Goodreads

I've been looking for a way to keep track of what I'm reading since January (see this post) and finally decided to commit to Goodreads.  You can find me (and add me as a friend) there at www.goodreads.com/profile/bookstogether.  If you're on Goodreads, please consider adding me as a friend; and if you're not, please consider joining.  I would love to see what you're reading.

N.b, the Goodreads widget in my sidebar is showing someone else's books at the moment!

[Updated to add:  I switched to a different widget.  And, Goodreads is addictive.]

Poem in Your Pocket Day

Tomorrow is the first national Poem in Your Pocket Day (New York City has been celebrating it since 2002).  I love this idea in theory, and will put a poem (TDB) in my pocket before I take the kids the school in the morning, but will I read it to anyone?  Probably not.  Wait--the kids!  I'll read it to them, and send them off with poems in their pockets, too (maybe Milly could memorize a short one).

If you're looking for a poem for your pocket, check out these pocket-sized Poem PDFs, some poems about pockets (love this idea, too), or just browse poets.org.  It is National Poetry Month, you know.

The Edge of the Forest, March/April 2008

The March/April 2008 issue of children's literary magazine The Edge of the Forest went online yesterday.  Here's what I had to read right away:

• Feature article "Fairytale in the Forest: A Friendship" by Candice Ransom that references beloved illustrator Trina Schart Hyman (I think remember that Cricket cover with the mushrooms, Candice)
• A review of Budge Wilson's Before Green Gables (in the new What? column for "books that just don't fit neatly into any particular category."  Those are often my favorite books)
• And A Backward Glance (again by Candice Ransom) at Miracles on Maple Hill, which I reread this spring (during Pancake Week!)

There's lots more in this double issue of The Edge of the Forest; thanks to all of the contributors, and to Kelly Herold at Big A little a for putting it all together.

Children's Choice Book Awards

Children's Book Week is May 12-18.  This year, kids can vote online for the first annual Children's Choice Book Awards.  The nominees (5 in each category: books published in 2007 for grades K-2, 3-4, and 5-6; plus favorite author and illustrator) were selected by kids across the country.  I was a little disconcerted when I saw the nominees for favorite books, none of which I've read.  Am I completely out of touch with children's choices?  I hope not!

[Children's Book Week Official Poster by Mary GrandPre.  I love GrandPre's work: she illustrated the lovely Lucia and the Light (reviewed here) and some books about a wizard you may have heard of.  Posters are available from the CBC; see here for how to get one.]