"How do you define ‘kid lit," the Los Angeles Times asks today, "It’s grown so vibrant, with more sophisticated themes, that the question has become harder to answer."
Ho ho ho…If you write, illustrate, read and/or collect kidlit, you’ll enjoy reading these answers! Alongside their well-considered responses to the question at hand, the reporters also list their favorite children’s books of 2009.
The Best of Word Play in 2009
The big picture:
My pick as best picture book of the year, [Liz Scanlon’s] "All the World" (Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster: $17.99, ages 3-7), could easily replace the traditional holiday greeting card as a perfect expression of peace and goodwill. (Read more.)
Which Titles Should You Choose For Your Kids?
Selected passage:
Selected passage:
We adults should introduce books they might not otherwise discover, books that can help them decipher what it means to be human. (Read more.)
With a Reluctant Young Reader, the Grosser the Better
Sneak peek:
When it comes to getting a child to read, snobbery gets you nowhere. […] In my opinion, any book is better than no book and far better than TV and video games. (Read more.)
Eco Books for Kids: Saving the Planet, One Book at a Time
Global View:
Kids don’t need indoctrination; they’ll draw their own conclusions soon enough. A parent’s job is to give children the confidence to face things about which we don’t yet have a clue. And among the components of confidence are hope and imagination, which are much more effectively fostered by good books than by well-intentioned ones. (Read more.)
Re Liz Scanlon’s book, ALL THE WORLD, topping the L.A. Times’ “Best of Word Play”…
Go Liz!!! On behalf of our mutual LJ friends, may I just add: We think (all the) world of you!
Sheesh — I’m definately having a “cup runneth over” kind of night…
Thank you, Melodye. I had no idea about this…
My pleasure, Liz.
*ginormous understatement*
Re Liz Scanlon’s book, ALL THE WORLD, topping the L.A. Times’ “Best of Word Play”…
Go Liz!!! On behalf of our mutual LJ friends, may I just add: We think (all the) world of you!
Eco books
I agree with this: Kids don’t need indoctrination; they’ll draw their own conclusions soon enough. Carl Hiaasen’s novels, especially Hoot and Flush, do this in a fun, entertaining way.
Re: Eco books
Hoot!! When I read that title, I thought immediately of you! In the best of ways, of course.
And also? the brief mention in the previous paragraph about a “boreal forest”. Honest to goodness, I’d never even heard the word “boreal” before becoming friends with you. 🙂