Resources

The problem with being the last person to share my resources is that you guys took all the good ones! :-)

I know we do not all live in Bloomington, Indiana, but let me just tell you, we have a fantastic library here. Even if you don't live here, and don't have access to the physical library (although you're missing out, because Pat, the children's librarian, is rad. She gave me my first library card, in 1987, and she remembers my name to this day!), you can still access its awesome website. The website is easy to navigate, comprehensive, and full of great ideas for children's trade literature selections. Even when I lived in Portland, I still used this website when compiling book lists for freelance assignments. In their booklists section, they have titles organized by award winners (Caldecott, Newbery, ALA, etc.), as well as great lists developed by the library's children's librarians: Too Good to Miss, If you liked Harry Potter..., If you can't find Waldo..., Not Too Scary Stories, and All Kinds of Families are some of my faves.

http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/childrens/booklists/children_booklists.html

In my search for outstanding websites and other resources, I came across Rad Library - a collection of mostly vintage books with interest...maybe...driven by illustration, type, graphics, and lastly, content (http://radlibrary.blogspot.com). It's awesome and fun and you should check it out. It's an interesting reminder of the aesthetic aspects of trade literature!

Books I Love

A Blue So Blue by Jean-Francois Dumont

This is the story of a small, bright little boy who lives in a big, dull city. The boy is an artist. Every night he dreams of a certain shade of blue - a blue so blue it's both dark and bright - a blue so blue it's both common and rare - a blue so blue it's both tender and strong. The little boy sets out in search of the blue, traveling over the world, and disappointed time and time again. He finds many blues, but none of them are what he is searching for. When he finally does discover the blue of his dreams, it is not where he expected it to be.

Free to be You and Me by Marlo Thomas and Friends

This 1972 classic was revamped and republished in 2008, with all its original multi-genre pieces, including songs, stories, and poems, and with fabulous new illustrations. It also comes with a CD, which my daughter wanted to listen to every time we were in the car, and which I finally had to hide until she forgot about it. While some of the writing seems a little dated, the sentiments are still as relevant and powerful as ever - themes of compassion, empathy, celebrating diversity, and challenging stereotypes are found throughout.

Take my hand.
Come with me.
Where the children are free.
Come with me.
Take my hand.
And we'll run...

Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship
Told by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatcoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu

This true story, based on the lovely friendship between a baby hippo named Owen and a 130-year-old giant tortoise named Mzee who live in an animal sanctuary in Kenya, is an excellent example of an engaging, high-quality, non-fiction tradebook. The photographs are beautiful, the story is amazing, and the text is highly readable. I know some people don't like when animals are anthropomorphized in non-fiction, and their relationships are labeled friendships or romantic, but I adore this story!