Young girls are inundated with movies and books about princesses. The success of movies and books with princesses as main characters is mind boggling. However, many parents feel that an overemphasis on the princess side of the street may not be healthy. Recently stories have been published that emphasize strong girl characters, some fictional and […]
Many parents and grandparents today immediately recognize “Jane runs. See Jane run. Run, Jane, run!” because they grew up learning to read using Dick and Jane books. These books provided simple text and literally taught multiple generations how to read. They were widely used from the 1930s through the 1970s. However, they were rather dull books. […]
Often, even young readers, can get caught in their favorite genre, re-reading a beloved series or never veering from one type of novel. It does any reader good to branch out into other worlds by introducing engaging and inspiring historical fiction. These stories are best for children in fourth grade to sixth grade and can […]
Statistically, a home with books equals more successful children. Trips to your public library are certainly an excellent way to introduce children to books. However, research shows that having a personal library is more beneficial than visits to the public library. Mariah Evans from the University of Nevada (2010), researched how the scholarly culture of […]
With so many amazing children’s books on the market, checking out lists of award winning books can help you narrow down your search. The Parent’s Choice Foundation is a non-profit organization that reviews various types of children’s media and runs the well-regarded Parents’ Choice Awards® program. Their book awards include a variety of categories that can […]
If Alfred Hitchcock had ever done a young adult story, it might well look like The Homelanders a four novel series by Andrew Klavan now published in a single volume. The story has elements of “North by Northwest” and “The Fugitive,” but its central character is a typical high school student named Charlie West. Charlie […]
“…and they all lived happily ever after.” That’s how children’s books are supposed to end right? The family of bears learns a valuable lesson or the little monkey finds a way to correct an earlier error. That’s what is supposed to happen in children’s books. Well, not always. While some people believe that a happy ending […]
Books for very young readers serve a multitude of purposes. Keeping a fussy child busy in a car seat, teaching basic concepts and winding down at bedtime are just a few of the roles a good board book can fulfill in the home. Board books geared to babies and toddlers seem to unwittingly fall into […]
Best selling author Brad Meltzer is known for his thrillers. Now, Meltzer is trying his hand at childrens’ books. Meltzer’s books I am Amelia Earhart and I am Abraham Lincoln, released in January 2014, are the first two in a six-book deal with Dial Books of kid-friendly, historical picture books. His books about Rosa Parks […]
Homer Hickam, a former NASA engineer, is best known for his memoirs “The Rocket Boys” which was produced as the 1999 feature film, “October Sky.” While “The Rocket Boys” has received much well-earned attention, Hickam is the author of an excellent science fiction series set at a lunar colony about a century from now called […]