Curious about Graphic Novels?

Visit Get Graphic, a new website stemming from a two year project designed to introduce teens, parents, librarians and teachers to the exciting and extremely popular literary format of graphic novels. Although created for inhabitants of Western New York, you will find lots of universal information about the graphic novel format, including an excellent list of graphic novels for kids through adults. Read more about the website and the project that led to its creation here.

Preschoolers and Letters

This advice column, from the Duluth News Tribune, answers a parent's question about teaching his 4-year-old how to create more than scribbles when writing. The article includes a Head Start teacher's advice on expanding your child's Print Awareness, one of six early literacy skills kids need before they learn to read and write.

More Award-Winners!

The Cybils are announced! The Cybils are voted on by Children's and Teen Literature bloggers. The purpose of the award is to reward the children’s and young adult authors (and illustrators) whose books combine the highest literary merit and “kid appeal.”

The 2008-2009 Cybils Winners:

Easy Readers
I Love My New Toy written by Mo Willems

Fantasy & Science Fiction
Middle Grade
The Graveyard Book written by Neil Gaiman

Young Adult
The Hunger Games written by Suzanne Collins (a current fave among Galaxie librarians!)

Picture Books
How to Heal a Broken Wing written and illustrated by Bob Graham

Graphic Novels
Elementary/Middle Grade
Rapunzel's Revenge written by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by Nathan Hale

Young Adult
Emiko Superstar written by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Steve Rolston

Middle-Grade Fiction
The London Eye Mystery written by Siobhan Dowd

Non-Fiction

Middle Grade/Young Adult
The Year We Disappeared: A Father-Daughter Memoir written by Cylin Busby and John Busby

Non-Fiction Picture Books
Nic Bishop Frogs written and illustrated by Nic Bishop

Poetry
Honeybee written by Naomi Shihab Nye

Young Adult Fiction
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks written by E Lockhart

An Organized House = Better Reading Skills for Kids

A recent article in School Library Journal highlights the results of an interesting study. The findings indicated the more organized your home is, the better your 5 or 6 year old will read. What an interesting connection!

This excerpt from the article is a great synopsis of what all parents can do to improve upon their children's literacy skills:

“Cultivate an interest in reading through role modeling, visits to the library, and finding new and attractive books that are age-appropriate. And minimize distractions while you're reading together, and let the child spend time alone with books if he wants to even before he can read.”

The Leader of the Free World Says You Should Read to Your Kids

In President Obama’s address last night, he pointed how important it is for parents to engage with their children, particularly by reading aloud to their kids. See the relevant excerpt below:

OBAMA: These education policies will open the doors of opportunity for our children, but it is up to us to ensure they walk through them.

In the end, there is no program or policy that can substitute for a parent, for a mother or father who will attend those parent-teacher conferences, or help with homework, or turn off the TV, put away the video games, read to their child.

(APPLAUSE)

I speak to you not just as a president, but as a father when I say that responsibility for our children’s education must begin at home. That is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. That’s an American issue.

Exercise Fuels Kids' Brains

A recent article, The 3 R’s? A Fourth Is Crucial, Too: Recess, in The New York Times points to the value of exercise when it comes to kids' cognitive abilities.

"New research suggests that play and down time may be as important to a child’s academic experience as reading, science and math, and that regular recess, fitness or nature time can influence behavior, concentration and even grades."

So, encourage your kids to shake their sillies out, and they'll be able to focus better when it comes to school.

Happy 40th, Very Hungry Caterpillar!!

Eric Carle's beloved picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, is celebrating its 40th anniversary on March 20th. Mark the occasion by reading the book aloud to your kids. Perhaps eat some of the foods he eats in the book. The options for celebrating are limitless.

Download a printable activity kit here: http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/yr/pdf/caterpillar.pdf

If you have a few dollars to spare, check out some of this great Eric Carle merchandise. Mr. Carle only recently made his work available for merchandising, but there is now some great stuff out there for purchase. Check out the links below:

Chronicle Books -- flash cards, gift sets, decorative prints, and more

Loew Cornell -- art-based activity kits

Lunt Silversmiths -- high-end baby gifts, featuring Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear

Mudpuppy -- fun-n-games featuring Eric Carle's books, plus many more kids' classics

Ty's Toybox -- one-stop shopping for Eric Carle merchandise

In honor of the anniversary, Philomel has released a special pop-up version of the Very Hungry Caterpillar.