BellaOnline Forums Career Writing for Children What are you reading?

Hello Everyone! I am the new Writing for Children Editor. I look forward to chatting with you about your writing career.

I�m updating my reading list and am always looking for a good children�s book to read. What was the last children�s book you read and do you recommend it?

Hello and welcome!
Right now the only reading for children I do is reading and re-reading the book I am in the throes of editing/re-writing/tweaking. Hope to be agent (or publisher or contest) shopping it by Feb.
So I frequently consult the "Children's Writer's Word Book" and "CWIM" too.

Hi Lucinda and welcome. I read as often as possible however, I don't read children's books much anymore as all of my children are grown.

Recently I reviewed a book on my site called Nana, can you hear me written by Jean Kenney. This is an excellent book to share with a child and it offers the opportunity to discuss hearing loss with them. Hope you get the chance to read it sometime.

Hi Lucinda. I just joined the forum, so I'm looking to engage in as much discussion as possible. Recently, I have been working on my own children's book, so that is what is taking much of my time. I do teach middle school English however, so I can say that I just finished teaching, The Pearl. This book changed my outlook on symbolism and theme in young adult literature. Though it may not be a children's book, I do believe it's one to read nonetheless.

Marissa, Welcome to the forum, We hope that you enjoy your stay!
Rosie

Thanks Rosie! I'm hoping to learn a lot!

We are re-reading 'The Giggler Treatment' by Roddy Doyle - I wrote a short story for children as an ebook experiment - I just put my review of the experience on my Newbie Webwriters site:

I just finished "The Goose Girl" by Shannon Hale (an novel length retelling of the Grimms fairytale) and "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park, and now I'm re-reading that classic "Indian in the Cupboard."

After writing a lot of non-fiction, I feel I need to read and study for good works for the language and prose. So very different. It's like shifting gears.

I'm spending my weekends reading tons to make up for the lack of reading during the week when I write.

I just finished "The Giver" and it was interesting. I wonder if kids understood the whole message. And also, "Bloomability" which was so so, in my humble opinion. The author, Sharon Creech, wrote the award-winning "Walk Two Moons" which I did not read.

Any suggestions for more titles?

I just finished "The Tale of Despereaux" -- a Christmas gift -- which I enjoyed. On Tuesday I got "The Graveyard Book" and "Ballet Shoes" but not sure which I will tackle first. I'll confess that I did re-read "Sheep in a Jeep" just last night because I had a crummy day and that book always makes me laugh for some reason.

We are in the middle of our Librarians Read Challenge, so I've read a ton of children's books lately. This week I finished A Long Way from Chicago, A Year Down Yonder, and Fair Weather by Richard Peck. They were fantastic! I'm ashamed not to have read them before. I also recommend anything by Karen Cushman, especially Catherine, Called Birdy. I also read Elsewhere, by Gabrielle Levin, which was a YA book that was intriguing. I've also gone back to other Newbery award winners that I've neglected, like Roller Skates by Ruth Sawyer. I also recommend The Trouble Begins at 8: A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West by Sid Fleishman.

I always read picture books! I just adore them!

But right now, I'm re-reading "The Call of the Wild" by Jack London.

Now I'm reading a novel by Eileen Goudge - Domestic Affairs. GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!
Sheryl