Hi, my name is Rebecca and Im a 25 year old expectant mother. I am due two days before my birthday (February 16th.) I enjoy reading all typs of books but I find that sometimes Ill wander into the young readers section for something amusing. I read aloud to the baby right now and look forward to going through getting childrens books for my son.

My name is Alisa. I am the Youth Services Manager for the Harrison County Public Library in Corydon, IN. I get the pleasure of selecting books for the children and YA collections. I also get to plan programming. I enjoy hearing from others about favorite books and new releases.

I went to high school in Portage, Michigan Caroline! Now I'm in Chandler, AZ:)

Take care, Colleen

I used to live in Battle Creek. Where are you? I lead after school book clubs with grades 3-7. Check out my blog for lists carolinebyline.blogspot.com. All the best, Caroline Rose

Welcome Kati:)


Colleen Dougherty
Author of the Joanie Adventure series
www.colleendougherty.com

I'm a school librarian in mid-Michigan. I spent the first 13 years of my career spending most of my time at the HS level, but last year I was about half and half, and now this year I will be just about full time at the elementary level, so I'm always looking for good books to use with the younger kids, and good activities as well.

My name is Colleen Dougherty and I am the published ebook author of the Joanie Adventure series http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66957... Joanie is a fun loving six year old that travels with her brand spankin' new puppies and her parents all around the world. She reports back on the places that they've been and the trouble they've left behind! I took special care to make sure the books were entertaining for not just the children but for the parents too. We like to say that they have been "laugh tested!" They are such a blast to write and my boys love them:) My target age group is 5 to 8. I hope that you'll take a look if you need a fun book to read to your kids!

Hi Everyone;

My name is Jay Miller and I write children's books. My tag is An Inspirational Author of Children Literature.

I'm almost finished my entire series in "All God's Critters". So far, I have 3 books published and doing extremely well in sales.

My personal website, where the books can be viewed by video and purchased is: http://www.mybingobooks.com

Thanks for letting me ramble...and I'm excited to be part of this group.

Jay Miller
Inspirational Writer of Children Literature
All God’s Critters Series
http://www.mybingobooks.com

Good Morning! I'm Melissa - a mother to 3 children and passionate about discovering good, wholesome entertainment that requires no electricity. I am mainly interested in books for young boys (currently 4-7 age range). I am looking forward to participating in this group.

Lucy wrote: "Hi I'm Lucy and I am a children's librarian from the Bronx. Add me if you like I am looking for some new librarian friends!"

Hi Lucy,
I am a school librarian in Springfield, IL for five schools. I like to connect with other librarians too. On Twitter I am following lots of children's authors/illustrators, literacy leaders and technology teachers. You can follow me on Twitter (VickiHall), if you want. Are you on Twitter?

My name is Kathy. I'm a library assistant in San Clemente California and I'm always looking for help with RA for kids. I've been an avid reader since first grade, but the books I loved aren't necessarily what kids want to read today.

I know what you mean Erin, I have a son in second grade and he's been a reluctant reader with fluency issues. He's made a lot of progress over the last week or so and I'm so excited that he found a new book series that he loves: American Chillers. It's definitely not great literature but if it makes him want to read I'm more than fine with it! Right now he's begging my husband and I to take him to the library to get more of the books. I guess I know what we'll be doing this afternoon!

Hi! I'm Erin, a fourth grade teacher in Arizona. The favorite part of my work day is sitting on my stool, opening up our chosen read aloud book and trying not to betray my amusement as these formerly street-wise, uninterested fourth graders loose themselves in the story. Their faces are so cute as they experience the suspense, humor, or joy. I think literature is so powerful. I love it :)

Hi,
Don't know where you are in IL but here are some jobs in the Springfield, IL area. I am an elementary librarian for five schools in Springfield. Here is the link for the jobs posted on our Regional Office of Education site, ROE 51:
http://www.applitrack.com/roe51/onlineap...
You could search the ROE site for jobs where you want to work. Have you ever thought about being a school librarian? You might want to start taking one class a semester right now to have the Library Information Specialist Endorsement on your teaching certificate. I am just finishing my LIS classes at IL State University. You can take them online now. I used to be a classroom teacher of grades 1 - 4 and loved teaching reading and sharing great books with kids so I became a school librarian. It is the best job EVER!

Hi everyone! Newly college grad looking for my first elementary teaching job in IL! ...tough market right now. I decided on teaching because of books, Harry Potter to be exact. I love, love kid lit and can't seem to get enough of teen lit either. Like many of you I hardly touch adult lit (minus Dan Brown).

Wow, Shannon, you've got a whole lot going on. Sounds great!

