CTCB Reaching Out: Connecting Readers to Books, Books, Books

At first glance children’s books would seem to be simple, straightforward things. Through paper and ink we transform the powerful oral tradition of storytelling into creations of words and art that we can share with others, as well as dive into individually.

However, books are much more than words on paper, as we all know. Books are objects of power and transformation, spanning distant history to the far flung future, taking us to places both real and imagined. They are tools of delight and shared wisdom that open hearts and minds of all ages.

Here at the Center for Teaching Through Children’s Books we continue our mission to use books to nurture excellence in education, supporting educators, librarians, literacy experts, and most importantly the young readers themselves. Through these books we support social justice for all, adhering to the truth that every reader deserves to see themselves in a book, just as every reader deserves to learn about others through tales of both fact and fiction.

To these ends, we continue to turn our energies to the on-going—and ever changing— needs of teachers, librarians, and literacy programs for high-quality books and support materials. To help fill this need, we engage in collaborations with local organizations through book donations, content creation, and educational support. These collaborations include:

NLU Reading Center Tutoring Program

As part of the National Louis University Reading Center Reading Specialist Program, the CTCB has set up an ongoing collaboration with program organizers to provide books and other support materials for their tutoring program serving grades 1 through 8. We plan to expand and continue this support by curating and maintaining a dedicated collection of titles.

Katherine Johnson STEAM School for Girls

The CTCB is curating a collection of specific titles for a new school in Chicago for African American girls with an interest in sciences and math. The STEAM curriculum at this new school will be imbedded within a broader exploration of the arts and world cultures. The titles we will be donating are intended to provide the foundation of what will be a growing library collection to which we will continue to help build.

Little Free Libraries

Throughout the pandemic we have noted a growing need and call for children’s books in local communities and neighborhoods. Inspired by the response to the Little Free Library set up at the home of CTCB Program Director Christina Moorehead, the CTCB now contributes books to nearly 10 Little Free Libraries in neighborhoods across Chicagoland.

Simple 7 Interviews

Finally, we have embarked on a new evergreen Youtube video series entitled “Simple 7”. Working in collaboration with Publisher Spotlight (a marketing company representing small, international children’s book publishers), we have begun weekly video interviews of new, international, as well as more familiar authors and illustrators using a set of 7 key questions that we hope will inspire discussions centering on social justice, inclusion, empathy, mental and physical health, and social-emotional learning.

All of these book-outreach activities will be on-going projects for the Center, and we are so honored and energized to connect readers with books—and the creators of those books—that will provide entertainment and spark growth and inspiration!

New Year, New Poetry: Sylvia Vardell's SPRING 2022 SNEAK PEEK LIST OF POETRY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

If you love poetry, you’ll ADORE these sneak peeks at upcoming 2022 poetry books! Sylvia Vardell—professor, author, speaker, and consultant on ALL THINGS poetry once again brings us a list of new young people’s poetry books that will surely send us all racing to our local bookstores to await their arrival!

To explore the full and glorious 2022 list visit Sylvia Vardell’s Poetry for Children blog at:

https://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com/2022/01/sneak-peek-list-of-poetry-for-young.html?fbclid=IwAR2wvZQy7ejbDhEP2Q8pMVF7zTLea_UF0K0CF3IIqsh_FTVrXFQaF1f9oBQ

Betsy Bird's REVIEW OF THE WEEK: "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round" by Kathlyn J. Kirkwood, Illus. by Steffi Walthall

This week’s Betsy Bird review is a double treat: an inspiring interview of a debut author and an introduction to a deeply resonant and timely non-fiction middle grade book! Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round is a memoir recounting author Kathlyn Kirkwood’s dedication to activism from a young age, and specifically her work towards helping to make Martin Luther King Day a recognized day of remembrance and activism. But why listen to me when Betsy’s interview awaits? Read on!

https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2022/01/04/aint-gonna-let-nobody-turn-me-round-an-interview-with-debut-author-interview-with-kathlyn-j-kirkwood/

Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round: An Interview with Debut Author Kathlyn J. Kirkwood

JANUARY 4, 2022 BY Elizabeth Bird

Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round

By Kathlyn Kirkwood

Illustrated by Steffi Walthall

Versify/Harper Collins

$16.99

ISBN: 9780358387268

Ages 8-12
On Shelves Now

We’re starting this year out with an interviewing bang! And what better way than with a smidgen of nonfiction? Not just any nonfiction either. A debut memoir for kids! 

