YouTube Tuesday: Just for Fun

Reading is Fundamental (RIF) is another valuable literacy organization. We were tickled by this fun video they created a couple of years ago. Some of our favorite characters from children's books come together to sing about the importance of reading in a young child's life.

Youth Media Awards

The Youth Media Awards may not ring a bell, but if you read children's books you've surely see the Caldecott Medal or John Newbery Medal emblazoned on a book cover. Last month, the American Library Association announced the winners of its 2014 Youth Media Awards, which include the esteemed Caldecott and Newbery honors.

Some of the winners include:
** John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature:
“Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures,” written by Kate DiCamillo, is the 2014 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by Candlewick Press.

** Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:
“Locomotive,” illustrated by Brian Floca, is the 2014 Caldecott Medal winner. The book was written by Brian Floca and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.

** Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:
“P.S. Be Eleven,” written by Rita Williams-Garcia, is the King Author Book winner. The book is published by Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

** Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award:
“Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me,” illustrated by Bryan Collier, is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book was written by Daniel Beaty and published by Little, Brown and Company, Hachette Book Group.

** Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award honoring a Latino illustrator whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience:
“Niño Wrestles the World,” illustrated by Yuyi Morales, is the Belpré Illustrator Award winner.  The book was written by Yuyi Morales and published by Roaring Brook Press.

** Pura Belpré (Author) Award honoring a Latino writer whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience:
“Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass,” written by Meg Medina, is the Belpré Author Award winner. The book is published by Candlewick Press.

** Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished book for beginning readers:
“The Watermelon Seed,” written and illustrated by Greg Pizzoli, is the Geisel Award winner. The book is published by Disney Hyperion Books, an imprint of Disney Book Group.


To read the entire list of winners and honorees, visit http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2014/01/american-library-association-announces-2014-youth-media-award-winners.

Denver the Guilty Dog

The video below might have been recorded in Maryland, but it features a naughty-but-sweet dog named Denver. This clip has been viewed over 32 MILLION times on YouTube, and Denver has become quite a star. She even has her own series of children's books, The Adventures of Denver the Guilty Dog.
 

Do you have a favorite children's book featuring animals? Let us know in the comments.

Looking for a book recommendation?

Earlier this month, the Nerdy Book Club blog released its 2013 list of favorite chapter books and books for early readers. If you're looking for a book to entertain a young reader, there are some fun titles from familiar authors such as Mo Willems (Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!).

This award-winning blog is a terrific resource for anyone interested in children's and young adult books. There are more great lists of 2013 favorites, as well as reading recommendations for teachers and parents. Check it out today!

Book Lovers' Online: Colorado-related literary locations

One of our Advisory Board members is a fan of Book Riot, a web site devoted to books and all things related to the written word. Recently, a Book riot contributor based in Colorado presented a "book lover's guide to Colorado's front range." From terrific book stores like Tattered Cover to locations featured in well-loved books (Stephen King seems to have found a lot of inspiration in the Centennial State), this short-but-fun list is just a taste of some of the states literary sites. We thought of a few Colorado locations that didn't make this list:

• My Brother's Bar in Denver served as a meeting place for the Beat Generation of writers. 
• James Michener's Centennial features Colorado's history. 
• The bestselling young adult novel Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles is set in Boulder.
• Denver and Rocky Mountain News are featured in Michael Connelly's crime novel, The Poet.

Do you have a favorite literary spot in Colorado? Share with us in the comments!

Need Summer Reading Suggestions?

Find the right SciFi/Fantasy books for you with NPR's super cool interactive infographic. The chart ask questions about what you like to read in order to find new suggestions for seasoned and new SciFi/Fantasy readers alike. Plus it's funny.