What’s in a flag?

What do you see when you look at an American flag?; What do its colors, stars and stripes call to mind?

“Blue sky/White Stars …”, red and white rows evoke more than simply a flag. It can represent a country’s landscape, its history, and most important, the people who together create one nation, beautiful in their diversity.

Rap n’ read

Bedtime books come in all styles, sizes, and mediums; some rhyme, others tell stories. Some do both. In other words, there’s something for everyone. Add the sharing and books become even more individualized.

Meet Juana Medina!

Juana Medina was born in Bogotá, Colombia, where she has said that her drawings got her in trouble with her teachers. Happily for the children’s book world, Juana has turned her artistic skills to writing and illustrating. Juana received the prestigious 2017 Pura Belpre Award for Juana and Lucas (Candlewick), sure to be the first of many honors.

More than one story needed

This spring, I had the opportunity to hear Newbery Honor winner, Grace Lin, and her longtime friend and editor, Alvina Ling, talk about their friendship, careers, and their work. They share lots in common: friendship, professional work, and interests. Both sets of parents are Taiwanese. They were even roommates at one point. 

The Making of Bear & Bee

Behind the Bedtime Stories The idea for integrating acoustic guitar into the Bear & Bee Bedtime Stories began when author Shiån Serei’s children were small and refused to go to bed on time. Shian began playing guitar at night, while guarding their rooms, and discovered his children fell asleep quickly and slept through the night. A nightly concert became their routine and now he shares the music in his book.

Stripes of All Types: An Interview with Susan Stockdale

Perhaps growing up in Southwest Florida inspired Susan Stockdale’s love of nature. Perhaps it was being the youngest of five that encouraged her to look closely at the world all around. In any case, Susan now lives near Washington, D.C. where she both illustrates and writes lyrical nonfiction for children, sharing her appreciation and unique perspective on nature familiar and extraordinary.

Susan, tell us a bit about your background and how it has influenced your current work.


An Interview with Author Erica Perl

A native of Vermont, Erica S. Perl now lives in Washington, D.C., where she writes a range of books for young readers. She has done very funny picture books, novels for middle grade as well as books for young adults, and most recently a novel in play f…

Libraries Build Community: One School’s Memorable Project

It is wonderful to see creativity rewarded, especially when they will likely have a lasting impact. One such project was done with young children enrolled in the Jewish Primary Day School.

It was called the NC South Campus Community Library Project and started at the beginning of the school year.

I asked Janet Collier — who serves as the school’s General Studies 2-5 Instruction Leader and as the librarian — to write about this yearlong project and its results.

Books Beyond February

February is ending but that doesn’t mean the celebration of African American history should. After all, good books are good year round.
Plus, there’s evidence that sharing stories with children builds empathy. (Though the study’s focus was on fiction, I think that well-presented nonfiction for young children is equally powerful.)

That time of year again: honoring books

The 2017 Youth Media Awards were announced recently during the midwinter conference of the American Library Association.

The books chosen for the Caldecott Medal (awarded to the most distinguished American picture book) and others (including the Newbe…

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