This Month's Features
Search Tip of the Month
Spreading the News

   Have you ever gone berry picking? There's nothing quite like the taste of a sun-ripened, sun-warmed strawberry, raspberry or blueberry picked at its peak. My, my! The thought makes my mouth water. But berry picking is work, too. When you begin and look at those first few berries it seems as if it will take forever before there are enough to bake a pie or make some muffins. Before long, however, the basket is full and the rewards are rich. At the Children's Literature Comprehensive Database we like to think of our review sources as those delicious berries. Each one is special and to be savored on its own. Taken together, the reviews provide a feast for those selecting children's literature materials. The CLCD already includes over 30 review sources, but we are aware that new perspectives are always appreciated. Here are our newest "berries" for you to savor:

   The American Reference Books Annual (ARBA) reviews have recently been added to the CLCD. You will find them most helpful when searching for reviews of reference sets and reference materials.

   The reviews of books for children and teens from the Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter are also new this month. The Sidney Taylor Book Awards for "the best in Jewish children's literature each year" are selected by members of this association.

   The CLCD now includes The Horn Book Guide ratings. This information will help you further assess whether a particular book meets your needs. Since our search engine peruses the entire body of the database, you will find more hits for your subject searches. In addition to The Horn Book Guide numerical rating and its interpretation (for example, "Rating 2, Superior, well above average"), the volume and number of the issue is provided. We also include the category and subcategory (for example, "History" would be the category and "ancient and medieval history" is the subcategory). You will find this information on the full display page just before the Reading Measurement Programs.

   The presidential election heats up this summer as the Democrats and Republicans gather for their national conventions. You will want to stay apprised of the newest patriotic books. Be sure to look at our Fourth of July themed reviews, which cover history, songs, poetry, picnics and fireworks.

   Books that focus on Summer Fun make great displays for the variety of topics that can be included. We have updated our feature and have included some new books about fishing.

   Our author features this month will provide you with insight and interesting information. Among them are Karen Hesse, author of such books as The Music of Dolphins, Out of the Dust and Aleutian Sparrow and the recent recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship "Genius" Award; Linda Sue Park who won a Newbery Medal for A Single Shard, remembers All-of-a-Kind Family, (a piece written by one of our newest participants the Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter.) We are also celebrating the 10th anniversary of Sandy Sasso's book God's Paintbrush. Susie Wilde takes a look at Diane Stanley who has dazzled readers with her picture books and enthralled us with her novels. Diane was also a winner of The Washington Post Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award. A new author/illustrator to the children's market is James Prosek, who has provided adults with plenty of guidance about fish and fishing and now guides younger hands in this favorite summer pastime.

   When you are looking at the information about a book and need to know more--such as the current price or availability--click on the CLCD B&N Bookstore button at the top or bottom of the page. It will take you directly to that item where you can get product information and lots more. You can then just hit the Back button to return to whatever you were doing in the CLCD database.

   Should you wish to make a purchase later on, remember that doing so from the CLCD database earns you an extra 5% discount.

   Our monthly newsletter is now available to everyone within an organization, not just the primary contact. A feature at www.childrenslit.com will provide you with a form allowing you to sign up for just the electronic newsletter. Discover for yourself what Karla Schmit, Professor, Library Department, Librarian Laboratory School, Shippensburg University says about the CLCD, "Every author, every title, every time."

   The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database is your most complete source of information about children's books, audio recordings and films. Indeed, it is the next best thing to having the item in hand and the best tool for leading you to the best materials. All at a most affordable price. To subscribe to the CLCD, go to www.childrenslit.com.

   Your inquiry about CLCD has generated this email. Our newsletter is issued monthly. Please be assured that we do not sell or rent our lists. If you do not wish to receive our monthly updates, please reply to this e-mail and type "unsubscribe" in the subject field. The CLCD Company, LLC