Carnival of Children's Literature: Food for Thought

Welcome to the May 28, 2010 Carnival of Children's Literature! I hope you're hungry for some book talk, because we have more than enough for everyone.

I, Emily of Homespun Light, am honored to be the hostess. Grab a cupcake, and sit down. With so many friends here, we have much to discuss about the world of children's books (which happens to be one of my favorite topics...)

Of course, not all of these friends have the same views as I do, here at Homespun Light...but that'll just make our dinner conversation all the more interesting, right?

Here goes...

Reviews of Nonfiction Books, aka Homemade Wheat Bread-Good for you and still delicious.


Franki introduces us to some New Nonfiction that she discovered at a Literature Workshop. Check them out at A Year of Reading.


Erin Deedy presents Baseball and Children's Books: These Are a Few of My Favorite Things at The World of Peachtree Publishers, where she talks about Jackie Robinson and the picture book, Dad, Jackie, and Me.


Jeff Barger shares the post, Here Comes the Garbage Barge! at NC Teacher Stuff. "Here Comes the Garbage Barge! is a humorous account of the garbage barge that set out from Long Island in 1987. The 3-D sets from Red Nose Studio that serve as illustrations are terrific."


Roberta Gibson presents a middle grade nonfiction review, Wrapped in Foil · Planet Hunter: At the Frontier of Space Research for your gobbling pleasure at Wrapped in Foil.


Fiction Reviews, aka The Main Course. You can't have a Carnival of Children's Literature without a healthy smattering of these.


Becky Laney talks up a chilling YA, The House of Dead Maids, a prequel to Wuthering Heights, at Becky's Book Reviews.


At Young Readers, Becky also has a review of a picture book that looks like a lot of fun. Click here for a review of Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I don't).


Erin Deedy presents Once Upon a Time... at The World of Peachtree Publishers, in which she discusses the role of fairy tales in children's literature and introduces us to the latest retelling of The Frog Prince.


Anastasia Suen presents You Go Away posted at Read to Me, saying, "The classic picture book for separation anxiety is now a board book!"


Fiona Ingram has a thoughtful review of Jock of the Bushveld in 3D posted at Word Magic: Articles; Tips for Authors. She says, "Jock of the Bushveld is one of the great children's classics to come out of South Africa."


Rebecca Reid and her son have a goal to read 1000 books. Through the challenge, they have discovered the wonderful, Jez Alborough. Check it out!


Charlotte presents a review of Tom Ass, by Ann Lawrence posted at Charlotte's Library.


Jeff Barger introduces us to the picture book, Chalk, (which sounds charming) at NC Teacher Stuff. He says, "Chalk is a wordless tale of three friends who find a bag of chalk on a playground one rainy day. This is no ordinary chalk and surprises abound when the chalk drawings come to life."


Aaron Mead shares an in-depth review of the classic, Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman in honor of Mother's Day at Children's Books and Reviews.


Katie Fries shares a review of Nutmeg by David Lucas at Eat Their Words, saying, "After reading David Lucas' Nutmeg--in which the protagonist rails against the bland, boring food she has been served all her life and wishes for something different-- my kids and I made our version of the "string and sawdust" served in the book."


Debra Black presents So what do we think? The 39 Clues Book 8: The Emperor's Code posted at Litland.com Reviews!, saying, "Are your readers preparing for a long summer vacation? What better time than now to read the 39 Clues series! Although recommended for ages 9-12, kids of all ages will enjoy this series packed with both action and characters that exhibit...well, good character! Happy reading!"


Amitha Knight shares her Book review: The Secret in the Old Attic (Nancy Drew #21) over at Monkey Poop. "A review of an old favorite that did not withstand the test of time."


Brenda Kahn shares a review of Helen Frost's historical fiction, entitled Crossing Stones. See it at Prose and Kahn.


Robin Gaphne, aka the Book Nosher, tells us about a new, poignant children's novel. Check out her review of Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine here.


Charlotte from Charlotte's Library, has a review of the Young Adult book, Stuck on Earth by David Klass. See it here.


Terry Doherty talks about Arlo Gets Lost and Arlo Makes a Friend by Wendy Wax over at Scrub-a-Dub-Tub, saying that Wendy Wax is an author people should be talking about.


Tina Nichols Coury shares a book trailer for The Last Best Days of Summer- Blog Tour 2010 written by Valerie Hobbs, author of Defiance, posted at Tales from the Rushmore Kid.


Zoe Toft talks about Revelling in gardening with kids! and a picture book that inspires them at Playing by the book.


Boheime talks about her family's love of the Percy Jackson series at Living Peacefully With Children.


You'll find my review of the classic, Island of the Blue Dolphins, here at Homespun Light.


Food for Thought


Kakie tells us that a 9 year old starts non-profit to collect and donate 1 million books for needy kids at Bur Bur and Friends: Community Park, saying, "To date she has collected and donated over 260,000. Learn her story!"


Susan Stephenson, the Book Chook, presents Use Puppets to Encourage Literacy posted at The Book Chook. "Can toys contribute to literacy? Some toys can, particularly puppets."


Scott Palat introduces A Reading Strategy That Works- Anticipation/Reaction Guides at Colleen Palat.


Eva Mitnick reflects on the imagination of childhood, and how we use Reading as Play as we grow up.


Tammy Flanders presents Less is more – Part 2 posted at Apples With Many Seeds, saying, "The second in a three-part series about seemingly 'simple' picture books that have potential for so much more."


It's census time! Linking Jewish values with the secular world, Kathy B. at forwordsbooks.com looks at why it's important to be counted. Find out why here. You'll also find a great list of applicable picture books.


