For the Grownups

RECOMMENDED PODCASTS

The Beginning of Your Life Book Club

The Children's Book Podcast

All The Wonders

Read-Aloud Revival

RECOMMENDED WEBSITES and BLOGS

Disability in Kidlit
"Disability in Kidlit is dedicated to discussing the portrayal of disability in middle grade and young adult literature. We publish articles, reviews, interviews, and discussions examining this topic from various angles—and always from the disabled perspective."

We Need Diverse Books
"We Need Diverse Books is a grassroots organization of children’s book lovers that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people."

Storytime Katie
Mama B says: Storytime Katie is a blog written by a children's librarian in the Chicago suburbs. She blogs about the storytimes she puts together and literacy kits she makes for her EXTREMELY lucky patrons. She has a million great ideas and insights and I love reading her blog.

Sing Books with Emily
"Sing Books with Emily explores the wonderful world of Illustrated Song by researching, archiving, documenting, collecting, advocating, curating, music-making for, and creation and live performance of Illustrated Song with the ultimate goal of enriching the educational, intellectual, and cultural lives of children and the grown ups and communities who love, teach and care for them."

Let's Talk Picture Books
"Mel Schuit is a picture book enthusiast with an MA in Children’s Literature, an MFA in Writing for Children, and a BA in Studio Art. Let's Talk Picture Books started as a way for her to catalog the illustration styles and recurrent themes she found in her own picture book and comic book collections."

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

The Read-Aloud Handbook: Seventh Edition
by Jim Trelease (Penguin, 7th edition 2013)
"Recommended by "Dear Abby" upon its first publication in 1982, millions of parents and educators have turned to Jim Trelease’s beloved classic for more than three decades to help countless children become avid readers through awakening their imaginations and improving their language skills. It has also been a staple in schools of education for new teachers. This updated edition of The Read-Aloud Handbook discusses the benefits, the rewards, and the importance of reading aloud to children of a new generation. Supported by delightful anecdotes as well as the latest research (including the good and bad news on digital learning), The Read-Aloud Handbook offers proven techniques and strategies for helping children discover the pleasures of reading and setting them on the road to becoming lifelong readers."

Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever
by Mem Fox (Mariner Books, 2nd edition 2008)
"Best-selling children's author and internationally respected literacy expert Mem Fox reveals the incredible emotional and intellectual impact reading aloud to children has on their ability to learn to read. With passion and humor, Fox speaks of when, where, and why to read aloud and demonstrates how to read aloud to best effect and get the most out of a read-aloud session. She discusses the three secrets of reading, offers guidance on defining and choosing good books, and—for this new edition—includes two new chapters on boy readers and phonics, a foreword, and a list of "Twenty Books That Children Love." Filled with practical advice, activities, and inspiring true read-aloud miracles, this book is a turn-to classic for educators and parents."