When looking for Kids' Books Websites, I usually visit a few search engines and put in terms like children's books, kids' books, reviews of kids books, etc.
Today I did something brilliant. I borrowed links from my favorite KBWs. Let others do the work, say I - at least, some of the time.
Enlarge your world by visiting
Paper Tigers, a site that features books and authors from Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim. Find authors, illustrators, outreach projects, interviews and book reviews on this colorful site.
Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast - This blog is for us bigger people who love all things Kids-Books related. Some reviews, some interviews, a bunch of awesome links, and some fun. Check it out.
The Book-A-Day Almanac is excellent! Every day, Anita Silvey, the blog's author does a lovely job of reviewing one children's book. Silvey also posts little notes about things that happen each day as well. This site is fun for readers of all ages.
This girl is reading the entire Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act out loud. [Act of Law]
Why no smoking signs actually ENCOURAGE smokers to light up [Daily Mail]
Think there’s no point in keeping print books around? I respectfully disagree. [Unshelved]
Here are some kitties crashing into each other. [YouTube]
100,000 staples arranged over 40 hours and other awesome staple art [NextWeb]
What does your literary tote bag say about you? [Vol1Brooklyn]
QUIZ: Can you tell Arial from Helvetica? [Ironicsans]
INFOGRAPHIC: The hardest languages to learn [Column Five]
This article on “Asian-American overachievers” is certainly creating a stir. [NYMag]
Incredible photos of the Great Flood of 1927 [Buzzfeed]
As a big fan of PaperTigers, I'm delighted to share the news about the recently launched Spirit of PaperTigers Project, an initiative to promote literacy and books that encourage empathy and understanding.
The Project will select a set of books, donate them to schools and libraries in areas of need, and report responses of children from all around the globe. (For details on how to get a set, visit the PaperTigers site.)
The 2010 Book Set is fantastic. Check it out:
Written and illustrated by Lynne Barasch. Lee & Low, 2009. Ages 4-8.
"Stories are powerful allies as we seek to raise a generation of compassionate children. I distinctly remember the moment when I grasped the beauty of sacrificial giving. I was nine years old and befriending Sara Crewe in Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Little Princess for the first time ..."
Read the rest of my essay, Stories Can Shape a Child's Heart, in PaperTigers' February issue, a compilation of reviews, articles and interviews highlighting a "growing global awareness of the power of children to change the world."
Don't miss Children as Change-Makers: On and Off The Pages by Aline Pereira, and the interviews with author Katie Smith Milway about her book, One Hen: How One Small Loan Made A Big Difference and Jan West Schrock, author of Give a Goat and advisor to the charity Heifer International, who describes a childhood filled with inspirational stories of giving.
Photo courtesy of Uncultured via Creative Commons.
News from the award-winning PaperTigers website ...
After our July/Aug literacy focus, we now make way for Hispanic Heritage Month, a celebration of the cultures and traditions of US residents who trace their roots back to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. There are all sorts of events happening throughout the country, and right here at PaperTigers you will find lots of great features and children's books to help you make the most of it - in your classroom, library or at home.
Interviews
Highly-acclaimed author Pam Muñoz Ryan talks about her heritage, her new book, Paint The Wind, and her commitment to writing good stories, no matter the theme.
Bilingual coordinator of youth services at the Houston Public Library, Rose Zertuche-Treviño talks about the joys and challenges of her work, and offers some advice for those considering a career in children's librarianship...
David Diaz's fiesta-inspired colors lend themselves to a variety of media, styles and themes.
My Name is Gabito: The Life of Gabriel García Márquez by Monica Brown, illustrated by Raul Colón (Luna Rising, 2007), celebrates the childhood of a little boy with a big imagination who grew up to become one of the world’s best loved storytellers. The book describes some of the experiences that shaped the writer’s early life, and the people that influenced him, such as his beloved grandfather, Nicolas, who had a giant dictionary filled with many words.
Personal Views:
My Childhood Readings: A Short List to Grow On
by Yuyi Morales
Heritage Apartment
by Juan Felipe Herrera
We, Latinos by F. Isabel Campoy
Book Reviews:
Check out the new reviews from PaperTigers, Resource Links, CCBC and Books for Keeps. In addition to them, we have compiled a celebratory list of previously featured titles that relate to Hispanic Heritage by way of theme, author or illustrator.
Lists & Links:
Here you will find a wide range of reading lists, annotated resources and links to online material. And for even more inspiration, take a peek at how we celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month in 2006 and 2007. There's plenty of pride, information and fun to be gained from going deeper into this celebration. So dive in, and have fun!... and hop on over to our blog, too, as we continue the fiesta of "Hispanic Heritage Month" through October 15.
