Features
from your Guide, Elizabeth Kennedy

Children's Books about the Wright Brothers, 12/17/03
Here are three recommended books about the Wright Brothers and their invention of the airplane: a picture book, a chapter book for beginning readers, and a biography for 9-12 year olds.

The Magic of Ezra Jack Keats, 12/8/03
Winter is the perfect season to read about the talented artist and writer Ezra Jack Keats, the author of the classic "The Snowy Day."

The Wit and Wisdom of Aesop's Fables, 11/23/03
Aesop's Fables appeal to all ages, and these three picture books are particularly appealing because of the outstanding artwork in them.

"A Poke in the I", 11/3/03
You and your children will enjoy this exuberantly illustrated collection of concrete poems.

Spotlight on Author Sharon Creech, 10/25/03
Sharon Creech has won numerous awards for her children's novels, including the Newbery Medal and the Carnegie Award. If you are looking for a good book for your 9-12 year old child, try one of her novels.

Top Picks: Halloween Books, 10/6/03, updated 10/25/03
Whether your child is a preschooler, a beginning reader, or somewhere in between, I have an engaging Halloween book to recommend.

The Amelia Bloomer Project, 9/29/03
If you are looking for children’s books that feature strong female characters, you’ll be interested in the Amelia Bloomer Project. The Project recognizes notable children's books with its annual list of recommended feminist books for youth.

Book Review: "September 11: Attack on New York City", 9/7/03
In his 140 page long book for children 11 and older, Wilborn Hampton sensitively presents the story of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001.

Golden Books: A Treasury of Children's Literature, 9/4/03
From publishing several of the all-time, best selling, hardbound, children's books to its acquisition by Random House, Golden Books books has an interesting history.

"This Place I Know: Poems of Comfort", 9/2/03
This truly is a comforting book, published in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and offering consolation, hope, and encouragement as we approach the second anniversary of what's come to be known as 911.

They Are Burning Books Again, 8/23/03
I was startled to find that book burnings are still going on. Who is burning Harry Potter books and why are they doing it?

Children's Choices, 8/15/03
Children's Choices is a project of the International Reading Association (IRA) and The Children's Book Council (CBC). Each year children from across the US choose recently published children's books to go on the Children's Choices booklist.

Kane/Miller and "Animal Tails", 8/1/03
Kane/Miller Book Publishers publishes children's picture books that originated in other countries and "Animal Tails" is one of them.

The Artistry of Maurice Sendak, 7/17/03
Maurice Sendak has won almost every major award in children's literature, written and illustrated books that generated both acclaim and controversy, and has already celebrated his fiftieth year of "inspired work."

Cinderella, Cinderella, 7/5/03
There are so many versions of Cinderella that it is a good thing there are online and print resources to help us to keep track of them all.

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", 6/24/03
J.K. Rowling's fifth Harry Potter book was released June 21, 2003. Here's the latest news on sales, reviews, cover art, audio recordings, and special editions.

Censorship and Challenged Books, 6/17/03
What books have been the most challenged books in the 2000s? Who are the most challenged authors? What about the Harry Potter series?

Much Like Nancy Drew, 6/4/03
Mildred Wirt Benson, the author of 23 of the first 25 Nancy Drew books, had a lot in common with the teenage sleuth.

"The Frogs Wore Red Suspenders", 5/28/03
Children 2-6 will love the funny rhyming poems of Jack Prelutsky in both his book, which was illustrated by Petra Mathers, and in the audio, which features the poems set to music and sung by the author.

Summer Reading Fun, 5/14/03
It's important to keep your children reading during the summer. There are resources available online, including age level and thematic booklists, and at your local public library.

Louis Sachar, Author of "Holes" and Much More, 5/7/03
With the popularity of the book "Holes" and the newly released movie version, it's easy to lose sight of all of the other popular children's books Louis Sachar has written.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 4/28/03
With the opening of the Museum, we reap two benefits: the museum itself and its excellent website.

"Pieces: A Year in Poems & Quilts", 4/13/03
Anna Grossnickle Hines' book is exquisite. Hines has been writing and illustrating children's books since the early 1980s, but this book represents quite a change, with its lyrical nature poetry and accompanying miniature quilts.

Book Review: "Seeing the Blue Between", 4/6/03
Subtitled "Advice and Inspiration for Young Writers," this collection of letters and poems from well known children's poets, is just what the 9-12 year old child who wants to be a poet needs.

Easter Books for your Child, 3/30/03
I've checked out this year's crop of Easter books and these four from earlier years remain among my favorites.

In Praise of Audio Books, 3/25/03
Have you and your child enjoyed audio books together? There are a lot of benefits to doing so.

"Let It Shine! Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters", 3/17/03
Celebrate Women's History Month by sharing with your child Andrea Davis Pinkney's book about 10 extraordinary African American women who made history.

Book Review: "The Beeman", 3/10/03
This picture book, published by the National Geographic Society, will appeal to the 3-6+ child who is interested in science and how things work.

Irish Folk and Fairy Tales, 3/2/03
Get ready for St. Patrick's Day by learning about some good books of Irish folk and fairy tales.

Book Review: "Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland", 2/24/03
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day by sharing this picture book biography by Tomie dePaola with your child.

The ALA 2003 Notable Children's Books List, 2/18/03
This list, compiled by the Association for Library Service to Children Evaluation Committee for the American Library Association (ALA), is a treasure trove of books for children up to age 14.

Hooray for Dr. Seuss!, 2/9/03
In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday on March 2, read this article and look at my list of Dr. Seuss "Top Picks" to find great read-alouds or an amusing book for your beginning reader.

The 2003 and 2002 Coretta Scott King Award Winners, 2/2/03
Learn all about this important annual children's book award and the most recent award winners.

The Newbery and Caldecott Medal and Honor Book Winners, 1/27/03
It's that time again! Read all about the awards and the 2003 (and 2002) winners of the most prestigious awards for children's literature in the United States.

Update: Harry Potter V Coming in June 2003, 1/18/03
Here's an update on the fifth Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," whose release date has just been announced by J.K. Rowling's publishers.

Children's Books about Jewish Life and Culture, 1/13/03
There are a number of online resources available to assist you in your search for good books, both picture books and chapter books, about Jewish life and culture.

Top Picks: Books about African American Freedom Fighters, 1/6/03
If you are looking for a book for your child about African Americans, from Harriet Tubman to Martin Luther King, Jr., who fought for civil rights, check out these recommended children's books that include read-alouds and biographies.