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ALSC personal members are invited to suggest titles for the 2016 Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production.  This award is given annually to recognize the best English language audiobook for children and/or young adults in the previous submission year. The committee will consider and vote on titles published between January 1 and October 31 of 2015, as well as titles published between November 1 and December 31 of 2014.  

You may send recommendations with full bibliographic information to Cindy Lombardo at [email protected]

The award will be announced at the press conference during the ALA Midwinter Meeting in January 2016.

For more information about the Odyssey Award, you can visit the ALSC website at http://www.ala.org/alsc/.​

(Published on behalf of the Odyssey Award Committee)

The post What great books have you listened to this year? appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Each month, an ALSC member is profiled and we learn a little about their professional life and a bit about their not-so-serious side. Using just a few questions, we try to keep the profiles fun while highlighting the variety of members in our organization. So, without further ado, welcome to our ALSC profile, ten questions with ALSC member, Sharon McClintock.

1. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?

Photo courtesy of Sharon McClintock

I’ve been a Children’s Librarian for 15 years at the Mountain View Public Library in Mountain View, California. I present a baby storytime called Mother Goose & More, preschool storytimes, school age class visits and a 3rd/4th grade reading club named READ Quest. I coordinate our Parenting speaker series and recently started a Rubik’s Cube Club. I love providing readers’ advisory and reference service as well as managing our Parenting and Children’s Music collections. Not long ago a friend asked me what my dream job would be. I answered honestly, “I’m doing it!”

2. Why did you join ALSC?

I joined ALSC to benefit from the experience and knowledge of my colleagues around the country, and get inspiration from conferences, online courses and the ALSC Blog. Just last week I created a Kids’ Choice display that I read about on the blog in a post by Abby Johnson, and I took an excellent online course on Storytelling with Puppets last year. ALSC does so much to advance library services to children, including early literacy initiatives and the Youth Media Awards; I want to support and be a part of it.

3. If you could be on a reality show, which one would it be?

Dancing with the Stars! When I can, I join some of my librarian friends who get together regularly to watch this show and it’s so entertaining. I love dancing, and I’m looking forward to planning some preschool dance parties with a colleague this year.

4. If you could enjoy a dinner conversation with any author – living or dead – who would it be?

If I could fudge a little on “author” (though he did write some books for children and parents, he is much better known for his TV show) I would choose Fred Rogers, no question! His kindness, his wisdom, his incredible talent for explaining the most profound concepts in the simplest terms, have been a professional as well as a personal inspiration to me. He always encouraged and lifted up those around him, and he inspires me to do the same. Though I’m sure I often miss the mark, he is always there as a role model for me.

5. What’s the last book you recommended to a friend?

I recommended the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith to a friend who is visiting Botswana soon. I love those books, and am so happy that we now have a children’s version — the Precious Ramotswe Mysteries.

6. Favorite part of being a Children’s Librarian?

I adore children’s books and music and learning new nursery rhymes for storytime. But more than that I care about the children and parents I work with and love helping families create happy memories.

7. What is the last song you sang?

We sang Baby Shark in storytime yesterday, after reading Nick Sharratt’s brilliant Shark in the Park! Everyone, adults included, got a kick out of both!

8. What do you love most about working at your library?

Our staff is fantastic — kind, creative and very supportive. Once, someone in our Customer Services group said to me, “we’ve got your back.” What a lovely thing that was to hear, and I feel that support from my colleagues every day.

9. Who is the last person you said thank you to?

This morning I thanked an incredible volunteer who has helped me with our 3rd/4th grade reading club for the last several years and will be joining us again this summer. His name is Benson and he also happens to be my next door neighbor! I have wonderful teen volunteers who help with this program, but it’s so nice to have another dedicated adult in the room, as well.

10. Favorite age of kids to work with?

If I had to pick a favorite it would be toddlers. They are so cute and so affectionate. I’ve gotten some hugs from toddlers that I will never forget!

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Thanks, Sharon! What a fun continuation to our monthly profile feature!

Do you know someone who would be a good candidate for our ALSC Monthly Profile? Are YOU brave enough to answer our ten questions? Send your name and email address to [email protected]; we’ll see what we can do.

The post ALSC Member of the Month – Sharon McClintock appeared first on ALSC Blog.

In addition to the Gay Pride celebrations in San Francisco this weekend, we  also had an opportunity to celebrate & honor award-winning authors as they accepted their well-deserved accolades.

You can now read the acceptance speeches online.  (How cool is that?) Just click to download and read the speeches.

Batchelder  [PDF – 652K]

Belpré  [PDF – 595K]

Caldecott  [PDF – 616K]

Carnegie  [PDF – 936K]

Geisel  [PDF – 1MB]

Newbery  [PDF – 2MB]

Sibert  [PDF – 1MB]

Wilder  [PDF – 1MB]

 Enjoy!

The post Weekend of celebration at #alaac15 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

What a great day at the Annual Conference! Some of the highlights of my day included:

• Because we have a children’s librarian position open in my library, early in the day I made my way over to the Convention Center for the ALA JobLIST Placement Center’s Open House/Job Fair. It was a well attended event and I had the opportunity to talk with a dozen job seekers. What a great opportunity for job seekers and libraries needing librarians of all types to connect!
• Babies Need Words Every Day: Bridging the Word Gap as a Community offered a panel discussion about the importance & support methods which could be used to enhance the exposure of children to language; this was preceded by a presentation about Too Small to Fail. They shared information about how to motivate behavior change among adult caregivers for children, and the need to shift cultural norms about the early literacy importance of talking, reading, and singing to babies and toddlers. Several ways this can be done include having trusted members of the community, such as pediatricians and children’s librarians, speak to (and model for) parents & grandparents about the importance of talking, reading, and singing to their kids. Too Small to Fail’s open source information – which is intended to enhance existing efforts in libraries and communities around the country – is available at talkingisteaching.org. Their work will continue to evolve based on ongoing research.
• Stopping in at the Children’s Notable Book Discussions left me with a reading list of “must reads,” serendipitous meetings with old colleagues & friends was pleasant , and watching snippets of the Gay Pride parade as I walked back to my hotel brought tears to my eyes. (It was just so JOYFUL!!!)

And now it’s time to get ready for the Newbery/Caldecott/Wilder celebration which will take place later tonight. It’s been a great day in San Francisco!

The post Sunday at #alaac15 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Photo by Andrew Medlar (captured on Twitter)

Check out this new ALSC bracelet! The image was posted on Twitter today with the hashtag “#love wins.”

I LOVE it and can’t wait to get one of my own!

The post What all the best-dressed children’s librarians want to wear at #alaac15 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

2015 ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco (image courtesy of ALA)

As we speak, many, many, many children’s librarians are making last minute preparations to travel to San Francisco for ALA’s Annual Conference in San Francisco. There, thousands of librarians will listen to speakers, network with colleagues, speak with vendors, explore the newest in books & media, attend meetings, celebrate at the Newbery Caldecott Wilder Banquet, and more.

Are you #alscleft behind?  Never fear! Beginning tomorrow, we will have a group of children’s librarians live blogging and sharing what they are experiencing. HUGE thanks to our live bloggers for this conference:

Abby Johnson

Amy Musser

Amy Steinbauer

Angela Chadbourne

Angela Dubinger

Barb Langridge

Casey McCoy

Dan Bostrom

Gesse Stark-Smith

Heather Acerro

Karen Choy

Katie Richert

Linda Ward-Callaghan

Lisa Kropp

Lisa Nowlain

Lisa Taylor

Louise Capizzo

Mary Voors

Stacey Rattner

Susan Polos

I just can’t wait to read what these volunteer bloggers will be sharing in the next few days! I hope you will follow along to learn more about library services for youth and what is happening at the ALA Conference; just bookmark http://alsc.ala.org/blog.

If there are particular sessions you hope a live blogger will write about, please let us know in the comments below.

The post Live Blogging from #ALAAC15 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Earlier today, the ALSC Notable Children’s Books list of titles to be discussed at the Annual Conference was posted on this blog. I know many of you are also anticipating the 2015 Notable Children’s Recordings Committee Discussion List.

The 2015 Notable Children’s Recordings Committee would like to invite anyone interested to come to their meetings in San Francisco where children’s recordings and audiobooks will be discussed for inclusion on the 2016 Notable Children’s Recordings List. The committee will meet at the Intercontinental Hotel (Patri Room) on Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:30 and Sunday afternoon from 1:00 – 4:00.

And here is the discussion list:

• A Plague of Bogles, 7 hrs 16 min, cd, $45, Listening Library, 9780553556261

• All Around This World: Africa, 1 hr. 24 min, cd, $18.99, CD Baby/Sugar Mountain

• Best Friend Next Door, 4 hrs 44 min,, cd, $25.88, Weston Woods,9780545857710

• Bugs in My Hair, 6 min, cd + bk, $12.95, Weston Woods, 9780545790154

• Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms, 6 hrs 30 min, cd,. $66.75, Recorded Books, 9781490664330

• Crystal, 5 hrs, cd, $51.75, Recorded Books, 9781470392963

• Cuddlebug Parade, 37 min, cd, $12.00, Sweetly Spun Parade/DBaby.com, 889211153558

• Finding the Worm, 7 hr 1 min, cd, $40.00, Listening Library, 9780553552447

• Embassy Row #1: All Fall Down, 8 hrs 34 min, cd, $74.99, Scholastic Audio, 9780545788342

• Fish in a Tree, 5 hrs 45 min, cd, $35.00, Listening Library, 9781101890691

• Glory Be, 4 hrs 27 min, download, $10.95, Scholastic Audio, 9780545735292

• Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs, 14 min, cd + bk, $12.95, Weston Woods, 9780545842709

• Magic Treehouse Super Edition #1: Danger in the Darkest Hour, 3 hrs 2 min, cd, $19.95, Listening Library, 9780553552652

• Mark of the Thief, 8 hrs 28 min, cd, $79.99, Scholastic Audio, 9780545788564

• Midnight Thief, 12 hrs, cd, $108,75, Recorded Books, 9781490651545

• Mr. Men Collection, 59 min, cd, $10.00, Listening Library, 9781101891285

• Mr. Men Collection, #3, 53 min, download, $22,00, Listening Library, 9781101891438

• Mr. Men Collection, #4, 57 min, download, $22.00, Listening Library, 978 110 1891452

• Ms. Rapscott’s Girls, 3 hrs 40min, cd, $27.00, Listening Library, 9781101890653

• Nuts to You, 2 hrs 45 min, cd, $30.75, Recorded Books, 9781490651224

• Papa Is a Poet, 18 min, cd + bk, $12.95, Weston Woods, 9780545842570

• Sing-Along History, Vol. 1: Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!, 35 min, cd, $10.00, CD Baby/Sugar Mountain

• Smek for President!, 6 hrs, cd, $30.00, Listening Library, 9780553395686

• Stella by Starlight, 6 hrs 30 min, cd, $24.99 Simon & Schuster, 9781442380394

• Stradivari’s Gift, 37 min, cd, $12.99, Atlantic Crossing/Naxos of America, 701807997837

• The Boy in the Black Suit, 7 hrs 45 min, cd, $77.75, Recorded Books, 9781490658827

• The Cottage in the Woods, 12 hrs 46 min, cd, $55.00, Listening Library, 9780553556223

• The War That Saved My Life, 7 hrs 38 min, cd, $40.00, Listening Library, 9780553556537

• This is the Rope, 8 min, cd + bk, $12.95, Weston Woods, 9780545790512

• Timmy Failure, #3: We Meet Again, 2 hrs 15 min, cd, $25,75, Recorded Books, 9781490620879

• Tombquest, Bk.1: Book of the Dead, 4 hr 37 min, cd, $49,99, Scholastic Audio, 9780545788403

• Woof, 7 hrs 4 min, cd, Scholastic Audio, $64.99, 978054583835

The post Notable Children’s Recordings Nominees — Summer 2015 #alaac15 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

The ALSC Notable Children’s Books committee is charged with identifying the best of the best in children’s books. According to the Notables Criteria, “notable” is defined as: Worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding. As applied to children’s books, notable should be thought to include books of especially commendable quality, books that exhibit venturesome creativity, and books of fiction, information, poetry and pictures for all age levels (birth through age 14) that reflect and encourage children’s interests in exemplary ways.

