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RFTS Blogs

This blog is about family reading...why we do it, how to make it lots of fun, where to learn more about reading and storytelling and how it benefits children (and adults!)


Jan 29
2010

Attention Young St. Louis Area "Writer-types"

Posted by Julie Douglas in Untagged 

Do you know a kid who loves to write, or would like to learn more about writing?  Check out Studio STL's website to find out more about this amazing place for young scribes.

 http://studiostl.org/StudioSTL/about.php  

Jun 23
2009

Great Resource for Finding What to Read

Posted by Julie Douglas in familyreading story books childrensliterature READblogs childrens_lit childrens_booksblogs

So many great children's books, so little time!!  I rely on several blogs to help me navigate through the world of children's literature. One of my faves (and NOT just because Sue is a friend of mine) is a blog written by children's writer Sue Bradford Edwards.  Sue has a way of finding the coolest new (or new to me) books (check out her post on June 19 for an unusual ABC book called Zoo

Jun 23
2009

Twist of Fate is a great summer read!

Posted by Julie Douglas in Twist_of_FateMissourihorsesfamilyreading story books childrensliterature READchildrens_books

I always love when I can recommend great new books to my friends.  Twist of Fate: The Miracle Colt and His Friends is a wonderful book by Missouri author Chris Stuckenschneider and illustrator Kevin Belford.  You may remember the story a few years ago of a truckload of horses that overturned on I-44 in Missouri as it headed to a slaughterhouse in Illinois.  One of the suviving horses later gave

Jun 23
2009

READ from the START Alive and Well

Posted by Julie Douglas in READfromtheSTARTnonprofitMissourifamilyreading story books childrensliterature READfamilychildrens_books

Missouri parents and caregivers have joined in book discussions all over the state this spring! READ from the START programs have been held in locations including the Mother to Mother program at Dexter Regional Healthcare Foundation,  Kornerstone in Shell Knob, many Head Start Centers and Parents as Teachers group meetings, and several public libraries.  In fact, we have presented 50 RFTS

Feb 03
2009

KidLitosphere Central

Posted by Julie Douglas in Untagged 

KidLitosphere is an online community of bloggers who share a love of children's and young adult literature.  A new website, http://www.kidlitosphere.org/KidLitosphere_Central/Welcome.html , enables children's lit lovers to access a wealth of book reviews, discussion groups, book award information, and social networking opportunities with fellow readers.  The group organizes a yearly conference,

Jan 07
2009

Raise a Reader in 2009

Posted by Julie Douglas in family

Well, here are some resolutions that don't require eating more veggies, sweating at the gym, or cleaning out your closets!

Diane Petryk Bloom offers some wonderful advice about how to resolve to raise a reader.

Nov 03
2008

Role Models and Children

Posted by Julie Douglas in Untagged 

In the November 2008 volume of The Figure in the Carpet, Jian Leng writes about the need for parents to be selective about the kinds of role models their children see.  She talks specifically about movies, but what she says can also apply to books and stories.  Leng points out "Children learn what they see, and parents are their first role models."  (To read more of Leng's article, go to

Oct 08
2008

Encouraging Parents to Read to their Children

Posted by Julie Douglas in nonprofitfamilyreading story books childrensliterature READfamily

Two of our Read First! communities are finishing up a month of activities designed to encourage parents to read to young children, and two more communities are gearing up for Read First! in November.  It has been exciting to see how the towns are promoting family reading through book give-aways, special preschool story times at the library, Read First! displays in storefronts, an ad on the screen
Oct 02
2008

Books About the Culture and Language of India

Posted by Julie Douglas in family

One of the perks of my job is getting to meet other children's book lovers!   Recently I had a wonderful conversation with Ramesh Damani from Meera Masi, a publishing company that specializes in books for children about the culture and languages of India.  Ramesh shared with me some of the beautiful books written for young children.  The books introduce children to Hindi and other languages that
Aug 25
2008

Making Friends with a Book in Tarkio

Posted by Julie Douglas in familyreading story books childrensliterature READ

On Thursday night I had the honor of attending Friendship Day in Tarkio, one of our Read First! communities.  The local committee used the annual celebration to spread the word about upcoming Read First! events in Tarkio.   Parents signed up for READ from the START programs that will be held in September.  Kids received free books.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the free food and fun and the weather

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