The must-link-to-and-visit Paper Tigers site is featuring an issue on multicultural literacy, offering up a fascinating interview with blogger and book advocate Jen Robinson and another with author Monica Brown, who discusses the links between literacy and culture and highlights the importance of bilingual books.
If you're looking for poetry between cultures and more, head to one of my favorite sites in cyber world, Paper Tigers, where the celebration of poetry month is underway. To get started, check out the interview with poet Janet S. Wong and the essay called Pairing Poetry Across Cultures by professor Sylvia Vardell.
The Jan/Feb 2008 issue of PaperTigers is up, focusing on the cultures and art of illustrators:
If "every childhood lasts a lifetime," as they say, so does the undoubted influence of picture books, and the world views they convey, in children's lives. Translating stories into a language that needs no introduction to children, even when the subject matter is complex, children's book illustrators communicate with their audience in a very unique way: being the language of imagination, the art of illustration lends itself perfectly to direct communication, without cultural or language barriers.
The premier place on the web about Pacific Rim and South Asian books for young readers (honored by the ALA as a Great Website), PaperTigers has also started an exciting new book club:
The Tiger's Bookshelf: It's a blog–it's a book group– it's a new meeting ground for readers who love children's books and who enjoy chatting about what they read! It's a place to find out what other people are reading and to make recommendations of your own. It's also the most convenient and the most all-encompassing book group that you will ever be part of. Join people of all ages and from all parts of the globe to read - and talk about - the monthly "Tiger's Choice" at times that are convenient to you, when you choose. Come one, come all!
PaperTigers commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month in the USA (9/15 - 10/15), with a host of fabulous "interviews, articles, books and artwork that capture the Hispanic temper of our times."
Once you head there, after you've clicked around like a maniac through the rich content, I recommend downloading "Notes From Another Country: Tell Me Where Your Country Ends And Mine Begins," a poignant essay by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (author of the YA novel Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood), describing why he considers the slice of territory between El Paso and Juárez his home. Here's an excerpt:
I could say something like this: I belong to the border. I examine the statement—and then decide it’s inaccurate. Then I write: The border has always owned me. I picture myself wearing a t-shirt that reads: OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE BORDER. And then I think: I would very much like to wear such a t-shirt. I am owned by the border. Explaining that harsh and illogical fact to myself has become the core of my thinking, the heart of my writing.
Note: PaperTigers' summer issue featured my
list of best books for teens between cultures, which I couldn't tell you about because of
this.
With the launch of PaperTigers' new blog, I invited Aline Pereira, editor of the award-winning, resource-rich site, to talk about her vision and vocation.
Q. Tell us about your journey to this land where children's literature is beloved. When did you start reading? How did you end up as the managing editor of the site?
A: I have always loved reading and writing, which I have been doing ever since I can remember. When I came to San Francisco from my native Brasil in 1996, after living in Portugal for some time, the first thing I did was join a writing group of non-native speakers writing fiction in English. To this date those co-writers are my closest friends... But before moving to Portugal and then here, I was working as assistant manager at a bookstore in Rio de Janeiro that specialized in art and children's books. It was the first bookstore in Rio to have a café, readings, music performances... It was a remarkable place to be. Lots of positive, creative energy...
In San Francisco, I worked as a project manager at a web design firm in the South of Market area for 6 years before my daughter was born (I took a 3 year-break after her birth) but I never lost sight of my dream of working with books again. And as it happens with most important things in life, serendipity played a big role in my joining PaperTigers: one day, when I was not even looking for a job, my husband was hired to work on the Pacific Rim Voices family of websites (of which PaperTigers is one of the projects) and heard that they were looking for someone to replace Elisa Oreglia, the person who conceived and started the site, as she was moving to China to pursue other projects. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance. Luckily, Peter Coughlan, the Executive Director of Pacific Rim Voices, believed in my skills and enthusiasm enough to give me the reins of the project. It's been a challenging, wonderful and very rewarding ride.
Q. (Note to confused Fire Escape visitors: In the photo, the stony dude with large nostrils is neither Aline's hubby nor Peter Coughlan.) What do you like about managing the PaperTigers site?
A: The most rewarding things are being familiar with the great work of authors and illustrators; letting others know about new books, talents and projects, and providing a type of grassroots overall support to those involved in writing, producing, recommending and reading these great books (authors, illustrators and publishers, and also librarians, teachers and parents) in their attempts to encourage children to become hungry readers and respectful citizens of the world. Knowing that our rapidly growing readership thinks that we are doing a good job feels pretty good, too.
Q. What are your dreams for the site and the blog?
A: I hope that PaperTigers new team blog helps us get closer to our audience, which includes teachers, librarians and parents working with and raising children in different parts of the world. As for the website, I hope for more funding so we can do more of what we do, and better: that is, to promote understanding within and across cultures through children's literature with a particular focus on the Pacific Rim and South Asia. Growing our pool of overseas contributors is also a priority, to make sure we are covering more literature coming out of other important but less talked about parts of the region as well.