If you’re like me, you have been eagerly anticipating the  list of titles to be discussed at the Annual Conference. Here it is!

PICTURE BOOKS

3, 2, 1, Go! by Emily Arnold McCully. Holiday House.

The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach. Random House/Alfred A. Knopf.

Click! by Jeffrey Ebbeler. Holiday House.

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle. Illus. by Rafael López. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Fetch by Jorey Hurley. Simon & Schuster/A Paula Wiseman Book.

A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Feast by Emily Jenkins. Illus. by Sophie Blackall. Random House/Schwartz and Wade

Fly! by Karl Newsom Edwards. Random House/Alfred A. Knopf.

Grandma in Blue with Red Hat by Scott Menchin. Illus. by Harry Bliss. Abrams.

The Grasshopper and the Ants by Jerry Pinkney. Little Brown and Company.

How to Draw a Dragon by Douglas Florian. Beach Lane Books.

If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray.

In by Nikki McClure. Abrams/Appleseed.

It’s Only Stanley by Jon Agee. Penguin Group/Dial Books for Young Readers.

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña. Illus. by Christian Robinson. Penguin/Putnam.

Meet the Dullards by Sara Pennypacker. Illus. by Daniel Salmieri. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray.

My Pen by Christopher Myers. Disney/Hyperion.

New Shoes by Susan Lynn Meyer. Illus. by Eric Velasquez. Holiday House.

P. Zonka Lays an Egg by Julie Paschkis. Peachtree.

A Poem in Your Pocket by Margaret McNamara. Illus. by G. Brian Karas. Schwartz & Wade Books.

Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall. Harper Collins/Greenwillow Books.

Should You Be a River: A Poem about Love by Ed Young. Little Brown and Company.

Sidewalk Flowers by Jon Arno Lawson. Illus. by Sydney Smith. House of Anansi Press/Groundwood Books.

The Skunk by Mac Barnett. Illus. by Patrick McDonnell. Roaring Brook Press.

Spectacular Spots by Susan Stockdale. Peachtree.

Stormy Night by Salina Yoon. Bloomsbury.

Such a Little Mouse by Alice Schertle. Illus. by Stephanie Yue. Scholastic/Orchard Books.

Supertruck by Stephen Savage. Roaring Book Press/A Neal Porter Book.

Toad Weather by Sandra Markle. Illus. by Thomas Gonzalez. Peachtree.

Whale Trails: Before and Now by Lesa Cline-Ransome. Illus. by G. Brian Karas. Henry Holt and Company/Christy Ottaviano Books.

When Otis Courted Mama by Kathi Appelt. Illus. by Jill McElmurry. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

A Wonderful Year by Nick Bruel. Roaring Brook Press/A Neal Porter Book.

FICTION (INCLUDING FICTION, VERSE NOVELS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS)

Audacity by Melanie Crowder. Penguin/Philomel Books.

Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Little Brown and Company

Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly. Harper Collins/Greenwillow Books.

The Cottage in the Woods by Katherine Coville. Random House/Alfred A. Knopf.

A Dragon’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans by Laurence Yep and Joanne Ryder. Illus. by Mary GrandPré. Random House/Crown Books for Young Readers.

Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan. Illus. by Dinara Mirtalipova. Scholastic Press.

Finding Serendipity by Angelica Banks. Illus. by Stevie Lewis. Henry Holt and Company.

Fish in a Tree by Linda Mullaly Hunt. Penguin Group/Nancy Paulsen Books.

Footer Davis Probably Is Crazy by Susan Vaught. Simon Schuster/A Paula Wiseman Book.

Honey by Sarah Weeks. Scholastic Press.

The Imaginary by A. F. Harrold. Illus. by Emily Gravett. Bloomsbury.

Listen, Slowly by Thanhhà Lại. HarperCollins.

Moon Bear by Gill Lewis. Illus. by Alessandro Gottardo. Simon Schuster/Atheneum.

The Penderwicks in Spring by Jeanne Birdsall. Alfred A. Knopf.

Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters by Shannon Hale. Bloomsbury.

The Question of Miracles by Elana K. Arnold. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Red Butterfly by A. L. Sonnichsen. Illus. by Amy June Bates. Simon & Schuster.

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson. Penguin/Dial Books for Young Readers.

Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper. Simon & Schuster/Atheneum.

This Side of Home by Renée Watson. Bloomsbury.

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. Penguin/Dial Books for Young Readers.

Wish Girl by Nikki Loftin. Penguin/Razorbill.

NON-FICTION (INCLUDING INFORMATION PICTURE BOOKS, POETRY AND FOLKLORE)

28 Days: Moments in Black History That Changed the World by Charles R. Smith Jr. Illus. by Shane Evans. Roaring Brook Press/A Neal Porter Book.

Big Red Kangaroo by Claire Saxby. Illus. by Graham Byrne. Candlewick Press.

Bird & Diz by Gary Golio. Illus. by Ed Young. Candlewick Press.

The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage by Selina Alko. Illus. by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko. Scholastic/Arthur A Levine Books.

Death of the Hat: A Brief History of Poetry in 50 Objects by Paul B. Janeczko (compiler). Illus. by Chris Raschka. Candlewick Press.

Draw What You See: The Life and Art of Benny Andrews by Kathleen Benson. Illus. by Benny Andrews. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Clarion Books.

Earmuffs for Everyone: How Chester Greenwood Became Known as the Inventor of Earmuffs by Meghan McCarthy. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers/A Paula Wiseman Book.

Egg: Nature’s Perfect Package by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. Illus. by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson. Illus. by Sean Qualls. Random House/Schwartz and Wade.

Enormous Smallness: A Story of E. E. Cummings by Matthew Burgess. Illus. by Kris Di Giacomo. Enchanted Lion Books.

Fatal Fever: Tracking Down Typhoid Mary by Gail Jarrow. Highlights/Calkins Creek.

First Flight around the World: The Adventures of the American Fliers Who Won the Race by Tim Grove. Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum/Abram Books.

Flowers Are Calling by Rita Gray. Illus. by Kenard Pak. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Gingerbread for Liberty: How a German Baker Helped with the American Revolution by Mara Rockliff. Illus. by Vincent X. Kirsch. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

In Mary’s Garden by Tina and Carson Kügler. Illus. by Carson Kügler. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Lullaby & Kisses Sweet: Poems to Love with Your Baby by Lee Bennett Hopkins (compiler). Illus. by Alyssa Nassner. Abrams/Appleseed.

One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul. Illus. by Elizabeth Zunon. Lerner/Millbrook Press.

Rad American Women A to Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries Who Shaped Our History… and Our Future by Kate Schatz. Illus. by Miriam Klein Stahl. City Lights Books.

Raindrops Roll by April Pulley Sayre. Simon & Schuster/Beach Lane.

Swing Sisters: The Story of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm by Karen Deans. Illus. by Joe Cepeda. Holiday House.

Tricky Vic: The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower by Greg Pizzoli. Penguin Group/Viking.

Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrew. Illus. by Bryan Collier. Abram Books.

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March by Lynda Blackmon Lowery. Illus. by P J Loughran. Penguin/Dial Books.

The Notable Children’s Books committee will be meeting Saturday, Sunday, and Monday afternoons from 1:00 to 4:00 during the ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco. The discussions will take place in Room 3022 (W) of the Moscone Convention Center. The books will be discussed in the order they are on the list.

The post Notable Children’s Books Nominees — Summer 2015 #alaac15 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Each month, an ALSC member is profiled and we learn a little about their professional life and a bit about their not-so-serious side. Using just a few questions, we try to keep the profiles fun while highlighting the variety of members in our organization. So, without further ado, welcome to our ALSC profile, ten questions with ALSC member, Lisa Mulvenna.

1.  What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?

Courtesy photo

I am the Head of Youth/YA Services at the Clinton-Macomb Public Library. I have been in my current position since September 2013. Before that, I was a Youth Services Librarian at CMPL for 12 years. While I am in management now and don’t have as much to do with it as before, my specialty was early literacy and young children’s programming. Now I get to do fun things like helping to shape budgets and goals for our organization so we can do great things like early literacy or school outreach.

2.  Why did you join ALSC? Do you belong to any other ALA divisions or roundtables?

I joined ALSC to connect with other children’s librarians and to grow in my profession. The networking opportunities are invaluable and I have pulled many ideas from colleagues. I am also a member of PLA.

3.  Do you enjoy summer weather?

Despite living in Michigan, which is definitely a four season state, I am a total summer lover! As soon as the weather starts warming up in the spring, I am outside in my flip flops and shorts or driving with my sunroof open. Plus, there is nothing as relaxing as a summer evening spent reading on the front porch!

4.  E-books or Print?

It’s a mix. When I am working with kids, especially those under the age of 5, I prefer print books. It is important to learn about print, practice turning the pages, and being able to cuddle up to a caregiver to share a story. Plus, the illustrations are awesome! As an adult, almost all of the books that I read for pleasure are e-books because I am a device junkie and they give me easy access to e-books. On the other hand, I still love to be able to browse my local Barnes and Noble for a couple of hours!

5.  Favorite part of being a Children’s Librarian?

I love being able to watch the kiddos grow up! I get to see them in my baby and toddler story times, then as they grow, they will be back for homework help and pleasure reading once they hit school.

6.  Favorite age of kids to work with?

It used to be just 2 year olds, but I have now added babies into the mix. Even though their ages are close, they are very different to program for. Both are a lot of fun!

7.  What movie would you rather watch in a theater than at home?

The whole Harry Potter series! While I have them all on DVD, I loved seeing them all on the big screen.

8.  When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I was one of those kids where it changed often. At my kindergarten graduation, I wanted to be a nurse, but I have also wanted to be a doctor, a lawyer, a child therapist, and a music teacher. Luckily, I picked right!

9.  Tell us something that not many people know.

My family is in the 2001 Guinness World Records for largest family reunion. We had 3500 people at the Lake County Fairgrounds outside of Chicago. Since the Guinness World Records is a hot item at our library, the kids are flabbergasted when I tell them that I am in there.

10.  What do you think libraries will look like fifty years from now?

I think that the ideas and basic missions will be the same, but the way that we do them will change. Books are not going away and literacy will always be important. After all, you need to be able to read to do just about everything else. I see us becoming more of a community organization. Staff will do more outreach to take their mission on the road. We will do more programming out in the community, rather than mostly in the library.

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Thanks, Lisa! What a fun continuation to our monthly profile feature!

