[ back ]
Read-in showcases best in literature
(by Christine Bryant, Eastside Editor - January 17, 2009)
Area residents will have the opportunity to voice their vote for a prestigious literature award, and see how that selection compares to the national winner.
Bexley Schools will host a local Caldecott Read-In from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 24 in the Cassingham Elementary Library in Bexley.
The event is for teachers, librarians, university students, parents and any adult interested in children's literature.
Those who attend the event will review picture books from 2008 that are generally considered to be in contention for the Caldecott Award, a national award given to the best illustrated book for children each year. The books will be available for attendees to read and consider.
At the end of the day, the group will nominate and vote on its favorite books for the award. There also will be a discussion of some books considered to be in contention for the Newbery Award, which is given to the most distinguished book for children each year, said Linda Douglas, librarian at Cassingham Elementary and Bexley Middle School.
Both awards are given annually by the American Library Association. The 2009 awards will be named Jan. 26.
"The goal of our event is to help teachers, librarians and parents become familiar with the newest well-reviewed children's literature of the past year so they can return to their classrooms, libraries and homes and share these titles with the children in their lives," Douglas said.
The event also is a great opportunity to meet with colleagues and discuss good literature and the ways it can be used to enhance the lives of children, she said.
Each year, two national committees choose the Newbery and Caldecott awards. The committees consist of 15 people from all over the country. Each committee reads books published during the year, and after meeting several times, the members decide on the final selections at the ALA mid-winter meeting, Douglas said.
"There is no published list of nominees," she said. "The list we use at our Read-In is the best guess of people who work with and follow children's literature. Sometimes we don't have the winners on our list, but we are always hopeful."
Anyone interested in attending the Caldecott Read-In may contact Douglas at (614) 237-4266, ext. 3125, or by e-mail at Linda.Douglas@bexleyschools.org.
Registration is $20, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch.
Several of the books available for reading will be available for sale.
[ back ]
