DadTalk

The Reading Machine

To be honest, I never knew a 7-year-old would read much more than primers and comic books. But Seth is a voracious reader, totaling more than 500 minutes each week.

Well, that’s the official total for school anyway, but I know he’s reading far more than that because we don’t count books he reads two or three times nor books that take less than half an hour to read.

Right now, Seth is whipping through the more than 100 Boxcar Children books. Seth’s already read through series such as Time Warp Trio, Horrible Harry, Qwerty Stevens, My Weird School, Betsy and Eddie books, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. For some reason, Seth hasn’t liked Magic Tree House much, and we’ve had a hard time getting copies of Magic School bus at the library.

We are facing one problem though: we’re running out of age appropriate material that isn’t scary or fantasy. Keeping Seth supplied with nonfiction is easier, simply because there is so much. I also have noticed that a lot of the historical stuff is B-O-R-I-N-G.

So, if you’re a writer, there seems to be a dearth of stories for 6-8 year olds who do not like violence, gore or boring. So get a move on.

Blogs Must Reveal Gifts, Pay for Reviews Stating in December

Wow. Starting Dec.1, the Federal Trade Commission will require bloggers who review products to disclose whether they were paid by advertisers or if they received the product for free, reports The New York Times and most of the blogosphere.

While I get a few CDs and DVDs in the mail, I only review ones I like; I certainly have not built my website around product reviews. I certainly don’t mind blasting some product out of the air, I just don’t waste my time on below-average products.

And while I can see the logic to the FTC rules, it may pose an interesting problem for book review sites large and small. After all, not even big newspapers pay for book review copies. The sheer number of books makes that impossible.

I don’t know if this ruling will reduce all the clutter out there without a significant enforcement effort – will a team spend all day checking out websites? I guess only time will tell. What do you think?

Book Awards Nominate Favorite Stories Published Over Past Year

Did you or your child read a fantastic new book in the past year? One that you think more people should know about?

If so, go right now to my wife’s website and NOMINATE your favorite book of the year. All kids books published in English between Oct. 16, 2008 and Oct. 15 2009 are eligible.

Here are the categories:

• Easy Readers/Short Chapter Books
• Fantasy/SF
• Fiction Picture Books
• Graphic Novels
• Middle Grade Fiction
• Non-Fiction, MG/YA
• Non-Fiction Picture Books
• Poetry
• Young Adult Fiction

You have till Oct. 15 to place your ballot. After that, judges will begin a process of whittling down the list until the top books are announced come next Valentine’s Day.

CYBILS Judges Needed for Book Awards

Yes, it’s time once again for Cybils. What the heck is that you ask? Why, that’s when my wife becomes obsessed over children’s books for six months.

Oh wait, I mean that’s when my wife begins work on the Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards. While the book awards have been Anne’s and a friend’s baby since its inception in 2006, my wife will share a larger burden this year.

To start things off, Cybils needs judges. If you blog about children’s books and are interested, you should at least take a look. Read this and then this.

If you have a favorite children’s book from this year, you might want to drop by between Oct. 1-15 to nominate a book. Don’t worry, I’ll post again when that time comes.

Giveaway 5 Can Win First Three Potter Books

While my kids are still too young (emotionally) for Harry Potter, perhaps your kids are ready. If so, I have a deal for you – in the comments section, tell me why your kids should get the first three books.

My two kids will then draw your name from a hat. Five families will win the first three books courtesy of one of those friendly publicists that contact me from time to time. Contest will close August 28th.

Below is Scholastic’s required plug and website:

Share the Magic of Reading with Harry Potter! It’s been 10 years since Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone was first published and a whole new generation of children await the magic of Hogwarts, and Quidditch, of Sorting Hats and Spells. Introduce your “back-to-schooler” to the first three books in this remarkable series and get them started on the reading adventure of a lifetime just in time for school!

Awards Cybils Names BestChildren’s Books

Our house is unusually busy leading up to Valentine’s Day. That’s because my wife, Anne, is wrapping up the annual children’s book awards – called the Children’s & Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards –that she began with a friend a few years ago.

This year, because Anne reviewed my favorite category, Fantasy & Science Fiction, I had the pleasure of reading most of the finalists. I have to say, better stuff is being written for kids than adults.

If you read The Hunger Games or The Graveyard Book, you know what I mean. The finalists and books in other categories are fantastic too.

So, if you’re a parent who is wondering what books their children should read on spring break, check out the full list of winners here.

Not Sure What Books to Buy for Your Kids? Read This

My 6-year-old son is a voracious reader. Just yesterday, I pulled a copy of James Herriot’s Treasury of Inspirational Stories for Children. Less than two hours later, he was halfway through the 260-page, picture-filled book.

Later the same day, we went to the library where I picked up a copy of The Time Warp Trio’s Hey Kid, Want to Buy a Bridge? Seth finished the 72-page book by bed time.

No, this isn’t a post designed to brag about my child. Rather, it’s to illustrate a common problem parents face: figuring out what is good reading material for our children. For example, I chose The Time Warp Trio series because the librarian assured me there was nothing scary in the books. (Seth recoils from all things scary.)

A good librarian is always a wonderful way to find out whether a book is age and/or quality appropriate. Another way, is to peruse Cybils, which just released its finalists for the best children’s books in 2008. The selections are made by tome-loving bloggers, most of whom are librarians, writers and teachers.

To learn more, just click on preferred categories and read why these books are considered the best of the best. In mid-February, Cybils will announce the winners in each category.

Book Review Just How Many Descendants Will I Have by Year Million?

As a dad, I worry much about what the future holds for my children. Then again, my time frame only runs a few decades ahead, not the millions of years being mulled by some scientists.

Why am I thinking about millions of years from now? Well, my review of Year Million ran in the Los Angeles Times this week. It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to professionally review a book and completing this one was particularly challenging in light of my recent move from Chicago.

Presuming my progeny have two kids every 36 years, which is the rate my family is reproducing at, I think I should have well over a billion descendants by Year Million if I did my math right.

Discover the Best Children’s, Young Adult Books of the Year

For the last several months, I’ve been a widower … a blog widower that is. That’s because my wife, Anne, has been working hard with a team of literary aficionados on The Cybils, a blog dedicated to honoring the best children’s and young adult books of the year.

Today, the 2007 list is out. But I’m not going to tell you which books won. You need to go over to Anne’s blog and read this post here.

And if you get a chance, drop a comment thanking Anne, Kelly and the entire Cybils team for all their hard work. They’ve earned some thanks.

Book Review It’s Good to Be Bad

I reviewed this book for my wife’s site, Bookbuds.

Evil Genius
by Catherine Jinks
Harcourt Children’s Books

Evil Genius is a better-than-usual attempt at capitalizing on the Harry Potter phenomenon. In this version, Cadel Piggott, who is being raised by nasty, uncaring parents, is directed toward the Axis Institute, a school for criminals seeking world domination.

Cadel hopes to find acceptance at his new school, but intrigues – such as the rapidly declining student body – test the boy’s super talents. Along the way, Cadel learns about his father’s evil plans, a little humility and more importantly, about his true nature.

While the discovery process is fun, creative characters and complex subplots blow by without much clarity; it’s a wonder an adult, much less young adult, can follow without a scorecard. Worse, it’s hard to really like and identify with any characters in this 496-page book. Still, I can’t help suspect that Evil Genius will be enjoyed by bored, smart teenagers who dream of running the world. 

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