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Latest Picture Books Newsletter

Latest Kids Books Newsletter

Authors/Illustrators

The Children’s Book Council Author and Illustrator Web Sites www.cbcbooks.org/contacts: Biographies about popular authors and illustrators of children’s books published by the CBC. Sponsored by the Children’s Book Council.
The Children’s Literature Guide to Authors and Illustrators on the Web www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/authors.html: Contains links to author and fan websites. Created by David K. Brown.
Internet Public Library’s Author Biographies www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/askauthor: Biographies and other information about a listing of popular authors. Sponsored by the University of Michigan.

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Author Websites

Welcome to the wonderful world of Joan Aiken www.joanaiken.com/: Learn more about the life and books of Joan Aiken, author of the "Wolves of Willoughby Chase" series. Don't miss the "Fun Stuff" section with online cards, coloring sheets and a game to play.
Avi www.avi-writer.com: Avi, the author of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Crispin, and more, discusses his life and his books.
Jan Brett www.janbrett.com: Parents, teachers, and readers of all ages can learn about the author/illustrator of such titles as The Mitten, Armadillo Rodeo, and more.
Eric Carle www.eric-carle.com: For fans of the famous author/illustrator and his books such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Do You Want To Be My Friend.

JPL’s List of
Suggested Authors
for Young Readers

Beverly Cleary beverlycleary.com: Learn more about the author of such popular characters as Ramona, Ralph S. Mouse, and more.
Tomie DePaola www.tomie.com: Find out about award-winning children's author/illustrator and his books, such as Strega Nona and 26 Fairmount Avenue.
Kristine O'Connell George www.kristinegeorge.com: This site promotes poetry and activities involving poetry for children.
Will Hobbs www.willhobbsauthor.com: This site about the author of outdoor adventure stories includes biographical information, a list of books, questions and answers, and more.
Deborah Hopkinson www.deborahhopkinson.com: The author of Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt and Birdie’s Lighthouse shares her favorite links on a variety of different topics.
Joan Irvine: The Pop-up Lady www.makersgallery.com/joanirvine: This Canadian author of children’s craft books has instructions on how to make pop-up cards, a set of pop-up instructions, and links to other pop-up sites.
Brian Jacques www.redwall.org/dave/jacques.html: If you're a fan of the Redwall books, here's the site for you!
Jane Kurtz www.janekurtz.com: The author of Fire on the Mountain and Pulling the Lion’s Tale discusses growing up in Ethiopia, her many travels, and more.
Mary E. Lyons www.lyonsdenbooks.com: Learn about the author who wrote Sorrow’s Kitchen and Letters from a Slave Girl.
Robert Munsch www.robertmunsch.com: From past class visits to unpublished works, this site has everything you need to know about the children’s author, Robert Munsch.
Laura Numeroff lauranumeroff.com: Visit this site to find out about the author’s life, pets, and books.
Gary Paulsen www.scils.rutgers.edu/special/kay/paulsen.html: This site includes a bibliography of Gary Paulsen’s works and reviews.
Dav Pilkey www.pilkey.com: The author’s “extra crunchy website o’ fun” has information on his books, fun games, and more.
Robert Quackenbush www.rquackenbush.com: This site presents the author, his books, school visits, and workshops
Shel Silverstein www.shelsilverstein.com: Listen to the author read his hilarious poems aloud accompanied by animated cartoons, make a bookmark, and download puzzles and more fun in a classroom poetry kit.
Cynthia Leitich Smith www.cynthialeitichsmith.com: Her official Web site includes biographical information as well as recommended fantasy, horror, and multicultural books by other authors.
Lemony Snicket lemonysnicket.com: You really don’t want to visit this dreadful site to learn more about the Series of Unfortunate Events.
Janet Stevens www.janetstevens.com: The illustrator of To Market, To Market and author/illustrator of From Pictures to Words talks about her various drawing methods.
Colin Thompson www.colinthompson.com: This Australian author/illustrator talks about his works, his life, and more.
David Wiesner www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/authors/wiesner/home.html: The author discusses his creative process for writing and illustrating his award-winning children’s books.
Mo Willems www.mowillems.com/: Learn more about this popular author and the Pigeon!
Laurence Yep www.scils.rutgers.edu/special/kay/yep.html: This site includes a bibliography of Laurence Yep’s works as well as critical reviews.

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Book Websites

We the People
Bookshelf
A program to encourage young people to read and understand great literature while exploring themes in American history.

American Girls Series www.americangirl.com/agcn: Discover this historical fiction series about girls growing up in different times in American history. The official site includes games and quizzes about each girl and more.
The Arthur Page pbskids.org/arthur: This website features games and children’s art
Baby-Sitters’ Club www.scholastic.com/annmartin/bsc: Learn about Ann M. Martin, the author of the BSC series, and all the wonderful characters and adventures.