When Kathlyn J. Kirkwood reached out to me about interviewing her about her brand new book (out today!) I couldn’t help but be intrigued. Coming at us from the Versify imprint of Harper Collins, this is probably the best way to describe it:

“This brilliant memoir-in-verse tells the moving story of how a nation learned to celebrate a hero. Through years of protests and petition, Kathlyn’s story highlights the foot soldiers who fought to make Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a national holiday.

Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ’Round is a deeply moving middle grade memoir about what it means to be an everyday activist and foot solider for racial justice, as Kathlyn recounts how, drawn to activism from childhood, she went from attending protests as a teenager to fighting for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday to become a national holiday as an adult. A blueprint for kids starting down their own paths to civic awareness, it shows life beyond protests and details the sustained time, passion, and energy it takes to turn an idea into a law.

Deftly weaving together monumental historical events with a heartfelt coming-of-age story and in-depth information on law making, Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ’Round is the perfect engaging example of how history can help inform the present.”

Curious? So was I. And so . . .

Betsy Bird: First off, thank you so much for joining us here today. Tell me a little bit about why you chose this moment, right now, to write Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round.

Kathlyn J. Kirkwood

Kathlyn J. Kirkwood: The book has actually been in the works in one form or another for at least 10 years.  It started as an oral history-a presentation I gave to young adults and teens titled “How Dr. King’s Day Came to Be.”  Upon the suggestion of one of my church members, Jeanne Arradondo, I started thinking about turning that presentation into a book.   It was still a number of years before I was ready to settle down and actually write the book that would become “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round.”

BB: There were probably any number of different ways you could have told your story. You could have written about it in the third person and kept your perspective in the periphery, but instead you give it a first person accounting. The middle grade memoir as a genre has been doing particularly well in the last year or so. Did you ever consider writing the book a different way, or did you always see it as a first person account?

KJK: I always saw it written in the first person, but when I first started, it was written in prose. After a lot of back and forth, it just wasn’t landing in the way I knew the story needed to land. Eventually, after attending numerous conferences and workshops, one of my Highlights Foundations editors, Deborah Hopkinson, recommended that write I write it in verse.  It was like a magical moment – everything clicked into place from that point forward.  

BB: Your book seems particularly well timed, what with the newfound surge in youth activism we’ve seen over the last 5 years. Are there particular lessons that kids can take from your own years as a teenage activist and apply to today?

KJK: I would like for burgeoning activists to heed to the title: Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round – that no matter what challenges they face, it’s imperative that they stay determined, remain persistent, continue to stay on the path, and not let anyone deter them from reaching their goal(s).

BB: I think there will be a lot of kids (and probably more than a few adults) that find themselves surprised to discover that Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday wasn’t always a National Holiday and that it had to be fought for. What do you hope they’ll take away from this story?

KJK: I love this question. And my answer is really simple: I want them to remember patience, time, and unwavering commitment are key elements to change, because it took MANY many years, really over a decade of fiercely advocating for this National Holiday to make it a reality.  Change does not happen overnight.

BB: Was there anything you wanted to include but ultimately decided to cut out?

KJK: The book went through several iterations, from ideas being cut or added, to minor word changes, with each revision feeling like I was getting closer to uncovering the story I knew I wanted to tell. Ultimately, all of the changes were intended to make the book better, cleaner, clearer so by the final version, nothing felt excluded. I really fought for the things that I thought were important.

BB: Who are some of the other activists that young people should know about that you admire?

Claudette Colvin

KJK: The very first activist that comes to mind is Claudette Colvin. At the tender age of 15, if I’m not mistaken, she made the bold decision that she was not going to give up her seat. And, this took place nine months prior to Rosa Parks’ more well-known protest. I want to really emphasize just how critical her contribution was (and is) to the Movement. If it was not for her, we would not have had bus desegregation!  I talk about nameless and faceless foot soldiers in the book, and Claudette Colvin, for so many, remains a nameless and faceless foot soldier, although in recent years she’s started receiving the recognition she deserves. Another activist is Ella Baker who worked side by side with Dr. King. And though they didn’t always agree, their work was rooted in collective liberation. Two other young activists today are Greta Thunberg and Marley Dias, whose activist imprints on climate change and literacy, respectively, are deeply inspiring to me!

