Childrenthe journal of the Association for Library Service to Children &LibrariesVolume 5 Number 1 Spring 2007 ISSN 1542-9806 Celebrating Día Special Section: Graphic Novels • Reading Readiness 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BIRMINGHAM, AL PERMIT NO. 3020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★All-Star Picture Books ★ FOX THE ESCAPE OF ONEY JUDGE ANIMAL POEMS Kate Banks Martha Washington’s Slave Valerie Worth Pictures by Georg Hallensleben Finds Freedom Pictures by Steve Jenkins ★“Sure to gratify preschoolers and Emily Arnold McCully ★“This pairing of the late Worth’s caregivers alike.” ★“At the top of her game, McCully exquisite poems with Jenkins’s —Starred, Kirkus Reviews takes a rather sophisticated piece of extraordinary cut-paper illustrations ★“The lyrical text reads easily . history and writes in a way that will makes this a volume to treasure.” This picture book is a tender tribute draw in children . 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Harrington Pictures by Shelley Jackson ★“Never has the expression ‘feathers will fly’ been as aptly ★ illustrated as in this vivacious story.” —Starred, Kirkus Reviews ★ ★“This funny story will have city kids longing for the chance to chase ★ (and/or nurture) some chickens themselves.” —Starred, The Horn Book ★“First-rate.” —Starred, Booklist Melanie Kroupa Books ★ $16.00 / 978-0-374-31251-0 / Ages 4–8 ★ FARRAR★STRAUS★GIROUX www.fsgkidsbooks.com Table Contents● ofVolume 5, Number 1 Spring 2007 Notes and Letters 28 Plants and Poetry Integrating Science, Fine Arts, and Editor’s Note a Library’s Special Collection 2 Elaine R. Radwanski and Marilyn J. Ward Sharon Verbeten 2 Executive Director’s Note 32 Reading Readiness Diane Foote Partnering for Reading Readiness A Case Study of Maryland Public Librarians Gilda Martinez Features First Day of Class The Public Library’s Role in 4 Getting Graphic: The Rise of “School Readiness” Graphic Novels for Children Betsy Diamant-Cohen Got Graphic Novels? More Than Just Superheroes in Tights! Zahra M. Baird and Tracey Jackson Departments The Trickle-up Effect 48 Index to Advertisers An Interview with David Saylor Jonathan Hunt 49 Research and Development Column Audiobooks for Children Taking Comics from Junk Food Ruth Cox Clark to Gourmet Meals An Interview with Mark Siegel 51 New Books Jonathan Hunt Considering Our Roles in Library Service to Children A Mouse in Their House Kathryn Miller The Holm Siblings Banter about Babymouse Elizabeth Bird 53 ALSC News 64 The Last Word 20 The Influence of Pat Mora Helen Kelly How—and Why—Literacy Becomes Political Kathleen Dudden Rowlands 26 Seattle Bound! ALA Midwinter Meeting 2007 Photo Gallery Cover features a photo of the children of Ballet Papalotl dancing at the 2006 El día de los niños/El día de los libros celebration at Midland Regional Library, a branch of Multnomah County (Ore.) Library. Editor’s Note Board Book Flashback Sharon Verbeten hese past few months have been a flashback and, con- Editor T currently, a flash forward Sharon Verbeten, De Pere, Wis. for me. I’ve been reading a thick Editorial Advisory Committee stack of board books lately to my Rosanne Cerny, Chair, Jamaica, N.Y. Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua, N.Y. infant daughter, Holland. Right Linnea Christensen, Plymouth, Minn. now, she just gapes at the big Barbara Immroth, Austin, Tex. Holland Verbeten and one of her Ellen Loughran, Brooklyn, N.Y. beloved board books. colorful pictures and occasionally Jill S. Ratzan, Highland Park, N.J. Michelle Sirk, New Haven, Ind. tries to grab a page. Kathleen T. Horning, ALSC President, Ex Officio, Madison, Wis. Sharon Verbeten, Editor, Ex Officio, De Pere, Wis. Reading the books is a flashback to my days as a children’s librarian Executive Director in Milwaukee, when I always took such joy in conducting storytimes. Diane Foote Even when the kids’ eyes were roaming or they were a bit fidgety, I Division Coordinator Laura Schulte-Cooper always felt like I was contributing something to their future. Web Site www.ala.org/alsc My flash forward is looking ahead to the role reading will play in Circulation Holland’s life. I’ve worn the hats of reader and writer almost all Children and Libraries (ISSN 1542-9806) is published three times per year by the American my life. Now in my role as mom, I feel even more strongly about Library Association (ALA), 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. It is the official publication of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of ALA. Subscription price: members fostering a love of reading in my daughter. of ALSC, $20 per year, included in membership dues; nonmembers, $40 per year in the U.S.; $50 in Canada, Mexico, and other countries. Back issues within one year of current issue, $12 each. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Children and Libraries, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL So, by the time you’ve finished reading this issue, I’ll have finished 60611. Members send mailing labels or facsimile to Member Services, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Nonmember subscribers: Subscriptions, orders, changes of address, and inquiries should probably twenty more board books or so. It’s a pleasant diversion, be sent to Children and Libraries, Customer Service—Subscriptions, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL one I’m sure you love as well. 60611; 1-800-545-2433, press 5; fax: (312) 944-2641; e-mail: [email protected]. Statement of Purpose Whether you have a new baby, grandchild, or just a new face in Children and Libraries is the official journal of ALSC, a division of the American Library Association. The journal primarily serves as a vehicle for continuing education of librarians your storytime, continue to foster the love of reading in any chil- working with children, which showcases current scholarly research and practice in library ser- vice to children and spotlights significant activities and programs of the Association. (From the dren you encounter. And, hopefully, someday they’ll thank you. journal’s “Policies and Procedures” document adopted by the ALSC board, April 2004.) Every time I hear Holland make an unintelligible babble, that’s what I imagine she’s saying. & Production ALA Production Services—Troy D. Linker and Angela Hanshaw; Angela Gwizdala and Christopher Keech, Production Editors. Advertising Executive Director’s Note Benson, Coffee and Associates, 1411 Peterson Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068; (847) 692-4695; fax: (847) 692-3877; e-mail: [email protected]. The journal accepts advertising for goods or services of interest to the library profession and librarians in service to youth in particular. It encourages Celebrate! Celebremos! advertising that informs readers and provides clear communication between vendor and buyer. The journal adheres to ethical and commonly accepted advertising practices and reserves Diane Foote the right to reject any advertisement not suited to the above purposes or not consistent with the aims and policies of ALA. Acceptance of advertising in the journal does not imply official endorsement by ALA of the products or services advertised. he joyful image on the cover of this issue exemplifies the spirit of El día de los Manuscripts Manuscripts and letters pertaining to editorial content should be sent to Sharon Verbeten, niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/ editor, 820 Spooner Ct., De Pere, WI 54115; (920) 339-2740; e-mail: [email protected]. T Manuscripts will be sent out for review according to the journal’s established referee proce- Book Day), known as Día. By the time you read dures. See the Summer/Fall issue or www.ala.org/alsc, “Publications & Products” for author this, the hundreds of Día celebrations that are taking place in guidelines. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer referee for manuscripts submitted to CAL, contact Editor Sharon Verbeten at [email protected].