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Another early morning began with the leadership of all the divisions meeting with ALA leadership for breakfast bonding and strategic planning. This was soon followed by the ALSC All-Committee meeting where folks have the opportunity meet, work together, and consult with ALSC Board members. (See Dan Bostrom’s blog on that very topic earlier today). Soon I was off to join a committee I’m serving on, the ALSC Budget Committee. This is a great group that advises the ALSC Board on money matters and is led by chair Paula Holmes and benefits greatly from all of the wisdom of ALSC Fiscal Officer Diane Foote. We’re so fortunate to have a superb Executive Director in Aimee Strittmatter and ALSC is in a strong financial position to support our work. Award seal sales are a major source of revenue for ALSC and all of the copies of The Giver which sold with the recent release of the related movie sold a lot of Newbery Medal seals for the covers.

And, of course, it’s been snowing a bit in Chicago. I’ve lived here a long time and don’t remember that many actual blizzards, but this is one for the books. Thanks to the intrepid shuttle bus drivers and everybody’s good spirits, we’re ignoring adversity and carrying on, and will all have snow stories to tell for years to come.

See you at the Youth Media Awards announcement tomorrow morning, in person or online!

The post Librarians stop for no snow @ #alamw15 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

This afternoon I attended a session called “Young Children, New Media, & Libraries Survey” presented by Amy Koester and J. Elizabeth Mills. Back in August of 2014, ALSC, LittleeLit.com, and the iSchool at the University of Washington conducted a survey where they asked public librarians how they use new media with youth in their libraries.

To put the survey into perspective, the definition of new media is technologies and the definition of young children is age 0 to 5.

We each received an infographic with the results and some were pretty surprising! Here are some of the highlights:

• A total of 415 libraries participated and user populations ranged from less than 5,000 to over 1,000,000
• Of those libraries, 71% use at least one type of new media in programming with young children
• The most popular type of new media used are tablets, 91% of which are iPads
• 58% of those libraries plan to increase new media availability in the future while 13% plan to maintain that level and 0.5% plan to decrease theirs
• The most popular ways that that libraries are using new media devices is in tethered devices, in storytimes, and as check-outable materials

Amy and J. Elizabeth then went on to discuss the implications of their findings. The biggest point that they made was that as librarians, we need to be Media Mentors for our communities. Meaning, we need to be providing not only access but guidance on using these devices. Amy made the point that they weren’t trying to tell everyone that they have to start using iPads in storytime, but we need to be aware and mindful of the technology that our young patrons and their parents are using.

How does your library use technology with children?

The post Young Children, New Media, & Libraries @ #alamw15 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

What a great group! The 2015 ALSC Liaisons with National Organizations Committee (photo courtesy of Lori Hancock)

In my position at ALSC I work with many of the 60 committees that move ALSC forward. These committees range from the Membership Committee to the Advocacy & Legislation Committee to the Liaisons with National Organizations Committee. Each has its own function and purpose within the organization. Most of these committee came together this morning at the ALSC All-Committee meeting.

The ALSC Liasion with National Organization meets at All-Committee (photo courtesy of Lori Hancock)

When people ask me, “what do committees do?” I often point them the All-Committee session. This when committees come face-to-face to talk about the business of the association. They talk what’s happening in their libraries, how to connect with new members, how to best serve our current membership, i.e. the things that drive us as a profession. To do so, each committee reviews the ALSC Strategic Plan and evaluates whether their current/future actions fall within this document.

I should also add a big shout-out to our virtual committees who meet online and over the phone. These committees have the more difficult task of getting their work done without ever actually seeing one another. Still, they produce fantastic final products, from book lists to digital resources that are downloaded by thousands of librarians across the country. Thank you all for volunteering your time and knowledge to the association! And you’re interested in volunteering, get your Committee Volunteer Form in soon!

The post Doin’ Business at All-Committee #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.

I have gotten caught up in all the excitement and forgotten to post!  The sessions I have attended have been great.  The YALSA Quick Picks For Reluctant Readers meeting was entertaining.  I loved listening to their discussions of the books and whether they liked them or not.  There were some unique perspectives!  I might volunteer for this committee in the future.

Today I went to see LeVar Burton and he brought me to tears.  He read his book The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm to us.  It is such a beautiful story!  During question/answer time so many commented how much he impacted their lives with Reading Rainbow.  This was so inspirational and touching.  Afterwards at the book signing, he took time to not only personalize books, but also speak with each person.

Now with the blizzard we are snowed in and trying to reschedule our flight home.  The silver lining to it all is that now I get attend the awards announcements tomorrow.  For now I will curl up with one of my free books from the Exhibits Hall.

