Friday, May 30, 2008

Blog roll call (blogs we ♥)

No doubt you've noticed the ever-growing and vaguely intimidating collection of "Curiously Good Links" at the left. We're highlighting the blogs among the group because we'd hate to have so inundated you with options you skipped our fellow bloggers altogether.

Blue Rose Girls - What do you get when you throw seven children's literature professionals together in one blog? A comprehensive, personal and funny take on the industry from lots of different perspectives. Insider editorial news, lots of artwork, reviews and opinion pieces abound. Also, illustrator-contributor Grace Lin recently posted a photo of her posing in front of our store! Love her!

Children's Literature Book Club - Stephanie offers book reviews as well as children's literature news on this book club blog. Follow along with the Children's Literature Book Club with handy reading lists and discussion prompt questions. It might inspire you to start your own club!

The Cinnamon Rabbit - Illustrator and CG staffer Julia Denos expounds on the day-to-day workings of her blossoming career. There's plenty of method discussion, images of her artwork, and links to other children's literature items of interest on this charming blog.

Fuse #8 - Hosted by School Library Journal, children's librarian in the Donnell Central Children's Room of the New York Public Library Elizabeth Brown writes about just about everything having to do with kid's lit. She pays special attention to the goings on in the NYPL and conferences and awards committees with which it and its librarians are involved.

Pixie Stix Kids Pix - Although this blog is infrequently updated, Kristen McLean's reviews of books, music, and toys for children are well-considered and well-written. As the Executive Director of the Association of Booksellers for Children, Kristen possesses a "strong eye for design and a good story" which is evident in her posts. Only books which merit a 7 or higher on her 10-point scale are reviewed on the blog.

Poetry for Children - Sylvia Varnell, professor and author of Poetry Aloud Here, reviews and recommends children's poetry collections and verse novels. Posts usually incorporate full poems so readers can get a taste of a collection's style. Sylvia also keeps readers up-to-date with news on this oft-neglected genre.

Read Roger - The bow-tied Editor in Chief of The Horn Book shows his sassy side almost daily on this hilariously informative blog. Get the insider kid lit scoop as well as Roger's opinions on various publishing and bookselling related issues here.

The Short Living Room - Written by another of our resident artists, Emily Goodale, this blog is a forum for Emily's discussion of her own artwork and the work of others she loves as well as random, interesting goings on in life.

YALSA - This blog run by the Young Adult Library Services Association offers information on all things YA -- including books, graphic novels, music, events, news, and technology. Occasionally their posts are written by a guest teen blogger. Connect with this techno-savvy blog via MySpace, Twitter, or podcast to catch every update.

We hope that this brief intro to our most-clicked blogs will help you stay "in the know" about what's happening in children's literature!

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