The New York Public Library has recently been featuring a series of Children’s Literary Salons that has me wishing I lived a tad closer to New York. The lastest was a panel on humor in kid’s books that included: Laurie Keller, Nick Bruel, David Roman, and Jules Feiffer. Elizabeth Bird moderated. Although I have zero talent, I have nothing but admiration for writers who can make their audiences laugh. So, I was delighted to see an article in Publisher Weekly, “The Good, the Bad, and the Funny: Authors Talk Humor in Children’s Books”. It’s well worth a gander, even if you’re like me and haven’t a funny bone in your body.
Humor in Kids’ Books ought to get more respect
10 Dec 2011 Leave a comment
in Events, For Educators, For Parents Tags: humor in kids books
Human Rights, and Human Reality
06 Dec 2011 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Parents, News Tags: Hilary Clinton, human rights declaration, UN
According to the UN Human Rights Declaration, All people are born free and equal in dignity and rights. This is not conferred by governments but is a birthright of all people. “Because we are human, we therefore have rights. Because we have rights, governments are bound to protect them.”
One of the great accomplishments of the last century came on the tailcoats of one of the our history’s greatest shames…In order to protect the humanity and dignity of all people, on December 10th, 1948, the UN Assembly voted in favor of adopting the UN Declaration of Human Rights.
Although a few abstained, there wasn’t a single vote that opposed this important declaration which was carried by an overwhelming majority. Have a listen to Hillary Clinton’s landmark speech to the UN. She couldn’t be more clear. She has never been more persuasive.
Pamela Paul sees the wonder and the magic in books for kids
06 Dec 2011 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Parents Tags: children's book reviews, NYT Book Review, Pamela Paul
You may have noticed a few changes to the children’s section of the New York Times Book Review over the last year; expanded pages devoted to children’s books, short thematic book review groupings on Sundays, and a weekly, in depth on-line picture book review. Pamela Paul, children’s book editor, is the driving force behind these changes and she has more improvements planned (the expansion of the Notable Children’s Book List from eight books to twenty-five is one change in the works but there are others). While many newspapers are shrinking their children’s book coverage in favor of covering technology, Paul has no difficulty seeing the wonder and magic in books for young people. She expects to “… to provide expanded coverage of everything from board books and middle grade stories to young adult fiction and nonfiction. There are so many ways to tell a story. I’m trying to make room for them all.”
So, if you haven’t checked out the children’s book pages of the New York Times Book Review lately, it’s time to stop by. I guarantee that you won’t regret it. Their breadth of coverage of children’s and young adult literature is refreshing.
REEL: Children and Poetry by Joel Shapiro
05 Dec 2011 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Kids, For Parents, for teens, interviews Tags: children and poetry
REEL: Children and Poetry by Joel Shapiro is an interview with children that is articulate, inspiring, and truly wonderful. I love the fact that the film maker chose not to include the interviewer, letting the children’s words carry the film. Thank you Joel Shapiro for a most wonderful film.
Quinhagak, Alaska’s version of the Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah
03 Dec 2011 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Kids, For Parents, for teens Tags: Alaska, Hallelujah Chorus, Quinhagak
This little gem of video footage comes by way of a retired teacher friend of mine in Alaska, Barbie Jackson. Back when Barbie and I first met, in Ottawa in the early 1970’s, we were both a little homesick around Xmas time and went to the sing along version of The Messiah. When she sent me this little treasure made in Quinhagak, Alaska yesterday, it brought all those wonderful memories rushing back. Just so you know, Quinhagak is a tiny community of about 500 located about a mile from the Bering Sea near the Aleutian Islands . This video has broken a million views and I won’t be surprised if it doubles that by this Xmas. You can easily see why. It was made last year, just before Xmas, by the students, some community members and a grade five teacher whose students were too embarrassed to perform the Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah in a Xmas concert. The teacher came up with this idea instead. I love teachers. I love how creative and yet how simple this is. It totally warmed my heart. Thank you Barbie. Friendship is a treasure isn’t it.
This is an incredibly moving video made by non-professionals that will bring a tear to the eye of even the most jaded!