Do you know someone who would be a good candidate for our ALSC Monthly Profile? Are YOU brave enough to answer our ten questions? Send your name and email address to [email protected]; we’ll see what we can do.

The post ALSC Member of the Month — Lisa Mulvenna appeared first on ALSC Blog.

In just over a month, many librarians will be heading to San Francisco for ALA’s Annual Conference. There is a full lineup of ALSC programs at Annual including the President’s Program, the Newbery-Caldecott-Wilder Awards Banquet, hundreds of exhibits to explore, and much more.

If YOU are heading to the City by the Bay at the end of June, we’d love to have you live blog for the ALSC Blog about what you are experiencing and learning so everyone — especially those #leftbehind — can have a feel for what the conference is like.

Sound interesting? Just contact Mary Voors, ALSC Blog Manager, at [email protected] for all the information you need to volunteer as a live blogger from the conference.

The post The ALSC Blog would love your help at #alaac15 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Have you noticed the monthly ALSC Member of the Month Profile on the Blog? Have you enjoyed reading these profiles?

Each month, an ALSC member is profiled and we learn a little about their professional life and a bit about their not-so-serious side. Using just a few questions, we try to keep the profiles fun while highlighting the variety of members in our organization.

Do you know someone who would be a good candidate for our ALSC Monthly Profile? Are YOU brave enough to answer our ten questions? Send your name and email address to [email protected]; we’ll see what we can do.

We’re looking for ALSC Members willing to be profiled in the coming months. C’mon, it’s fun! Wouldn’t you like to be highlighted? We’ll be waiting to hear from you!

The post Are you willing to answer ten questions? appeared first on ALSC Blog.

In an effort to help ALSC members make an informed decision before they vote, the blog posts today consist of interviews with the candidates for 2015-16 ALSC Vice President/President-Elect: Tali Balas and Elizabeth “Betsy” Orsburn. Each candidate was given ten questions and submitted written answers.

This afternoon’s interview is with Tali Balas:

1.  What do you consider the most important role of the ALSC President?

I think the most important role of the ALSC President is to be a leader; and by that I mean she needs to be able to listen, build consensus, and make tough decisions. ALSC is an amazing organization filled with bright, caring professionals who come from a variety of backgrounds and who are in various stages of their careers. The President needs to be able to listen to the members and help build consensus so that the organization and the members continue to thrive. Sometimes this means making decisions that are not 100% agreed upon but we need to trust the process we have so that we can continue to grow and move forward.

2.  What skills & strengths would you bring to the office?

Passion, creativity, consistency, and organization. I have an enormous amount of energy and drive and would be honored to apply my skills to keeping ALSC vital in the 21st century. I am a process nerd and love figuring out how an organization works and how it could improve without losing its core values.

3.  What area of library service to children is your favorite?

I love it all! Outreach, programming, teaching, collection development, cataloging, finances. The beauty of being a school librarian is that I am able to do everything from processing books to putting on puppet shows. This variety is why I love being a children’s librarian!

4.  Why should someone choose to join ALSC? What services do you feel ALSC provides that are valuable to new members? To long-term members?

ALSC offers library professionals the opportunity to meet people from all over the country who have different experiences and points of view. This mix of people creates a dynamic space that allows for new ideas and relationships to form. ALSC provides its members with so many opportunities to develop professionally which is imperative whether you are early or late in your career. It is because of ALSC that I learned about the difference between endowments and long-term investments, how to create a strategic plan, and conduct a webinar. ALSC provides experiences that are not necessarily available at a local level.

5.  What are your ideas for reaching and involving members? What are your ideas to recruit new members?

The advantage of being a member of ALSC is the impact you can have at a national level and the relationships you can develop with people from around the country. We need our current members to speak with their local colleagues and find out what they need, bring that information back to ALSC, and find ways to meet those needs. Recruiting new members is something that all of our current members can do to help ALSC remain active and current. I would also like our current members to create a reel for youtube on the benefits of ALSC to help us reach even more potential members.

6.  How has ALSC membership impacted your life? How has your membership in ALSC impacted library service to children?

ALSC has completely shaped my professional life. My career and my program have been elevated in ways I would never have expected. At the beginning of my career I learned new programming skills, heard about innovative services others were offering and fell in love with first time authors. Later, ALSC provided me with opportunities to learn about organizations, management, and process in ways I wouldn’t have had in a one school environment. But, most importantly, it gave me the courage to try new things in my program that have had a huge impact on how my students experience the library. On a personal level, I have been introduced to amazing professionals who have become lifelong friends and supportive colleagues.

7.  Changes in the economy and advances in technology are dramatically impacting libraries. What are your thoughts on how ALSC can best continue to be a positive force for librarians, for libraries, and for children?

We need to encourage librarians to embrace the change and go boldly into the future. ALSC will continue to broadcast the importance of libraries and support librarians in their communities. We need to make sure that people understand the value that librarians bring in an age where everything is done by consensus. There is a major difference between a librarian’s expertise and the reviews on Amazon. ALSC needs to be at the forefront of advocating for librarians and libraries.

8.  ALSC has a commitment to conversations on diversity and inclusion and the essential roles that children’s librarians have in ensuring rich and diverse collections and programming. How will you work to enhance this commitment?

I want to continue to build on the momentum that is focused right now on ensuring that diversity, in all of its manifestations, is reflected in materials for children at all levels. Having the books themselves is not negotiable if we want to create diverse collections and programming. We also need to make sure that those books reach children, that librarians are buying the books for their collections and that they are getting on the shelves. I have always wanted to create a legion of librarians who makeover a library in need by processing, cataloging and shelving books leaving the librarian time and energy to create quality programming with a revamped space.

9.  What is your motivation in running for this position?

My desire is to make sure that ALSC is front and center in the national discussion when we talk about what services are imperative in a child’s life. I want to translate the passion I have for making sure that high quality library services are available to all children into tangible items that will help our members and the organization move forward.

10.  What else would you like the voting ALSC membership to know about you before they vote?

I believe that the gravitas of ALSC needs to be deepened through a marketing campaign that is followed by actions that are strong and clear. I have a vision that ALSC is well known in all types of learning and political institutions and can advocate effectively for funding for all communities. Libraries will once again be recognized as the cornerstone of a democratic society and our goal should be that everyone should have access to the myriad variety of services we provide.

Thank you, Tali!

The post Tali Balas: 2015 -16 ALSC Vice President/President Elect Candidate appeared first on ALSC Blog.

In an effort to help ALSC members make an informed decision before they vote, the blog posts today consist of interviews with the candidates for 2015-16 ALSC Vice President/President-Elect: Elizabeth “Betsy” Orsburn and Tali Balas. Each candidate was given ten questions and submitted written answers.

This morning’s interview is with Elizabeth “Betsy” Orsburn:

1. What do you consider the most important role of the ALSC President?

Photo by Christine Caputo

As president I would serve as the presiding officer for our organization’s governance. Yet I would consider my most important role to be the ALSC communicator-in-chief, keeping our association united around our goals and objectives and eager to face what the future brings. Our association is organized for the purpose of “creating a better future for children through libraries,” so that through free and equal access to library services, children can & will develop a love of reading and learning and become responsible citizens in our communities. It is through the united strength of our dedicated children’s librarians & educators that ALSC makes a difference both locally and nationally. Representing the ALSC membership within ALA and on the national stage would be another important aspect of the communicator’s role. To accomplish this, I pledge to listen to our members’ suggestions and concerns and encourage all means of two-way communication as a crucial part of my becoming the members’ true representative.

2.  What skills & strengths would you bring to the office?

Organization and communication are my top two professional strengths; and through years of management experience, I have honed them into skills. I believe both would be excellent assets for the office of ALSC president. In addition, I have the time, energy, experience and enthusiasm to accept the challenge of standing for election to Vice-President/President-Elect.

3.  What area of library service to children is your favorite?

Training/ Professional Development would have to be my favorite, and I was fortunate enough to serve as a Continuing Educator/Inservice Trainer for children’s librarians at the Free Library of Philadelphia and in the state of Pennsylvania. Although I spent most of my library career working on city-wide library programming for children, teens, families, caregivers and educators, participating on the 2014 Newbery Committee brought back to me the JOY of reading and evaluating children’s books. Several grant-funded programs allowed us to experiment & evaluate youth programming using the latest technologies. It’s hard to pick just one favorite area of library service from my many experiences; really the only task I didn’t enjoy was cataloging.

4.  Why should someone choose to join ALSC? What services do you feel ALSC provides that are valuable to new members? To long-term members?

Nowhere else can you find such a welcoming cooperative community of dedicated professionals united around our common goal of providing excellent library service & reading materials for children, than ALSC. Especially for new members, ALSC offers graduate scholarship money and travel scholarships to attend annual conference. Our association gives grants and fellowships to recognize our members, support outstanding programming, and aid in continuing education; there is also special funding to support library programming and collections. ALSC is a treasure-trove of educational opportunities with formal and informal mentoring, sharing in-person through programs, conferences, and institutes, virtually through online courses, ALSC blog, and Connect, and through CHILDREN AND LIBRARIES and other print materials. The opportunities to participate in ALSC process and award committees provide seasoned members with unparalleled professional and personal development; it’s better leadership training for librarians than any MBA program. As an ALA member with many years of experience under my belt, ALSC is still “my professional family” that provides education, comradery, supports and challenges that keep me actively involved. And I am proud that ALSC is a voice on the national level advocating for free, equal library services for all children.

5.  What are your ideas for reaching and involving members? What are your ideas to recruit new members?

Communication in all forms within ALSC is as important as our outreach for new members, and I pledge to keep this communication two-way and interactive. Because growing ALSC membership is such a critical priority for our association, I would commit to becoming an ex-offico member of the ALSC Membership Committee while serving as Vice-President/President-Elect. This hard-working standing committee has always executed excellent recruitment activities that promote the advantages of belonging to our association, as well as the many services and programs available to all members. I have enjoyed participating in ALSC 101 at past annual conferences, when I served on the ALSC Board, and I wholeheartedly support the ALSC Roadshow and continuing the funding for our ALSC volunteers to present, staff booths or coordinate social events at state and local conferences. Another support provided by ALSC through the Education Committee is the opportunity to be matched with an experienced librarian that has volunteered to share their knowledge and mentor newer members.

6.  How has ALSC membership impacted your life? How has your membership in ALSC impacted library service to children?

ALSC keeps me up-to-date and knowledgeable about the latest innovations and information in our profession. This organization has enriched my personal and professional life with friends, mentors, and educational programs, as well as numerous opportunities to develop my professional skills. I was privileged to present on conference program panels, to serve on the ALSC Board of Directors, and to serve on two Newbery Award Committees. All of which helped to build my knowledge, confidence and professional reputation.

My membership in ALSC has always made me a better and more informed children’s librarian and administrator of children’s library services and programming. The professional development materials including annual conference programs, institute sessions, and training materials such as Every Child Ready to Read, were and are so outstanding, I brought the information and sometimes even the official trainers to the Free Library of Philadelphia for our children’s librarians and other interested staff. And today I promote ALSC online materials and membership to my grad students at Drexel.

7.  Changes in the economy and advances in technology are dramatically impacting libraries. What are your thoughts on how ALSC can best continue to be a positive force for librarians, for libraries, and for children??