Hi,I'm Shannon, and I'm a school librarian. I have recently moved from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area to Waco. In Ft. Worth, I belonged to a group of librarians to select the Keller ISD Chuckwagon List (these are featured on Follett's Titlewave online catalog!) We read, and read, and read, and discussed and discussed and discussed. I really miss that, as the district I teach at now is very small and rural and I am the only elementary librarian; I really miss the reading and discussion. I also belonged to a storytelling group, and am missing those folks too. So I'm looking for a group to discuss books. My husband is a pastor, assigned to his first church. So I am learning to be a pastor's spouse (whole 'nother story!)
I am soon to be a grandma (like sometime this week!), and my baby boy went off to college this year. So, lots of changes in my life!!
I love children's and ya literature, but often read "grownup" books as well...pretty much any genre except westerns.

I'm new to the group, and I have an 8 year old daughter in the 2nd grade. She reads at an 8th grade level, and I'd like to find books that challenge her but that are age appropriate (no blatant sex). Kissing and such is okay, but not descriptive sexual passages or graphic violence as she is a sensitive kid. She likes fantasy and science fiction as she is a big fan of the Droon series, Wizards of Waverly Place and Star Wars. I'm looking for children's novels, classics (in literature, SF, and fantasy), and young adult novels (that aren't too graphic). On the plus side, her teacher has been very helpful in putting her in an advanced reading program and had her undergo testing, so she is reading above grade level in her directed readings at school.

So my interest here is to find books for my daughter.

I also have a 2 1/2 year old son with childhood apraxia of speech and if anyone can recommend board books or picture books that have a lot of repetition in them, I'd appreciate it as well. He loves to be read to.

Hi, I'm Kate. A youth librarian and mother of a 4 year-old. I'm addicted to books and reader's advisory. I love seeing what other people are reading and recommending. YAY to everyone on here!

Melanie- I couldn't agree more about not being able to read them all... and that wherever we go after this will have packed bookshelves and unlimited time to read. :-)

Hi everyone, My name is Hettie. I'm a SAHM to two boys, 4 1/2 and 2 1/2 years old. My family is full of readers... husband's not at all! So, I make it a point to ask for and give books as gifts and read and hour each day to each munchkin. Luckily, my hubby understands the importance of reading and supports the idea. I'm trying to upload my books and reviews now... this site is time consuming but wonderfully addicting!! If you see anything in my shelves that you're curious about, please drop me a line. As my 4 1/2 y.o. has become an avid reader, we visit the Los Angeles Public Library several times a week and swap books through Paperback swap as well.

Nice to mee you all!
Hettie a.k.a CelticMommy

Hi! I'm Pam. Mother of two (boy and girl; 6 and 8) and lover of most things bookish.

My hobby is reviewing. I sort of fell into it about four years ago because a Bear in the Big Blue House toddler book frustrated my daughter, and annoyed me to no end.

Hi I'm Lucy and I am a children's librarian from the Bronx. Add me if you like I am looking for some new librarian friends!

Barbie-Thank you so much! I'm going to write these down and get them for my classroom.

I love Margaret Peterson Haddix's Say What? for 2-3rd graders. Also Sharon Creech Granny Torelli Makes Soup. Andrew Clements books would be good second semester as read alouds. 3rd graders also love The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Hello Everyone! I'm so happy to find this group. I've been a teacher for the last 6 years in Tucson, Arizona. My husband and I just moved back to Iowa, and I'm now teaching 3rd grade at a great school. Most of my years of teaching have been with 1st and 4th grade. Anytime any of you have suggestions for books to use in my classroom, or just to have in it...please share!

Hi,

My name is Melanie and I am a children's librarian in Baltimore at the Enoch Pratt Free Library central branch (the one with the fish pond). I've been a "degreed librarian" for just over 2 years. However, I have worked in libraries for 10 years.

My biggest fear in life is dying without reading all of the great books in this world. I've sort of come to terms with the fact that this probably will happen due to the sheer numbers of good books. But my version of heaven is a great big library with all of the great works of literature!

Cheers!
Melanie

My name is Andrea. I am a brand new Montessori elementary teacher working in Vancouver, BC, Canada. I'll be teaching in a class with 6 to 11 year olds and I go in to meet my future students and parents of the students in about two weeks! I can't wait to read suggestions for what to stock the classroom shelves with!

Hi there! I'm Joelle - mom to a 4 yr old boy and 2 yr old girl. We LOVE to read in our house, and I'm completely enamored with children's literature. :) I'm looking forward to discussing children's books and learning from all of you.

Hi, I'm Meghan, a new children's librarian at Queens Public Library in NYC. I'm always interested in what kids are really reading, what parents want them to read, and what is coming down the publishing pipeline.