The post Caught up #alamw15 #odulibs appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Full of nostalgia from a Reading Rainbow childhood, LeVar Burton’s voice carried me away as he read his book The Rhino Who Swallowed A Storm. The story contains a lovely message of love and support from friends and families in a world of chaos. Levar wants to become a resource for children that face tragedy in honor of  one of his heroes, Mr. Fred Rogers. LeVar learned to use television as a part of a larger ministry devoted to making a better place for children. Fred Rogers also taught him to be true to himself. 

LeVar said the “idea (for his new book) sprang from the headlines of the day.” He wanted to create a new myth about recovery from depression and anxiety caused by the world we live in. He felt that children didn’t have many examples or role models to help them deal with their feelings and fears. With the stigma that is attached to mental illness, LeVar hopes his book will help struggling kids.

LeVar also shared his thoughts on the importance of having great role models to encourage children to read. His mother was his first storytelling mentor because she read to him and, most importantly, read often in front of him. So the first thing he asks parents to consider when they are desiring their children to read more is : do you read in front of them? Secondly, he asks, what is your child passionate about? “If your child is passionate about superheroes, dammit, buy your child comic books!” (Levar Burton)

I love those questions and his quote. If you have a reluctant reader, you HAVE to go to any lengths to find them their hook. I don’t care if it’s a manual on how to fix a Dodge Truck (yes, I have tried that in my class before) or a Game Informer magazine. If they are reading, they are connecting. In addition, it is absolutely imperative to set that great example of being a reader. If you are requiring your students to read in class, then you should also be reading with them. If you are asking your child to read at home, then join him.

Levar also talked about the power of storytelling and how it lets us know that we belong. Stories also help us understand the power within ourselves and the roadblocks we project in front of us. When Lavar said, “it is our own prejudice that gets in the way,” I nodded in deep agreement. WE are often our biggest enemies. That’s why Lavar recommended these pictures books to children: Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman and Enemy Pie by Derek Munson.

LeVar’s 30 minute presentation was wonderful to listen to, but the question and answer session was gold. There were several people around me in tears as we heard stories of the impact that LeVar’s work in Reading Rainbow has made in people’s lives. He genuinely is a kind man with a deep respect for the library community and the children we serve. Bravo, Mr. Burton. Bravo!

The post #alamw15 LeVar Burton’s Words of Wisdom appeared first on ALSC Blog.

The ALA Youth Media Awards will be announced tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. CT in Chicago (that’s 9 a.m. for Martha and me). Here is a link to the live webcast.

Watching online is not quite the same as being in that huge ballroom full of book-loving early risers, fizzing with anticipation and hoping their favorite new books are about to be named. With luck, the microphone will pick up some of the reactions in the audience.

Robin will be right there in the room for the announcements. Martha and I will be in our own homes surrounded by the March book review section because we’re expecting ANOTHER foot or more of snow tonight and tomorrow.

Wherever you are, we will post the winners on this blog ASAP so we can all react to the announcements together.

The post Caldecott Award live appeared first on The Horn Book.

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.

Día: Diversity in Action (image courtesy of ALSC)

Established in memory of Arlene Pillar, an educator who served USBBY as newsletter editor from 1984 until her untimely death in 1990, the Bridge to Understanding Award formally acknowledges programs that use children’s books to promote international understanding among children. The responses of many of the families who participated in the Día Family Book Club show just how successful this program has been.

For more information about the Día Family Book Club program and to download the club toolkit and lesson plans please visit: http://dia.ala.org/content/start-book-club.

The post ALSC to receive 2014 USBBY Award #alamw15 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

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

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.

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*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.

The 2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting will take place January 30-February 3, 2015 (image courtesy of ALA).

The 2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting is approaching and ALSC has a ton of great events and activities to tell you about.

In fact, there’s almost too much good stuff to talk about. To fit this discussion into a blog post, we’ve had to condense our list a bit. Here are a few highlights of events taking place in Chicago.

For a full list of ALSC committee meetings, information sessions and get-togethers, please see the ALSC at ALA Midwinter Meeting list. Each of the events listed below are open to all conference attendees.

Leadership & ALSC
Saturday, January 31, 8:30-11:30am
McCormick Place West W179

This event, which is open to all attendees, is an opportunity to learn about new developments in the profession enabling attendees to bring this knowledge back to their libraries. Jenna Nemec-Loise, Member Content Editor for the ALSC Everyday Advocacy Website & Electronic Newsletter will present a review of elevator speeches, value-based language, and an introduction to the ALSC advocacy button campaign. Follow along on Twitter using the hashtag #leadalsc.

