QUICK LOOKS
for
GREAT BOOKS
Created by Felicia Davis
for SLM 521: Spring 2005
The purpose of this web link
bibliography is to provide you with internet sites that will help you find
great books to read and learn about your favorite authors and illustrators. Many of these sites also offer homework help, games and
activities related to children’s literature, and opportunities to write your
own stories.
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
SITES
This
site is great for kids! Zinger the Bee will help you
find any book you want, read recommendations from kids just like you, or find
out what Zinger recommends. You can even post your
own story for others to read! (Last
visited on 2-14-05.)
http://www.bookhive.org/
A colorful, easy-to-use site
that provides lots of current information on great books. The
main page offers sections on featured themes, series books, reviews, cool
new books, books into movies, and suggested reading lists.
There are opportunities for you to play games, participate in a poll
question, and write to your favorite author. You can
also visit other websites related to your favorite book characters. (Last visited on 2-14-05.)
http://www.kidsreads.com/
Nancy Keane’s Children’s Literature Webpage
This
site provides you with more links to sites about children’s books. Check out the “Booktalks–
Quick and Simple” for brief summaries of hundreds of popular books and “ATN
Reading Lists” for lists of books organized by authors, genres, themes, and
school subjects, which I found to be especially helpful.
(Last visited on 2-14-05.)
http://www.nancykeane.com
This
site contains hundreds of book reviews for readers in grades 2-8. They are organized in basic categories: Award Winners,
Nonfiction, Picture Books, and Young Adult. There
is also an Author Corner where you can read all about your favorite authors.
(Last visited on 2-16-05.)
http://ccpl.carr.org/read/
This
site is developed by Jim Trelease, the well-known
author of The Read-Aloud Handbook. Young and old readers will find this site to be a very
helpful resource for finding good books to read. He
includes excerpts from his book, recommended book lists, and links to other
helpful children’s literature sites. Mr. Treleasestresses the importance of reading aloud to
children at an early age so that books become a part of their everyday lives.
(Last visited on 2-16-05.)
http://www.trelease-on-reading.com
PUBLIC LIBRARY
SITES
Carroll County Public Libraries
The
Kids’ Page offers a variety of connections to great literature sites. It includes many recommended reading lists. There are also links to sites about your favorite TV shows,
movies, crafts and hobbies, and on-line games. (Last
visited on 2-17-05.)
http://kids.carr.org/
Montgomery
County Public Libraries
This
Kidsite offers quick access to the children’s
catalog. The “Good Reads” icon takes you to lists
of books organized by theme, grade level, and interests.
It provides important information about the library and a well organized
homework site organized by subject area. The web search
feature gives very clear directions on how to use search engines designed
just for kids. (Last visited on
2-17-05.)
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/lkstmpl.asp?url=/content/libraries/kidsite/kidsite.asp
This
well organized site offers a complete selection of resources for kids of
all ages. There are direct links to authors and illustrators,
award winning books, books on-line, children’s book publishers, and kids’
magazines. (Last visited on 2-17-05.)
http://kids.nypl.org/reading/index.cfm
Prince Georges
County Public Libraries
The
http://www.prge.lib.md.us/KidsCenter/Books-Lists.html
AWARD WINNERS
The
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award was started in 1992 to promote literacy and lifelong
learning by encouraging kids to read quality literature.
Books are nominated each year by school library media specialists
in four categories: picture books, grades 4-6, grades 6-9, and high school. The winners are chosen each spring by
http://mdedmedia.org/besall.html
The
Caldecott Medal began in 1938 and is awarded every year by the ALSC (Association
for Library Service to Children) to the artist of the most distinguished
American picture book for children. This site will
give you quick access to the past and present winners of the most prestigious
award presented to illustrators of children’s books. (Last
visited on 2-17-05.)
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal.htm
Since
1970 theCoretta Scott King Award has been presented
every year to an African-American author and illustrator for their inspirational
and educational contribution to children’s literature. The
books promote an understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples. The award commemorates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. and honors Mrs. King for her determination to continue the work for peace. (Last visited on 2-17-05.)
http://www.ala.org/ala/emiert/corettascottkingbookawards/abouttheawarda/cskabout.htm
Since
1922 the Newbery Medal has been awarded every year by the ALSC (Association
for Library Service to Children) to the author of the most distinguished contribution
to American literature for children. This site provides
quick access to past and present winners of the most prestigious award given
to authors of children’s literature. (Last visited
on 2-18-05.)
