CLCD Newsletter | Volume 6, Issue 10

We have added a new feature this month: Explorers. The majority of the titles are nonfiction but I also want to reiterate my comments above. Born for Adventure: A Novel by Kathleen Karr is an exciting way to draw students into African history, and it is the perfect accompaniment to a unit on African exploration and the rise of Victorian era colonialism.

Celebrate the contributions of Nordic Americans on Leif Eriksson Day, Tuesday, October 9th, with a display of our books on the explorer who arrived in North America centuries before Columbus. For some fun, be sure to include Viking It & Liking It by Jon Scieszka, one of the titles in the “Time Warp Trio” series and included in our list.

Although Columbus landed in North America on October 12, 1492, this year’s celebration will be Monday, October 8th. Our books for Columbus Day include a terrific reference book by Michael Burgan, The Spanish Conquest of America.

If you are looking for a good book to share with 5 to 8 year olds, be sure to take a look at You Read to Me, I'll Read to You Very Scary Stories to Read Together by Mary Ann Hoberman. It is a great way to acknowledge the excitement that surrounds Halloween and is also a good read all year long. From picture books to YA titles, you are sure to find something new and interesting in our Halloween reviews.

Author Features

Using Dinosaurs: Encyclopedia Prehistorica, as an example, Matthew Reinhart talks about the long trek from idea to published book and highlights some of the steps along the way. What is his new fall pop-up book? You will find the answer in this feature.

As the 2007 hurricane season draws to a close, be sure to read this conversation with New York Times reporter Joseph B. Treaster, author of Hurricane Force. He talks about close calls he had while covering Hurricane Gilbert in Kingston, Jamaica and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, and why it is important to educate young readers about hurricanes.

October seems the perfect month to introduce you to Salamanda Drake, author of Dragonsdale, the first book in the “Dragonriders of Bresal” series. You will want to share this interview with readers of the series, for Salamanda talks about her hobbies, her interest in dragons, and answers the question as to whether she has ever owned one.

From his popular series featuring Cam Jansen and Andy Russell, to his picture book biographies, prolific author David Adler has been entertaining, educating and guiding young readers for many, many years. His most recent book, Satchel Page: Don’t Look Back, continues this tradition. To find out more about this forward-looking author, be sure to read this interview.

		Volume 6, Issue 10 October 2007



	Search Tip of the Month This Month's Features Spreading the News Explorers and exploration dominate our Themed Reviews section this month, reminding me that we humans are naturally curious. If you have ever chased after a toddler you will know that our curiosity about the world begins very early in our lives. It is important to continually nourish that curiosity, and we need to give every child the chance to do so. The Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD) can help you pique a child’s interest and build upon his or her knowledge of a subject. When searching for a book, you can limit your search to only nonfiction if you are looking for informational books, but sometimes a novel can be that impetus to explore a time period or a geographical region. I was recently talking with children’s book author, MJ Auch, who said she writes historical fiction to bring the period to life in a way that facts and battles cannot. It is a good reminder that we often need to be emotionally struck in order to become interested. Searching in CLCD is one of the easiest and fastest ways of finding the book that will strike the right chord. Since this is October, I can’t pass up the chance to say that the CLCD is a “frightfully good” investment, and the best way to navigate and explore the world of children’s and young adult literature. Quote of the Month "Wow! The new homepage for CLCD is awesome. I also appreciate the new features and the new look on the search page. Congratulations! Thanks for such a valuable resource." Jenny B. (J. B.) Petty, Ph.D. Professor/Coordinator of Library Science Education Missouri State University


	We have been asked to make it even easier to search the reading metrics data associated with titles. Our programming team is modifying the database and the search screen to let you do some really interesting searches. In addition to Lexile range searching, you will also be able to specify AR reader points or a range and the same for Reading Counts. The pull down menus woll be easy to use and should help teachers, librarians and reading specialists zero in on the exact level of book needed for a student or range of students.


	Monthly Features We have added a new feature this month: Explorers. The majority of the titles are nonfiction but I also want to reiterate my comments above. Born for Adventure: A Novel by Kathleen Karr is an exciting way to draw students into African history, and it is the perfect accompaniment to a unit on African exploration and the rise of Victorian era colonialism. Celebrate the contributions of Nordic Americans on Leif Eriksson Day, Tuesday, October 9th, with a display of our books on the explorer who arrived in North America centuries before Columbus. For some fun, be sure to include Viking It & Liking It by Jon Scieszka, one of the titles in the “Time Warp Trio” series and included in our list. Although Columbus landed in North America on October 12, 1492, this year’s celebration will be Monday, October 8th. Our books for Columbus Day include a terrific reference book by Michael Burgan, The Spanish Conquest of America. If you are looking for a good book to share with 5 to 8 year olds, be sure to take a look at You Read to Me, I'll Read to You Very Scary Stories to Read Together by Mary Ann Hoberman. It is a great way to acknowledge the excitement that surrounds Halloween and is also a good read all year long. From picture books to YA titles, you are sure to find something new and interesting in our Halloween reviews. Author Features Using Dinosaurs: Encyclopedia Prehistorica, as an example, Matthew Reinhart talks about the long trek from idea to published book and highlights some of the steps along the way. What is his new fall pop-up book? You will find the answer in this feature. As the 2007 hurricane season draws to a close, be sure to read this conversation with New York Times reporter Joseph B. Treaster, author of Hurricane Force. He talks about close calls he had while covering Hurricane Gilbert in Kingston, Jamaica and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, and why it is important to educate young readers about hurricanes. October seems the perfect month to introduce you to Salamanda Drake, author of Dragonsdale, the first book in the “Dragonriders of Bresal” series. You will want to share this interview with readers of the series, for Salamanda talks about her hobbies, her interest in dragons, and answers the question as to whether she has ever owned one. From his popular series featuring Cam Jansen and Andy Russell, to his picture book biographies, prolific author David Adler has been entertaining, educating and guiding young readers for many, many years. His most recent book, Satchel Page: Don’t Look Back, continues this tradition. To find out more about this forward-looking author, be sure to read this interview.


	CLCD Newsletter Editor, Sharon Salluzzo serves as a library and education consultant to CLCD. In addition, Sharon is a book reviewer, a storyteller, and a member of The Children's Book Guild of Washington, DC. She currently serves on the ALSC Quicklist committee. Sharon earned her MLS at SUNY Geneseo. About the Children's Literature Comprehensive Database Our monthly newsletter is now available to everyone within an organization, not just the primary contact. A new feature at www.childrenslit.com will provide you with a form allowing you to sign up for just the electronic newsletter. The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database, updated mid-month, is your most complete source of information about children's books. Indeed, it is the next best thing to having the book in hand, and the best tool for leading you to the best books. All at a most affordable price. To subscribe to the CLCD or contact us, 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 click here and unsubscribe from the list.