The Wash Rag: Reading Tub Newsletter, Fall 2009

The Wash Rag, our quarterly newsletter, is now available on the Reading Tub website.   Here are the blurbs about what you’ll find in this edition  …

Chapter One – The change of season also starts the transition to a time when many of us are content to fill the cold days with a book, a blanket, and a cup of cocoa. In reality, those are stolen moments in a very busy schedule. Is the spike in volunteers related to the change of seasons?

The Soap Dish –  The big news over the last three months has been the invitation to PBS Parents’ Booklights as a guest blogger for a few months; being asked to create and run the Children’s Book Knowledge Nest for Nesting.com; and participating in Buy Books for the Holidays, a campaign started by My Friend Amy. We’ll be helping with children’s picture book recommendations.

Author Showcase ~ Fall 2009 – Four authors and an illustrator stopped by to talk about the inspiration for their new books (all are debut authors) .

• Rana DiOrio launched Little Pickle Press after discovering that traditional publishing model wouldn’t fit her goals. The company is just six months old, and her first book – literally – just arrived from the printer. Yet she is already making a name for herself as author and publishing entrepreneur. Her first book, What Does It Mean to Be Global? just received the 2009 National Book Award for Children’s Nonfiction Picture Book (hardcover).
• When Dale James rediscovered her son’s manuscript for Land of the Left Sock, she decided that she wanted to finish the illustrations. Brian’s draft – a poetry assignment for school – sat for 15 years, quietly waiting for its moment. Together, Dale and Brian James have brought to life this magical story that is fun for all ages to share, and will delight new readers, too. a simple test set the course for her life’s work.
• As a mom, Amanda Litz loves creating bedtime stories with her children. Although she starts the story, the adventure is a collaborative effort, and her two children always offer their own ideas. In deciding to write down and collect the stories, Amanda created the Traveler’s Trunk series, middle grade chapter books that combine history, fantasy, and just enough suspense to keep reluctant readers going, too.
• Peggy Williams was feeling down in the dumps when an illness left her housebound for her recovery. With the help of some songbirds and other backyard visitors, Peggy not only felt better, she discovered a new hobby. In doing so, she realized how valuable it could be for helping parents and kids bond.

Over the next week, I will post those interviews here. Each of the interviews is currently available on the Reading Tub website.

The Final Rinse – With the change of seasons comes the transition to the holidays. One of the greatest gifts we can give others (children or adults) are the tools they need to become successful readers.