One of the forces behind #WeNeedDiverseBooks, Medina discusses the importance of children seeing themselves on the page.
Nesbitt discusses the importance of humor, rhyme, and rhythm in his work.
The former U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate describes how he stumbled into children’s poetry.
The legendary Walter Dean Myers discusses the place of refuge books can provide for teens.
The author of Jacob Have I Loved shares why she thinks it takes nerve to be a writer.
The author of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day shares how she ended up falling in love with Washington, D.C.
Far from dull biographies, these seven books about artists introduce children to the artist’s mind.
Two children's books promote getting inside the world of art.
The 1958 classic Loretta Mason Potts defies some rules of children’s literature.
Children’s book companion reads for titles in the NEA’s Big Read program.
Five books to get children excited about visiting museums.
Five books that introduce children to the world of jazz.
Oz and Effect [THE COMMON READER, April 2015]
L. Frank Baum's book gave Americans otherworldly adventures closer to home.
Prince and Promise [THE COMMON READER, Dec. 2014]
Seventy years after its publication, to know The Little Prince is to know life.
An exhibit at the Skirball Cultural Center explores the groundbreaking work of Ezra Jack Keats.
A 2014 New York Public Library exhibition emphasizes the importance (and magic!) of children’s literature.
Now a museum, Edward Gorey’s home showcases the life of the master of macabre.
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art teaches children visual literacy.