I’ve always had a desire to change the world, to make it a better place. When I was young, I gravitated to peace groups, literacy groups, organizations like UNICEF, CODE Canada, and Amnesty International. The desire for change may have burned stronger when I was young than it does now that I’m in my fifties, but it’s still a flame that lights my way. I was heartened to see that Amnesty International was given the “keys” to the Guardian’s teen book site for a day. Here’s why:
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing’s going to get better: it’s not,” said Dr Seuss’s Lorax.
Amnesty International, the organisation of ordinary people from around the world standing up for humanity and human rights, think that the Lorax has got it right and it’s down to all of us to make a difference in the world.
Here’s the link if you want to read more. I hope you do.
My friend 
If you haven’t heard of Linda Bailey, get on out and today and pick up one of her hilarious and endearing Stanley books. You won’t regret it. Linda is the award-winning author of Goodnight Sweet Pig, the Stevie Diamond Mysteries, and the Good Times Travel Agency series. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.
For parents who are desperately trying to raise readers, 
If you are 12 or under, or if you have a child who is 12 or under, check out the cool new feature the New York Times is running called “
In my humble opinion, A Monster Calls deserves to be the monster hit it seems to have become, despite the initial reluctance on the part of some gate keepers who found it too dark and too sad for children. It is sad. It is dark. How could it not be? It’s the story of a thirteen year old boy whose mother is dying. Frankly, children sometimes need to read dark, sad books. Sometimes children have to deal with terrible things in their lives; the loss of a parent, bullying, poverty, rejection. Reading about sad things that happen to a protagonist in a book can make a child feel less alone. It can help children whose lives have not been touched by strife understand and empathize with those who have been less fortunate.
I was so sad to read that, according to a British study, 2/3 of parents aren’t reading to their babies, and most of those don’t own any books. Rich language opportunities are so very important for babies and young children. Reading, finger games, rhymes and songs are all part of rich language experiences. One way to improve on the number of children with access to books is Bookstart programs or Books for Babies programs. Mums of newborns are given free books to take home from the hospital. It’s a fabulous program, and guess what, it works!
A downloadable Kindle version of Scars by Cheryl Rainfield is 
Sheryl McFarlane 