www.jeannineatkins.livejournal.com — Children’s author Jeannine Atkins’ lyric, approachable Views from a Window Seat offers notes on the writing process and on books and writers she admires, the whole suffused with her open, empathic view.
www.wordswimmer.blogspot.com — Editor and writer Bruce Black’s marvelous blog gets at the heart of writing through his sensitive, intelligent critiques and his interviews with writers. Ethereal, inspiring.
www.eisforbook.com — Stepping into a new world: postings of “a coalition of respected children’s trade book authors developing their books for electronic media.”
www.wakingbraincells.com — Appleton, WI librarian Tasha Saecker’s “warm, friendly place where books for children and teens are celebrated."
www.sarahtuttle.wordpress.com — Sarah Tuttle’s blog Local Love: Books for Children in New England keeps writers and readers up-to-date on the New England children’s book world.
Books and Nature
www.untendedgarden.com — Children’s author/illustrator John Lechner expands our experience of nature-inspired art by generously offering visuals and pithy, friendly text in The Untended Garden: Books Art and the Natural World.
www.juicylearning.wordpress.com — Nature and play-based learning, including book reviews, written by Juicy Mama, who spends a lot of time outdoors with her sons ages 4 and 2.
www.michellecusolito.blogspot.com — In her blog Polliwog on Safari, Michelle writes beautifully of the natural world, her appreciations, and her outside adventures with her kids. Includes book reviews.
www.vermontcollege.edu — Vermont College of Fine Arts offers an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, an excellent two-year low residency program.
www.scbwi.org — The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is an international organization that provides information and services to children’s book writers and illustrators and to those interested in children’s literature. SCBWI sponsors international and regional conferences, awards, and publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, to name just a few of their many activities.
www.nescbwi.org — The New England branch of the SCBWI posts upcoming events, information about critique groups, and many other items of interest to writers.
www.write4kids.com — “The Children’s Book Insider” is a popular newsletter, both print and on-line, containing up-to-date publishing information and excellent articles on writing.
www.picturebookdepot.com — A most comprehensive, intelligent site celebrating and reviewing picture books new and old. Rita Lorraine Hubbard, a former science teacher and reviewer for YABooksCentral, is a most enthusiastic aficianado of the picture book genre.
www.puppetshowplace.org — The Puppet Showplace Theatre In Brookline, MA is an intimate gem of a performance space where audiences are treated to vibrant presentations of the ancient art.
A tribute video celebrating puppetry and puppeteers honors the Puppet Showplace Theatre’s 35th anniversary.
www.bostonauthorsclub.org — The Boston Authors Club, founded in 1899 by Julia Ward Howe and including among its former members Mark Twain and Willa Cather, annually awards the Julia Ward Howe Prize to an adult book and a book for younger readers. The club also notes two finalists for each prize, as well as several highly recommended books.
www.greendecade.org — Founded in 1990 by social activist Louise Bruyn, Green Decade/Newton’s mission is the preservation of the health of our local and global environment. To this end, the group hosts public lectures and tours and promotes activities that involve citizens in environmental action. Green Decade works closely with the City of Newton to promote both awareness and action.
www.newtonvillebooks.com —Newtonville Books, a lovely independent bookstore (aren’t they all lovely?), has a full schedule of readings and other events. Most special is their monthly Celebrity Book Club. Participants read a selected book then attend a discussion led by a local author. Smashing!