Challenges to the national economy have only re-enforced my commitment to ALSC and its strong national advocacy, which provides information and support for state and local resources for children in both public and school libraries. ALSC must continue this vital leadership role of advocacy for children and increased funding for libraries no matter what is happening in our nation’s economy. Another positive force from ALSC is the Everyday Advocacy project that empowers librarians to speak out. So whether on the local or national level, the association must ensure that it has a “place at the table” whenever decisions are made that affect children’s rights to libraries that are staffed with professional librarians.

Staying ahead of the curve with technology is essential for providing excellent library service to children, and ALSC serves as the fountainhead of knowledge in the field of library technology & its effects on children. By demonstrating, evaluating and educating our members on the best tech devices, systems, programs, applications, and materials currently available, our budget-starved libraries can wisely spend their limited funds on the best products & materials for children. Dealing with new media and technology is when I rely on our association’s newer members to help me & the other more experienced librarians to become more tech-savvy.

8.  ALSC has a commitment to conversations on diversity and inclusion and the essential roles that children’s librarians have in ensuring rich and diverse collections and programming. How will you work to enhance this commitment?

One of ALSC’s strong commitments to diversity can currently be seen in our joint support with Reforma for the DIA: Diversity in Action program. As ALSC President, I would certainly want to continue the exciting efforts that culminated at ALA Mid-Winter 2015 with the Day of Diversity and the Diversity Matters sessions. These conversations included finding practical strategies for increasing diversity awareness in the publishing and library worlds, ways to increase diversity in print and digital materials available for children, how to attract diverse children and families into libraries, and ways to build partnerships to create and share resources that support multicultural programming. From these rich conversations, our association will be able to formulate a plan of action and what our next steps will be. I believe that ALSC will institutionalize our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and if elected, I pledge to make this a priority. In addition, I have a strong commitment to support diversity among our membership.

9.  What is your motivation in running for this position?

I want to pay forward the numerous benefits that ALSC has provided for me. My membership in ALSC has enhanced my professional career and increased my enjoyment of children’s librarianship and literature so much. I look at standing for this election as my way of giving back to the organization that has given so much to me.

I wholly support the ALSC strategic plan and its blueprint for our organization, but we also need re-evaluate the plan and increase our commitments to diversity and emerging technologies. This is not a criticism of our strategic plan, which was formulated in 2010-11 when I was a Board member. Our strategic plan calls for a re-examination in 5 years (in 2017), and I would like to be part of this re-assessment.

10.  What else would you like the voting ALSC membership to know about you before they vote?

Here are three miscellaneous facts:

• When not reading children’s books, I enjoy non-fiction, biographies and historical fiction. I guess the college history major in me still comes through.
• I have come full circle since retiring from The Free Library of Philadelphia, by returning to my alma mater Drexel University to become an adjunct professor and teach Children’s Literature. Taking an earlier version of this same Children’s Literature course at Drexel was what convinced me to become a Children’s Librarian.
• My orientation trainings as a new Children’s Librarian were led by Carolyn W. Field and Helen Mullen, both of whom served as ALSC presidents.

Thank you, Betsy!

The post Elizabeth “Betsy” Orsburn: 2015-16 ALSC Vice President/President Elect Candidate appeared first on ALSC Blog.

The 2015 Youth Media Awards have been announced at the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting. I could not be prouder of the hard work EVERY committee did in selecting a phenomenal list of winners! (And I can’t wipe this silly grin off my face. I love the YMAs!)

Check out this press release from ALA for all the details of the winners and honor books which were announced this morning.

The post The YMAs have been announced at #alamw15 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Meetings, networking, the serendipity of meeting old colleagues, visiting exhibits, talking to vendors, learning, reflecting… they are all part of the Midwinter Conference. This year there was also an opportunity to give back by donating blood.

January is national blood donor month. I did my part by donating blood at the bloodmobile conveniently located at the back of the exhibit hall. Thanks to Libraries Build Communities, an ALA membership initiative group, for this opportunity to “give back” to the community at large — and maybe save some lives — through LifeSource.

The post Giving Blood at #alamw15 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

It’s almost time for the ALA Midwinter Meetings! Are you #alscleftbehind and unable to make it to Chicago? Are you wondering how you can keep up with all that’s going on? We’ve got you covered! Check the ALSC Blog for photos, videos and information about what’s going on at Midwinter. You can also check in on Twitter; just track the hashtag #alamw15.

Seventeen bloggers have committed to offering short, frequent posts throughout the conference. They are:

• Alyson Feldman-Piltch
• Amy Musser
• Amy Sinnett
• Andrew Medlar
• Ashley Waring
• Barb Langridge
• Dan Bostrom
• Elisabeth Marrocolla
• Gesse Stark-Smith
• Gwen Vanderhage
• Karen Choy
• Kim Alberts
• Linda Ward-Callaghan
• Lisa Nowlain
• Mary Voors
• Melina Easter
• Tessa M. Schmidt

Let me be the first to thank this wonderful group of volunteers!

Are there activities you hope we cover? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Live Blogging from ALA Midwinter 2015 #alamw15 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Each month, an ALSC member is profiled and we learn a little about their professional life and a bit about their not-so-serious side. Using just a few questions, we try to keep the profiles fun while highlighting the variety of members in our organization. So, without further ado, welcome to our ALSC profile, ten questions with ALSC member, Cindy Boatfield.

1.  What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?

I have been a librarian for over 20 years but have been in my current position, Youth Services Senior Librarian at the Frisco Public Library in Frisco, Texas since 2008. My major responsibility is to coordinate all aspects of Early Literacy. I also order picture books, provide reference and reader’s advisory for all ages, create displays, serve on the e-resources committee, provide in-house tours and outreach when requested. I also oversee the Student Teller Program. Each year we audition and coach students ages 8 to 18 to tell a story during the library’s annual storytelling festival.

2.  Why did you join ALSC? Do you belong to any other ALA divisions or roundtables?

I think the major reason is so I have a connection with other youth services librarians. To stay on top of current trends and practices. To learn about upcoming workshops. And I enjoy the resources and ideas I get from this blog! No I do not currently belong to any other ALA divisions or roundtables. But I should probably join YALSA since I read so many YA books and enjoy assisting with events for teens.

3.  Would you rather bring a lunch from home or eat out at lunch?

I would rather bring a lunch from home so I can spend as much time as possible reading my book!

4.  How do you incorporate STEM/STEAM activities in your work with children? 

We have STEM Spots (we created a graphic) during our 2’s and 3-5’s story time classes. We provide take-home sheets and post the activities on our website. Here is an exciting moment from last session when we successfully launched a balloon rocket.

During our Stay, Play & Learn dates, children can build with DUPLO Legos while reading books featuring STEM topics, and can delve into math by playing with the Farm Sorting Set we purchased from Lakeshore.

In February, we are offering a workshop, I STEM, You STEM for childcare providers, preschool teachers, and parents. Demonstrations of exciting hands-on activities to spark young children’s interest in science and engineering will be shared.

We also have big books with activity sheets featuring science, math, and art topics children and adults can enjoy while at the library.

5.  What form(s) of transportation do you prefer?

I like to travel by airplane and train for obvious reasons but I have wonderful memories while riding on a boat. When I was around seven, my dad, mom, sister and grandparents (my father and grandfather jointly owned a boat) would head to Guntersville Lake in Alabama to go for a ride. I would hold on tight while dangling my legs off the bow. There was a little grocery store where we docked to get gas and they had chocolate ice cream, Yum!

6.  Would you rather go to a 5 star restaurant or on a picnic?

As much as I like to dress up, and would enjoy the atmosphere, and fancy food I would still rather go on a picnic. I could pack plenty of my favorite foods (I’ve heard that some people leave a 5 star restaurant hungry), I could invite a few friends, pick a lovely spot, and just relax.

7.  What do you love about your work?

I love the variety throughout my workday whether it is presenting story time, putting books in the hands of children and teens, ordering materials and looking at new books (SWEET!). I love that I can be creative when planning story times or when putting together a display. That I am continually learning. What I love most of all is I am in a position to impact the lives of children.

8.  What’s the last book you recommended to a friend?

I have a friend who loves to read young adult. So I recommended, We Were Liars by e. Lockhart. That book still haunts me to this day.

9.  If you could bring back any extinct animal, which would it be?

I would bring back a dinosaur so I could take him to story time.

10.  When was the last time you “messed up” during story time?

During my ECRR tip in story time this past summer I told the adults they could create a matching game to extend the bird theme at home. I told them to go to Google Images, print pictures of different kinds of birds, cut them out, and put them on index cards. Then I went on to say, they could write the names of the birds on index cards like cardinal, robin, and mockingjay… I’ll leave it at that.

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Thanks, Cindy! What a fun continuation to our monthly profile feature!

Do you know someone who would be a good candidate for our ALSC Monthly Profile? Are YOU brave enough to answer our ten questions? Send your name and email address to [email protected]; we’ll see what we can do.

The post ALSC Member of the Month — Cindy Boatfield appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Caitlin Jacobson, chair, and the rest of the 2015 Notable Children’s Videos Committee, invite you to join them at their Midwinter discussions. Check the ALA Midwinter Scheduler for exact times; all discussions will take place in the Chancellor Room of the Fairmont Chicago.

Titles to be discussed include:

Anna and Solomon.  Dreamscape Media, LLC
Bailey Dreamscape.  Media, LLC
Bailey at the Museum. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Bailey Bee Believes: The Five B’s. Eyecon Productions/Bailey Bee Believes
Behold the Beautiful Dung Beetle.  Dreamscape Media, LLC
Big Bad Bubble. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Boom Snot Twitty. Dreamscape Media, LLC
The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot! Dreamscape Media, LLC
Brave Girl. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Bus Story. National Film Board of Canada
Children of Military Families. Professor Child
The Christmas Quiet Book. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Confessions of a Bully. Human Relations Media
The Dangers of Sugar and Salt. Human Relations Media
Daredevil. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Doug Unplugs on the Farm. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Dragons Love Tacos. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Driving Stupid. Human Relations Media
The Duckling Gets a Cookie? Weston Woods
Each Kindness. Weston Woods
Exclamation Mark. Weston Woods
Extra Yarn. Weston Woods
The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau. Dreamscape Media, LLC
The Funkiest Monkeys. PBS/Nature
Get Me Goin’ Danceable Music. Video Jill Jayne
Getting Through It: Kids Talk About Divorce. Human Relations Media
Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Good Friends – Bad Friends & How to Know the Difference. YouthLight, Inc.
Hansel and Gretel. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Herion Rising: Cheap, Addictive and Deadly. Human Relations Media
How Could This Happen? A True Story about Binge Drinking and Death. Human Relations Media
Honey Badgers. PBS/Nature
Is There a Monster in My Closet? Dreamscape Media, LLC
It’s a Dog’s Life. National Film Board of Canada
Jack and the Beanstalk. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Locomotive. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Lucky Ducklings. Weston Woods
Making a Friend. Dreamscape Media, LLC
The Man with the Violin. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Marijuana and the Teenage Brain. Human Relations Media
Marijuana: Does Legal Mean Safe? Human Relations Media
Me and My Moulton. National Film Board of Canada
Me…Jane. Weston Woods
Milo’s Hat Trick. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Molly: Innocent Name, Deadly Drug. Human Relations Media
Mr. Wuffles. Dreamscape Media, LLC
The Museum. Dreamscape Media, LLC
A Nation’s Hope. Dreamscape Media, LLC
No Fish Where to Go. National Film Board of Canada
Nothing. Dreamscape Media, LLC
One Cool Friend. Weston Woods
One is a Feast for Mouse. Dreamscape Media, LLC
The Paper Bag Princess. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Rain, Rain, Go Away; Winken, Blinken, and Nod; & One, Two, Buckle My Shoe. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Secret Pizza Party. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Separate is Never Equal. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Shelly Goes to the Zoo. Shelly’s Adventures, LLC
Shelly’s Outdoor Adventure. Shelly’s Adventures, LLC
The Smallest Gift of Christmas. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Someday. Weston Woods
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Star Bright Dreamscape. Media, LLC
Stronger, Tougher, Smarter: Stories of Teen Resilience. Human Relations Media
Terrific.Dreamscape Media, LLC
Thanksgiving Is… Dreamscape Media, LLC
This is Not My Hat. Weston Woods
This is the Rope. Weston Woods
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star; & Star Light, Star Bright. Dreamscape Media, LLC
The Ugly Duckling. Dreamscape Media, LLC
Under the Freedom Tree. Dreamscape Media, LLC
The Very Fairy Princess. Weston Woods
We ALL Fit. Good Friend, Inc.
What Could You Do? YouthLight, Inc.
What’s Up With E-Cigarettes? Human Relations Media
When the Sun Goes Down. Kite Tails LLC
Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell. Weston Woods
Wizard of Oz. Dreamscape Media, LLC
You Are In Charge of Your Body: A Sexual Abuse Prevention Curriculum. Human Relations Media

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You might also be interested in looking at the 2015 Notable Children’s Books discussion list which was posted yesterday afternoon, and the 2015 Notable Sound Recordings discussion list which was posted Monday, January 19th .