Diversity Matters: Stepping It Up With Action!
Sunday, February 1, 1-2:30pm
McCormick Place West W183b

The Diversity Matters: Stepping It Up With Action! update will give Midwinter attendees an opportunity to learn more about the invitation only Day of Diversity: Dialogue and Action in Children’s Literature and Programming event, its outcomes, and participate in laying the groundwork for a promising future. This session will focus on practical strategies participants have successfully employed for increasing diversity awareness within the publishing and library communities. Along with ALSC, this program is sponsored by the Children’s Book Council’s Diversity Committee.

Young Children, Libraries & New Media Survey
Sunday, February 1, 3-4pm
McCormick Place West W183b

The purpose of this update is to discuss the findings of the Young Children, New Media & Libraries Survey conducted by the Association for Library Service to Children, LittleeLit.com and the University of Washington iSchool. A panel of experts from library, research and education fields will discuss the survey results and the implications of the findings.

ALA Youth Media Awards
Monday, February 2, 8-9am
McCormick Place West W375b/Skyline

Join us for the announcement of the best of the best in children’s and young adult literature and media –the ALA Youth Media Awards! Each year the American Library Association honors books, videos, and other outstanding materials for children and teens. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. and fans can follow results in real-time via #alayma, or live webcast. Visit ILoveLibraries.org for additional information on how to follow the action.

For more events and activities, make sure to check out the 2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting site including the handy Scheduler tool.

The post ALSC at the Midwinter Meeting #alamw15 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.

Friday night at ALA’s Midwinter Meeting, the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) will reveal its annual Outstanding International Books list and then present novelist Sabaa Tahir, whose debut, An Ember in the Ashes, will be published by Penguin this spring.

The Outstanding International Books (OIB) list was begun by USBBY in 2006. The OIB list is intended to introduce American children to exceptional artists and writers from other countries. All of the titles originated or were first published in a country other than the United States and were subsequently published or distributed in the U.S. The goal of the OIB list is to create more awareness of, and demand for, books from other countries, so that U.S. publishers will be encouraged to offer more books from diverse countries to young readers in America.

In addition to the Outstanding International Book List announcement, author Sabaa Tahir will offer a sneak preview of her book An Ember in the Ashes, which will be published in 24 countries. Advance copies feature glowing blurbs from standout authors including Marie Lu, Melissa de la Cruz, Holly and Goldberg Sloan, and well ahead of the book’s April 28, 2015, release date, there’s already a Paramount Film adaptation in the works.

Though An Ember in the Ashes is an epic fantasy, Tahir incorporated cross-cultural research into the Spartans, Romans, Julio-Claudians, and Bedouins informing her world-building, as well as her interviews with soldiers and law enforcement officers who attested to the psychological battles which challenge those preparing for martial conflict.  

The USBBY event will be held from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the Hilton Chicago in Williford A, and all Midwinter attendees are welcome.

Thanks to Penguin for bringing Sabaa Tahir to Midwinter and their support of USBBY.

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Wendy Stephens is a member of the United States Board on Books for Young People Board of Directors.

The post Come to Chicago, read about the world with USBBY! appeared first on ALSC Blog.

It is that time of year again. The upcoming Youth Media Awards, announced at this year’s Midwinter conference in Chicago, always generate a lot of excitement. Many of us in the world of children’s books have been reading all year, along with our award committees. There is speculation, discussion, anticipation. We take pride in our Association’s role in seeing the best in children’s literature take its place in the cannon alongside the classics of our own childhoods. The Youth Media Award announcements are the highlight of the conference for many.

While our role in media evaluation is critical to our mission and purpose, the recent terrific buzz generated from the NPR story on EVERY CHILD READY TO READ was welcome and important. Libraries play a critical role in early education and in improving the literacy skills of young children. While this is widely known in library circles and is gaining visibility in educational fields, the public continues to leave the library out of the business of early literacy.

Our colleagues in Carroll County, Maryland have been doing this great work in early literacy for years and many of us around the country are using the five literacy practices outlined in ECRR2 in our daily work. In collaboration with our PLA colleagues, we have created an easily incorporated set of important, useful practices that will provide the basis for early literacy in a variety of environments that fit all our communities we serve.

The amazing EVERYDAY ADOVACY website continues to help us all in putting our value front and center to our communities. Wonderful press like the NPR piece on ECRR2 brings our contributions the lives of our families to a national level. Our communities understand our value when we are able to articulate it succinctly and sincerely. Make sure all our families know that our work extends past the august awards we bestow and leave as legacy to children’s literature. Equally important is our role in the lives of our youngest customers and ensuring that there are readers who will grow up to discover the wondrous treasures waiting for them.

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