The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database is all atwitter this month getting ready for our new launch. To stay current on today's news and get ready for tomorrow's, follow us on TWITTER. Our tweets will be delivering information about books, authors, illustrators, awards, events and much more. Won't you please join us? Simply go to our homepage at www.childrenslit.com and click on the TWITTER birdie.

We have some other news items and reminders for you, as well. You can now link directly to The Coretta Scott King Book Award Curriculum Resource Center from the CLCD detail page of an award winning title. If you are like me, you read the CLCD newsletter at the beginning of the month and by the middle of the month you are busy reading other newsletters and journals. Since these links were just added in mid-September, I thought I would give you a little reminder. So, now is your chance to go to the database and check out these links. There is an amazing amount of information here, including two- to three- minute audio clips with authors and illustrators. They are real "grabbers" to get your students engaged in books. The Coretta Scott King Book Award Curriculum Resource Center was created by TeachingBooks.net with the support of the Coretta Scott King Book Award 40th Anniversary Public Awareness Campaign Committee.

We are hearing from our subscribers that the CLCD poster is very helpful for alerting patrons to the features available in CLCD, and so we have followed up by providing access to downloadable CLCD bookmarks. Both of these items are now available on our home page. When you click on "Use Database" you will see a link for the CLCD Poster as well as one for CLCD Bookmarks. For our subscribers who have made the database available for patron use, the bookmarks will be handy guides. By the way, if you would like to know more about how to make CLCD available to your library patrons, please contact us. It is simple and inexpensive. Many patrons today are looking for more in depth information about children's and young adult media than they can find at the various on-line bookstores. For homeschoolers, daycare providers, book club discussion leaders, teachers and parents, CLCD provides the broadest range of information in an easy-to-use format.

CLCD On the Road

We will be traveling to Charlotte, NC early next month. We will be exhibiting at the annual AASL conference from November 5 to 8. You will find us at Booth 966. We would be happy to share with you our favorite CLCD features and learn how you are using CLCD as well. Come visit!

Quote of the Month

"I teach Children's and YA Literature for Texas Woman's University. The course is taught entirely through distance education and many of my students are in small towns around Texas, the US and even internationally (I have one student in China this semester) so I need to be sure that everyone has access to the resources needed for the course... I like CLCD because as a side benefit students discover that the comprehensive features of the database go beyond the reviews and can lead them to teaching tools and discussion guides and help them compile lists based on additional search qualifiers. This helps future teachers and librarians become excited about books and use newer and higher quality books in their classrooms and libraries."
Jeanette Larson, Larson Library Consulting
Adjunct Instructor, Texas Woman's University

We were recently asked if there were links to WorldCat in our database. It is a feature that we have considered adding before, but based on recent requests, we decided to implement this month. You will see the new link at the bottom of the detailed record for an item.

Monthly Features

Our features present selected titles. For a more comprehensive and complete list of published titles with multiple reviews, use the CLCD.

This month's Space Features highlight new reference books and titles with a hands-on approach. From building models to testing gravity, future astronauts are sure to get a kick out of these space related activity books, such as Rockets by Ron Miller.

Columbus Day is October 12. About the book Columbus: Opening Up the New World by Stephen Feinstein our reviewer says: "This well-written, picture-laden book is a must-have for libraries. It is just one of the titles that you will want to discover in this update.

Our Halloween update presents a concise history of the holiday. It was difficult to select just one title to mention here because it includes books by some favorite authors such as Janet Morgan Stoeke, John Scieska and Eve Bunting. There are many ways you can introduce and find connections to the curriculum with Never Say Boo by Robin Pulver with illustrations by Deb Lucke.

Sukkot will begin at sunset on October 2 and will continue for seven days. You can learn about this Jewish holiday and find titles in this feature. One of the interesting titles here is Sukkot Treasure Hunt by Allison Ofanansky accompanied by photographs taken by Eliyahu Alpern which follows a family in Israel as it collects the items needed to set up the Sukkah to celebrate Sukkot.

Author Features

Marie-Louise Gay, well known for her popular books about Stella and Sam, has written and/or illustrated over sixty books for children. Her newest, When Stella Was Very, Very Small, has just been published. Learn more about this Canadian author in this brief biography.

Newbery Honor author Shannon Hale talks about collaborating with her husband, Dean, and artist Nathan Hale on their graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel, Calamity Jack. She also makes an interesting observation on the distinction between books for adults and those for children.

Margery Cuyler, Publisher of Marshall Cavendish Children's Books, spoke with me about their new line of books, Marshall Cavendish Classics. She talks about the selection process and the difficulties encountered in bringing these oldies but goodies back into print. Just perfect for this month, but certain not limited to it, is The Rabbi and the Twenty-nine Witches by Marilyn Hirsh. It is a real treat for children of all ages.

Reminder: if you missed a newsletter or want to check on a previous feature, please note that all the newsletters are posted for your convenience at http://www.childrenslit.com/news/nl_index.php

Children's Literature currently assists schools, museums, conferences and other organizations in identifying authors and illustrators for speaking engagements. Authors and illustrators provide valuable insight into their craft and connect their audience with the world of literature. In each issue we will highlight several of our booking service participants. To learn more about this service, please go to http://www.childrenslit.com/bookingservice/bs-home.html

Alane Ferguson

Alane Ferguson's work in the mystery genre often finds itself inspired by real life events. Her Edgar Award-winning book Show Me the Evidence was based on the tragic killing of Alane's best friend and the subsequent misguided police investigation. By writing mysteries Alane hopes to undo a perceived jadedness towards the judicial system that she finds prevalent among young adults. Alane's books purvey a sense of gritty realism that comes from the loss of a loved one but also emphasize the value of true friendship. Alane's presentations focus on allowing children to think of themselves as creators and to better their talents as writers. To learn more about this author, please visit http://childrenslit.com/bookingservice/ferguson-alane.html

Lindsay Barrett George

Using illustrations to instill in children an appreciation of nature has long been Lindsay Barrett George's passion. By the time she wrote her first book in 1987, Lindsay had been painting for decades. In 1990 she won the Carolyn Field Award, the top prize of the Pennsylvania Library Association. Lindsay's books have been praised for their ability to be used as effective tools in teaching children about nature. In 2006 the committee for the Pennsylvania "One Book, Every Young Child" program selected Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse to launch its initiative for connecting early book experiences with the development of reading skills. Lindsay provides a fun and educational program for children in grades K-6. For more information about Lindsay, please visit http://childrenslit.com/bookingservice/george-lindsaybarrett.html

CLCD Newsletter Editor, Sharon Salluzzo serves as a library and education consultant to CLCD. In addition, Sharon is a book reviewer, a storyteller who often performs with The Genesee Storytellers, and a member of The Children's Book Guild of Washington, DC. 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.