Q. Name a couple of reads with bookmarks that are on your nightstand right now.
A: To the horror of many an avid reader, I admit to having a chronic problem with dog-earing my books. My nightstand is almost collapsing under the weight of my dog-eared piles, but their company helps me sleep better. The books don't get moved from my nightstand (or the floor around my bed, for that matter) to the bookshelves until long after I've finished reading them.
Books there now include: Salman Rushdie's Haroun and the Sea of Stories, Lensey Namioka's Mismatch; the YA poetry collection What Have You Lost?, selected by the terrific Naomi Shihab Nye, and several others, including your First Daughter. I'm embarrassed to say Sparrow has been staring at me for a couple of weeks now, with those pretty eyes of hers. "I'll get to you soon," I assure her every evening before falling asleep.
Aline, please don't let Sparrow become a literary nag; it's heartening to know she's on your nightstand in such superb company. A thousand thanks to you and to Pacific Rim Voices for the information and encouragement you provide to those of us in children's literature circles. Até a vista!
PaperTigers (visit the award-winning site on multicultural books for young readers) announces the launch of a fabulous new blog. Note to novice bloggers: stock blog with content before going live and you just might make it on blogrolls everywhere.
From our friends at the award-winning Paper Tigers site (edited by Aline Pereira) comes an amazing issue for Asian/Pacific Heritage Month:
The celebration of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in May reminds us about the contributions of Asian Pacific Americans to every arena of life in the United States and throughout the world. The experiences that double the richness of their lives are reflected in many children's books... but do we have enough narratives?... Check the interviews, illustrators' galleries, 'personal views' articles, as well as the book reviews, resources and reading lists sections: there's much to add depth and breath to the question.
Interviews
Newbery award winner Cynthia Kadohata talks about her latest book, Cracker!, drawing inspiration from her heritage, and more...
Rose Kent spices up the world of young adult books with Kimchi & Calamari, a coming-of-age tale about a Korean boy adopted to an American family of Italian descent. Read the interview and find out for yourself why her voice is here to stay...
Personal Views
More Stories About Our American Experience, Please by Ken Mochizuki
The Extra Adjective: How I Came To Terms With Being a Multicultural Author by Grace Lin
In The Illustrators' Gallery
Yoshiko Jaeggi's illustrations (including samples from her first picture book, My Dadima Wears a Sari) display plenty of talent and sensitivity...
Meilo So's illustrations have for many years been drawing out praise from one and all ...
New Resources
Educational non-profit organizations and websites of note: Smithsonian Education (includes links to a special "Heritage Teaching" section), AskAsia, 'We The People' Bookshelf, As Simple As That, Our Voices Together and more...
Book of the Month
American Dragons: Twenty-Five Asian American Voices by Laurence Yep, illustrated by Kam Mak (Harper Teen, 1995)
Book Reviews
Many new reviews by PaperTigers and other trusted sources:
Shaun Tan's graphic powerhouse, The Arrival, Cynthia Kadohata's Cracker! The Best Dog In Vietnam, Janet Wong's Twist: Yoga Poems; plus Kimchi & Calamari, My Dadima Wears a Sari, The Bee Tree, Three Names of Me, A True Person, Celebrate! It's Cinco de Mayo, Sky Sweeper; Nana's Big Surprise (bilingual), We and more...
Plus new reading lists, including: Asian American Booklist, by NEA (National Education Association); China and the Chinese-American Life: Books for Children and Young Adults, by the Cary Memorial Library; South Asian Books for Children, by the Wisconsin International Outreach Consortium; Bibliography of Asian Pacific Americans on K-12 and Higher Education, by EDEN (Equity Through Distributed Education Network)...
Happy reading, and 'til next time!
The Tiger
Hi All! I have a few reviews to post later, but at the moment I'm busy digging through e-mails that have piled up during my adventures on the road.
In the meantime, check out the new PaperTigers. This month they focus on environmental books, with reviews, interviews, feature articles and more. Check it out!
(PaperTigers is "a website for librarians, teachers, publishers, and all those interested in young readers' books from and about the Pacific Rim and South Asia.")
Check out the March/April 2007 edition of Paper Tigers, a wonderful website edited by Aline Pereira for librarians, teachers, publishers, and all those interested in young readers' books from and about the Pacific Rim and South Asia. This issue has a focus on children's books and the environment, and (full disclosure) a school visit my mother and I made to the Waldorf School in San Francisco is featured in the outreach section. That's my beautiful Mom, Madhusree Bose, teaching the children how to create alpana, traditional designs from Bengal.