BB: Finally, is there any chance that you’ll be working on more books for youth in the future?

KJK: I have a few ideas bouncing around, but I can share that I recently completed a really fun book about chickens – it’s fiction but based on a true story. The other books I can’t really go into detail but I hope to have more updates to share in the next year or so.

A great big thank you to Kathlyn for taking the time to answer my questions today. Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round is on shelves right now wherever fine books are sold. You can read more about Kathlyn and the book at Black Children’s Books and Authors or visit her at her website www.kathlynjkirkwood.com.

Long-time and beloved Friend of the Center Betsy Bird has a way of talking about—and reviewing—children’s books that teaches, delights, and inspires all at once. And as the current Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library, you can be sure that Betsy knows her stuff. But don’t take our word for it. Enjoy Betsy’s latest rich, fun, and informative reviews on her School Library Journal blog “A Fuse 8 Production”, at https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/ !

Betsy Bird's REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Long-time and beloved Friend of the Center Betsy Bird has a way of talking about—and reviewing—children’s books that teaches, delights, and inspires all at once. And as the current Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library, you can be sure that Betsy knows her stuff. But don’t take our word for it. Enjoy Betsy’s latest rich, fun, and informative review of Too Small Tola by Atinuke, illustrated by Onyinye Iwu.

From School Library Journal, Fuse8Production, July 30, 2021

https://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2021/07/30/review-of-the-day-too-small-tola-by-atinuke-ill-onyinye-iwu/

Review of the Day: Too Small Tola by Atinuke, ill. Onyinye Iwu

JULY 30, 2021 BY ELIZABETH BIRD

Too Small Tola
By Atinuke
Illustrated by Onyinye Iwu
Candlewick Press
$15.99
ISBN: 9781536211276
Ages 7-10
On shelves now

If you are good at something, better than anyone else, it would be a crime not to use your talents for the greater good. Take Atinuke. I can remember the very first time I read one of her books. It was way back in 2010 when Kane/Miller Press released the very first Anna Hibiscus book in America. It was an early chapter book, one of the more maligned reading levels for kids. Unlike most children’s books, early chapter books take up a very small window in a young reader’s life. They last for two years, maybe three tops. Yet for all that, they’re the gateway to more advanced thinking and processing. Many chapter books believe that their purpose in life is to encourage children to keep reading. To do this, they compete to be as silly as possible. There are some books, though, that take a different tactic. When Atinuke, for example, writes an early chapter book, she keeps the fun but adds all kinds of layers as well. An Atinuke story doesn’t shy away from problems, but also taps into the child character’s very identifiable emotions, the matter-of-fact, day-to-day life they lead. Add in funny characters, funny situations, funny lines, and then wrap each story up perfectly by the end with a tiny message that’s there if you want it and not there if you don’t. Nobody does this balancing act better than Atinuke. And like the debut of her new series Too Small Tola, she has turned her books into small masterpieces. Read these books, ye other mighty authors, and despair.

“Tola lives in a run-down block of apartments in the megacity of Lagos, in the country of Nigeria.” How’s that for a beginning! Living in an apartment with her soccer obsessed older brother, her brainy older sister, and her tough as nails Grandmommy, Tola finds it hard to be the youngest. She’s smaller than everybody, but that doesn’t mean she has to take being called “Too Small Tola” lying down. In three Tola-sized adventures, we watch her hold her own. In the titular “Too Small Tola”, the first story, Tola and Grandmommy run an errand of sheer endurance, and reap the rewards. In “Small But Mighty” a bully discovers that women aren’t the easy targets he expected. Finally, in “Easter and Eid” Tola discovers she has something to offer a friend in need that truly saves the day.

When we go back and try to think of some of the first early chapter books published in the English language that feel contemporary today, one gal comes immediately to mind: Ramona. But Beverly Cleary’s specialty wasn’t just creating three-dimensional characters with a minimal number of words. Each chapter in a Ramona book is a perfect little short story. They may have elements that carry over, but if you pluck them out of the book, they stand on their own. Atinuke follows in that same tradition. Whether we’re talking about her Anna Hibiscus series or The Number One Car Spotter, she too knows how to tell a remarkably short story. This is not an easy task. If it were you’d see it done well more often. In this little book, we manage to get three little stories in a mere 89 pages that engage and enthrall. Moreover, when you end them, you start flipping the pages back and forth, convinced that there must be more story lurking in there somewhere. Or was that just me?

