The purpose of this manual for the 2003 Texas Reading Club, "Mission Possible: Spy a Book!" is to assist library staff who serve youth by suggesting ideas for programs that will attract children to the library. The following chapters are included: (1) Marketing, Cooperation and PR; (2) Serving Children with Disabilities; (3) Theme Songs;…

Each of the 39 children's craft projects included in this document was selected because: (1) it is appropriate for a library program and helps to further the goals of children's services; (2) it may be successfully completed by children 3 to 12 years old with a minimum of adult help; (3) it requires only inexpensive and commonly available…

Reviews series mysteries for children and adolescents in two categories: mysteries for girls ("Nancy Drew,""Doris Fein") and mysteries for boys ("Hardy Boys,""Race against Time"). Characters and plots, appeal of the series, and series books and adolescents are discussed. Eight sources are given. (EJS)

This volume, a companion to "Talk That Book: Booktalks To Promote Reading," presents 263 new booktalks on classics and best sellers that serve a wide range of interests for all ages and reading interests. Usually, booktalking is an oral presentation of 10 or 20 booktalks lasting about 30 minutes; however, this book can also act as a…

This manual for children's librarians was produced in conjunction with the Kentucky bicentennial and is intended to help find ways for children to experience the past; to stimulate ideas about book-related programs suited to individual communities and resources; and to suggest history-related activities. The manual is presented in seven sections:…

Discusses ways that parents can help young children acquire reading skills without directly teaching them to read. A list of books for beginning readers, parent-child activities, and an annotated list of three books for parents are included. Two references are listed. (MES)

This narrative of events leading to the publication of "Molly's Pilgrim" in a third grade textbook by the Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishing Company illustrates the types of censorship exercised by textbook publishers in response to public pressure. Revisions of the story to avoid mentioning God and the Bible are described. (EJS)

This essay discusses 13 pictorial devices with which one must be familiar to understand the illustrations in Virginia Lee Burton's "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel." Color constancy, implied background, sharply drawn lines, abstractions of caricature, use of perspective, face on objects, and picture book narration are noted. (EJS)

Kid's Stuff game will introduce students, parents, teachers and educators to authors and illustrators who have consistently created books for children and young adults that are of superior quality and interest. The research-base games for use in library media center, classroom and at home game also helps students learn to use computer card catalog…

A study of 62 children's readers in use in three Texas cities demonstrated that such books are less male-focused than they appeared to be in a similar 1972 survey. Contends that both boys and girls would benefit from a still more equitable representation. (DM)

Describes four types of book talks based on the aspect of the book that is the most important--plot summary, character description, short story or excerpts, and mood-based. (Author/EM)

Lists sequels or books in series published from 1973 to mid-1985 and intended for grades 4-12. Titles are grouped by author in six categories (fantasy and science fiction, historical fiction, autobiographical fiction, modern realistic fiction, mystery, sports); sequels are listed in preferred order of reading; series alphabetically by title. (EJS)

This book is a programming resource guide that uses the appeal and popularity of the "Arthur" Public Broadcasting System program characters Arthur, his sister D.W., and their family and friends to encourage children to come to the library, learn about its resources, discover new books and authors, and feel comfortable using all the…

The theme of the 1991 Virginia Summer Reading Program combined a fascination with the world of prehistoric creatures with the excitement of discovery. The summer program offers the library an opportunity to showcase its services for the entire community and demonstrates the contribution the library makes to the development of lifelong learning.…

Examines the lack of information about how children evaluate what they read and why they select particular reading materials. Offers approaches to understanding reading preferences and ways to encourage evaluative skills. Suggests six criteria for selecting good children's literature and ideas about using children's magazines to help express…