The post Notable Videos — 2015 Discussion List appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Edie Ching, chair, and the rest of the 2015 Notable Children’s Books Committee, invite you to join them at their Midwinter discussions, taking place on Friday, January 30th from 1:00 to 4:00, and Saturday, January 31 through Monday, February 2nd, from 1:30 to 4:30. All discussions will take place in McCormick Place West, Room W194B.

The complete discussion list is below. Titles in italics indicate that the book was already discussed at the Annual Conference last summer; titles with an asterisk will be discussed for the first time at Midwinter.

FICTION (INCLUDING FICTION GRAPHIC NOVELS AND FICTION VERSE NOVELS)

*Acampora, Paul.  I Kill the Mockingbird.  Roaring Brook Press.

Alexander, Kwame. The Crossover.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Auxier, Jonathan. The Night Gardener. Abrams/Amulet.

*Averbeck, Jim. A Hitch at the Fairmont. Illus. by Nick Bertozzi.  Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

*Barnhill, Kelly. The Witch’s Boy.  Algonquin Young Readers.

*Bell, Cece. El Deafo. Abrams/Amulet Books.

Blakemore, Megan Frazer. The Spy Catchers of Maple Hill. Bloomsbury

*Booth, Coe. Kinda Like Brothers. Scholastic Press.

Boyne, John.  Stay Where You Are & Then Leave.  Illus. by Oliver Jeffers.  Henry Holt and Company.

Brown, Skila. Caminar. Candlewick Press.

*Camper, Cathy. Lowriders in Space (Book 1). Illus. by Raul the Third. Chronicle Books.

*Carroll, Emily. Through the Woods. Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry Books.

Carleson, J.C. The Tyrant’s Daughter. Alfred A. Knopf/Random House.

*Cheng, Andrea. The Year of the Fortune Cookie (An Anna Wang novel). Illus by Patrice Barton. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers.

*Cohn, Edith. Spirit’s Key. Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers.

*Cronin, Doreen. The Chicken Squad.  Illus. by Kevin Cornell. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

*Curtis, Christopher Paul. The Madman of Piney Woods. Scholastic Press.

*Daly, Cathleen.  Emily’s Blue Period. Roaring Brook Press.

Dauvillier,Loïc. Hidden : A Child’s Story of the Holocaust : L’Enfant Caché.   Illus. by Marc Lizano and Greg Salsedo.  Translated by Alexis Siegel.  First Second.

Davies, Nicola  The Lion Who Stole My Arm.  Illus. by Annabel Wright.  Candlewick Press.

*de Fombelle, Timothée. Vango: between sky and earth : Entre ciel et terre. Trans. By Sarah Ardizzone.  Candlewick Press.

*de los Santos, Marisa and David Teague. Saving Lucas Biggs.  HarperCollins.

*DiCamillo, Kate. Leroy Ninker Saddles up: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, Volume One. Illus. by Chris Van Dusen. Candlewick Press.

*Dumon Tak, Bibi. Mikis and the Donkey :Mikis de ezeljongen. Illus. by Philip Hopman. Trans. by Laura Watkinson. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

*Durham, Paul. The Luck Uglies. Illus. by Péter Antonsson. HarperCollins.

*Ehrlich, Esther. Nest. Random House/Wendy Lamb Books.

Elliott, L. M. Across a War-Tossed Sea. Disney-Hyperion Books.

Engle, Margarita. Silver People: Voices From the Panama Canal. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

*Faulkner, Matt. Gaijin: American Prisoner of War.  Disney-Hyperion Books.

Fitzgerald, Laura Marx. Under the Egg. Dial Books for Young Readers.

Foxlee, Karen. Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy. Alfred A. Knopf.

*Funke, Cornelia. Emma and the Blue Genie : Emma und der Blaue Dschinn.  Illus. by Kerstin Meyer.  Trans. By Oliver Latsch. Random House.

*Giff, Patricia Reilly. Winter Sky. Random House/Wendy Lamb Books.

*Godin, Thelma Lynne. The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen. Illus. by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Lee and Low.

*Graff, Lisa. Absolutely Almost. Penguin/Philomel Books.

*Grove, S.E. The Glass Sentence (The Mapmakers Trilogy Book 1). Penguin Group/Viking.  

*Hahn, Mary Downing.  Where I Belong.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Clarion Books.

*Hanlon, Abby. Dory Fantasmagory. Illus. by Abby Hanlon. Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Group.

*Harrington, Karen.  Courage for Beginners. Little Brown Books for Young Readers.

Herrera, Robin. Hope is a Ferris Wheel. Abrams/Amulet.

*Hiassen, Carl. Skink—No Surrender.  Knopf Books for Young Readers.

Holczer, Tracy.  The Secret Hum of a Daisy. G. P. Putnam’s Sons.

*Holm, Jennifer L. The Fourteenth Goldfish. Random House.

Johnson, Jaleigh. The Mark of the Dragonfly. Delacorte Press.

*Johnson, Varian. The Great Greene Heist. Scholastic Press/Arthur A. Levine.

*Kadohata, Cynthia. Half A World Away. Simon & Schuste/Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Lamana, Julie T. Upside Down In the Middle of Nowhere. Chronicle Books.

*Larson, Kirby. Dash.  Scholastic Press.

*Levine. Kristin. The Paper Cowboy.  Penguin Young Readers Group/G. P. Putnam’s Sons.

*Levy, Dana Alison. The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher.  Random House/Delacorte Press.

Lloyd, Natalie.  A Snicker of Magic.  Scholastic Press.

*Loftin, Nikki. Nightingale’s Nest. Penguin/Razorbill.

Lord, Cynthia. Half a Chance. Scholastic Press.

MacLachlan. Patricia. Fly Away. Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry Books.

*Maguire, Gregory. Egg and Spoon.  Candlewick Press.

*Mann, Elizabeth. Little Man: A Novel.  Miyaka Press.

*Martin, Ann M. Rain Reign. Macmillan/Feiwel & Friends.

*Messner, Kate. Marty McGuire Has Too Many Pets. Illus. by Brian Floca.  Scholastic Press.

*Milford, Kate. Greenglass House.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Clarion Books.

Moses, Shelia P. The Sittin’ Up. G. P. Putnam’s Sons for Young Readers.

*Moulton, Erin E. Chasing the Milky Way. Penguin Group/Philomel.

*Muten, Burleigh. Miss Emily. Illus. Matt Phelan. Candlewick.

*Nye, Naomi Shihab. The Turtle of Oman: A Novel. HarperCollins/Greenwillow Books.

Oppel, Kenneth. The Boundless. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

*Peet, Mal & Elspeth Graham. Night Sky Dragons. Illus. by Patrick Benson. Candlewick Press.

Philbrick, Rodman. Zane and the Hurricane. Blue Sky Press.

*Pinkney, Andrea Davis. The Red Pencil.  Illus. by Shane Evans. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Preus, Margi. West of the Moon.  Abrams/Amulet.

*Rundell, Katherine. Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms.  Illus. by Melissa Castrillón. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

*Ryan, Carrie and John Parke Davis. The Map to Everywhere. Illus. by Todd Harris. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

*Ryan, Pam Muñoz. Tony Baloney: Buddy trouble. Illus. by Edwin Fotheringham. Scholastic Press.

*Sadler, Marilyn. Ten Eggs in a Nest. Illus. by Michael Fleming.  Random House.

*Senzai, N. H. Saving Kabul Corner. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Sovern, Megan Jean. The Meaning of Maggie. Chronicle Books.

*Spinelli, Eileen. Another Day as Emily. Illus. by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. Knopf Books for Young Readers.

*St. Antoine, Sara. Three Bird Summer. Candlewick.

*Telgemeier, Raina. Sisters. Illus. by Reina Telgemeier. Colors by Braden Lamb. Scholastic/GRAPHIX .

Turnage, Sheila. The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing.  Penguin/Kathy Dawson Books.

*Venkatraman, Padma. A Time to Dance.  Nancy Paulsen Books / Penguin.

*Webb, Holly. The Case of the Stolen Sixpence: Book 1 (The Mysteries of Maisie Hutchins) Illus. by Marion Lindsay.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers.

White, J. A. The Thickety; A Path Begins. Illus. by Andrea Offermann. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books.

Wiles, Deborah. Revolution (The Sixties Trilogy).  Scholastic.

*Willems, Mo. Waiting is Not Easy. Disney Book Group/Hyperion Books for Children.

*Wilson, N. D. Boys of Blur. Random House Books for Young Readers.

Woods, Brenda. The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books.

*Yelchin, Eugene. Arcady’s Goal. Henry Holt and Co.

NONFICTION

Athans, Sandra K. Secrets of the Sky Caves: Danger and Discovery on Nepal’s Mustang Cliffs. Lerner/Millbrook Press.

Bausum, Ann. Stubby The War Dog: The True Story of World War I’s Bravest Dog.  National Geographic.

Bolden, Tonya.Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America. Abrams Books for Young Readers.

*Broom, Jenny. Animalium.  Illus. by Katie Scott.  Candlewick/Big Picture Press.

Brown, Don.  He Has Shot the President! April 14, 1865: The Day John Wilkes Booth Killed President Lincoln.  Roaring Brook Press.

*Burns, Loree Griffin. Beetle Busters : A Rogue Insect and the People who Track It..  Photographer: Ellen Harasimowicz. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Burns, Loree Griffin. Handle With Care : An Unusual Butterfly Journey. Photographer Ellen Harasimowicz. Lerner/Millbrook Press.

*Dillon, Patrick. The Story of Buildings: From the Pyramids to the Sydney Opera House and Beyond.  Illus. by Stephen Biesty. Candlewick Press.

Farrell, Mary Cronk. Pure Grit: How American World War II Nurses Survived Battle and Prison Camp in the Pacific.  Abrams/Abrams Books for Young Readers.

