Don’t Forget the Kidlitosphere!

In September, I was privileged to attend KidLitCon, a gathering of bloggers who blog about children’s books. There are many librarians in the group, but what unites the attendees is a love for reading and children’s books and getting kids excited about reading.

Even librarians who don’t blog themselves will find some gems out there in the Kidlitosphere.  You’ll hear about new books, old favorites, and even ideas for encouraging parents to read to kids.

Many attendees were Author bloggers and bloggers who focus on YA, but here are some bloggers who attended KidLitCon who specifically focus on children’s books:

Book Dads: A site that promotes children’s literacy by reviewing books dads can share with their children.

Book Moot: A school librarian’s blog covering books for all ages of children.

The Cybils: Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Award site. Blog includes many reviews of nominated books.

Diamond in the Window: This children’s literature blog includes a lovely feature called We Recommend, which highlights Readers’ Advisory from e-mailed requests.

Family Bookshelf: Reading news, ideas, and reviews.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors: A blog by several middle-grade authors. The Book Lists are especially helpful.

Great Kid Books: A blog by a school librarian to help parents learn about great books for their kids.

Jen Robinson’s Book Page: Promoting the love of books by children, and featuring Growing Bookworms newsletter.

Kidsmomo: A blog about introducing good books directly to children.

Kid Tested, Librarian Approved: Picture book news and reviews from a children’s librarian.

Laurie Thompson: A blog specializing in children’s nonfiction and youth empowerment.

Mother Reader: A reading Mom with a great sense of humor.

Pink Me: A blog by a librarian, consultant for school libraries, and children’s book reviewer.

Rasco from RIF: Musings from the CEO of Reading Is Fundamental on books and literacy.

Reads for Keeps: Reviews especially focusing on middle grade books by a pair who love them.

Saints and Spinners: Stories, songs and stitches from a librarian and professional storyteller.

Six Boxes of Books: Three sisters who love children’s books.

Sonderbooks: My own website and blog, including sections for Picture Books, Children’s Fiction, and Children’s Nonfiction.

We Be Reading: Reviews of books for all ages, including books enjoyed by the blogger’s 7-year-old son.

One of the outstanding features of KidLitCon was how people from all over the country have created a community of kindred spirits.  In the blogs you’ll find a more personal look at new and old books than you might find in the professional review journals.  Each blog offers its own unique perspective, but you can be sure that there’s plenty of passion behind each one.  You may find a new favorite in this group.

Next year’s KidLitCon will be in New York in the autumn.  Think about joining us!

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Our guest blogger today is Sondra Eklund, a librarian at Fairfax County Public Library, and a member of the ALSC Children and Technology committee.  She’s been writing book reviews at Sonderbooks since 2001, before she’d heard of blogs.

If you’d like to write a guest post for the ALSC Blog, please contact Mary Voors, ALSC Blog manager, at alscblog@gmail.com.