Inspired by the Year of the Boar and the approaching Earth Day–and going beyond our regular regional scope–these bimonthly highlights focus on children's books about animals and the natural environment. Read the thought-provoking interviews and book of the month feature, browse the galleries, and make sure to explore the links below and share them with others. We hope they will inspire you to take meaningful action.
Personal Views:
Gaia Opens an Eye by author Diane Haynes talks about species' extinction, miracles and hope; Drawing from Eco-riches: Australia's Environment in Children's Books by author Chris Cheng, talks about his favorite titles on the subject.
Resources:
American Museum of Natural History's Young Naturalist Awards; Wilderness Society's Environment Award for Children's Literature, ALA's Sibert Medal for Informational Books for Children; Skipping Stones Youth Honor Awards; Institute for Global Environmental Strategies Art Contest...
Book Reviews:
From PaperTigers, and Resource Links, including: Crow Medicine by Diane Haynes; Rainforest Bird Rescue by Linda Kenyon; The Killing Sea by Richard Lewis; Dale Auger's Mwâkwa Talks to the Loon; Keltie Thomas' Bear Rescue: Changing the Future for Endangered Wildlife; Jan Thornhill's Folktails: Animal Legends from Around the World and more... Reading Lists:
Children's Books about Nature; We're Planting the Seeds; Nature Links; Eco Books; Green Museum's Suggested Reading; Theme Park's Exploration.
I'm heading off tonight to California for a wild long weekend. Here's the schedule:
- Friday, February 9, 10-2: Redwood Middle School, Saratoga. Writer's workshop and two assemblies.
- Saturday, February 10, 10-12: Towne Center Books, Pleasanton. Reading of Rickshaw Girl and alpana drawing demonstration by my mother, Madhusree Bose.
- Saturday, February 10, 3-5:30: California Association of Teachers of English Conference, Fresno. Book signing and workshop, "Books Between Cultures."
- Sunday, February 11, 4: Cody's Books, Berkeley. Reading of Rickshaw Girl and Ma's drawing demo #2.
- Monday, February 12, 10-2: San Francisco Waldorf School. Author visit and alpana art lesson, sponsored by Paper Tigers.
Whew! I'll be back on the Fire Escape on Tuesday, February 13 (via a Jet Blue Oakland-Boston red-eye, so don't expect coherence.) Hope to see some of you on the other coast ...
Read the rest of this post
Two excellent new books about adoption
Uma Krishnaswami's picture book, Bringing Asha Home (Lee & Low, September 2006), illustrated by Jamel Akib, provides an alternative answer to the "where do babies come from?" question. Eight-year-old Arun longs to celebrate the wonderful brother-sister holiday of Rakhi, but must wait months before Asha arrives from India. A perfect choice for a parent who wants to introduce the process of adoption to an older sibling, this book will also spark a re-telling of a family's own impatient waiting for a child. Teachers can use it to explore the concept of waiting for good things in general -- like spring, festival days, and babies, adopted or biological. I especially appreciated that neither text nor pictures make a fuss about the fact that the family is interracial. This makes Bringing Asha Home a prototype of a new generation of picture books where multiculturalism is celebrated but not allowed to commandeer the plot. For more reviews, visit Big A little a, the Asian Reporter, PaperTigers, or Cynsations. (Note: this book was sent to me by the publisher.)
A forthcoming middle reader by a member of the Class of 2k7, Rose Kent, Kimchi & Calamari (HarperCollins, April 2007) also features a multiracial family as a secondary theme. This funny, touching story is a coming-of-age tale told in first person by a main character that boys -- and girls -- are going to love. I can already hear them clamoring for a sequel. A delightful supporting cast of characters, a strong voice, and an honest exploration of adoption and ethnic identity from a fourteen-year-old's perspective make this a five-star book for kids between cultures. My only fear is that the cover might serve as a roadblock instead of a lure, especially for young guy readers -- could somebody at HarperCollins please explain the reasoning behind it? For more, read Chicken Spaghetti's take or a review from A Year of Reading. (Note: this book was sent to me by the author's daughter, who is serving as her publicist.)
This month, Andrea had the honour of contributing a personal essay to Paper Tigers — a bi-monthly e-zine and website for librarians, teachers, publishers and all those interested in young readers’ books from and about the Pacific Rim and South Asia.
Canadian Armchair Explorations in Homegrown Asian-themed Children’s Literature is an introduction to some of our family’s favourite Canadian, Asian-themed children’s books.
Paper Tigers also gave us a fantastic write-up on their site.
Thanks, PaperTigers!
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Thanks a million for helping us spread the word on the Spirit of PaperTigers project, Mitalli! If I'm not mistaken, the 2010 set includes one or two of the books you suggested?...
Thanks, Mitali - nice to have another Stanford alum reaching kids with values-based literature.
Katie