Still here and we were paid!

I swear this will be a short blog to be worked on later! I have been cleaning out my e-mail and discovering interesting things that I had missed. For instance, I just found another good blog on current children's literature, The Joy of Children's Literature. Through the blog, I found out about a new free online science magazine which is great for children k-5, Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears.
Several people have asked me for suggestions for beginning of the year read alouds. I have lists but I always like to go with what is new-what kids might not have yet read. One good approach is to prowl around Kidsbooks. For those of you on the east side (well at least Main Street) is that there is a new children's bookstore, Once Upon a Huckleberry Bush, between 28th and 29th near the liquor store on the east side of Main. Since I live nearby and know how many children there are in the neighbourhood this is really exciting. I am also sending a compliment to Hagers' Books in Kerrisdale for giving me good leads on adult books and they also have a good children's books section. I so appreciate our independent book sellers and love supporting them. My current adult read is DeNiro's Game by Rawi Hage. I love it. Set in Beirut during the civil war it is a total page turner but gives a great picture of what life must be like in such a setting. The author, now living in Canada, will be speaking at the International Writers' Festival in October.
I have to go to work and I haven't even told you about my life as a spelling judge! Maybe I will just let you know when I appear on national TV for literally two seconds! As fun as it was, I am not ready to give up my day job for a career in television. Happy third week!