I’m not going to make a lot of friends with this next point but there is one thing that Atinuke excels at that doesn’t really come up in the Ramona stories. You can certainly argue that Klickitat Street is present and accounted for in the Beverly Cleary books, but it can’t hold a candle to the role that Lagos, Nigeria holds in Too Small Tola. You smell, feel, hear, touch, and occasionally taste Lagos. It is present. It is accounted for. It is unforgettable. And what really makes it remarkable is that these are stories about the people that the aforementioned Anna Hibiscus might look down on from her series. Atinuke is on the other side of the compound now, but she’s doing something really slick. Tola’s life is hard, no question, but you’re not reveling in her poverty. It may be the main antagonist of the series, but it isn’t crushing Tola or her family members. Each one of them (even her annoying brother Dapo) is handling their life in a different way. Each one has dreams and aspirations and some of them have plans to boot. Their lower income lives aren’t played up in an unrealistic way. But at the same time, there’s not magical solution to what ails them. Just smarts and guts.

One thing about this book confuses me, though. It concerns illustrator Onyinye Iwu. I don’t understand. If Ms. Iwu is this good, why have we not yet flooded the market with her books? I am happy to see on her website that a sequel to this book may yet make it to our shores someday (Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls) as she is the perfect illustrator for this series. I just want to see more of her work in the future. Nigerian herself, the publisher lucked out in tapping her for these titles. After all, Ms. Iwu knows exactly how to draw Easter outfits appropriate for people on a wide range of economic strata. She knows how to depict a woman with feet “spilling out over tiny-tiny shoes.” Grandmommy’s outfits, jerry cans, a rusty yellow danfo mimibus, it’s all here. But best of all is Tola herself. Look at her. Look at her face. You like Tola immensely, even before you’ve heard her say a word. Some authors must compensate for the inadequacies of their illustrators. This author is lifted by her artist. Words and picture move in tandem, complementing one another to perfection.

Atinuke keeps busy these days. At some point in the process people began to realize what a gift she was to children’s literature. Now she does lots of picture books of all kinds, and a bit of nonfiction too. Still, I get the feeling that early chapter books will always be her first love. I’m beginning to see other authors try to copy her style, all in vain. You’d have to practice for a very long while to duplicate the calculated degree of heart and the humor embedded in an Atinuke title. I know Atinuke can’t keep producing these books forever, but for as long as she can, let us hope that she does. Our kids are getting some of the best books in history right now. The least we can do is buy them.

On shelves now.

Source: Galley received from publisher for review.

FILED UNDER: BEST BOOKS, BEST BOOKS OF 2021, REVIEWS, REVIEWS 2021 TAGGED WITH: 2021 REVIEWS, AFRICA, ATINUKE, BEST BOOKS OF 2021, CANDLEWICK, EARLY CHAPTER BOOKS, FUNNY BOOKS, FUNNY EARLY CHAPTER BOOKS, NIGERIA, ONYINYE IWU

About Elizabeth Bird

Elizabeth Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.

Sending out CTTCB Support

From our homes and neighborhoods to the entire world, all of us with the Center for Teaching Through Children’s Books share the uncertainties and fears as we continue to grapple with COVID-19. We also stand in support of our community of educators and librarians, creators and book sellers, parents and guardians who find themselves scrambling to find new ways to meet the needs of the young people in their lives.

Our Friends of the Center group is comprised of teachers and professors, librarians and literacy experts, each of whom are eager to share the resources they have found useful: websites, online activities and read-alouds by amazing authors, on-line drawing and art lessons by incredible illustrators and artists and so much more.

As more of our friends and colleagues reach out to me to share resources, I shall be adding to this compilation.

On behalf of all of us with the Center for Teaching Through Children’s Books we send out hopes to you all for health and strength . We believe our true power flows from supporting each other and sharing resources and ideas. Together we will weather this storm.

From Betsy Bird

Collection Development Manager, Evanston Public Library

Encantos Learning Hub

http://www.encantosbrands.com/learning

Bilingual and cultural resources for children 6 and under

The Today Show Homeschooling Resource Collection

  https://www.today.com/parents/how-homeschool-during-coronavirus-crisis-t176020?fbclid=IwAR0AtbE3-CRxmT6yy7DrSusS6JH2U5jwY7hd_v8M3iGVfuz9SDrzpd7qDAs

A robust compilation of resources for parents, guardians and teachers who find themselves conducting lessons and activities for their children/students from home.