*Freedman, Russell.  Angel Island: Gateway to Gold Mountain. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Clarion Books.

*Freedman, Russell. Because They Marched: The People’s Campaign for Voting Rights that Changed America.  Holiday House.

*Jarrow, Gail. Red Madness:  How a Medical Mystery Changed What We Eat.  Calkins Creek.

*Krull, Kathleen. Lives of the Explorers: Discoveries, Disasters (and what the Neighbors Thought).  Illus. by Kathryn Hewitt.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for Young Readers.

*Markle, Sandra. The Case of the Vanishing Little Brown Bats: A Scientific Mystery. Lerner/Millbrook Press.

*Mitchell, Don. The Freedom Summer Murders. Scholastic.

*Montgomery, Sy. Chasing Cheetahs: The Race to Save Africa’s Fastest Cat (Scientist in the Field Series). Photographer Nic Bishop. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers.

*Mulder, Michelle. Every Last Drop: Bringing Clean Water Home. Orca Book Publishers.

Rubin, Susan Goldman.  Freedom Summer: The 1964 Struggle for Civil Rights in Mississippi. Holiday House.

Sheinkin, Steve. The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny and the Fight for Civil Rights.  Roaring Brook Press.

PICTURE BOOKS

*Aylesworth, Jim. My Grandfather’s Coat. Illus. by Barbara McClintock.  Scholastic Press.

*Barnett, Mac. Sam and Dave Dig a Hole.   Illus. by Jon Klassen. Candlewick Press.

*Barnett, Mac.Telephone. Illus. by Jen Corace. Chronicle Books.

Barton, Byron. My Bus. Harper Collins Publishers/Greenwillow Books.

*Becker, Aaron. Quest. Candlewick Press.

*Bildner, Phil. The Soccer Fence: A Story of Friendship, Hope and Apartheid in South Africa.  Illus. by Jesse Joshua Watson.  Penguin/G. P. Putnam’s Sons.

*Black, Ian. Naked! Illus. by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers.

*Blackall, Sophie.  The Baby Tree. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books.

*Bloom, C. P. The Monkey Goes Bananas. Illus. by Peter Raymundo. Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Bluemle, Elizabeth. Tap Tap Boom Boom. Illus. by G. Brian Karas. Candlewick Press.

*Bolden, Tonya. Beautiful Moon: A Child’s Prayer. Illus by Eric Velasquez. Abrams Books for Young Readers

*Boyd, Lizi. Flashlight. Chronicle Books.

*Brown, Peter.   My Teacher is a Monster! (No I am Not.) Little Brown & Co.

Bunting, Eve. Washday.  Illus by Brad Sneed. Holiday House.

*Burk, Rachelle. Don’t Turn the Page. Illus by Julie Downing. Creston Books.

*Camcam, Princesse. Fox’s Garden. Enchanted Lion Books.

Carle, Eric and Friends. What’s Your Favorite Animal? Eric Carle and friends. Nick Bruel, Lucy Cousins, Susan Jeffers, Steven Kellogg, Jon Klassen, Tom Lichtenheld, Peter McCarty, Chris Raschka, Peter Sís, Lane Smith, Erin Stead, Rosemary Wells, Mo Willems.  Illus. by ditto.  Henry Holt and Company.

*Cole, Tom Clohosy. Wall. Candlewick/Templar.

*Colón, Raúl. Draw! Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books.

*Copeland, Missy. Firebird. Illus. by Christopher Myers.  G. P. Putnam’s Sons/Penguin.

*Curato, Mike. Little Elliot, Big City.  Henry Holt and Co. Books for Young Readers.

*Davies, Benji. The Storm Whale. Henry Holt and Co. Books for Young Readers.

*De Moüy, Iris. Naptime. Illus. by Shelley Tanaka. House of Anasi Press/Groundwood Books.

Dempsey, Kristy. A Dance Like Starlight: One Ballerina’s Dream. Illus. by Floyd Cooper. Penguin/Philomel Books.

*DiPucchio, Kelly. Gaston.  Illus. by Christian Robinson. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Dolan, Elys. Weasels. Candlewick Press.

*Donofrio, Beverly. Where’s Mommy? (Mary and the Mouse).  Illus by Barbara McClintock. Schwartz & Wade.

*Dubuc, Marianne. The Lion and the Bird : Le lion et l’oiseau. Trans. by Claudia Zoe Bedrick. Enchanted Lion Books.

*Escoffier, Michaël. Take Away the A. Illus. by Kris DiGiacomo. Enchanted Lion Books.

*Frazee, Marla. The Farmer and the Clown. Simon & Schuster/Beach Lane Books.

*Gill, Deirdre. Outside.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

*Hall, Michael. It’s an Orange Aardvark!.  HarperCollinsPublishers/Greenwillow.

*Hancocks, Helen. Penguin in Peril. Candlewick Press/Templar.

*Hatanaka, Kellen. Work, An Occupational ABC.  House of Anasi Press/Groundwood Books.

*Harrison, Hannah E.  Extraordinary Jane.  Dial Books for Young Readers.

*Haughton, Chris. Shh! We Have a Plan.  Candlewick Press.

*Heap, Sue. Mine! Candlewick Press.

*Holland, Loretta. Fall Leaves. Illus. by Elly MacKay. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers.

*Hurley, Jorey. Nest. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books.

*Jeffers, Oliver. Once Upon an Alphabet. Penguin Young Readers Group/Philomel Books.

*Johnston, Tony. Winter is Coming. Illus. by Jim LaMarche. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books.

*Joyce, William. The Numberlys.  Illus by William Joyce and Christina Ellis.  Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

*Kennedy, Anne Vittur.  The Farmer’s Away! Baa! Neigh! Candlewick Press.

Lee, Chuku H. Beauty and the Beast .  Illus. by Pat Cummings. Harper Collins / Amistad.

*Light, Kelly. Louise Loves Art.  Harper Collins/Balzer & Bray.

Light, Steve,   Have You Seen My Dragon?  Candlewick Press.

*Lurie, Susan. Swim, Duck, Swim!. Photographs by Murray Head. Feiwel and Friends.

*Lyon, George Ella. What Forest Knows. Illus. by August Hall. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

McDonald, Megan.  Shoe Dog. Illus. by Katherine Tillotson.  Richard Jackson Book/Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

*Miyares, Daniel. Pardon Me!  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

*Morris, Richard T. This is a Moose. Illus by Tom Lichtenheld. Little, Brown and Company.

Nelson, Kadir. Baby Bear. Harper Collins /Balzer + Bray.

*Nichols, Lori. Maple.   Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books.

Offill, Jenny. Sparky.  Illus. by Chris Appelhans.  Random House Children’s Books/Schwartz & Wade.

*O’Neill, Gemma. Oh Dear, Geoffrey! Candlewick/Templar.

Oahin, Andrew.  Brimsby’s Hats. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.

*Pett, Mark. The Girl and the Bicycle. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.

*Pizzoli, Greg. Number One Sam.  Disney-Hyperion.

*Portis, Antoinette. Froodle. Roaring Brook Press.

*Ramstein, Anne-Margot and Matthias Arégui. Before After.  Candlewick Press.

*Raschka, Chris. Give and Take.  Simon and Schuster/Antheneum Books for Young Readers.

Reid, Aimee. Mama’s Day with Little Gray.  Illus. Laura J. Bryant. Random House.

Robinson, Michelle. How to Wash a Woolly Mammoth.  Illus. by Kate Hindley.  Henry Holt and Company.

Rockliff, Mara. The Grudge Keeper. Illus. by Eliza Wheeler. Peachtree.

*Rocco, John. Blizzard. Disney-Hyperion.

Russell, Natalie. Lost for Words. Peachtree.

*Ruth, Greg. Coming Home. Feiwel and Friends.

*Saltzberg, Barney. Chengdu Could Not, Would Not, Fall Asleep. Disney-Hyperion.

Santat Dan. The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend. Little Brown.

*Schofield-Morrison, Connie. I got the Rhythm. Illus. by Frank Morrison. Bloomsbury.

*Schwartz, Corey Rosen. Ninja Red Riding Hood. Illus. by Dan Santat. Penguin Group/G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

*Shea, Bob. Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads. Illus. by Lane Smith. Roaring Brook Press.

Sierra, Judy. E-I-E-I-O How Old MacDonald Got His Farm (with a little help from a hen).  Illus by. Matthew Myers. Candlewick Press.

Spires, Ashley. The Most Magnificent Thing. Kids Can Press.

*Stower, Adam. Naughty Kitty! Scholastic/Orchard Books.

*Stower, Adam. Slam! A Tale of Consequences. Owlkids Books.

*Swenson, Jamie A. If You Were a Dog. Illus. by Chris Raschka. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

*Tan, Shaun. Rules of Summer. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Books.

*Uegaki, Chieri. Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin.  Illus. by Qin Leng. Kids Can Press.

Underwood, Deborah. Here Comes the Easter Cat.  Illus. by Claudia Rueda.  Penguin/Dial Books for Young Readers.

*Watkins, Adam F. R is for Robot: A Noisy Alphabet. Penguin/Price Stern Sloan.

*Willems, Mo. The Pigeon Needs a Bath. Disney-Hyperion.

*Won, Brian. Hooray for Hat!. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt books for Young Readers.

Yoon, Salina. Found. Walker Books for Young Readers /Bloomsbury.

Yuly, Toni. Early Bird. Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan.

INFORMATIONAL PICTURE BOOKS

*Applegate, Katherine. Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla. Illus. by G. Brian Karas. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Clarion.

*Bryant, Jennifer. The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus.  Illus. by Melissa Sweet. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

Campbell, Sarah C. Mysterious Patterns: Finding Fractals in Nature.   Illus. by Sarah C. Campbell and Richard P. Campbell. Highlights/Boyds Mills Press.

Chin, Jason. Gravity.  Roaring Brook Press/Neal Porter Book.

*Cox, Lynne. Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas. Illus. by Brian Floca. Schwartz & Wade.

*Davies, Nicola. Tiny Creatures: The World of the Microbes. Illus. by Emily Sutton.  Candlewick Press.

*Davis, Kathryn Gibbs. Mr. Ferris and His Wheel. Illus. by Gilbert Ford. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for Young Readers.

Ehlert, Lois. The Scraps Book: Notes from a Colorful Life. Beach Lane Books.

*Elvgren, Jennifer. The Whispering Town. Illus. by Fabio Santomauro. Kar-Ben Publishing.

Gibbons, Gail. It’s Raining!  Holiday House.

*Gray, Rita. Have you Heard the Nesting Bird? Illus. by Kenard Park.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers.

*Hendrix. John. Shooting at the Stars.  Abrams Books for Young Readers.

*Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page. Creature Features: Twenty-Five Animals Explain Why They Look the Way they Do. Illus. by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for Young Readers.

Jenkins, Steve. Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers.

*Jenson-Elliott, Cindy. Weeds Find a Way. Illus. by Carolyn Fisher. Simon & Schuster/Beach Lane Books.

*Johnson, Angela. All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom. Illus. by E. B. Lewis.  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

*Karas, G. Brian. As an Oak Tree Grows. Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin.

Napoli, Donna Jo. Hands & Hearts: With 15 Words in American Sign Language.  Illus. by Amy Bates. Abrams Books for Young Readers.

*Rabinowitz, Alan. A Boy and a Jaguar.  Illus. by Catia Chien. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers.            