Hi all. My name is Melissa, I'm in Iowa. I nanny 2 kids, both boys, ages almost 3 and almost 1. Great to be here;-)

I am a psychotherapist and children's book author, that was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. I am now a psychotherapist and children's book author living in Los Angeles. I have written a series of books about a set of characters called "The Emotes". The Emotes books and toys were designed to help children identify, understand and express their emotions. They are geared towards children ages 5-8. I look forward to following this group so that I may learn from you!

Thanks Terry, I'm glad you like our books! I know John was pleased to meet you at BEA as well.

Hi Kerri, Are there any themes you're looking for? I just read an interesting post about literature and boys. Food for thought!

Welcome!

Hi Kelsey, Welcome to the group. We LOVE Illumination Arts books. I had the honor of meeting John at BEA this year ... and learned a new trick about energy.

Hi, I'm Kelsey, an editor for a small independent children's book publisher (Illumination Arts Publishing, for those who are interested). Though I work with picture books, my favorite kids book--and actually one of my all-time favorites--is The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame. Not having any kids of my own just yet, children's books are something of a guilty pleasure for me.

Hello! I'm Kerri, a second grade teacher from Pennsylvania. Our school is fortunate enough to be able to do a Readers' Workshop program with real literature (as opposed to basal readers or scripted instruction), so I'm always on the lookout for great children's literature. I'm looking forward to learning from you all!

Tiff, it would be great if you could join my Youth Services Librarians, Moms, and Lovers of Kid Lit group on librarything.com! We could use some more expertise. I am a Children's Librarian at a Public Library currently.

Hello,

I write on behalf of Abbeville Press, an independent book publisher specializing in art books that recently began a new family division- Abbeville Family. We are based in NYC and have been around now for over 30 years.
We look forward to expanding on our family series, which not only feature children's books but also the renowned Armin Brott series for the Expectant and New Father.

I am a former 2nd Grade teacher and mother to a one year old. Both my son and I love to read, and we both have far too many books!

Hi,

My name is Mary and I'm a stay at home mom to 2 active boys. Jacob is 6 (in 1st grade) and Nate is 5 (in preschool). Jacob is starting to get more interested in reading... and Nate LOVES reading.

My name is Michelle
I am stay at home mom to a toddler.
I love books and so does my son.

Hi! I'm Lisa. I'm an elementary school librarian in Texas. Love, love, love picture books and chapter books I get to share with my students (PK-4th)! My favorite picture book is PUNK FARM by Jarrett Krosoczka, aand my favorite chapter book is BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE by Kate DiCamillo. Looking forward to sharing great children's literature with ya'll!
Lisa :)

Hi!

My name is Erin, and I work in Technical Services in a public library. I love to read and am mom to a lovely 9 year old who is an avid reader herself. Children's literature is a particular interest of mine as an English grad student with a minor in Child and Family studies.

Nice to see you here, Terry.

I wish I could get a look at Mrs. Stoddert's original Reading Tub :)

Hi everyone,

I'm Terry. I'm Mom to a 6-year-old daughter who loves books and is learning to read (very exciting to watch!) About 4 years ago I created a non-profit called The Reading Tub for children's literacy. We encourage family reading, because that's where learning to read really starts.

We (volunteer families, students) review books for kids from infant to 13 (Chris R. We just received an ARC of Sky Village to review). After we review them, they go to non-profits working directly with struggling and at-risk readers.

Looking forward chatting and learning about all that's going on in the Kid Lit realm.

Terry Doherty
http://wwww.thereadingtub.com

Hi,
I'm Carol D. O'Dell, and I'm an author and reader--but I guess I should flip that since I was a reader long, long before I ever got a book deal.
I live in Florida, and bike, kayak, garden, paint, and write.
I have a heart for children's and YA lit--I have three daughters I homeschooled, and our best memories centered around reading books outloud--Secret Garden, Amelia Bedelia, Don and Audrey Woods books, The Giver, on and on...
My dream is to write and publish a children's classic that's loved long past my days on earth.
Sounds hokey, but I mean it.
Nice to meet everyone.
~Carol D. O'Dell
www.mothering-mother.com

Hi Monk,
Welcome to the group! And congrats on your books! I am an author too. We have an award winning series of books for young kids (approx. ages 2-8): "Becka and the Big Bubble". I'll look for your books at the stores!
:-) Gretchen Wendel www.bbBubble.com

Hi everyone.

I'm an author working on a fantasy series for Candlewick Press. The series is called KAIMIRA, and the first book, THE SKY VILLAGE, comes out this July.

Nice meeting everyone. Oh, and Monk Ashland is my pen name. My real name is Chris Rettstatt.

Ha! Well, some day we will all get nostalgic when we pick up one of our books that has traces of slobber on it...

Kate - you never said what the name of you book is! Congratulations.