Share a Story - Shape a Future

Where have I been? I had no idea THIS was going on! Share a Story - Shape a Future is a site/idea all built around sharing books with kids. I love it and it looks wonderful! Here's the line-up. It all begins March 9 and will last for one week!

Class of 2K9

On my last post, author Fran Cannon Slayton, left me a message to check out the Class of 2K9 website. What a great site - it is a listing of 22 debut middle grade and YA novelists whose books will be coming out in 2009. Great list and a great website - don't miss it!

AuthorsNow!

Here's a link that'll be handy to all of us: AuthorsNow! is "The Internet’s Largest Collaboration of Debut Children’s and Teen Book Authors and Illustrators." (I think they are right!)

KidZui

I am so impressed with this kids' online browser that I must share! KidZui was developed by Scholastic and KidZui - they came up with this ingenious idea for a web browser. Once you sign your child up - you can have them help you make a Zui - an online character just for them. Then, once the parent approves the account - the searching begins. I love it because they tailor it to your child's age - so my 4 year old daughter has pictures that pop up like "Hello Kitty", "Carebears", etc. She can then click on those links and it will take you to that website. The kids earn more points by exploring - I think this will be a hit with my daughter! I am very impressed so far - it is a great way for kids to search AND parents to know where they are searching. The parent's page is wonderful! You can track where they have been, who their friends are, etc. I highly encourage you to check it out. You can download the free browser here:
http://www.kidzui.com/?camp=inthepages

I think this is something that we, as librarians, can really promote as well. What a great way to show kids where to get some homework help SAFELY. And I think parents will be thankful they have heard of this safer searching browser.

By the way - if you download - PLEASE leave a comment and let me know what you think. IF we get the most comments on this promotion - we are all eligible for a PREMIUM membership for free!!

Need Help with Storytimes?

Where have I been - I had NO IDEA this website was out there - but it is fabulous - a treasure-trove for Story Hour.
SurLaLune Storytime

Want to know what's coming out soon?

In case you've lived in the same hole I have and have not heard of THIS website - you must go see it - it has a great list of upcoming novels and recently-released novels complete with an RSS feed to keep you "in the know."  YA lit.com

Sequential Smarts

New site to check out!  All things Graphic Novels - including new releases and ways to use them in the classroom, activities to do with them, etc.  I think it looks very good.
Sequential Smarts