• Lifestyle

    A Renaissance of Children's Literature

    I saw this terminology (or something very similar) on Twitter over the past week and it seems to continually be popping up after hearing many librarians, teachers, parents and kids enjoying soooooo many of this year’s books published for children. Don’t get me wrong, according to statistics, the publishing world…

  • Lists

    2016 Nerdies – All the Books You Need to Read!

    The 2016 Nerdies are beginning to be announced and I’ll update the list as more winners are released through January 3rd. This is a great list of books that are often times overlooked for ALA Awards (not to say there weren’t discussed as possibilities, but did not win an award…

  • Lifestyle

    Over the River and Through the Woods…

    I’m heading to my parents’ for the holiday weekend today. It’s about a five hour drive and although I couldn’t find any audiobooks I wanted to listen to, I downloaded a bunch of episodes of podcasts that I’ve been neglecting to get me through the ride.  If you listen to…

  • Lists

    It's That Time of Year…

    The “best of the best” lists are coming out in droves (as usual).  These lists usually have many of the same suspects on them with a little variation and that is what I like.  Making sure I get my hands on all the heavy hitters of the year.  Especially this…

  • Reviews

    Kid’s Review: Odd Duck

    I’m going to try starting a new aspect of my blog with some of the kids I know at the library reviewing books they love (or don’t!).  My first reviewer is “S”, a coworker’s daughter who I’ve known for a number of years.  She’s in middle school now and is…

  • Lists

    National Book Award Shortlist 2016

    The National Book Foundation has released the shortlist for this year’s National Book Award.  So, if you’re looking for something new to read, check out this list and pick up a book you might not have if you passed it on the shelf of your local library or independent bookstore.…

  • Lifestyle

    CYBILS Nominations Open

    I was given the distinct pleasure of being a CYBILS judge last fall and although I spent a lot of time reading a lot of nonfiction titles – it was an amazing experience to be a part of!  I would have loved to be a judge again this year, but…

  • Lists

    Building a Home Library

    Check out the Children’s Book Council’s 2016 Building a Home Library booklist created by the  ALSC’s Quicklists Consulting Committee and the  ALA-Children’s Book Council (CBC) Joint Committee, of which I am a part of.  These booklists are created every other year and include not only classic stories, but newly published material…