And the Winner Is…

Caldecott Connections/Newberys & the Net

eduscapes.com/ladders/index.html

For those seeking information or lesson ideas about Caldecott or Newbery award winners, this site is a honey. In the sections “Caldecott Connections” and “Newberys & the Net,” you'll find links to material on authors and illustrators and related books and Web sites. Here, too, is access to appropriate lesson plans and Webquests that teachers and homeschooling parents will also find very useful. Created by: Annette Lamb, librarian, Lamb Learning Group.

The Caldecott Game

www.ecasd.k12.wi.us/departments/media/it_curriculum/1/caldecott_game.ppt

Around the time that major children's book awards are announced is a great opportunity to get kids excited about reading. This PowerPoint game, appropriate for grades 1–2, will help you do just that. Either use it as is or simply take a look to glean ideas for making your own version. Created by: Jean Sandberg, librarian, Northwoods Elementary School, Eau Claire, WI. Detour: If you're looking for more Caldecott and Newbery award-related material to inspire kids and teachers (or to challenge your librarian peers) check out the printable activities at www.studystack.com/MyStudyStack.jsp?userId=7127.

Database of Award-Winning Children's Literature

www.dawcl.com

Need a source of information on just about every award-winning children's book? This exhaustive site offers searchable information about 60 children's book awards. Created by: Lisa Bartle, librarian, University of California, San Bernadino. Don't Miss: A selection of search fields can help you find books that match very specific criteria. By naming the “Setting” as “Africa,” for example, you can retrieve 97 books set in that continent. Especially wonderful are two search fields for the gender or ethnicity of the protagonist—great for locating otherwise hard to find books.

RIF Reading Planet

www.rif.org/readingplanet

Getting kids excited about reading isn't always so easy. That's where this great Web site, for kids in grades K–8, comes in hand. The Java-based activities and games offer plenty of fun and all are geared to stimulate interest in books and reading. Created by: Reading Is Fundamental, Inc., Washington, DC. Don't Miss: Check out the “Caldecott cut-ups” library activity at www.rif.org/educators/activities/activity.mspx?View=261.

Teach with Award-Winning Children's Books

teacher.scholastic.com/reading/litconnections/awardwinningbooks03/index.htm

If you are looking for interviews with, or biographies about many of the most recent (1970s – present) Caldecott, Newbery, or Coretta Scott King authors/illustrators, this is a great place to start your search. In addition, you'll find teaching plans and discussion guides for selected titles. Created by: Scholastic Inc., New York, NY.