Posts by ToniAnn C.

Celebrate Children’s Book Week 2009

May11
2009 Written by ToniAnn C.

Today marks the beginning of Children’s Book Week (CBW) 2009, an annual celebration of books and reading Children\'s Book Week 2009 Postersince 1919, hosted by the Children’s Book Council.

With events taking place in New York, Chicago, Boston and Seattle, Children’s Book Week is dedicated to making every child a reader. And, what better way to promote reading than to provide children with the ability to tell us what authors and books deserve praise?

On May 13th the Children’s Book Council will announce the winners of this year’s Children’s Choice Book Awards, which tallied 220,000 votes from kids nationwide! In the meantime, be sure to visit the Children’s Book Week Web site to order your 2009 CBW poster, illustrated by artist Ian Falconer and featuring Olivia. You can also download this year’s official CBW bookmark, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino.

Children’s Book Week provides children with a voice and adults with a way to dive back into their imagination. That’s right, not only are there events for children and teens, such as author signings and storytelling, but teachers, librarians, booksellers and publishers can also help and enjoy this year’s Children’s Book Week.

Find out more and what you can do for Children’s Book Week 2009 online and happy reading!

Posted in Books & Reading - Tagged , , , , ,

Looking for great books for kids? Check out Read Kiddo Read

Apr23
2009 Written by ToniAnn C.

With the summer slowly approaching, everyone is looking for a little sun and relaxation. For parents and children alike this is a great time to pick up new, interesting books that are friendly for any age. Not sure where to find age-appropriate books for kids?  Author James Patterson’s latest project, ReadKiddoRead.com, can point you in the right direction.

As you may know, James Patterson has been an avid supporter and member of the First Book family for awhile now. At the end of 2008 he launched ReadKiddoRead.com as a way to better connect parents, teachers, and librarians with books that keep children coming back to reading.

ReadKiddoRead.com features great titles, for newborns to pre-teens.  Patterson wants to create a place that list “great books, cool books” for children to engage with, in hopes of instilling a love for reading in all children.

Patterson and his wife Sue started ReadKiddoRead.com after they realized their son was no longer interested in the traditional summer reading lists. As a solution, the Pattersons decided that they would find interesting books not only for their son but for all kids to help them see the fun in reading.

Check out some of Patterson’s favorites at the First Book Marketplace including:

Posted in Books & Reading

Celebrate Global Literacy with The Big Read this week

Apr20
2009 Written by ToniAnn C.

Did You Know?
•    776 million adults globally lack literacy skills
•    75 million children are out of school

I’ll admit that I didn’t. This week is UNESCO and the Global Campaign for Education’s Global Action Week promoting youth and adult literacy and lifelong learning. 2009 marks the 7th annual Education for all Action Week and the Global Campaign for Education is asking you to participate in this year’s campaign called The Big Read.

The Big Read is one day when individuals, leaders, and children host reading parties to promote literacy all over the world. There are two ways to become involved with The Big Read.

Teachers can organize a reading party this week for their students. The Big Read asks that after the reading party, teachers ask all of those whom participated to write their names in support of those whom can not read or write in this world. Send the names to your local government representative asking them to share this issue with leaders in Washington.

Individuals can sign up to be part of a reading party or visit the Big Read Web site to add their name to the big book and take a stand against literacy.

For more information about The Big Read, check out the video and links below.

- UNESCO and Global Action Week 2009
- UNESCO Calendar of Events

Posted in Books & Reading, Literacy, Literacy Links and Articles, Video

National Library Week 2009 – Worlds connect @ your library!

Apr13
2009 Written by ToniAnn C.

Today is the start of National Library Week 2009, kicking off a week of appreciation for our nation’s libraries and librarians. The Honorary Chair of National Library Week this year is Jamie Lee Curtis a well-known supporter of children’s literacy and friend of First Book.

This week is jam packed with national events celebrating reading and libraries, which began this past Saturday with a reading event featuring the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and the American Library Association’s executive director, Keith Michael. Tuesday is National Library Workers Day and on Wednesday check out the American Library Association’s web site for a list of “Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2008.”  Thursday wraps the week up with a celebration of teen literature.

Here are some fun ideas to help celebrate this week:

  • Visit your local library. There will definitely be fun activities going on this week and it is a great way to make new friends in person and in books.
  • Have a family reading day. Everyone can bring a book to the table after dinner and talk about the story.

Looking for more ideas? Check out this list of 100 Terrific Websites to Celebrate National Library Week!

Posted in Literacy Links and Articles - Tagged , , ,

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Mar02
2009 Written by ToniAnn C.

Today celebrates the 105th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Seuss, who created more than 100 characters and stories encouraging children of all ages to read.

From his first book And to Think I Saw it on Mulberry Street, published in 1937, Dr. Seuss proved to be a great artist and author focusing many of his stories around his pre- and post-war life. He filled pages with colorful artwork and lively humor, while also subtly sharing political and moral messages resonating with adults in his books.

Before he took to writing his best known stories, Dr. Seuss promoted reading and learning for children that First Book and so many others carry on today. In 1954, Dr. Seuss learned about a recent report concluding a high rate of illiteracy in schools due, in part, to the fact only “dull” books were available for children to read. In response, Dr. Seuss, with the help of publishers, used just 220 words to create The Cat in the Hat (1957) inspiring beginning readers to enjoy the wonderful worlds that books can create.

Some of my favorites include:

Green Eggs and Ham (1960). As a young reader I remember Green Eggs and Ham and the interactions that followed of using green food coloring to prepare my own green eggs at home with my mother.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (1960). To this day I can still quote parts of One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and remember the hopes of getting my own fish to hum along with me.

Dr. Seuss took a stand for illiteracy and knew where to start – with children. First Book is proud to honor Dr. Seuss and his books. Now, test your skills and create a 10 word story in honor of Dr. Seuss.

A couple I came up with myself are:

Here are my toes they are far from my nose.

I am reading and encouraging you. Take this on too!

Posted in Authors & Illustrators, Books & Reading, Literacy

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