Children’s Literacy and Reading News Roundup – Early February Edition

The early February children’s literacy and reading news round-up, brought to you by Jen Robinson’s Book Page, Scrub-a-Dub-Tub, and Rasco from RIF is now available at Jen Robinson’s Book Page. Over the past couple of weeks Jen Robinson, Carol Rasco, and I have collected plenty of content for you about literacy & reading-related events; literacy and reading programs and research; and suggestions for growing bookworms.

As always, Jen has packed in all of the best stuff about literacy and reading with kids you can find … here are some highlights.

All through the month of February, the NCTE is encouraging people to celebrate the 22nd National African American Read-In. As part of the event, participants select books by African American writers, hold the event this month, and turn in a Host Report Card. If you’re looking for book suggestions for readers of all ages, check out the right sidebar on The Brown Bookshelf. We’d also encourage you to follow along with 28 Days Later, where every day the blog celebrates and interviews an author and/or illustrator of color.

I was as excited as Jen was in discovering the results of a new study about  what children’s book purchasers are looking for. According to Publisher’s Weekly, “Bookstores are the primary place that parents of children 0–6 turn to in order to find out about particular titles, followed by ‘the child tells me’ and public libraries.” Lest you think it’s all about picture books, teens are reading and buying, too. Karen’s blog has some great stats in Teens Buying Books at Fastest Rate in Decades.

There is some 21st Century literacy bits, too. The Sunday edition of The Kids’ Post (a kid-friendly section of the Washington Post), the cover story was Be Appy! 10 Great iPad Apps for Kids. Although it edged perilously close to an advertisement, I will give the Post credit for highlighting more apps that “make you think” and “let you be creative” than just plain fun and games.  Here is the online PDF version.

I am really excited about the new new PBS documentary that examines digital media in learning that Carol found! Jen has the full blurb in her roundup, so head on over.

As always, thanks for joining us for the roundups and all the support you give us with retweets!