Podcast: Inquire Within: Kidlit That Values Questioning
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” —Albert Einstein Einstein said, “curiosity has its own reason for existing.” I believe that the reason children’s books exist is to evoke that curiosity. While many books evoke, some books are quite eager to inspire a generation to ask the big questions. Whether scientific, philosophical, political or personal, these kidlit titles tell you that TO ASK is crucial. What is Ada Twist’s very first word? “WHY?” No better word for a girl driven by discovery! ...
Read MorePodcast: A Fighting Chance: KidLit and Conflict
Having one of these days? Or maybe 2017 just looks to you and your kids like one big shouting match. At whatever level (or age) you are processing the nationwide anger, come back to kidlit to see anger and conflict produced with open mouths and steaming ears. There is something deeply satisfying (and urgently relevant) about reading conflict and experiencing a character’s path to resolution. From origami folding to racial discrimination these four books will teach you something about your neighbors and yourselves. This was a conversation with Chris Lenois of WKVT’s Green...
Read MorePodcast: Monstrously Good Summer Reads
Summer is stomping into our cities and towns leaving kids with the sweet calamity of more reading time. No assignments, no age restrictions, no genre restrictions – just the total chaos of pulling anything one wants to read off the bookstore and library shelves. Here are the monstrously good reads we have just devoured at Curious City… These books are part of a kidlit podcast conversation with Chris Lenois of WKVT’s Green Mountain Morning. Rodzilla By Rob Sanders Illustrated by Dan Santat Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books Age Range: 4 – 8...
Read MorePodcast: Big Book Love for the Coretta Scott King Awards
In honor of Valentine’s Day we are going to talk about the BIG LOVE librarians show kidlit each year at the annual Youth Media Awards. Every January clever librarians gather to choose and announce medals and honors for 18 individual awards. The award that keeps Curious City on the edge of our seats is the Coretta Scott King Awards. The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. The award...
Read MoreCurious City Besties 2016 : Non-Fiction & Novels
CURIOUS CITY BESTIES 2016: Non-Fiction & Novels Curious City declares their 2016 “Besties” — the 2016 children’s book releases that have been their constant companions this fine KidLit year! What non-fiction book, chapter book, middle grade novel, or young adult novel will be a child’s “bestie”? What 2016 book will be your favorite companion? Illustration from THE NIAN MONSTER © Alina Chau ……………………………………………………… NON-FICTION...
Read MoreCurious City Besties 2016: Board and Picture Books
CURIOUS CITY BESTIES 2016: Board & Picture Books Curious City declares their 2016 “Besties” — the 2016 children’s book releases that have been their constant companions this fine KidLit year! What picture book or board book will be a child’s “bestie”? What 2016 book will be your favorite companion? Illustration from THE NIAN MONSTER © Alina Chau ……………………………………………………… BOOKS FOR ALL AGES (That’s You Too, Adults)...
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