of her book-related travels, and Grace may describe some of her school visits. As might be expected, the writing is lively and conversational, and readers of the blog often come away feeling as though they’ve eavesdropped on an interesting private conversation. There are always interesting clips to view or pictures from school visits to view. The blog was established in 2006 with 208 entries, 289 in 2011, and 75 so far this year. Information about the Red Rose Girls, three groundbreaking women’s illustrators whose paths inspired the bloggers and gave rise to the blog’s name, is provided on the blog.
~ Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman
educating alice
by Monica Edinger
http://medinger.wordpress.com
Since September 2006, Dalton School teacher Monica Edinger has maintained a lively blog whose name was inspired by the fourth grade teacher’s love for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. In her blog, she includes YouTube clips, interviews with authors and illustrators, children’s and young adult book reviews, ideas for incorporating children’s literature in the classroom, information on award-winning children’s books, and ruminations on happenings in the New York City scene. Her blog is easy to read with snappy language and a distinct voice. For teachers looking for books to share with their students but especially ways to use those books in creative ways, this is a great blog to read.
~ Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman
100 Scope Notes: Children’s Literature News and Reviews
by Travis Jonker
http://100scopenotes.com
As the title indicates, this blog by Michigan elementary school librarian Travis Jonker, includes reviews as well as up to date information in the field of children’s literature. Divided into Best New Books; Articles; Covers; News; and Reviews, this blog covers a great deal of information. A favorite spot is the Poem Spine Gallery of photographs of book spines that build to create a poem. Author interviews, videos, news articles, cover talk and of course, new book reviews are available on this informational blog.
~ Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast (nick-named 7-Imp)
by Julie “Jules” Danielson
http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings
Founded in 2006, one of the early blogs on the scene, blogger Julie “Jules” Danielson of Smyrna, Tennesee, first wrote about children’s books of all sorts with her friend Eisha. Now blogging solo, her emphasis has shifted somewhat to focus on illustration including picture books and illustrated novels. Julie is a sign language interpreter, a children’s librarian, a columnist for Kirkus Reviews, and a mom. The title of the blog comes from Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass. Julie especially likes to do author and illustrator interviews and this is strength of this blog. Archived blogs are easily accessed back to August 2006. Lists of other good blogs and children’s book websites are included in sidebars.
~ Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
BLOGS FOR YOUNG ADULT (YA) EDUCATION
Cynsations; a source for conversations, publishing information, writer resources & inspiration, bookseller-librarian-teacher appreciation, children’s-YA book news & author outreach
by Cynthia Leitech Smith
http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com
The subtitle of this blog says it all! Cynthia Leitech Smith of Austin, Texas, created this blog in 2004 and it has become one of the most visited blogs on the internet for children’s and YA literature. Cynthia, an author in her own right, offers a wide variety of information including book giveaways, articles, quick tidbits and “shorts,” book trailers, new releases, reviews, publishing industry news, conference announcements and notes, author events and up-to-the minute book happenings across the country. Cynthia says of Cynsations: “The blog has on ongoing commitment to new voices, books/creators from underrepresented cultures, creative risk takes, quality mid-listers, rising and well-established stars.” Viewers are invited to comment about posts.
~ Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
The Goddess of YA Literature: Pearls from the Goddess
by Teri Lesesne
http://professornana.livejournal.com
One blog that I never miss reading is this one by bibliophile Teri Lesesne who is a professor of children’s and young adult literature at Sam Houston State University. In addition to book covers accompanying brief reviews of current children’s literature, including picture books, and YA titles, Teri comments on controversial issues such as censorship, testing, and the common core standards. She often shares pictures of her cat, Scout, and ruminations on whatever strikes her fancy, provided that it relates to books in some way. She also posts hilarious YouTube clips that express the love of reading while generously sharing her presentations—the complete book lists and the entire presentations—with blog readers. Anyone who plans to teach reading in elementary, middle, or high school needs to check out her blog as a starting place for making a list of essential books to read. The blog itself is well organized with alphabetical tags along the right hand side of the page that allow readers to click on a tag or topic and identify all the books Lesesne has read that fit the topic. Including the tags below a handy calendar makes navigating this blog quite smooth. Lesesne was one of the early bloggers, beginning this one in October 2004 with six entries for that month. Over the next few years, she has blogged just about every day, an impressive feat given the number of conferences she attends, presentations she makes, and books she reads. This one is not to be missed.
~ Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman
MULTICULTURAL BLOGS
American Indians in Children’s Literature
by Debbie Reese
http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com
Teachers and critical readers of literature for children and teens have come to rely on this blog written by Debbie Reese, a Nambe Pueblo Indian woman, since 2006. The blog’s purpose is to provide a place where children’s and young adult literature featuring indigenous peoples may be examined critically. The blog also explores issues concerning school curriculum, popular culture, and society. Thus, Reese and the contributors to her blog have taken careful looks at many books often used in today’s classrooms, such as Arrow to the Sun, the Little House on the Prairie series, Touching Spirit Bear, and the Twilight saga, among others. By examining these materials through indigenous eyes, readers often come to regard them differently or at least have their own perspectives on the books expanded. In addition, the blog explores relevant issues such as the removal of Mexican-American Studies classes in the Tucson Unified School District in Arizona or the inclusion of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods as an exemplary read aloud according to the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. The blog site is easy to navigate and even includes links to relevant full text articles as well as archived discussions. Reese posts frequently, writing 111 entries during the blog’s first year in 2006, and posting 77 times so far this year. Although Reese does not pretend to be the voice for all First Nation peoples, this is clearly the go-to blog for anyone interested in starting to explore literature that depicts indigenous peoples. The writing is thoughtful and engaging and always adds to my own knowledge of literature.
~ Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman
Book Dragon; Produced by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program
by Terry Hong
http://bookdragon.si.edu
The blogger is Terry Hong, the former Media Arts Consultant for the APAP and project director for the Smithsonian Korean American Centennial Commemoration. Though the emphasis is on books by and about Asian and Asian Pacific Americans, books from every ethnicity and culture are included. The blog started in 2009, but many posts were loaded from previous articles. An extensive list of categories is found on the right sidebar to search and explore this blog. Links to international and multicultural activities and organizations are also found in sidebar information. Reviews give a well developed sense of the book and offer links to authors and other topics.
~ Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
Children Kissed by the Sun; a blog dedicated to African American Children’s Literature
by Candid Taylor-Brandon
www.childrenkissedbythesun.blogspot.com
This is a relatively new blog on the scene begun in 2011 by Candid Taylor-Brandon from Flint, Michigan. With a deep interest in her own African American culture she has brought author interviews, book reviews and multicultural articles to readers. Blog archive information is found at the bottom of each blog page rather than in sidebars on the right. Lengthy booklists and suggestions for companion books are given with each new book reviewed.
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
Mitali’s Fire Escape; a safe place between cultures to chat about books
by Mitali Perkins
www.mitaliblog.com
Author Mitali Perkins has created a multicultural blog to have a place where teachers, parents and young readers can find new books especially as they pertain to intercultural understanding. Mitali offers a writing contest each year that she sponsors personally. Tips for writing, numerous book award announcements, links to other blogs and bloggers, and an easily searched archive are part of Mitali’s Fire Escape.
~ Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
Paper Tigers: Speaking of multicultural books for young readers, world literacy, and more...
www.papertigers.org/wordpress
The Paper Tigers blog is the companion to the Paper Tigers website. The blog features “news and views about multicultural children’s and YA books, and literacy issues from around the world. Regular features include book reviews, including Books at Bedtime, participation in the Kidlitosphere’s Poetry Friday, and our monthly Eventful World calendar of children’s literature events around the world.” Archives date back to May of 2007. Nine eclectic international women are the bloggers responsible for this blog. For another multicultural blog and companion website, check out WOW and WOW Currents at http://wowlit.org/blog.
~ Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
POETRY BLOG
Poetry for Children
by Sylvia Vardell
http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com
Sylvia Vardell, a professor at Texas Woman’s College and former chair of the NCTE Excellence in Poetry for Children Award Committee, maintains a blog that is sure to dispel many of the fears beginning teachers have about using poetry in the classroom. Vardell, who has written this blog since 2006 when she posted 42 entries, includes coming attractions in children’s poetry and lists of recently published poetry books as well as short videos of the poets reading their own poetry at various conferences. She also includes snippets from her travels to international conferences, interviews with poets, and book trailers created by her students. In addition to archives of previous blog entries, readers will be able to click on her list of poet links, ranging from Arnold Adoff to Tracie Vaughn Zimmer (91 in total), given them even more poetic resources by allowing them to follow the link to each poet’s website. Her passion for poetry knows no bounds, and is clear to anyone who spends more than five minutes on this blog that this woman eats, drinks, and sleeps poetry. So far in 2012 she’s blogged 50 different times.
~ Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman
NONFICTION BLOGS
I.N.K.; Interesting nonfiction for kids
http://inkrethink.blogspot.com
This nonfiction group blog is a little different. The blogger group represents a host of nonfiction authors for children. The companion website is Ink Think Tank (http://www.inkthinktank.com). With the emphasis on nonfiction in the Common Core State Standards we wanted to conclude with information to access current nonfiction. The archives go back to the first blog post of January 2008 and literally hundreds of pages and posts bring this blog through to today. An extensive index of topics can be found on the right sidebar in addition to numerous monthly articles where the authors talk about their writing craft, storytelling and narrative, research techniques, finding ideas and some unusual “tidbits” that the authors share. They also discuss how illustrations are part of the “artist’s vision of the world” and how these pictures integrate into the text. RSS feeds are available as well as daily email posts sent directly to viewers.
Other nonfiction blogs readers will find interesting:
- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant
This piece is part of weekly children's and young adult literature reviews from the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG).