Colleen Patrice Clark
Managing Editor
cclark@reading.org
EDITOR’S
NOTE
feel incredibly fortunate to have a daughter
who’s an avid reader. At 8 years old, she devours
a good book, anything from George R.R.
Martin’s The Ice Dragon to Nick Bruel’s Bad Kitty
series. She loves nonfiction, too. I once read to
her How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the
Awfully Famous as a bedtime story. And if it’s
bug, dinosaur, or cat related, it’s on her shelf.
I feel lucky, but luck has little to do with it.
It is not random, and her passion for learning
goes well beyond family influence. This love
of books is fostered by deliberate, purposeful
engagement on a daily basis.
Like any student, my daughter is
surrounded by educators who are influencing
her in ways she doesn’t realize, like the teacher
she had last year who recognized her interest
in science and steered her toward books other
girls her age weren’t interested in. This year, the
librarian is always ready with recommendations
and even holds books specifically for her. There
are others—and I know there will be more—
and I’m already thankful for what they will help
teach her about our world.
Those lessons are what our Children’s
Literature Issue is all about. There’s a unique
power in children’s and YA lit that is worthy
of celebration. It provides the foundation for
all learning and can set our children up to be
well-rounded, empathetic global citizens.
My top recommendation: Have a pen and
paper handy. There are more than 100 titles
mentioned in this issue, and they’re all worthy
of celebrating. Start by adding them to your
summer reading or your fall library. Then
watch as students reap the benefits.
Warmly,
WORTHY OF
CELEBRATION
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May/June 2016 | LITERACY TODAY