Here are the rest of the 2012 Children’s and Young Adult book awards…”The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the top books, video and audiobooks for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards – at its Midwinter Meeting in Dallas.”
Month: January 2012
Books for Kids Who Hate Reading
I discovered this really excellent list of books to hook reluctant readers by SchoolBusProject.com. I love how it’s organized by topics and also that it has a range of books within each topic for different ages and abilities. Finally, I love how the books are so well chosen out with many award winning books across a whole jumble of children’s book awards as well as books that I know kids truly enjoy. Even if your child is not a reluctant reader, scan the list. There are discoveries waiting to be made here!
A Wrinkle in Time: Can You Believe It’s Been 50 Years?!
I remember reading A Wrinkle in Time about — dating myself — 35 years ago and how much I loved this book and this author. It was as if entire worlds opened up for me; suddenly science was something mysterious and exciting, as it should be, not something to toil over and memorize. Is it because it’s a tale of a classic theme of good versus evil; light against dark? No, there is so much more to this book. Madeleine l’Engle is not just a great storyteller, but a scientist, dreamer and philosopher.
14 Great Lunar New Year Books for Kids
Chinese New Year is February 3rd in 2011. It’s the Year of the Rabbit. Is this your year? If so, you were born in 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 (don’t forget to adjust for the Chinese New Year start date). Rabbits are known for being lucky, kind and peaceful. They get along well with sheep and pigs (those born in the Year of the Sheep and the Year of the Pig, not the actual animals necessarily).
Toys My Kids Played with for Years
I wish that I ponied up the money for these expensive toys that stand the test of time: wooden toy kitchen from Community Playthings, large wooden blocks from Community Playthings, and MagnaTiles.
Best Graphic Novels for Readers, Reluctant or Otherwise (ages 3-16)
I am a believer in graphic novels as a legitimate way to read and tell a rich story. This genre is new to me so I had an assist by a Mom friend with a decent library of them. Thanks Lynn!
Grace Lin’s Dumpling Days: Delicious as Always!
To say that Grace Lin speaks to the Asian American experience is probably not specific enough and, simultaneously, also much greater than that. As a sensei (sorry, I’m half Japanese and this means second generation in Japanese), Grace speaks poignantly of the pushes and pulls between her homeland and her “Americanization” conflicts that stem from trying to find the space where she fits in and yet connects with her ethnicity. I especially love Grace Lin’s Pacy series. The Year of the Dog is where Pacy discovers her career path in writing and illustrating books. The Year of the Rat has Pacy dealing with big changes coping from the loss of her best friend — the only other Asian American girl in her class who moves away to California. In real life, this happens to Grace as well, and this best friend turns out to be her future editor!