Author L. Frank Baum was born on May 15, 1856. His children's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was published in 1900. Since then, it has become a classic. According to L. Frank Baum, "...[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz ] aspires to being a modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained and the heart-aches and nightmares are left out." The book is still full of hair raising adventures, but it is not as violent as the original Grimm's fairy tales. Have you and your children read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz or any of Baum's other Oz books? What did you think of them? Click on "comments" below and share your opinions.

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the largest nonprofit literacy organization in the United States, invites everyone to celebrate Reading Is Fun Week. In addition to its literacy programs across the country, RIF provides excellent online resources related to reading and children's books for parents, teachers, librarians, caregivers, and kids. Resources include:

• Information about age-appropriate children’s books,
• Articles,
• Reading lists by category,
• Tips on reading aloud,
• A calendar of reading-related activities,
and the
• RIF Reading Planet Web site for kids.

The book pictured to your right, The Art of Reading, celebrates children’s book art, the illustrators of children’s books, and the impact of favorite childhood books on 40 top illustrators. It was created to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of Reading Is Fundamental (RIF).

(Cover art courtesy of Penguin Group)

If your 'tweens and teens loved Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid and it sequel Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, they'll be delighted to know that there will be a total of five books in the series. While they're waiting for the next book in the series Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, they can use the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book to create their own journals.

(Cover art courtesy of Amulet Books, An Imprint of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.)

Celebrate Children's Book Week May 12-18. For the first time (and from now on), Children's Book Week is being celebrated in May rather than November. Here are some ways to celebrate:

• Take your kids to one or more of the Children's Book Week children's programs at your local public library.
• If you don't already read aloud to your child every day, start doing it as part of your family's Children's Book Week celebration.
• Make plans for a summer of reading and get ideas of books appropriate for your child by looking at my list of 2008 Summer Reading Lists and getting information about the summer reading programs for kids and teens at your local public library.

How are you and your family celebrating Children's Book Week? Let me know what you're doing by clicking on "comments" below and posting a message.

Related Resources
Children’s Books About Twins & Multiples (About.com: Twins & Multiples)
Books for Gifted Kids with Gifted Characters and Themes (About.com: Gifted Children)
Start a Reading Routine (About.com Parenting Special Needs)
Encourage Reluctant Readers with Reading Activities They will Love (About.com: Learning Disabilities)

(Cover art courtesy of Penguin Books)

The Notable Australian Children's Books site listed in my Notable Children's Books directory now includes the 2008 list. While the 2008 list of children's books recognized by the Children's Book Council of Australia is not annotated, it is an extensive list. The booklist is divided into five helpful categories: Older Readers, Younger Readers, Early Childhood, Picture Books, and Information Books. For an annotated list of recommended books for your child, I recommend the annual Notable Children's Books List compiled each year by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)/American Library Association (ALA).

Have you ever thought of children's books as Mother's Day gifts? It can be hard to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift for a beloved mother or grandmother. Sometimes, a children's picture book, poetry book, or book of quotations from children's books may turn out to be the perfect Mother's Day gift. After you look at my list, click "comments" below and let me know if there are other children's books you recommend as Mother's Day gifts.

Mother's Day Features from Other About.com Guides
Mother's Day Celebrations for Single Moms (About.com: Single Parents)
Mother's Day Crafts and Activities (About.com: Family Crafts)
Thanks for Special Education Moms (About.com: Learning Disabilities)
Top 10 Gifts Moms of Multiples Will Love (About.com: Twins & Multiples)
A Special-Needs Mother's Day Wish List (About.com Parenting Special Needs)

(cover art courtesy of Lee & Low Books)

Are you looking for good books for your teenager? The Michael L. Printz Award is an annual award that honors the best book written for young adults in the previous year. The winner of the 2008 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature is The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean, which was published by HarperTempest, an imprint of HarperCollins. In addition, four books were designated 2008 Michael L. Printz Honor Books. For more information on teen reading and recommended books, see Teen Reading: Trends and Resources and Teen Reading and YALSA.

Did you know that it's Teacher Appreciation Week? It's the perfect time to thank a teacher who has had a positive impact on your child's life. If you'd like to give a gift, here are some books that I'd recommend as teacher gifts:

• The Art of Reading is perfect for the teacher interested in the art of picture book illustration.
• The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease is a particularly good gift for elementary school teachers.
• How Many: Spectacular Paper Sculptures, a pop-up book of paper sculptures by Ron van der Meer, will delight math teachers and teachers who love pop-up books.
• A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms is a fascinating and strikingly illustrated poetry book that will appeal to English teachers, as well as other teachers interested in poetry.

What are some other children's books or books about children's books that you would recommend? Click on "comments" below and share your recommendations.

Teacher Gift Ideas from Other Guides
Gifts for Teachers (About.com: Family Crafts)
Creative and Inexpensive Ways to Thank a Teacher (About.com: Childcare)

(Cover art courtesy of Dutton Books)

Celebrate Jewish Heritage Week, May 4-10, with Children's Books About Jewish Life and Culture. Learn about the Sydney Taylor Book Awards (current winners), created "to encourage the publication of outstanding books of positive Jewish content for children," good reading lists, and other online resources related to Jewish life and culture. For additional online resources, see my Jewish Life and Culture children's books directory.

If you are looking for children's books that promote peace and understanding, take a look at the children’s books honored annually by the Jane Addams Peace Association (JAPA) through its Jane Addams Children's Book Awards. The 2008 winners were just announced. The 2008 and previous years' lists of award winners are available on the Awards site.

The 2008 Jane Addams Children's Book Award Winners

• Books for Younger Children Award: The Escape of Oney Judge: Martha Washington’s Slave Finds Freedom, written and illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully and published by Farrar Strauss Giroux.
• Books for Older Children Award: We Are One: The Story of Bayard Rustin by Larry Dane Brimner, published by Calkins Creek, an imprint of Boyds Mills Press, Inc.

Several Honor Books were also recognized.