Every summer day suggests it is a good day to read a book. Whether whiling away the days at the beach or sitting in a hammock in the mountains, or visiting the public library which is, of course, the coolest place to be on a hot day in a city, a book offers the perfect respite from the heat and physical activity. Readers turn to favorite authors and genre for summertime, free time reading. The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD) makes it easy to help find that "next book" for readers. But what about young people who claim they don't like to read? CLCD will assist you in finding that first, special book that can turn a skeptic into a reader. Our incredible search engine and your knowledge of your community can continue to keep young people coming back to the library for more.

Although we are still in the throes of summer, it is back to school time as well. Teachers are perusing the library and bookstore shelves for new titles to incorporate into the curriculum. Parents, teachers and students are stocking up on supplies to begin the school year. There are new pencils, markers, notebooks and backpacks. In "Five Top Resources for Fall: A wish list of essentials, pared down for a budget-conscious year," Shonda Brisco names CLCD as one of the five "must-haves for 2010...that school librarians should seriously consider adding to their library wish list." The full article is available at the School Library Journal website: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/printissue/currentissue/885304-427/five_top_resources_for_fall.html.csp

CLCD helps teachers and librarians locate titles at multiple reading levels on a specific topic--a necessity in today's classrooms. The wide range of reviews helps those involved in acquisitions make those key purchasing decisions. As you make your list of necessities, remember CLCD is the resource that helps you in many ways throughout the day. As you are gearing up for the new school year, the best "supply" of all is a subscription to CLCD.

Twitter

If you were receiving our tweets this past month, you would have been among the first to learn about the Banned Book Week theme and a botanical garden designed around Maine children's books. Would you like to know who you write like? Our tweet lets you "Check what famous writer you write like with this statistical analysis tool." (note: This is fun and it will make you feel good about your writing. The analysis informed me I write like James Joyce and Kurt Vonnegut.)

Our Blog

Interesting perspectives, keen insights, and practical applications are what you will discover on our blog. Marilyn Courtot discusses characterization in Part 6 of "What Makes a Good Book;" Emily Griffin talks with Uma Krishnaswami about her career as a writer and her new book, Out of the Way! Out of the Way!; and Children's Literature, our sister company, introduces a monthly book sale with information explaining how to purchase the books.

Quote of the Month

"The elementary reading and language arts teachers really like the lexiles, and reading and interest level features of the database. It really helps them recommend books to their students."
Quinby Frank, Librarian
Green Acres School, Rockville, MD

INTRODUCING: Our Brand-New 50% Off Book Sale
Children's Literature provides support for book sales at numerous author events, school book fairs and the like. Often we have one or two copies of a book left that we do not bother to return to the publisher. Our stock has grown, and we would like to make some very good, never-used books available on a first come first serve basis at a very attractive price: 50% off list (you do pay the shipping charges). We will not order books as part of this special program. An order form is provided that identifies this month's book sale offerings. A revised order form will be posted each month on our website home page. To learn how to place your order, visit us at www.childrenslit.com.

Monthly Features

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

There are many new titles in our Back to School update, from a humorous look at teen life, to how it feels to be the new kid at school, to accepting and celebrating cultural differences. About Reading, Rhyming, and 'Rithmetic, poems by Dave Crawley with brightly-colored, cartoon-style illustrations by Liz Callen, our reviewer says, "This book offers options for enjoyable independent reading as well as a stimulus for introducing poetry reading and writing."

Ballet demands discipline and offers an appreciation of beauty. The titles we have selected present fictional and actual ballet dreams. Preschoolers can learn some poses and terms, while older children can discover what it is like to be a serious ballet student in America and during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Of Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan and illustrated by Brian Floca our reviewer says, "Fine collaboration created the ballet and fine collaboration gave us this treasure of a book to share with and inspire future generations of dancers, musicians, and artists."

The introduction to our Middle East feature is a must-read. Karen Leggett presents thought-provoking critical questions for teachers and librarians as they select series and single edition titles for a classroom or library. Saving the Baghdad Zoo: A True Story of Hope and Heroes by Kelly Milner Halls and William Sumner presents middle grade readers with a different perspective of the war in Iraq in 2003.

Ramadan begins around August 11th and will continue for 30 days. Our reviewer says Moon Watchers: Shirin's Ramadan Miracle by Reza Jalali and illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien "is a welcome addition to holiday picture book collections in its portrayal of a Muslim holiday in an American context."

Author and Illustrator Features

Gordon Korman is a master at the inventive plotline, and his stories are full of wry humor and quirky characters. One of his newest book's, Pop, continues in the same vein. Learn how he got his start as a writer, where his ideas come from, and what attracts kids who are not avid readers.

Mo Willems' books are appreciated by adults as well as children. Whether the entertainment is presented by the Pigeon, Edwina the dinosaur, or Gerald and Piggie, Willems just makes you want to read their stories over and over again. In Cat the Cat, Who is That? we are introduced to a new group of characters and their activities.

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 here.

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.

Elaine Landau

Elaine Landau, the author of over 300 nonfiction books, has written on such subjects as earth science, the supernatural, planets, dinosaurs, ancient civilizations, ecology and a broad range of contemporary issues. Her newest series include "Animals of the Snow and Ice" from Enslow, "Head-to-Toe Health" from Marshall Cavendish, and "Best Dogs Ever" from Lerner. Elaine has a BA degree in English and Journalism and a Masters degree in Library and Information Science. Her high-energy presentations have delighted audiences across the country. The only thing she enjoys more than writing is speaking to her readers and offers a choice of different programs for young people from first grade through high school. She also offers programs suitable for adult conferences. Elaine lives in tropical Miami with her husband, Norman, and her son, Michael. For more information about Elaine, please visit http://www.childrenslit.com/bookingservice/landau-elaine.html.

Patricia Newman

A new addition to our Booking Service, Patricia Newman is the author of Nugget on the Flight Deck and Jingle the Brass, a Junior Library Guild Selection. Though a reluctant writer in elementary school, Patricia went on to graduate from Cornell University and become a teacher. She has also written several articles for children's and adult magazines and has interviewed over 100 children's authors and illustrators for her monthly column "Who Wrote That?" During Patricia's author visits she shares her writing process with students: the idea stage, research, thinking visually, developing voice, revision, and submission. Her multi-media presentations include draft manuscripts, editors' notes, early illustrator sketches, and galley proofs to help students envision the process of creating a book. For more information about Patricia, please visit http://www.childrenslit.com/bookingservice/newman-patricia.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.