Summer is here and that means picnics, family reunions, and celebrations of the 4th of July and Bastille Day. The temperature is hot and people gather at their favorite ice cream stand. No wonder July is National Ice Cream month. Did you know that the first ice cream parlor in America opened in 1776? George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were fans of this cool treat, and Dolly Madison served it at the White House Inaugural Ball. She first tasted it at a Tea Room in Wilmington, Delaware where the recipe was created by a free Black woman, Aunt Sally Shad. So go ahead and serve this frozen treat of our forefathers and foremothers at your 4th of July celebration. But now you must make some important decisions. Which flavors will you serve? Will it be served in cones or dishes? Will you offer sundaes, milkshakes or root beer floats? Your family or friends who will be eating it will be more than willing to help you make those decisions. How happy they will be that you are serving ice cream. By the way, if you do so on July 9, be sure to have sugar cookies, too, for this is National Sugar Cookie Day. Give yourself and those around you an extra-special treat.

The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD) is a lot like ice cream. Our subscribers find its "one-stop shopping" refreshing. There is no need to go to several places when all your youth literature needs are met in one fabulous creation. Just as the flavors of ice cream are endless, so is the usefulness of CLCD. Do you need reviews? Perhaps you are doing Reader's Advisory work with an individual or a class. Maybe you need Lexiles or Accelerated Reader book levels and points. Do you need to create a bibliography, replace titles, or weed your collection? Just as there are endless types of ice cream and sundaes, so too are the ways that CLCD can be used throughout the day by librarians, teachers, editors, and parents. Indeed, it is for anyone who references children's and young adult literature. Response time is so quick, you can have a list of titles before your milkshake is ready. Friends, colleagues, family, and library users will all be delighted you are using CLCD. They will want to use it, too. We make it easy to have public access.

Ah...you are wondering about that extra-special treat, aren't you? Why, that would be Children's Literature, CLCD's sister company. It offers you more information in one place about authors and illustrators than is found anywhere else on the Internet, and you can book authors and illustrators for school and library visits. All at one website. Now that is a really sweet, cool deal. Check it out today at www.childrenslit.com.

Twitter

If you were following us on Twitter this month you would have been among the first to learn about new apps from book creators; about this summer's Junie B. Jones Stupid Smelly Bus Tour and whether it is coming to a city near you; about the Robert F. Asleson Memorial ALA Conference Grant (Bob Asleson was the Vice President of Business Development for CLCD); and that The Crimson Review (University of Alabama's School of Library and Information Studies) lists CLCD as a resource to check out.

To follow us on Twitter, just click on the blue Twitter bird at www.childrenslit.com.

Our Blog

Our blog presents practical and inspirational compositions that provide insight into the work you do each day. Recently, we blogged about useful tools for getting the most out of graphic novels. Subscribers will want to read the blog about Ajay Gupte, the new President of CLCD. Please note the new mail and web addresses. To read our blog go to our home page www.childrenslit.com.

Quote of the Month

"We rely heavily on the aggregate full-text reviews (of CLCD) when deciding what to purchase. It's more helpful for librarians than NoveList."
Sharon Hrycewicz, Children's Reference Coordinator
Downers Grove Public Library, IL

What happens when a student or patron comes into your library with requests for books that the library has not associated with a lexile? Just plug the lexile value into the search page and perhaps narrow it a bit by subject and publication date and look at the results. If you have opted for the CLCD OPAC linking, you will know which books are in your collection and you can offer them substitutes. Wonderful! was the response of one of our librarians who just implemented the OPAC linking.

Our half-price book sale can help you stretch your dollars. Click on our order form below to see the current titles that can help fill your collection needs at a very good price. Our quantities are limited, so act now.

Children's Literature provides support for book sales at numerous author events, school book fairs and the like. Often we have one or two copies of a book left that we do not bother to return to the publisher. Our stock has grown and we would like to make some very good, never-used books available on a first come first serve basis at a very attractive price: 50% off list, plus shipping. We will not order books as part of this special program. An order form is provided that identifies this month's book sale offerings. A revised order form will be posted each month on our website home page. To learn how to place your order, visit us at www.childrenslit.com.