Roberts, Cokie. Founding Mothers: Remembering the Ladies.  Illus. by Diane Goode.  HarperColllins.

Rosenstock, Barb. The Streak: How Joe DiMaggio Became America’s Hero.  Illus. by Terry Widener.  Calkins Creek / Highlights.

*Roy, Katherine. Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting With the Great Whites of California’s Farallon Islands.  Roaring Brook Press/David Macaulay Studio.

Rubbino, Salvatore. A Walk in Paris. Candlewick Press.

*Russell-Brown, Katheryn. Little Melba and Her Big Trombone. Illus. by Frank Morrison.  Lee & Low Books.

*Salas, Laura Purdie. Water Can Be… Illus. by Violeta Dabija. Millbrook Press/Lerner.

*Sill, Cathryn. About Parrots: A Guide for Children. Illus. by John Sill. Peachtree Publishers.

Stewart, Melissa. Feathers: Not Just for Flying.  Illus. by Sarah S. Brannen.  Charlesbridge.

*Sutcliffe, Jane. Stone Giant: Michelangelo’s David and How He Came to Be. Illus. by John Shelley. Charlesbridge.

Tonatiuh, Duncan.  Separate is Never Equal : The Story of Sylvia Mendez and her family’s fight for desegregation.  Illus. by author.   Abrams books for Young Readers.

*Ward, Jennifer. Mama Built a Little Nest.  Illus. by Steve Jenkins. Simon & Schuster/Beach Lane Books.

*Whelan, Gloria. Queen Victoria’s Bathing Machine. Illus. by Nancy Carpenter. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books.

*Winter, Jeanette. Malala: A Brave Girl from Pakistan/Iqbal: A Brave Boy from Pakistan.  Simon & Schuster/Beach Lane Books.

Woelfle. Gretchen. Mumbet’s Declaration Of Independence.   Illus. by Alix Delinois. Carolrhoda Books. 

NONFICTION BIOGRAPHY

*Burleigh, Robert. Edward Hopper Paints His World. Illus by Wendell Minor. Henry Holt.

*Demi. Florence Nightingale.  Henry Holt.

*Denenberg, Barry. Ali: An American Champion. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Fern, Tracey. Dare the Wind:   The Record-breaking Voyage of Eleanor Prentiss and the Flying Cloud.  Illus. by Emily Arnold McCully. Margaret Ferguson Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

* Fleming, Candace.  The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion and the Fall of Imperial Russia.  Schwartz & Wade.

*Gandhi, Arun and Bethany Hegedus. Grandfather Gandhi. Illus. by Evan Turk. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

*Herrera, Juan Felipe. Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes. Illus. by Raúl Colón. Penguin/Dial Books for Young Readers.

*Herthel, Jessica and Jazz Jennings. I Am Jazz. Illus. by Shelagh McNicholas.  Penguin/Dial Books for Young Readers.

*Kerley, Barbara. A Home for Mr. Emerson. Illus. by Edwin Fotheringham.  Scholastic Press.

*MacLachlan, Patricia. The Iridescence of Birds: A Book about Henri Matisse.  Illus. by Hadley Hooper. Roaring Brook Press.

*Marrin. Albert. Thomas Paine: Crusader for Liberty: How One Man’s Ideas Helped Form a New Nation. Knopf Books for Young Readers.

*Morales, Yuyi. Viva Frida. Illus. by Tim O’Meara. Roaring Brook Press.

*Neri, G. Hello, I’m Johnny Cash. Illus. by A. G. Ford. Candlewick Press.

*Potter, Alicia. Jubilee: One Man’s Big, Bold, and Very, Very Loud Celebration of Peace. Illus by Matt Tavares.  Candlewick.

Powell, Patricia Hruby. Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker.  Illus. by Christian Robinson.  Chronicle Books.

*Reef, Catherine. Frida & Diego: Art, Love, Life. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Clarion Books.

Rosenstock, Barb. The Noisy Paint Box:  The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art.  Illus. by Mary Grandpré.  Alfred A. Knopf.

*Shabazz, Ilyasah. Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X. Illus. by A.G. Ford. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

*Sis, Peter.  The Pilot and The Little Prince: the Life of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.  Frances Foster Books/Farrar, Straus, Giroux.

*Sisson, Stéphanie Roth. Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos. Roaring Brook Press.

Wallace, Rich and Sandra Neil Wallace. Babe Conquers the World: The Legendary Life of Babe Didrikson Zaharias.  Calkins Creek/an imprint of Highlights.

*Woodson, Jacqueline. Brown Girl Dreaming.  Penguin Young Readers/Nancy Paulsen Books.

NONFICTION POETRY

*Borden, Louise.  Baseball Is… Illus. by Raúl Colón. Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry Books.

*Bryan, Ashley. Ashley Bryan’s Puppets. Photographs by Ken Hannon and Rich Entel. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Cleary, Brian P. If It Rains Pancakes: Haiku and Lantern Poems. Illus. by Andy Rowland.  Millbrook.

*Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Manger.  Illus. by Helen Cann. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

Janeczko, Paul B (editor).  Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poems.  Illus. by Melissa Sweet.  Candlewick Press.

*Johnston, Tony. Sequoia. Illus. by Wendell Minor. Roaring Brook Press.

*Larkin, Eric-Shabazz. A Moose Boosh: A Few Choice Words About Food.  Readers to Eaters.

*Lewis, J. Patrick. Harlem Hellfighters. Illus. by Gary Kelley.  Creative Editions.

Lewis, J. Patrick and Douglas Florian. Poem- mobiles:  Crazy Car Poems.  Illus. by Jeremy Holmes.   Random House Children’s Books/ Schwartz & Wade.

*Mora, Pat. Water Rolls, Water Rises : El Agua Rueda, El Agua Sube. Trans. By Adriana Domínguez and Pat Mora.  Illus. by Meilo So.  Lee & Low Books/Children’s Book Press.

Muth, Jon J. Hi, Koo!: A Year of Seasons.  Scholastic.

*Nelson, Marilyn. How I Discovered Poetry.  Illus. by Hadley Hooper. Dial.

Raczka, Bob. Santa Clauses: Short Poems from the North Pole. Illus by Chuck Groenink. Carolrhoda Books.

*Schmidt, Annie. M. G. A Pond Full of Ink : Een vijver vol inkt.  Illus. by Sieb Posthuma.  Trans. David Colmer. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

*Siddais, Mary McKenna. Shivery Shades of Halloween: A Spooky Book of Colors. Illus. by Jimmy Pickering. Random House.

*Sidman, Joyce.  Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold.  Illus. by Rick Allen. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers.

*************************************************************************

You might also be interested in looking at the 2015 Notable Children’s Sound Recordings discussion list which was posted yesterday afternoon, and the 2015 Notable Children’s Videos discussion list which will be posted tomorrow afternoon.

The post Notable Children’s Books — 2015 Discussion List appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Jennifer Duffy, chair, and the rest of the 2015 Notable Sound Recordings Committee, invite you to join them at their Midwinter discussions, taking place on Friday, January 30th through Sunday, February 1st, in the Lake Michigan Room of the Chicago Hilton.

The complete discussion list is below. Titles with an asterisk indicate that the book was already discussed at the Annual Conference last summer.

**************************************************************

*The Abominables, 5 hr 15 min, cd, $51.75, Recorded Books, 9781490620954

American Heroes #4, 41 min, cd, $13.98, Sprout Recordings, 8450197674

Angus and Sadie, 4 hr 28 min, cd, $30, Listening Library, 9780553396379

Betty Bunny Didn’t Do It, 13 min, book + cd, $29.95, Live Oak Media, 9781430117698

Blind, 10 hr 41 min, cd, $55, Listening Library, 9781101890974

Blood Ties: Spirit Animals #3, 5 hr 29 min, cd, $54.99, Scholastic Audio, 9780545648769

*The Bossy E, 33 min, cd, $15, Coil Records, 8829510081

The Boundless, 8 hr 12 min, cd, $24.99, Brilliance Audio, 9781480584143

Brown Girl Dreaming, 3 hr 56 min, cd, $38, Listening Library, 9780553397260

Buzz Kill, 9 hr 45 min, cd, $87.75, Recorded Books, 9781470398071

Calendar Mysteries: Books 7-13, 5 hr 35 min, cd, $38, Listening Library, 9780553396225

Caminar, 2 hr 23 min, cd, $19.99, Candlewick on Brilliance Audio, 9781491536841

Can’t Look Away, 6 hr 52 min, download, $24.50, Scholastic Audio, 9780545669856

*The Carpet People, 5 hr 34 min, cd, $40, Listening Library, 9780804168281

The Case of the Weird Blue Chicken, 30 min, book + cd, $15.75, Recorded Books, 9781490615677

*The Cat With Seven Names, 15 min, book + cd, $15.75, Recorded Books, 9781490602479

*The Chicken Squad, 30 min, book + cd, $25.75, Recorded Books, 9781490615653

Copper Magic, 9 hr, cd, $66.75, Recorded Books, 9781490627557

*Crankee Doodle, 15 min, book + cd, $15.75, Recorded Books, 9781490601991

Dash, 5 hr 21 min, download, $20.99, Scholastic Audio, 9780545735308

Deep in the Swamp, 38 min, book + cd, $19.95, Live Oak Media, 9781430114598

Dog Finds Lost Dolphins! and More True Stories of Amazing Animal Heroes, 1 hr, book + cd, $15.75, Recorded Books, 9781490634197

*The Duckling Gets a Cookie?, 16 min, book + cd, $12.95, Weston Woods, 9780545661126

Duke, 4 hr 26 min, download, $20.99, Scholastic Audio, 9780545677417

Egg & Spoon, 12 hr 51 min, cd, $24.99, Candlewick on Brilliance Audio, 9781491502167

Eight Days Gone, 20 min, book + cd, $19.95, Live Oak Media, 9781430114635

*Exclamation Mark, 10 min, book + cd, $12.95, Weston Woods, 9780545661157

*Fairest of All: Whatever After #1, 3 hr 20 min, download, $17.50, Scholastic Audio, 9780545655750

The Family Romanov, 9 hr 23 min, cd, $50, Listening Library, 9780553395303

Fantasy League, 6 hr 44 min, cd, $40, Listening Library, 9780553396843

Fat Boy vs the Cheerleaders, 5 hr 50 min, cd, $19.99, Brilliance Audio, 9781480533233

*The Finisher, 14 hr 58 min, cd, $89.99, Scholastic Audio, 9780545690195

*Five, Six, Seven, Nate!, 6 hr 30 min, cd, $29.99, Simon & Schuster Audio, 9781442374195

Flight School, 15 min, book + cd, $15.75, Recorded Books, 9781490632292

Follow Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems, 26 min, book + cd, $29.95, Live Oak Media, 9781430117650

Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle, 8 hr 51 min, cd, $45, Listening Library, 9780553396911

*The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing, 8 hr, download, $29.95, Penguin Audio, 9780698146709

*The Grimm Conclusion, 6 hr 30 min, cd, $66.75, Recorded Books, 9781470395735

Gus & Me, 8 min, download, $14.99, Hachette Audio, 9781478931911

*Have You Seen My New Blue Socks?, 15 min, book + cd, $15.75, Recorded Books, 9781490615639

Hitler’s Daughter, 3 hr 5 min, cd, $19.99, Bolinda Audio, 9781486205028

H.O.R.S.E: A Game of Basketball and Imagination, 22 min, book + cd, $29.95, Live Oak Media, 9781430117384

