Read a Picture Books, You Must.

According to this article in the New York Times, picture book sales have plummeted in the US.  The article says that parents are no longer buying picture books for their children because they don't help them become better readers.  One bookseller said that parents come in and buy books like Stuart Little for their 4 year old because picture books "Won't help them get into Harvard". Umm.... have they not read my blog post about picture books for older students?  

In my experience as a librarian, I see that once kids hit 3rd grade, they think they are too old for picture books... and parents don't want kids to read picture books once they learn to read.  Have you read a picture book lately?  Do you know what you are missing?  Browse my blog for suggestions, head to the basement in Prairie Lights or visit ALA's  Caldecott Page... you are sure to find at least 1000 picture books that you love.  LOVE. 

Will the e-Book Kill the Hardback?

I have read every single Stephen King book... but would I read them on a Kindle or an iPad?  Stephen King thinks that ebooks are the future- and they will eventually take over the traditional book.  So what?  Does it matter?  If people are reading- isn't it ok if they are reading an ebook as opposed to a traditional book?  I love books... I love the way they feel, I love the way they smell, I love the crinkle sound the pages and spine make when you open a brand new book.  But... I also loved film in my camera, and now I rock a digital camera.  I used to love my boombox, but I threw out all my tapes and got a cd player... and I threw that out and bought an iPod... all of my music is now digital.  Will I buy an ebook reader?  The jury is still out.  And as Stephen King says, if you drop a book in the toilet, you can fish it out, dry it and read it.  But if you drop your Kindle in the toilet... you are done.  Here is his interview on Cnn... decide for yourself!