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/newberymedal/newberymedal.htm
The
Pura Belpre Award, established in 1996, is presented
to a Latino author and illustrator whose book best portrays the Latino cultural
experience. This site provides quick access to past
and present winners, as well as more information about the woman for whom
the medal is named. (Last visited on 2-18-05.)
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/belpremedal/belprmedal.htm
RECOMMENDED LISTS
& REVIEWS
ALA
(American Library Association) Notables
A
“notable” book is one that is well-written, has received excellent reviews,
and is expected to win awards and honors. They are
definitely worth checking out! The ALA Notables are
organized into the following categories: young readers, middle readers, older
readers, and all ages. The site lists the author,
title, brief summary, and any other awards or honors it has received. Links will provide you with ALA Notables dating back to
1996, as well as ALA Notable recordings, videos, and computer software. (Last visited on 2-18-05.)
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/childrensnotable/notablecbooklist/currentnotable.htm
CBC (Children’s Book Council):
Hot Off the Press
The
Children’s Book Council provides a sneak peek at the newest, hottest books
on the shelf. The list is updated monthly and includes
the title, author, annotation, and cover design. Be
the first kid on your street to read all the newest bestsellers! (Last visited on 2-18-05.)
http://www.cbcbooks.org/html/hotp.html
NSTA: National Science Teachers Association
The
books that appear in this annotated bibliography are selected by members
of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and The Children’s Book
Council (CBC). They are considered to be outstanding
because they have substantial science content, the information is accurate
and up-to-date, and the books are free of any bias.
http://nsta.org/ostbs04
AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS
Authors
and Books… by Scholastic
This
site is sponsored by Scholastic, Inc. Its features
are very current – spotlighting the top-selling authors and books. The author biographies are excellent.
There is a reading club you can join and a place to post your very
own book review. (Last visited
on 2-18-05.)
http://www2.scholastic.com/teachers/authorsandbooks/authorstudies/authorstudies.jhtml
This
site is sponsored by Houghton Mifflin Publishers. At
this time the site offers information on only six authors, but provides a
variety of very current information for each one. Choices
include a biography, an interview, and a complete list of their published
works with a brief summary and picture of the book cover.
Addresses are also provided for contacting the authors. (Last visited
on 2-18-05.)
http://www.eduplace.com/author/
CBC (Children’s Book
Council):About Authors and Illustrators
This
site offers author and illustrator information in a variety of ways. “Meet the Author” gives you information about authors
written in their own words (kind of like a mini-autobiography). An alphabetical list of over 100 authors links you directly
to the website of the author. It also gives you a
list of “75 Authors Everyone Should Know,” divided into categories by grade
level. See how many of them you can recognize! (Last visited on 2-18-05.)
http://www.cbcbooks.org/html/aboutauthors.html
Meet the Authors and Illustrators
This
site includes hundreds and hundreds of authors, listed alphabetically. Just click on the letter of the last name of the author
and you will be connected to a biography, an interview, or the author’s website. It is very organized and easy to use.
(Last visited on 2-18-05.)
http://www.childrenslit.com/f_mai.htm
MULTICULTURAL
BOOKS AND AUTHORS
Barahona Center:
Books in Spanish for Children
This
site can be viewed in Spanish or English, but it is a site for you to find
books written in Spanish. A new section recommends
books in English that are about Latinos. In a few
simple clicks you can browse for books by title, subject, and grade or age. You can also find books from different countries around
the world that have been translated into Spanish. (Last
visited on 2-16-05.)
http://www.csusm.edu/csb/
Multi-Cultural Children’s Authors
This
site provides lists of multicultural authors and illustrators divided into
the following categories: African American, Asian/Pacific American, Latino
and Hispanic American, and Native American. Selected
authors have an “authentic voice” because they were raised in the community
they describe. To be included the books they write
must show an accurate and valid account of the experiences of their ethnic
group. Just click on the author’s name and you will
be connected to a site about that author. (Last visited
on 2-17—05.)
http://www.sru.edu/pages/8912.asp
This
is a publisher’s website that has a commitment to publishing quality multicultural
books for children. African, Asian, Latino, and Native
American topics are presented in modern and historic settings. They provide summaries and independent reviews of their
published books. New books are featured on their home
page, as well as books for beginner readers. All books
can be previewed and short biographies of the authors and illustrators are
included. (Last visited on 2-17-05.)
http://www.leeandlow.com/home/index.html