Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Welcome To My Blog

Even if I only reach a few teachers or parents and my blog helps them put books in the hands of their kids, it’ll be worth it. I know there are hundreds of children’s literature blogs out there, but I hope you keep coming back to mine, if only for the simple reason that your child (or even YOU!) loves the books I’m writing about. But I plan on including more in this blog than just books. If events or news related to education and the publishing world spark a passion within me, I’ll be expressing my opinion about that too.

I’ve worked intimately with children’s and young adult literature for almost 10 years now (shout out to Borders of Brentwood, MO for giving me my early start!). I have my bachelor’s in education and am certified to be a library media specialist as well. I’m currently a year away from earning my master’s in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in children’s literature. I work as a Collection Development Specialist for a St. Louis family-owned company called The Booksource (K-12 tradebook wholesaler). “What’s a Collection Development Specialist?” you ask. Well, I get to see all the new children’s literature coming out and help build collections geared towards enhancing curricula.

I have a big passion for children’s literature. I never really grew out of reading the books, but how could I when all the magic I need is within their pages. I leave you until next time with a quote by Kathleen Kelly from “You’ve Got Mail”—

“When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your whole life does.”

6 comments:

  1. I am excited! I can't wait to read more!!

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  2. Looking forward to the book reviews!

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  3. I can't wait to see what you have to say. My FAVORITE book of all times is Charlotte's Web. I think it is all about diversity and the importance of friendship! What do you think about this timeless book?

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  4. I think Charlotte's Web is a sweet story about friendship, courage, and acceptance. Just the other day in a newsletter I was reading, Laurie Halse Anderson quoted a line from Charlotte's Web as her favorite line from a book (http://news.shelf-awareness.com/ar/theshelf/2010-05-10/book_brahmin_laurie_halse_anderson.html). In my classes, at least two people always say Charlotte's Web is their favorite.

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  5. Oh I loved Charlotte's Web too. I remember reading all the Little House books. Also, I can't remember how old I was but I was fairly young when I read Watership Down. I must have picked it up because of the bunnies on the cover but of course inside was a world that certainly wasn't fluffy or cute. What I felt while reading it and many books really, was the feeling I was in on a big secret. A secret that is only revealed to those who open the cover, find a comfy spot and dig in. I still feel that way a lot!

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  6. Yeah for reading and yeah for blogs about reading and yeah for kids reading!! Nice blog. I will be keeping my eye on it. If you ever need an expert in early adolescent boy books, just ask!!

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