Here’s an awesome video featuring the effusive and wonderful Ron Jobe talking about his favorite subject; picture books. It comes by way of Candlewick Press, renowned for their fabulous picture books.
Enjoy!
Ron Jobe and Candlewick Press celebrate picture books
19 Apr 2013 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Kids, For Parents
Boy Soup is about to go viral thanks to the CCBC & the TD Bank Group
10 Apr 2013 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Kids, For Parents
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre and the TD Bank Group have just announced the GRADE ONE BOOK GIVE AWAY title for 2013. Every grade one student across Canada (that adds up to more than 500,000 students!) will get a free copy of Loris Lesynsk’s Boy Soup. Illustrated by Michael Martchenko, Boy Soup it a delightful and imaginative picture book that is sure to encourage literacy.
More details available at www.bookcentre.ca.
Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal short list announced
12 Mar 2013 Leave a comment
in Award News, For Educators, For Kids, For Parents
The short list for the UK’s Carnegie Medal for children and young adults was announced.
THE WEIGHT OF WATER, Sarah Crossan
A GREYHOUND OF A GIRL, Roddy Doyle
MAGGOT MOON, Sally Gardner
IN DARKNESS, Nick Lake
WONDER, R. J. Palacio
MIDWINTERBLOOD, Marcus Sedgwick
A BOY AND A BEAR IN A BOAT, Dave Shelton
CODE NAME VERITY, Elizabeth Wein
Also announced was the Kate Greenaway Medal shortlist for illustrated children’s books. Both winners will be named June 19:
Lunchtime, Rebecca Cobb
Again!, Emily Gravett
Oh No, George!, Chris Haughton
I Want My Hat Back, Jon Klassen
Pirates ‘n’ Pistols, Chris Mould
King Jack and the Dragon, Helen Oxenbury (illustrator) and Peter Bently (author)
Black Dog, by Levi Pinfold
Just Ducks!, Salvatore Rubbino (illustrator) and Nicola Davies (author), Walker Books
If you’re looking for a good kid’s or teen book, these are the best of the best in the UK this year.
Canadian Children’s Book Centre Writing Contest
09 Mar 2013 1 Comment
in For Educators, For Kids, For Parents, for teens
I’ve been reading stories from grade 4 kids across Canada all week as part of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s writing contest. Some of these kids have wonderful imaginations and it’s been a treat. But, I have a lot more reading to do before I choose a winner and two runner ups.
If you haven’t sent your story in already, it’s too late to participate this year.
But, it’s never to early to start working on next year’s entry. The contest is free, and all you have to do to qualify is be a Canadian student in grades 4-12 and send your story in to the Canadian Children’s Book Centre. And there are great prizes too! So don’t miss out next year.
Stories by home-schooled students are welcome.
Write For A Better World
28 Dec 2012 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Kids, For Parents Tags: Eric Walters, World Literacy Canada, Write For A Better World, writing contest
World Literacy Canada has a new writing contest that you won’t want to miss. It’s a totally cool concept, and there are super prizes for the winners that include $500 and an e-reader, and of course, books.
The idea is that you finish the story that Eric has started. Yep, it’s that simple….
Ok ok…there is one little catch. You have to write about a place that’s new to you; the things that are different , AND the things that are the same.
Here’s Eric’s part of the story:
I felt like I had been shot out of a cannon. Who were these people? Where in the world was I? Before I could even get my bearings I was almost run over by. . .
You have 400 words to finish the story.
Interested? Here’s the link to find out more.
NYT Notable Children’s Books of 2012
28 Nov 2012 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Kids, For Parents, for teens
The New York Times has released it’s Notable Children’s Books of 2012. I’m in the middle of reading Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore which is on the list of Young Adult reads, and I couldn’t agree more.
It’s a great list, so check it out. I also noticed that I’m Bored written by Michael Ian Black and illustrated by our own Debbie Ridpath Ohi is on their picture book list. Congrats Debbie!
2012 Canadian Children’s Literature Awards
22 Nov 2012 Leave a comment
in Award News, For Educators, For Kids, For Parents Tags: 2012 Canadian Children's Literature Awards
Congratulations to the winners and to the authors and illustrators of books short-listed for the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s 2012 Children’s Literature Awards. They are an amazing array of wonderful books that range from picture books for young children to gritty mysteries for teens. Visit the Book Centre for more info. http://www.bookcentre.ca/news/ccbc_award_winners_2012 (note: follow the links to more about each of these books, and those short-listed is on the left side of the page). These titles represent some of the best in Canadian Children’s books this year.
Alif Laila Book Society & IBBY Pakistan support Malala Yousfzai
14 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in For Educators, For Kids, For Parents, for teens Tags: Alif Laila Book Bus Society, Girls have a right to education, IBBY, Malala Yousufzai
Dear Readers,
Nanna Aldrich Murakami’s Photos
I’m sure you’ve all heard about young Malala Yousufzai, the young 14 year old girl who was shot by the Taliban for nothing more than wanting an education and speaking out about it. Here’s a chance to offer more than outrage. How about helping creating a library at her school by assisting the Alif Laila Book Bus Society (they also want to set up mini libraries like mine through out Lahore, Pakistan) and IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People). You can send donations through the contact below. But, even if you can’t help finiancially, you can support Malala Yousufzai with cards, drawings and letters so that this she knows that the world is behind her. Please help if you can.
The letter requesting support follows.
Dear Friends,
I write to share with you news from Pakistan that has saddened the hearts of all. On the 9th of October, Malala Yousufzai ,aged 14, who has been active in denouncing the closure of girls schools by the Taliban in Swat in 2009, and who continued her education despite threats, was shot in the head on her way back from school. Two of her friends, also in the bus, were injured as well.Malala epitomizes courage and allows all of us to see that single acts of bravery can, and, do become movements. We are grateful to this young campaigner for encouraging Pakistanis to stand up and be counted.Alif Laila/IBBY Pakistan is setting up a library in Malala’s school and has organized a KEEP SMILING card campaign for Malala and her two friends. We aim to make this the longest and most colourful card in the world’s history. For this we need your active support.Please become a member of this campaign by encouraging children to write messages and create drawings that are full of hope and will make the girls happy, and hopefully, assist in their recovery. We also want them to know how compassionately the world has responded to their plight and how they are not alone in their struggle.Please email us your contributions by the 20th of October. Emails can be sent to:
bmk_al@yahoo.com
Thank you for your time and support.
Basarat Kazim
President
Alif Laila Book Bus Society
IBBY Pakistan
Orca Book Launch
12 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in For Kids, For Parents, for teens, News
If you plan to be in Victoria on November 5th, come by Bolen’s Books help launch seven new books.
It’s free and it’ll be fun so see you there!
Sheryl McFarlane 