Archive for January, 2009
 Kathleen T. Horning, RIF LAB Member |
Each year, many individuals interested in children’s literature eagerly anticipate the announcement of the American Library Association (ALA) youth media awards. These awards honor authors and illustrators for excellence in a variety of categories. On Monday, this year’s winners were announced at the ALA conference in Denver.
We are thrilled that one of the members of RIF’s Literature Advisory Board, Kathleen T. Horning, has been selected to deliver the 2010 May Hill Arbuthnot Lecture. |
View the complete list of ALA awardees and honorees here.
RIF congratulates all of these authors and illustrators on their accomplishments and hopes that you’ll take the opportunity to enjoy their books.
Finally, as I mentioned in a previous post, we are interested in what you think about these selections, the Newbery Medal in particular. I invite you to take a very brief poll on the subject, or to comment here.
Happy reading!
Carol
January 30th, 2009
Rachael Flatt competing at the 2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
Congratulations to Rachael Flatt for her stellar performance at the 2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Rachael won the silver medal and will represent the U.S. in the upcoming World and Four Continents competitions! RIF is proud to have Rachael as a spokesperson and wishes her every possible success. Way to go Rachael!
January 27th, 2009
Years ago I started collecting books with “Ruby” in the title because of my mother, the late Ruby Dallas Hampton. She and I would laugh about the different characters named Ruby; often we would imagine what would happen if they were all to get together? This cover drew my attention not only because of the name Ruby, but also the bright red, the “pixie” look on this young girl’s face. What does she have to tell us? Can you list some books with “Ruby” in the title for my collection?
Submit your own cover story here!
Happy reading!
Carol
January 26th, 2009
A strawberry for a nose, I have never thought of that…and yet, as I think of some of the various shapes of strawberries I have seen in the market or on my plate, strawberries would make a GREAT nose for a snowman!
Submit your own cover story here!
Happy reading!
Carol
January 19th, 2009
Rachael Flatt 2008 World Junior Figure Skating Champion and RIF Reading Superstar.
Rachael Flatt, 2008 World Junior Figure Skating Champion, is RIF’s January Reading Superstar and she is headed to the 2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championships next week. We’re sure Rachael is going to set that ice rink on fire! If you work with children or have children in your home who are interested in ice skating you should visit her official website to learn more about this super special skater as she attempts to earn a spot on the 2009 World Team, which will compete at the World Figure Skating Championships in March. Make sure to click on “Contact” and “Guestbook” on her site so you can send Rachael your own good luck wishes!
See Rachael live as she takes on the best in the world of figure skating–Thursday, Jan. 22 @ 7:30 ET live on Universal Sports and Ice Network; and Saturday, Jan. 24 @ 9:00 ET live on on NBC. Check local listing for more times.
January 19th, 2009
Parents and teachers over the coming days and weeks can use the excitement of the inaugural activities to make “history in the making” come alive for young people. The National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance has created a free online presidential inauguration activity guide for parents, teachers, librarians and community leaders. Some of the ideas and activities suggested spring directly from the content and illustrations in the NCBLA’s new book, Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out, which I wrote about in my own “inaugural” posting on Rasco From RIF.
And if you haven’t already, please consider joining our “Reading Is Presidential” inauguration book drive. A donation of $5 provides one new book for a D.C. student.
Happy reading!
Carol
January 15th, 2009
Happy New Year! I am Cody Ruxton, manager of volunteer engagement at RIF. I have the wonderful role of thinking strategically about how we support, empower, and recognize the hundreds of thousands of RIF volunteers throughout the country.
I am excited to announce our newest project, the RIF Ambassadors sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company. Representing each of the 50 States, these leaders will direct local outreach activities, share their stories with Congress, and connect with RIF and their communities.
While we won’t be able to all gather in person, we have planned the next best thing—
a social networking site. Here you can see the smiles of these dedicated RIF advocates and read about their amazing experience. Like Carol, they will be blogging too! Keep visiting for lots of RIF stories and ideas from around the country.
(From left to right) Friends of the RIF Ambassadors: Back row; Jeffrey Galginaitis, Cody Ruxton, Peter Patel, Lynn Croneberger, Sonya Williams. Front row; Danielle Carr, Jacki Ball, Rachel Hutt, Ernestine Benedict, Cammie Backus, Kate Fergusson.
One of the goals of the project is to strengthen the relation between the national office and local volunteers. In that spirit, each RIF Ambassador has been paired with a member of the RIF senior team or executive office to stay in touch throughout the year. To celebrate the kick-off of the project, these “Friends of the RIF Ambassadors” had a regional potluck of dishes from North, South, East, and West to review what the local volunteers have planned for 2009 (pictured above).
I would like to congratulate our RIF Ambassadors and applaud all of the RIF advocates who are advancing RIF’s mission in their local communities.
Cody
January 13th, 2009
Clean, sharp lines, black and white penguins which fascinate me, and the splash of orange screamed at me from this cover!
Submit your own cover story here!
Happy reading!
Carol
January 12th, 2009
The historic inauguration of our nation’s 44th President, Barack Obama, is rapidly approaching and the streets around RIF’s D.C. office are already full of activity!
In celebration of this event, RIF has partnered with Sallie Mae and Building Hope to provide classic books and books with a presidential theme to D.C. students. These books will go to children in kindergarten through 12th grade at public, private, and charter schools in Washington, D.C.
Even if you can’t make it to D.C. for the inauguration, you can still be a part of history—a donation of just $5 will place a new book in the hands of a child. Help us reach our goal of distributing 44,000 books by visiting our donations page and selecting from a terrific array of titles such as The Story of the White House and What Does the President Do?
(From left to right.) Carol speaks to RIF staff during an "inaugural pep rally". Henry Dunbar playing the harmonica.
Today, I and the RIF staff kicked off the promotion with an “inaugural pep rally” where I challenged each staff member to contact a minimum of 44 friends and family members. At the close of the rally, Henry Dunbar treated everyone to a great rendition of “Hail To The Chief” on harmonica!
Help spread the word to your friends and family by sending them the link to our donations page!
Carol
January 8th, 2009
Ah, just what many parents are saying after the holiday
Submit your own cover story here!
Happy reading!
Carol
January 5th, 2009
