Links, more links, and a giveaway, oh my
Notes From the Reading Nook: October 17
Hello, hello!
I’m out of town for work this week so things are short and sweet around here — well, short, at least 😉
But! I’m happy to report that I finally created two additional booklists on my Bookshop.org storefront:
As you look at these, please remember that many older kids still want — and really, truly need — to be read picture books, so don’t forgo them. (I mean it: don’t. I wrote a whole case for continued picture books a year ago, if like, my strongly-worded encouragement isn’t enough and you need further convincing.)
ANYWAY, I recommend taking a peek at my lists +1 year above and -1 year below the ages of your children because, well, the whole “books for specific ages” is fuzzy, at best: kids’ reading abilities and interests are all over the place, and no one knows your readers better than you.
(I also have a bunch of booklists for various stages, struggles, topics of interest, etc. — like potty training; separation; loss, death, and grief; going to the doctor and dentist; siblings; cats and dogs; bodies and bodily joy, and more.)
A Dark, Dark Tale by Ruth Brown
Monster Goose by Judy Sierra
Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles by Michelle Meadows
Humbug Witch by Lorna Balian (I reviewed this in my 2022 special edition on Halloween)
The Monsters’ Monster by Patrick McDonnell
Links of possible interest
Tomorrow it will be exactly a year since I’ve shared any bookish links that might interest you and I have a pile of them, so here we are 😉
🐸 Two nonfiction children’s book blogs I love
Ever since I interviewed author Melissa Stewart on the importance of nonfiction for children, I’ve been more than a little obsessed with how to find excellent nonfiction that appeals to and engages my kids. (The effort is going super well, though I think, at least with my children, the biggest factor in their enjoyment has been age — as they’ve gotten older, they’re hungrier for nonfiction. For some kids, this happens very young, but mine could not have cared less until now, at 9 and 7yo.)
Anyway. I don’t love every single suggestion from Nonfiction Monday or Growing with Science — there are fewer living books than I’d like, but you know what? That’s what my superb discerning mind is for: to parse information and decide for myself.
If you have a nonfiction picture book lover, both blogs are worth checking out.
📖 Diverse booklists to help you keep building an inclusive library
Amazing Children’s Books by Arab and Arab American Authors via Brightly
10 fairytales with diverse characters via Stories of Color
180+ Asian & Asian American Books For Children & Teenagers via Colours of Us
📚 And on that topic…
The Madison Reading Project outlines a helpful five-step process in Re-thinking Representation: How to Deepen the Diversity Represented in Your Class or Home Library. (And if you’re homeschooling, I know I don’t have to tell you that your home library is your classroom library — this applies on both levels.)
🚫 Book banning resources
Book ban resources for educators, librarians, and parents/allies from We Need Diverse Books is a do-not-miss resource for basically anyone involved in the life of a child — if you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to fighting book censorship, look no further.
👏 Preach, sister
If you only click through one link in this entire post, let it be this one from children’s book author, poet, and fellow Substack writer,
of Snippets & Sketches — Regarding Preachiness in Picture Books — about the recent, massive shift toward stories that teach a lesson. (I agree so wholeheartedly I think I made several audible noises while reading it.)⛵️ Lastly: adventure!
23 Adventure Picture Books for Kids via What Do We Do All Day. An awesome list.
Also, a giveaway
It’s been a minute since I’ve done a giveaway. And I could really use your input on topics you’d like to see me cover for future mini issues, so… this is a bribe, as well.
What’s a mini issue? Mini issues are where I develop a booklist for a specific topic without reviewing any titles or going deep in any other way. I have done mini issues on all sorts of things: farmer’s markets, soup, worms, outdoor play, hibernation, space, and 19 others. (You can see the full list here.)
Once or twice I’ve come up with a handful of possible topics and asked you to vote on which you’re most interested in, but I’ve run out of ideas even to suggest. So!
🎁 I’m giving away one $25 gift card to Bookshop.org to everyone who enters this giveaway — by filling out my one-minute, single-question survey:
I’ll pick a winner using the power of technology (Google random number generator✨) on Friday, when I get home and come up for air.
Read good books and take good care 😘
Sarah
P.S. By now I’m sure you know that all Bookshop.org links are affiliate ones...but I have to keep telling you anyway. Sigh.
Thank you for the shout out! I agree that older kids often still need picture books. Picture books are for everyone!
I feel like every time you mention picture books being for everyone, I repeat my wish of taking a rainy or snowy afternoon and drinking endless cups of tea, in a pile of picture books, silently reading with you.