*How to Catch a Bogle, 7 hr 13 min, cd, $45, Listening Library, 9780804167802

*Hunted: Spirit Animals #2, 5 hr 16 min, cd, $54.99, Scholastic Audio, 9780545648752

Ice Whale, 4 hr 30 min, cd, $30.75, Recorded Books, 9781490630212

If I Ever Get Out of Here, 10 hr 20 min, cd, $55, Listening Library, 9780553395464

I’m My Own Dog, 15 min, book + cd, $15.75, Recorded Books, 9781490633329

In a Heartbeat, 34 min, cd, $15, independent release, 700261394541

*The Interrupted Tale: The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place #4: 8 hr 19 min, cd, $45, Listening Library, 9780385363693

*Josephine, 30 min, book + cd, $15.75, Recorded Books, 9781470383862

The Key That Swallowed Joey Pigza, 3 hr 40 min, cd, $30, Listening Library, 9781101891957

*The Last Wild, 7 hr 15 min, cd/download, $66.75, Recorded Books/Penguin Audio, 9781490614298

*Lawless, 7 hr 38 min, download, $18.50, Scholastic Audio, 9780545655729

Leroy Ninker Saddles Up, 52 min, cd, $15, Listening Library, 9780804122245

*The Loch Mess Monster, 15 min, book + cd, $15.75, Recorded Books, 9781490619507

Loot, 7 hr 6 min, download, $18.50, Scholastic Audio, 9780545677363

*Lucky Ducklings, 16 min, book + cd, $12.95, Weston Woods, 9780545661188

The Madman of Piney Woods, 9 hr 1 min, cd, $50, Listening Library, 9780804123129

The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher, 5 hr 40 min, cd, $35, Listening Library, 9780804168663

The Missing Pieces of Me, 4 hr 33 min, mp3-cd, $9.99, Brilliance Audio, 9781491553411

Mister Max: The Book of Secrets: Mister Max #2, 10 hr 10 min, cd, $50, Listening Library, 9780804122092

Nightlight, 30 min, cd, $13.98, Little Monster Records, 888608737586

One Cool Friend, 18 min, book + cd, $12.95, Scholastic Audio, 9780545675543

*Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy, 6 hr 20 min, cd, $35, Listening Library, 9780804168366

Out on the Prairie, 44 min, book + cd, $19.95, Live Oak Media, 9781430114550

Pennies for Hitler, 9 hr 10 min, cd, $19.99, Bolinda Audio, 9781486213238

Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods, 12 hr 24 min, cd, $50, Listening Library, 9780804168465

Planet Kindergarten, 15 min, book + cd, $15.75, Recorded Books, 9781490632254

Playing for the Commandant, 5 hr 20 min, cd, $19.99, Candlewick on Brilliance Audio, 9781491530672

*Poached, 6 hr 30 min, cd, $29.99, Simon & Schuster Audio, 9781442369115

*Prisoner 88, 3 hr 15 min, cd, $30.75, Recorded Books, 9781490602448

Rain Reign, 4 hr 9 min, cd, $29.99, Brilliance Audio, 9781491530504

The Red Pencil, 3 hr 12 min, download, $47.99, Hachette Audio, 9781478931935

Revolution, 12 hr 10 min, cd, $50, Listening Library, 9780553395266

*Royal Ranger: Ranger’s Apprentice #12, 13 hr 45 min, cd/download, $97.75, Recorded Books/Penguin Audio, 9781470389284

The Scandalous Sisters of Prickwillow Place, 9 hr 24 min, cd, $45, Listening Library, 9780553396027

The Secret of the Key: Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventure #4, 6 hr 22 min, cd, Listening Library, 9780553397215

*Seeing Red, 10 hr, cd, $77.75, Recorded Books, 9781490612812

Ship of Dolls, 5 hr 19 min, cd, $24.99, Candlewick on Brilliance Audio, 9781491502259

Shouldn’t You Be in School?, 5 hr 53 min, download, $47.99, Hachette Audio, 9781478956631

Since You’ve Been Gone, 12 hrs 45 min, cd, $108.75, Recorded Books, 9781490620893

*Sink or Swim: Whatever After #3, 3 hr 20 min, download, $17.50, Scholastic Audio, 9780545675192

Slaves of Socorro: Brotherband Chronicles #4, 12 hr 30 min, download, $34.95, Penguin Audio, 9780698154810

*Smart Songs for Active Children, 48 min, cd, $15, Lighthouse Records, 9780989874106

*A Snicker of Magic, 8 hr 14 min, cd, $34.99, Scholastic Audio, 9780545706797

*Starring Jules (as herself), 1 hr 32 min, download, $17.50, Scholastic Audio, 9780545677394

*Storm: Sylo Chronicles #2, 12 hr, download, $39.95, Penguin Audio, 9780698146747

*The Sultan’s Tigers, 6 hr 36 min, cd, $30, Listening Library, 9780804123082

Tales of the Great Beasts: Spirit Animals, 5 hr 4 min, cd, $54.99, Scholastic Audio, 9780545775977

Tell Me, 5 hr, cd, $40, Listening Library, 9780553396829

Through the Woods, 40 min, cd + dvd, $20, Okee Dokee Music, 707541714495

*Treasury of Egyptian Mythology, 3 hr 30 min, cd, $30.75, Recorded Books, 9781470397869

*Under the Freedom Tree, 30 min, book + cd, $15.75, Recorded Books, 9781490621227

The Very Fairy Princess, 36 min, book + cd, $12.95, Weston Woods, 9780545695046

Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors?, 21 min, book + cd, $12.95, Weston Woods, 9780545790413

Willow, 9 hr 2 min, cd, $24.99, Candlewick on Brilliance Audio, 978140585539

Winterfrost, 4 hr 47 min, cd, $24.99, Candlewick on Brilliance Audio, 9781491502280

*Words with Wings, 30 min, cd, $15.75, Recorded Books, 9781490609676

*Zane and the Hurricane: A Story of Katrina, 4 hr 12 min, download, $20.99, Scholastic Audio, 9780545660914

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You might also be interested in looking at the 2015 Notable Children’s Books discussion list which will be posted tomorrow afternoon, and the 2015 Notable Children’s Videos discussion list which will be posted the following afternoon.

The post Notable Sound Recordings — 2015 Discussion List appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Thanks to our incredible group of regular ALSC Bloggers, representatives from ALSC committees, and over 100 guest bloggers, 559 posts were shared — an average of 46 posts per month — on the ALSC Blog last year. These posts included:

• Programming ideas
• Steam & Stem information
• Member profiles
• Ideas about displays
• Live blogging from ALA Midwinter 2014, ALA Annual, PLA, and the ALSC Institute
• Information about children and technology
• Storytime ideas
• Día
• Working with tweens
• Advocacy
• and MORE!

ALSC Blog word cloud – thanks to http://www.tagxedo.com

The Blog enjoyed continued growth in the past year. In comparing 2014 to 2013,

• The number of users increased by 10.12% (159,651 vs 144,982)
• The number of pageviews increased by 13.71% (367,543 vs 323,238)
• The number of sessions increased by 7.60% (227,042 vs 211,014)

The most popular post in 2014 was one which was originally posted in 2012 and written by ALSC Blogger Amy Koester. With 9,257 pageviews, the most viewed post in 2014 was Three Little Pigs and the Preschool Science.

Booklists are always popular on the ALSC Blog. A guest blogger, Dr. Claudette S. McLinn, wrote the second most popular post last year. Best Multicultural Books of 2014 had 7,912 pageviews. Shared via Twitter from the blog 219 times, this was also the most re-tweeted post.

With 28 comments, the most commented-on post this year was Unconventional Preparations for Storytime by Katie Salo.

All in all, 2014 was a very good year for the ALSC Blog. I trust that 2015 will be even better!

The post 2014 was a great year for the ALSC Blog! appeared first on ALSC Blog.

In just over 3 weeks, many librarians will be heading to Chicago for ALA’s Midwinter meeting. The Youth Media Awards will be announced and there’s a full slate of other ALSC events and activities. If YOU are heading to the windy (and COLD!) city, we’d love to have you live blog for the ALSC Blog about what you are experiencing and learning so everyone can have a feel for what the conference is like.

Want to see what live blogging looks like?  Click here to see some live blogging posts from past conferences.

Sound interesting?  Just contact Mary Voors, ALSC Blog Manager, at [email protected] for all the information you need to live blog from the conference.

The post Want to help out the ALSC Blog? We need you to live blog from Midwinter! appeared first on ALSC Blog.

ALSC Personal Members are invited to suggest titles for the 2015 Batchelder Award given to an American publisher for a children’s book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country and subsequently published in English in the United States during 2014. Please remember that only books from this publishing year are under consideration for the 2015 award. Publishers, authors and illustrators may not suggest their own books. The deadline for submission is December 31, 2014.

You may send recommendations with full bibliographic information to the Chair, Diane Janoff at [email protected].

The  award will be announced at the press conference during the ALA Midwinter Meeting in February 2015.

For more information about the award, visit the ALSC website at http://www.ala.org/alsc/. Click on “Awards and Grants” in the left-hand navigation bar; then click on “ALSC Book & Media Awards.” Scroll down to the “Batchelder Award Page”.

Each month, an ALSC member is profiled and we learn a little about their professional life and a bit about their not-so-serious side. Using just a few questions, we try to keep the profiles fun while highlighting the variety of members in our organization. So, without further ado, welcome to our ALSC profile, ten questions (plus one) with ALSC member, Jane Breen.

1.  What do you do and how long have you been doing it?

Photo courtesy of Dorothy Breen

I am a Family Literacy Advocate and Educator, Teen Volunteer Coordinator, award winning program innovator and Community Outreach Librarian.* swish cape *  As  the Children’s Specialist in the Faxon Branch Library, part of the West Hartford Public Libraries, I am responsible for Children’s and Teens programs, services, collection development and all things creative within my department.  I have worked in Youth Services in the small but mighty state of CT for 27 remarkable years – both schools and public libraries. I am a believer in the statement: “childrens librarians are the Jacks and Jills of all trades.”

Many ALSC Members are also YALSA members. At the request of the Chair of the 2015 MAE Jury Award for Best Literature for Teens, here is information about an Award in which many of you might be interested.

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YALSA members who have run an exceptional reading or literature program in the 12 months leading up to Dec. 1, 2014 are eligible to apply for the 2015 MAE Award for Best Literature Program for Teens, which recognizes an outstanding reading or literature program for young adults.

Do you run a spectacular teen book club that engages underserved audiences? Did your summer reading program or literature festival connect teens with literature in an innovative way? Is your Reader’s Advisory always three steps ahead of a trend? Have you connected teens to literature or helped them gain literacy skills via some other exciting means?  Whether the program was large or small, if it was good, you could win $500 for yourself and an additional $500 for your library by applying for this award!  Individual library branches may apply.

The MAE Award is sponsored by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust. Applications and additional information about the award are available online.  Applications must be submitted online by Dec. 1, 2014. For questions about the award, please contact the jury chair, Tony Carmack ([email protected]).  The winner will be announced the week of Feb. 9, 2015.

Not a member of YALSA yet? It’s not too late to join so you can be eligible for this award. You can do so by contacting YALSA’s Membership Marketing Specialist, Letitia Smith, at [email protected] or (800) 545-2433, ext. 4390. Recognize the great work you are doing to bring teens together with literature and apply today!