readertotz
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readertotz
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Sara Easterly, Publicist, sara@saraeasterly.com, 206-632-8588
READERGIRLZ EXPANDS WITH A NEW FRANCHISE: READERTOTZ
Celebrated author/illustrators Lorie Ann Grover and Joan Holub launch readertotz in an effort to recognize the infant-toddler book as a vital addition to children's literature.
December 2, 2008 (Seattle, Wash.) – readergirlz co-founder and author/illustrator Lorie Ann Grover and author/illustrator Joan Holub have just launched readertotz (http://readertotz.blogspot.com/), a unique board book blog that aims to raise awareness of the infant-toddler book as a significant format of children's literature.
While picture books, books for beginning readers, middle-grade novels and young-adult literature have been recognized with major awards such as the Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal, the Newbery, the Printz and the National Book Award, it is rare to find such esteem given to infant-toddler books - despite their importance in instilling a life-long love of books and reading in the youngest readers.
"Board books are certainly overlooked and misunderstood, and they serve such an important purpose in introducing babies and toddlers to books," said Rotem Moscovich, Associate Editor, Scholastic. "What they are, how they work (and taste). The board makes it possible for them to do it themselves, and also to feel comfortable with books."
Taking the lead from readergirlz, which boasts more than 8,000 members, readertotz will showcase high-quality literature. Lorie Ann Grover and Joan Holub will feature weekly blog posts that highlight the best contributions in the infant-toddler book arena and recommend monthly community service projects appropriate for families with young children to enjoy. Also included each month: an age-appropriate playlist and a recommended book for the older sibling.
"readertotz is our effort to raise the bar in board and novelty book literature," says Lorie Ann Grover. "We're challenging our colleagues to write great books for the youngest readers and encouraging the industry to publish those works. Eventually, we hope to work with the American Library Association to establish an award for infant-toddler books that's equivalent to the Caldecott and Theodor Geisel Award."
Lorie Ann Grover (http://lorieanngrover.blogspot.com/) has authored three young-adult novels and three board books. Joan Holub (http://www.joanholub.com/) is the author of more than 100 children's books, many of which she has also illustrated.
About readergirlz
readergirlz (http://www.readergirlz.com) is the foremost online book community for teen girls, led by six critically acclaimed YA authors—Dia Calhoun (Avielle of Rhia), Holly Cupala (A Light That Never Goes Out) Lorie Ann Grover (On Pointe), Justina Chen Headley (Girl Overboard), Mitali Perkins (First Daughter: White House Rules), and Melissa Walker (the Violet series). readergirlz is the recipient of a 2007 James Patterson PageTurner Award and the Association for Library Services to Children, ALA, Great Web Sites Award.
readergirlz has a website (http://www.readergirlz.com) - a blog (http://readergirlz.blogspot.com) - a message forum (http://groups.myspace.com/readergirlz) - and more.
1 comments:
Thank you for Readertotz
I tried to create a blog to post but I am not sure that I was successful. I was so happy to see that you had the work of Nikki Grimes and Bryan Collier, two of my favorites. Good luck with the site and in your efforts to increase the awareness of the importance of creating literature for our precious little ones. Good cheer in the New Year, Lynnette Velasco
Readertotz is a visionary gift from the creator. My hue and cry is to create imagery reflective of our beautiful and diverse populations. I truly believe that the standard formulas that major publishing houses have held sacred for years no longer works, particularly in our inner cities.
I am very concerned with creating board books and books of material for 0-4yrs that will enable and encourage young mothers to bond with their unborn children. I believe that self esteem building begins in the womb and that this self esteem well nourished is infectious and will also serve to empower young mothers to be.
As part of the "Envisioning our Life through Literature Program," of the Center for Black Literature under Medgar Evers College, I teach an annual 12 week high school course in children's book writing. The books produced by these young people are enlightening, life defining and no matter what the challenge, conflict, filled with hope, endurance.
Currently, I am in the process of creating multi lingual texts that I would like translated into Spanish and French. I would like to share one of my pieces with you and I look forward to visiting your site often and wish you every success.
Can't Hardly Wait
One, Two
May I talk to you
Three, Four
You, who I simply adore
Five Six,
Beautiful morning
You woke me exactly at six
Seven, Eight
I can hardly wait
To smell your sweet baby breath
Cuddle your warm toes
Nine, Ten
I want to hold you in my arms
Like a mother hen
Until then
With tender strokes of my pen
My diary
Daily, I'll fill
Keepsakes of my love
To share, to grow
So that you always knowI love you so.
lynnette velasco ©
Lynnette C. Velasco, author of Zinzi: A child's journey to self fulfillment, giving and caring, contributor to Turn the Page and You Don't Stop, Sharing Successful Chapters in Our Lives with Youth, edited by Patrick Oliver.
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