Kathy B. also tells us that "The May/June issue of Horn Book Magazine had an interesting article by Jennifer Armstrong entitled "Eating Reading Animals," in which she proposes that reading children's literature about animals requires adults to teach children to become vegetarians. Kathy B. at forwordsbooks.com rebuts that argument. Find her rebuttal here.

Lee Wind presents Why Saving the Los Angeles Public Library Matters to LGBT Writers and Readers posted at I'm Here. I'm Queer. What the Hell do I read?.

Elizabeth Dulemba shares a great way to support your local schools. Go to Adopt-a-Classroom posted at dulemba.

Elizabeth also shares Mapping the Effects of Library Budget Cuts at dulemba, saying, "This one is a wake up call. A librarian mapped the impact on libraries using Google Maps."

The Future of Children's Literature, aka Dessert Comes to Those Who Wait.

Marco Gustafsson gives us a fascinating glimpse into the potential for eBook Readers for Children over at Digital Book Readers. Go eat it up!

Book Lists, aka The Buffet. There's something for everyone.

Anastasia Suen tells us about 5 Great Books About Hamsters at 5 Great Books, saying, "Hamsters are on the move in these books for children learning to read."

Tina Sans presents 10 Celebrity Writers Actually Worth Reading posted at OnlineUniversities.com.

Phil Lopez has a list of classics, new and old, entitled 30 Awesome Young Adult Books. The post comes from Christian Colleges and Universities.

Thomas Lopez presents 20 Best Picture Films That Were Even Better Books over yonder at OnlineUniversities.com.

Kate Combs, aka The Book Aunt, shares three books about fantastical creatures, two encyclopedias and one book of collective nouns. Eat it up here.

Janelle shares Books that Zoom! and activities that zoom too, at Brimful Curiosities.

Over at Latter-day Homeschooling, I talk about using Historical Fiction for teaching history. The article includes a list of some of the children's historical fiction we've been enjoying. Eat it up over here.

Cultural Dining-Where Books Take Us

Randa Clay presents Where can we go? Children’s books as field trip guides. posted at FunPlace Database, saying, "A fun way to plan activities for kids around their favorite children's books."

Casey Markee takes us on a journey around the world with 15 Fictional Boarding Schools We Wish Were Real! at Boarding School Wizard Blog. "From the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to the X-Mansion of Uncanny X-Men comic book fame, check out these 15 fictional boarding schools from books, movies and comics that we WISH were real!"

Children's Lit Events, aka Dining Out.

Lisa Yee takes us (and her Peep, of course) to the Ultimate Author Smackdown . . . Game Show!!!! posted at The Lisa Yee Blog. She says, "Even though I was scammed by RL Stine, I still had a blast!"

jone (aka MsMac) presents Nonfiction Monday: Thoughts about the Ellin Oliver Keene Workshop posted at Check It Out, saying, "Probably one the the best one day workshops I have attended."

Articles on Publishing, aka In the Kitchen. Cooking up Books.


Matt Cunningham has a great interview with agent, Bree Ogden, over at Literary Asylum.

Amy Baskin presents a fabulous interview, "A Crazy Day" with Lee White posted at Euphoria.

Rachelle Burk presents IMPROVE YOUR WRITING. GET PUBLISHED. FIND AN AGENT. JOIN A CRITIQUE GROUP. NETWORK... posted at Resources for Children's Writers, saying, "The Resources For Children's Writers blog will guide you to any writing help you are looking for. In 27 distinct categories, you will find hundreds of links to all the resources you need for success."

Jon Bard presents Writing Fiction: Understanding the Essential Archteypes of Storytelling | Children's Writing Web Journal posted at Children's Writing Web Journal.

Samantha Clark has an Interview with Valerie Hobbs and contest winner posted at Day By Day Writer. "Author Valerie Hobbs answers questions from readers of the DayByDayWriter blog."

Melissa Wiley shares An Interview with Ellen Weiss, who she calls a "prolific children's book author and all-around awesome person", at Melissa Wiley.

Lori Calabrese talks about Writing in pictures with David Steinberg posted at Lori Calabrese Writes! "Lori Calabrese had the opportunity to learn more about author David Steinberg, including what inspired the Loud Boy graphic novel series and the collaborative process with illustrator, Brian Smith."

Carmela Martino presents Book Giveaway and Guest Teaching Author Interview with April Pulley Sayre! posted at Teaching Authors.

Robert Lew Terrell presents his original haiku, the reflected moon: without at lunar moths.

Margo Tanenbaum has a Q and A with Newbery Award winning author Karen Cushman at The Fourth Musketeer. She says, "I started my new blog on historical fiction for young people with a review of Karen Cushman's new book and a Q&A with this Newbery Award winning author. I plan to complete library school next year at age 50, and I think I am drawn to Karen Cushman's work not only because of her wonderful writing but because she didn't start writing books until age 49 (and her first book won a Newbery honor--not too shabby!)"

Artist, Elizabeth Dulemba presents Coloring Page Tuesday - Reading Monkey posted at dulemba. She says, "One of the more popular, reading-related coloring pages I did this month - a monkey!"

Author Lynn Hazen shares an interview with bestselling children's book author, Deborah Underwood, and her editor, Kate O'Sullivan. Taste it here.

Well, that concludes our meal. Whew. Are you full to the brim? Or do you have room for just one teeny, tiny mint?


Thanks for coming! And don't forget to leave a tip.  ;) 


PS. I hope I didn't miss anyone, or neglect to keep your drink glasses full. If I did, I apologize!


Submit your blog articles to the next edition of carnival of children's literature using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
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