Berenstain Bears www.berenstainbears.com: The official Berenstain Bears site has activities and information about the bears and their creators.
Curious George www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/cgsite: This website has activities for any age "curious about George."
Harry Potter www.scholastic.com/harrypotter: Visit this site and find a trivia game, a pronunciation guide, owl posts and more.

Magic School Bus Page scholastic.com/MagicSchoolBus: Find out what are Ms. Frizzle and her class doing now.
Narnia www.narnia.com: This elegantly designed site devoted to C. S. Lewis's fantasy classics provides information about the books, the creatures and people of Narnia.
The Peter Rabbit Web Site www.peterrabbit.com: The official and definitive site on the world of Beatrix Potter.

Seussville www.seussville.com/seussville: Play games, learn about Dr. Seuss and his books, special events, and more.
Snoopy.com www.snoopy.com: Read about your favorites characters and Schulz’s thoughts on why they behave the way they do!
Student Book Reviews and Discussion www.buildingrainbows.com/: Children read and contribute book reviews to share with other students.

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Book Awards

Check here for more Award Winners!

Caldecott Medal www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal.cfm: Discover more about this award given annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. Sponsored by the American Library Association.
Coretta Scott King Award www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/emiert/cskbookawards/recipients.cfm: Find out more information about this award annually given to both African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults. Sponsored by the American Library Association.
Newbery Medal www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberywinners/medalwinners.cfm: Learn about this award given annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Sponsored by the American Library Association.
Sunshine State Award myssyra.org/archive/archive.html: Learn more about the award voted on by Florida students annually in grades 3-8. Sponsored by the Florida Department of Education.

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Poetry

Giggle Poetry www.gigglepoetry.com: This site has silly and fun poems to read about different topics.
Inkless Tales www.inklesstales.com: An entertaining and educational sampling of stories, crafts, games, and poetry for young children.

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Reading

ABC Fast Phonics www.abcfastphonics.com/: This tutorial site makes use of cartoons, audio narration, sounds, and clickable words to teach phonics. Phonics rules and practice pages are included.
Children's Literature Network www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org/: This site features Web pages for nearly 150 authors and illustrators, and provides kids with previews of forthcoming books. Avid readers will appreciate the recommended books and the lists of books compiled on numerous topics.
InsideStory Flashcards insidestoryflashcards.com/: Inside Story Flashcards offers an exciting and visual way to learn words! These high quality flashcards with photographic images are downloadable and printable. Great for kids, ESL and SAT words.
Read Print www.readprint.com/: Free online books, poems, essays, short stories, plays and non-fiction for students and teachers. The site features over 8,000 books and 3,500 authors.

Spelling

Fun Brain Spell Check www.funbrain.com/spell/index.html: Test your spelling with this fun game! The game can be played on easy or hard setting.
Online Spelling Program www.spellingcity.com/: This site makes practicing for spelling tests fun.
Spell That City! www.factmonster.com/quizzes/spellcity1/1.html: How well can you spell U.S. cities? Try this quiz to find out!
Spin and Spell www.spinandspell.com/: This interactive spelling game is sure to engage young learners (ages 4-8). Children can play individually or with a friend.
Interactives Spelling Bee www.learner.org/interactives/spelling/index.html: Try your hand at an old-fashioned Spelling Bee. For grades 1-12.
SpellBee! aeaea.cs-i.brandeis.edu:8080/spellbee/index.jsp: Play SpellBee - a free online, interactive, multiplayer spelling game - with your friends!

Writing Help

Writing Tips-O-Matic www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/contents.htm: Discover grammar rules, helper words, and other writing tips.

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Miscellaneous

Book Adventure www.bookadventure.org: Book Adventure is a FREE reading motivation program for children in grades K-8. Book Adventure was created by and is maintained by Sylvan Learning.
BookHive: Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg Co. www.bookhive.org: A reader's advisory tool for infants through sixth graders that can be searched by topic or reading level; includes materials for parents and other adults.
Guys Read www.guysread.com: Author Jon Scieszka makes suggestions for a literacy program that connects boys with books they want to read.
Starfall Learn-to-Read www.starfall.com/: Primarily designed for first grade, Starfall.com is also useful for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and second grade. For parents and teachers.
What Do I Read Next?: Requires an active Jacksonville Public Library card to access. Includes recommended titles, plot summaries, and awards information all to help users uncover new reading adventures, find long-remembered favorites, and discover award-winning titles.
Word Play www.pitara.com/activities/wordplay: Learn about different parts of grammar while playing fun games.