2012 Canadian Children’s Book Week: Applications due soon
28 Nov 2011 Leave a comment
in For Educators Tags: 2012 Canadian Children's Bookweek
***REMINDER!****
Book Week 2012 Application Deadline: November 30, 2011
The deadline for schools and libraries to apply to host an author, illustrator or storyteller in their school or library during Book Week 2012 is next week (November 30, 2011). Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to have your students meet an author, illustrator or storyteller and discover the wonderful world of books and stories!
Apply online today! www.bookweek.ca/application
If you have questions? Please contact:
Shannon Howe Barnes | Program Coordinator
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre | Suite 217, 40 Orchard View Blvd. | Toronto | Ontario | M4R 1B9
T: 416 975-0010 x 227 | F: 416 975-8970 | shannon@bookcentre.ca
Writing Contest for Kids & Teens
28 Nov 2011 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Kids, For Parents, for teens Tags: Canadian Children's Book Centre, Writing Contest for Kid & Teens
Book Week 2012 Writing Contest for Kids & Teens
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre is running a Writing Contest for Kids & Teens in celebration of TD Canadian Children’s Book Week 2012 (May 5 – 12, 2012).
The contest is open to students in Grades 4 to 12. One winner from each grade will receive a $250 gift certificate to the bookstore of his or her choice!
Deadline for entries is February 1, 2012.
More information is available here.
Look what the Vancouver Public Library is up to!
27 Nov 2011 Leave a comment
in Events, For Educators, For Kids, For Parents, for teens, Help for writers, News Tags: Vancouver Public Library Free For All
Libraries are so cool. Look what the Vancouver Public Library is up to…
Posted on November 6, 2011 by daphnewood
Free-for-all: it’s a vibrant mix of your perspectives and suggestions. It’s a new way to discover your Library, and to shape the Library of the Future.
From now through to the Fall of 2012, we’ll be focusing on four different themes that are critical to the future of public libraries.
Join us in person, on line, or take one of our Conversation Kits into the community and take part in the Free-for-all exchange of ideas.
Choose your own adventure: November 29
Posted on November 6, 2011 by daphnewood
On Tuesday, November 29 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. we invite you to Choose Your Own Adventure and explore the topic of public places and learning spaces. We provide you with a story to follow, set in the Central Library. You decide where the story leads, based on the choices you make along the way. You will meet fellow adventurers, engage with Library staff, and take part in fun activities. Your comments will be used to help the Library make important decisions about how we operate and what we offer.
You could win one of three prizes:
- An exclusive guided tour of the Central Library green roof – a hands-on adventure
- An iPod nano – an audio adventure
- A bag of new books – a visual adventure
The City of Vancouver supports the Library so that everyone can use it – for free. It’s your library system. Come and join the free-for-all exchange of ideas and shape the library of the future.
Can’t make it down to the Central Library on November 29? Not a problem! Check out ourConversation Kit. Explore the material together with family members, friends, neighbours, colleagues – you too will be eligible for our prize draw on December 15.
Posted in Events | 3 Comments
Conversation Kits
Posted on November 6, 2011 by daphnewood
We welcome your ideas and your participation in our Free-for-all series. We have developed a Conversation Kit, packed with fun activities to get your creativity flowing. The Kit also contains interesting facts about the future of public libraries.
Follow three easy steps:
- Step 1* – Open the Conversation Kit about Public Spaces and Learning Places
- Step 2 – Follow the story and start your adventure! (This is an interactive document. At the bottom of page 1, you will be asked to make a choice. Click the option you like best. The story will continue automatically, based on your choice!).
- Step 3 – Email your Kit to the Vancouver Public Library. Easy one-step instructions are provided once you’ve reached one of two possible endings. That’s it!
*Note: Functionality is limited for Google Chrome users.
For those who would like to take part in a community adventure, join us on November 29. Discover the Central Library like you’ve never seen it before!
Did we mention the PRIZES…?
If you include your name and contact information in the Kit, online or in person at the event, you will be eligible to win a prize. In November, as part of our choose your own adventure theme, we’re featuring three choices for our lucky winners:
- An exclusive guided tour of the Central Library green roof – a hands-on adventure
- An iPod nano – an audio adventure
- A bag of new books – a visual adventure
Choose Your Own Adventure(R) at home, at work, with friends or family…pickup additional copies of our Conversation Kit at any VPL location and get started. Return the Kits to any location of the Vancouver Public Library by December 14. (There are 22 convenient locations across Vancouver).
Good luck, and thank you for exploring the future with us.
Sheryl McFarlane 