From Anny Rusk

Youth Services Library Associate, Winnetka-Northfield Public Library

http://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/resources-learning-home-during-covid-19-school-closures?

Health Safety Lessons and activities

https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/coronavirus.html

Disney Fun

https://insidethemagic.net/2017/10/home-imagineering-9-disney-diy-ideas-add-pixie-dust-domicile/

https://insidethemagic.net/2020/03/disney-printables-ec1/

https://insidethemagic.net/2020/03/disney-recipe-gastons-famous-cinnamon-rolls-kc1/

Boeing Virtual Field Trips

https://www.boeingfutureu.com/virtual-field-trips

From Margaret Pyterek

EdD-Adjunct Professor, National Louis University

My suggestion for home immersion in books is to get delivery of books or rapid pick-up from favorite independent book stores and after reading, post reviews on Goodreads. This way, other readers can learn about new titles to read!

I hope that this small idea can work for literature lovers!

From Maureen O’Shea

Substitute teacher, East Maine School District 63 & Substitute in the Chicago Public Library’s Teacher in the Library Program.

Toy Theater 

http://toytheater.com
Toy Theater is a collection of elementary level interactive educational games. They are all free and are designed to work on computers, tablets and mobile devices.

Math Games

coolmathgames.com

Coolmath Games is a brain-training site, for everyone, where logic & thinking & math meets fun & games. These games have no violence, no empty action.

ABCya

abaya.com

Educational games for grades PreK through 6 that will keep kids engaged and having fun. Topics include math, reading, typing, just-for-fun logic games.

EPIC

www.get epic.com

Instantly access 35,000 of the best books, learning videos, quizzes & more.  A free 30 day trial.

Khan Academy

https://www.khanacademy.org

You can learn anything. Expert-created content and resources for every course and level. Always free.

Hour of Code

code.org

Anyone, anywhere can organize an Hour of Code event. One-hour tutorials in over 45 languages. No experience needed.

30+Virtual Free Trips for Kids

https://theeducatorsspinonit.com/virtual-field-trips-for-kids/

Stuck at Home? Here are 30+ great Virtual Field Trips for early learners to explore from your home on your couch. From zoos and landmarks to famous museums, you can explore the world with your child with over a month of virtual field trips!

- GoNoodle 

https://www.gonoodle.com/

This is a free website that has a lot of fun, silly, kid-friendly videos, games, and dances for kids to do. It’s a great way for kids to move around a little to fight the quarantine blues.

 Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmzjCPQv3y8

Children’s author Mo Willems teaches you how to draw different characters from your favorite book

Free Creative Apps:

StopMotion: Allows people to make videos through stop motion animation.

Toontastic: Storytelling app.

PicCollage: Photo collage app

Scratch Jr. -Coding/Animation app

Light Bot Jr. - A coding/puzzle game

Five Minutes of Gratitude- A journaling app that specifically helps with positivity and gratefulness.

Diary- A digital app that helps chronicle moments in time.

Longwalks- Guided journaling app

From Our Colleagues, Creators and Friends

From WNDB (diversebooks.org)

https://diversebooks.org/covid-19-resources/

From SCBWI (scbwi.org)

https://www.scbwi.org/digital-directory-for-remote-learning-resources/

From Edith Campbell

Assistant Reference and Instruction Librarian, Cunningham Memorial Library

https://libguides.indstate.edu/JEDI

Resources for PreK-12 addressing Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)

Watch and Celebrate: 2020 Hans Christian Andersen Award Shortlisted nominees

The 2020 Hans Christian Andersen Award nominees have been announced by IBBY in a beautiful video that introduces us to each of this year’s amazing nominees.

And what is the Hans Christian Andersen award?

According to IBBY (ibby.org):

“The Hans Christian Andersen Award is the highest international recognition given to an author and an illustrator of children's books. Given every other year by IBBY, the Hans Christian Andersen Awards recognize lifelong achievement and are presented to an author and an illustrator whose complete works have made an important, lasting contribution to children's literature.

