News & Features

Thirty years after its debut, most of us can still remember every word of the theme song and hum its melody. That’s the legacy of, and the power behind, Reading Rainbow, says LeVar Burton. In this one-on-one interview, Burton chats candidly to SLJ about the reiteration of the brand as a subscription-based tablet app and its anticipated expansion to the Web, children’s literacy, his ongoing mission to create lifelong readers, and his efforts to advocate for access for all kids.

Move over Carrie Underwood, the Foo Fighters, Kanye West, and make way for the Okee Dokee Brothers—Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing. The group’s latest album, Can You Canoe?, nabbed the coveted 2013 Grammy Award for Best Children’s Album on February 10 at the star-studded awards ceremony held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

'Lincoln: Discover the Story' is a free app that explores the passage of the 13th amendment and takes viewers behind the scenes of the Steven Spielberg movie.

Chris Ballard’s One Shot at Forever is one of the three books on the Alex Awards this year that we declined to review. In the comments of our Alex Reactions post, John Sexton explained why: I believe the last time a sports themed book received Alex recognition was in 2007 when the committee i served [...]

From those of us who attend ALA Midwinter in Seattle, here are our top five comics related highlights of the conference! Listening to the roar of approval when Raina Telgemeier’s Drama was announced as a Stonewall honor book!  I believe the title’s selection was a bit of a surprise to everyone, not in that the [...]

Adam Gidwitz’s first novel, A Tale Dark and Grimm, is a New York Times bestseller, and was named one of the best children’s books of the year by School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly. His second book, In a Glass Grimmly, also a New York Times bestseller, was named a best book of the year by Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and School Library Journal—which wrote, “Gidwitz is back with a second book that, if possible, outshines A Tale Dark & Grimm.” Last time he was involved in the BoB, his book was getting pulped by Andy Mulligan’s Trash. Which, in case you haven’t read it, is a darn good book.

It’s time to once again to look at the season before us and say “that looks good”. What follows are books coming out in March, April, and May that appear to have promise. Picture Book Giant Dance Party by Betsy Bird; illustrated by Brandon Dorman April 23 | Greenwillow | Grades K-2 Ever heard of [...]

For some wintry tales for younger readers, check out the latest picks from the editors at Junior Library Guild.