Children

Multitasking Teens May Be Muddling Their Brains

Bibliofuture — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:52:36 -0400

Doing several things at once can feel so productive. But scientists say switching rapidly between tasks can actually slow us down.

Even though modern technology allows people to perform more tasks at the same time, juggling tasks can make our brains lose connections to important information. Which means, in the end, it takes longer because we have to remind our brains what we were working on.

Full piece at NPR

Days of children reading books 'are numbered'

Blake — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:04:33 -0400

The days of children reading traditional books are numbered, claims the man spearheading a campaign to improve literacy in schools.

Publishers must adapt titles to the demands of modern young readers who spend more time on the internet if they are to succeed in persuading the next generation to read, says Jonathan Douglas, the director of the National Literacy Trust.

The allure of big fuss

Blake — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:01:03 -0400

Today's Indexed finds a direct correlation between the number of kids who want to read a book, and the number of times it's been banned.

The Future of Reading: Using Video Games as bait to hook Readers

Sheilah — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:02:29 -0400

"When PJ Haarsma wrote his first book, a science fiction novel for preteenagers, he didn’t think just about how to describe Orbis, the planetary system where the story takes place. He also thought about how it should look and feel in a video game....Mr. Haarsma is not the only one using video games to spark an interest in books. Increasingly, authors, teachers, librarians and publishers are embracing this fast-paced, image-laden world in the hope that the games will draw children to reading."
Will gamers pick up books if they need to in order to play a game? Does gaming offer useful skills on its own?. The NYT ponders.

The Baldwin Online Children's Literature Project

Blake — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:26:42 -0400

Bringing Yesterday's Classics to Today's Children: "The Baldwin Project seeks to make available online a comprehensive collection of resources for parents and teachers of children. Our focus, initially, is on literature for children that is in the public domain in the United States. This includes all works first published before 1923. The period from 1880 or so until 1922 offers a wealth of material in all categories, including: Nursery Rhymes, Fables, Folk Tales, Myths, Legends and Hero Stories, Literary Fairy Tales, Bible Stories, Nature Stories, Biography, History, Fiction, Poetry, Storytelling, Games, and Craft Activities. "

Harry Potter Book ends

nbruce — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:54:33 -0400

Recalled. Lead paint. Apparently this notice is too short, so I'm adding this. What a silly rule. Usually I say too much.

The Classic Bat Library to Host 'Batoberfest'

birdie — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:20:31 -0400

The Riverside Library in Oak Park IL will host a series of events celebrating the children's book "Bats at the Library", which includes a storyline and illustrations based on the that exact library.

Batoberfest culminates with a book signing event, featuring the BATSmobile (a Toyota Prius with a huge bat replica affixed on top) and author/illustrator Brian Lies-who enjoyed visiting the Riverside library as a child. As Lies was finishing up the illustrations for his best-selling book "Bats at the Beach", a librarian in his hometown Massachusetts library told him that they actually had found a bat in that library. Lies set the sequel in the Riverside Library, considered "perfect for bats"... high ceilings, limestone and wood furniture-the classic bat library.

"I'd had a lot of fun in the bats' world, and was starting to feel wistful about leaving for good," Lies said. "And I thought, 'Maybe I don't have to leave their world after all.'" More battiness here.

The Young Library: Two books celebrate joy of libraries

Blake — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:50:18 -0400

In times when the bills give moms and dads forehead wrinkles and stomach knots, the public library remains a happy place.

It's where to find brand-new hardback books, DVDs, magazines and CDs full of music to chase those money worries away. It's all absolutely free – as long as you get them back by the due date.

It's never too early to begin teaching youngsters the joys of the library. Here are two new books to help.

The Secret Story of Seuss

Great Western Dragon — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:44:51 -0400

Nixon! Environmentalism! Hitler! War!

The latest bestseller? Historical fiction? A new take on the Cold War?

No, they're just a few of the themes and controversies behind the world's greatest author of children's books. Take a look at some of the lesser known stories behind the literary world's most loved books. Even if Dr. Seuss never set out to start trouble, sometimes trouble just kind of finds you.

Children's minister raises doubts over age-banding

Blake — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 06:53:33 -0400

Authors campaigning against age ranging on children's books have found an unexpected ally in children's minister Ed Balls, who has raised doubts about the scheme and advised parents to seek expert guidance instead of relying on cover labels.