Monday Blurbs

Jen has a jam-packed Children’s Literacy Round-up over at Jen Robinson’s Book Page. After my mini-post this morning I read through it a little more leisurely. There are some great things going on … but it’s clear from a few recent surveys there is still more work to be done. Jump on over and add your voice.

Speaking of jumping … I wanted to give you an update on Jill Vanderwood’s Leap for Literacy. She did, indeed, jump from a perfectly good airplane on Saturday, 12 September 2009. As you may remember, Jill is raising awareness and funds for both children’s and adult literacy. We have added a small box to our right to help us reach our goal of $200 for our Use Your ABCs Program. The money will be used to ship books to readers in need. How many books? Check out this photo of our Book Closet at The Happy Accident!

Before I read Jen’s thoughts about popularity in blogging and book awards, I had read (and starred) Colleen’s post at Chasing Ray, nodding my head the whole time. I was the principal’s daughter in high school. At a Catholic high school.  There were no homecoming queen nominations, but I understood popularity up close and personal.

Colleen’s post is probably why I thought Liz Burns’ post about the Cybils (Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers Literary Awards) was particularly effective.  I can’t write it nearly as eloquently as she did, so I’m sending you to visit A Chair, A Fireplace and a Tea Cozy. She has an equally eloquent post about Anastasia Suen, Nonfiction Monday, and blog “love, people, love and dedication and time.”

Have you seen Pam’s new badge for KidlitCon09? Very cool. As soon as I finish typing, it’s going up on the sidebar. Like the Cybils, everything about the Society of Bloggers in Children’s and Young Adult Literature is transparent and powered by passion. If you love talking books, even if you’re not blogging about them, please come join the conversation on October 17, 2009.

Here’s to all of us who read for ourselves and our kids …  and selflessly share that love with others.