The Author's Award has been given since 1956 and the Illustrator's Award since 1966. The Award consists of a gold medal and a diploma, presented at a festive ceremony during the biennial IBBY Congress.

The Patron of the Andersen Awards is Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and the Awards are sponsored by Nami Island Inc. Nominations for the Andersen Award are made by the National Sections of IBBY. The Award recipients are selected by a distinguished international jury of children's literature specialists.

The selection criteria include the aesthetic and literary qualities of writing and illustrating as well as the ability to see things from the child's point of view and the ability to stretch the child's curiosity and imagination. The complete works of the author and of the illustrator will be taken into consideration.”

On behalf of everyone with the Center for Teaching Through Children’s Books, we send our congratulations to each of this year’s nominees!

Dig in to this year's Outstanding International Books!

Since 2006 USBBY has compiled a carefully selected and reviewed list of outstanding international books (OIB’s). This year’s list definitely doesn’t disappoint. The selected titles for this collection will transport readers from the beauty of a ginko tree in Korea (The Happiest Tree) to a glimpse of 100 years of Russian history as seen within the walls of one Moscow apartment (The Apartment); from the hardships of child labor in Brazil (charcoal boys) to a spectacular graphic anthology laying bare 150 years of Indigenous history through the eyes of Indigenous creators (This Place: 150 Years Retold).

For more titles just copy and paste the link below and prepare to be amazed!

https://www.usbby.org/outstanding-international-books-list.html

The Horn Book ALA Winner's Review!

If you, like me, were unable to attend this year’s ALA Midwinter Conference, NEVER FEAR! The Horn Book has compiled a comprehensive list of this year’s award winners along with reviews of each book. And this year’s winning authors deserve all the accolades and celebration they can muster for giving young readers amazing and compelling reasons to open a book and read!

https://www.hbook.com/?subpage=Book%20Awards

Edi Campbell's Spotlight: The ALA Youth Media Awards

Among the many, many incredible educators, librarians, literacy experts, passionate writers, inspiring illustrators (the list goes on) whom we at the CTTCB are lucky enough to call colleague and friend is Edi Campbell.

Edi’s many resonant roles include librarian, educator and social justice advocate. She has lent her expertise, passion and voice to our previous institute “Indivisible 10 Years Later: Conversations in Social Justice”, and continues to be someone we turn to for truth, and inspiration.

In Edi’s most recent blog post she celebrates the winners of the recent ALA Youth Media Awards. But more than this, she celebrates all the creators, regardless of awards won, who pour their imaginations and hearts into the words that guide our youth towards a more inclusive future.

We encourage you to take a moment to follow Edi as she introduces the most recent African/African American, Asian American and Latinx award winners. But don’t stop at this one blogpost! Edi’s blog contains a wealth of teaching resources, book lists, and author suggestions.

Our congratulations to all of this year’s winners, and our deepest thanks and admiration to Edi.

Click on the picture to read Edi’s post!

AICL's Best Books of 2018 →

To start our Bests, Musts and Mosts, we turn to the American Indians in Children’s Literature blog for their 2018 list of incredible titles that includes books for children, middle grades, young adult/high school and graphic novels, and specifying those books written or illustrated by native authors and by non-native authors.

AICL regularly adds to their lists as the number of books by native authors and illustrators grows. We encourage you to take the time to also look at booklists from previous years, and while you’re there, take time to explore AICL’s many powerful essays, opinion pieces, resources and information.

Our thanks to Debbie Reese and her colleagues for their tireless work and dedication to raising native voices for all to hear.

Click on image to learn more!

Bests, Musts and Mosts?

One of the most wonderful feelings is stumbling across a book that you’ve never heard about before. The tastiest way to find an exciting new book is, of course, in a library or bookstore. However for most of us our new book discoveries happen through the internet.

Whether your book discovery happens in a bookstore, a library or online, nothing beats that glorious sense of anticipation. That itch to have the book in your hands, to open the cover for the first time.

As educators, librarians, parents, creators and others committed to children’s and young adult literature, our excitement is not always for us, but for the young people in our lives. We yearn to place irresistible, powerful new books in their hands and hearts.

The purpose of this new spot on the CTTCB website is to share booklists and individual titles of books you may not know exist. These may be new books, or books that have rested quietly in the shadows and are now coming back into focus.

It is our hope that our suggestions help you find unexpected inspiration and joy between the pages of a newly discovered book.