There are so many places to get good ideas including Children’s Book Blogs, industry websites in Children’s Publishing and Awards for Illustrated Children’s Books that are loaded with reviews and author interviews. Your local children’s librarian is also a tremendous source for recommendations.
Canadian Blog promoting children’s and YA books by Canadian authors and illustrators. Subscribe to the blog to receive regular updates on author appearances and book launches. Author Helen Kubiw describes herself as a “Canadian, teacher, librarian, reader, reviewer, book awards' committee member, enthusiastic promoter of great literature for young readers.”
The Blog of Roxanne, Elementary School Counsellor and believer in bibliotherapy. She writes about the books that she has successfully used in the classroom. Each book is described both with regard to its content as well as its application.
The Blog of Patricia Tilton. Includes weekly reviews of children’s books with special messages and content. Aims to be a resource for parents, grandparents and teachers looking for a special book to help a child through a tough time.
A group blog of middle-grade authors celebrating books for middle-grade readers - 8-12 year olds. Hoping to reach anyone with a passion for children’s literature. Offering booklists organized by unique categories, author interviews, market news, and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of children’s books. Middle-grade category books typically have characters that are aged 8-13, do not contain issues of an overtly sexual or violent nature and average between 65-150 pages.
on Twitter @MixedUpFiles
Feedspot Award: Top 15 Tween Blogs, Websites & Newsletters to Follow in 2019
“The Forest of Reading® is Canada's largest recreational reading program! This initiative of the Ontario Library Association (OLA) offers seven reading programs to encourage a love of reading in people of all ages. The Forest helps celebrate Canadian books, publishers, authors and illustrators. More than 270,000 readers participate annually from their School and/or Public Library. All Canadians are invited to participate via their local public library, school library, or individually.”
The Forest of Reading also provides curated, all-Canadian reading lists for all ages and levels.
Awards include Blue Spruce Award (JK-G2 Picture Books); Silver Birch Awards (G3-6); Red Maple Award G7-8; White Pine Award G9-12; Le Prix Peuplier (French Lang. Picture books); Le Prix Tamarac (French lang. chapter books)
Lists of fact-filled choices and true stories - History, Biography, Memoir, Science - for kids of all ages as selected by Common Sense Media (US), an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology.
“We empower parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help them harness the power of media and technology as a positive force in all kids’ lives.