Monthly Features

As we celebrate America's Independence Day we thought you might like to create displays that feature American Symbols, such as the Bald Eagle, America's national parks and monuments, the flag, and one of the most famous and enduring symbols of the United States of America, the Statue of Liberty. For some background and history, as well as a sense of its meaning to immigrants, be sure to have a copy of Emma's Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty by Linda Glaser and illustrated by Claire A. Nivola.

France celebrates Bastille Day on July 14. Our feature goes beyond this important day to present a taste of this beautiful and romantic country. From an overview of France in an alphabet book, to historical fiction, Monet, D-Day, Lafayette, and Jacques Cousteau we have this special country covered. Pick up bits of the French atmosphere in Ollie & Moon by Diane Kredensor and illustrated by Sandra Kress.

Rabbits can be pesky in backyard gardens, but they are endlessly fascinating for young children. Ever since Beatrix Potter created The Tale of Peter Rabbit, rabbits have been featured in books for children. From nonfiction for young readers to fabulous, warm and fuzzy picture books from a favorite author, to fractured fairy tales, such as Goldie and the Three Hares by Margie Palatini and illustrated by Jack E. Davis, you will find something for everyone in the books reviewed here.

Author and Illustrator Features

David Macinnis Gill, author of Soul Enchilada, a modern look at the Faustian dilemma has published a second book that is receiving rave reviews, the fast-paced, sci-fi adventure entitled Black Hole Sun. Learn more about this new author in our feature.

Melissa Walker wants children to find their place in the natural world. Her book, A Place for Delta, takes the reader on an adventure to Alaska where eleven-year-old Joseph cares for an orphan polar bear cub. To learn more about Melissa, check out this feature.

Reminder: if you missed a newsletter or want to check on a previous feature, please note that all the newsletters are posted for your convenience at http://www.childrenslit.com/news/nl_index.php.

Children's Literature currently assists schools, museums, conferences and other organizations in identifying authors and illustrators for speaking engagements. Authors and illustrators provide valuable insight into their craft and connect their audience with the world of literature. In each issue we will highlight several of our booking service participants. To learn more about this service, please go to http://www.childrenslit.com/bookingservice/bs-home.html.

Deborah Hopkinson

Known for her award-winning historical fiction picture books, author Deborah Hopkinson has written over 40 books for children including Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, Sky Boys, Apples to Oregon, Stagecoach Sal, and The Humblebee Hunter. She is a frequent presenter on historical fiction, the writing and research process, and how to engage young people in history. Deborah received a bachelor's degree in English at the University of Massachusetts and a master's degree in Asian Studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She lives near Portland, Oregon with her husband Andy, where she serves as vice president for advancement for Pacific Northwest College of Art. For more information about Deborah, please visit http://www.childrenslit.com/bookingservice/hopkinson-deborah.html.

Ryan SanAngelo

Ryan SanAngelo is a children's author, music performer, and teacher. His first book, Spaghetti Eddie, was published in 2009 by Boyds Mills Press. His newest book, Bye Bye Balloon, is the story of an adventurous balloon's journey around the world. Ryan has also taught as a 1st grade teacher, media specialist and tutor. He has been performing for young audiences since 2002. His presentations are filled with stories, songs, discussions, and humor. Ryan sings and raps about kid-related themes, such as books, nutrition, being the best you can be, reading, and playing. He also performs songs about his books. For more information about Ryan, please visit http://www.childrenslit.com/bookingservice/sanangelo-ryan.html.

CLCD Newsletter Editor, Sharon Salluzzo serves as a library and education consultant to CLCD. In addition, Sharon is a book reviewer, a storyteller who often performs with The Genesee Storytellers, and a member of The Children's Book Guild of Washington, DC. Sharon earned her MLS at SUNY Geneseo.

About the Children's Literature Comprehensive Database

Our monthly newsletter is now available to everyone within an organization, not just the primary contact. A new feature at www.childrenslit.com will provide you with a form allowing you to sign up for just the electronic newsletter. The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database, updated mid-month, is your most complete source of information about children's books. Indeed, it is the next best thing to having the book in hand, and the best tool for leading you to the best books. All at a most affordable price. To subscribe to the CLCD or contact us, go to www.childrenslit.com.