
Bubble Babies by Stephanie Seidler, illustrated by Pete Olczyk
CURRENT ISSUE PREVIEW
AUGUST 2022
Our August lineup includes interviews with Deborah Smith Ford, Joe Coleman, Linda Sarsour, Stephanie Seidler, Melissa Iwai, and Anna Crowley Redding!
Taylor Moxey talks about seizing the day, Judy Newman discusses a book beyond measure, Linda Harkey has a tale-wagging writing assignment for little readers, Max Elliot Anderson has a literary question, Once Upon a Dance discusses author firsts, Olivia Amiri sees a play, and Nick Spake reviews DC League of Super-Pets.
Check out our newest book reviews and summer reading list! It's all inside!
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Sponsored by Linda Harkey and Once Upon a Dance.
FEATURES
One to Watch:
Deborah Smith Ford
by Melissa Fales
Like all the books in author and entertainer Deborah Smith Ford’s popular Allie’s Adventures series, the latest, Allie’s Movie Adventure, is based on Ford’s real-life experiences. For Allie’s Movie Adventure, Ford called upon her acting background to pen the story about making a movie told from the perspective of 10-year-old Allie. The action takes place on the set of Love Song & Power, an actual film due out later this year in which Ford appears portraying a celebrity author. “The book is about a child whose adventures involve observing and later working behind and in front of the stage and silver screen,” says Ford. “Allie learns how much hard work, and fun, is involved in the world of entertainment.”
Joe Coleman
Pens a Lyrical Picture Book to Inspire Healthy Choices
by Melissa Fales
Accomplished singer Joe Coleman is a man of many talents. In addition to his vocal abilities, he’s also a songwriter, playwright, and now a children’s book author. Coleman’s new book, DanSing Pancakes’ Healthy Choices Musical Story, and its companion singalong song are designed to encourage children to reject drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes in favor of a healthy lifestyle. Coleman, who spent 20 years thrilling crowds as the lead singer of the legendary group The Platters, says it’s a message that kids need to hear. “I’m committed to teaching kids that making healthy choices can be fun and empowering,” he says. “They need to know it’s cool to study hard, respect your family and friends, and eat healthily.”
Linda Sarsour
Inspires a New Generation of Changemakers
by Raven Howell
In Linda Sarsour’s memoir, We’re in This Together,
Linda shares her experience and memories of what it’s been like growing up as a Palestinian Muslim American to become an important activist and recognizable figure in the Women’s Movement. Linda is an influential community organizer, and her background is impressive as the former executive director of the Arab American Association of New York and co-founder of the first Muslim online organizing platform MPower Change, as well as the national racial justice organization, Until Freedom.
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Are Shorter Books Better for Kids?
by Max Elliot Anderson
Sometimes it’s a useful idea to take cues from one area of our culture and apply it to another. In this case, I’m talking about the length of books intended for middle grade readers ages 8-12. Think of the influence of Twitter, for example, where tweets only allow 140 characters. This has forced all of us to express our thoughts and ideas with fewer words.
People seem to want their information in shorter bursts with the fewest interruptions possible. The satellite provider, DISH Network, offers the Hopper. With it, viewers can eliminate commercials while watching recorded shows.
DON’T MISS AN ISSUE
Anna Crowley Redding
Invites Young Readers to Travel Through History
by Lindsey Giardino
While Anna Crowley Redding’s background as an investigative TV news reporter may not seem like it lends itself to her current career as a children’s book author, she feels it does nothing but. As a reporter, Redding covered breaking news—everything from forest fires to crime—sometimes even from miles above.
TEACHING TOOLBOX
Storytime Lessons for Little Learners
by Larissa Juliano
During my many years as a library teacher, I had the privilege of working with students from preschool age to fourth grade. Our teaching team was considered the “Special Area Teachers.” Music, physical education, art, and library classes were (and are) a slice of each student’s schedule. One of the most special “perks” of being a special area teacher was watching and being with the children from their earliest years until they graduated to middle school at the end of fourth grade! As the school year would wind down in May and June, I felt comfort telling my students, “I’ll see you next year!” This was a reassurance to many (and my own children in their school district) that the music, art, P.E., and library teachers will always be there to greet them as they become older, wiser, and more savvy school-aged kids.
COLUMNS
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Life of a Reader
August
by Judy Newman -
Q&A
Stephanie Seidler
by Julianne Black DiBlasi -
The Book Bug
Melissa Iwai
by Raven Howell -
Monsters at the Movies
DC League of Super-Pets
by Nick Spake -
Taylor Talk
Carpe Diem!
by Taylor Moxey -
Doc's Dog Days
Ocate Mesa
by Linda Harkey -
Liv On Life
Read a Play!
by Olivia Amiri -
Dancing on the Page
Author Firsts
by Once Upon a Dance
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