| November
2006
Dear Fellow Book
Lovers:
MORE
BOOKS PLEASE! is the 2006 theme of Children’s Book
Week, which will be observed in schools and public libraries
November 13–16. The idea of an annual celebration of children’s
books began in 1919, and this year marks the 87th year that
libraries across the nation will honor children and the books
they read the week before Thanksgiving. What an appropriate
time to celebrate children, and to introduce them to more
good books that will bring them hours of enjoyment. Those
who work with children know that when children discover books
that speak to them, they will return to the library for More
Books week after week, year after year. This is why
we need to continue--or return to--the good practice of reader
guidance. A child reads The
Poky Little Puppy, and he wants another
book like it. Our job is to know what to give him next. The
idea that a computer can replace the role of an adult in this
important process is very scary. Children count on us to know
books with special appeal, and they want us to lead them to
these titles. They recognize when we find joy in books, and
they want to share in that joy.
Young
readers may ask for More Books with similar plots,
like The
Magic Tree House series, or they may want
more of the same characters, like Junie
B. Jones, Thomas
and Friends, the Berenstain
Bears, Nate
the Great, and Sammy
Keyes. They return to old favorites time
and again, but they love new books, too. One young reader
recently told me, “Any kind of book is good for me.” So for
this young reader and all young readers, Random House offers
more good books, old and new, for this year’s celebration
of Children’s Book Week. Here are a few suggestions:
OLD
FAVORITES
NEW
FAVORITES
You
may email me at pscales@bellsouth.net.
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