February Carnival of Children's Literature

Carnival in Trinidad!

I am delighted to host for the first time here at The Fourth Musketeer the monthly Carnival of Children's Literature, which brings together blog posts about children's books from across the kidlitosphere.

February is not only the month of love and Valentine's day, it's also the month of Carnival and Mardi Gras, celebrated all over the world with wild celebrations, parades, masks, and general merriment and revelry before the fasting, prayers, and penitence of Lent.  To commemorate the Carnival season, I hope you will enjoy these wonderful photos of children from around the world which decorate this month's Carnival of Children's Literature.  Laissez le bon temps rouler, as they say in Cajun country!

Carnival in Brussels

Early Literacy


Jen Robinson shares the mid-February edition of her Children's Literacy and Reading News round-up, a joint project with Carol Rasco and Terry Doherty.

Maeve at Yellow Brick Reads launches a new project, Favourite Books from Childhood, in which she asks guest bloggers to talk about their early reading memories and their favorite books they demanded at bedtime.  In the inaugural post, she reminisces about her love for Paddington Bear.

Wendie at Wendie's Wanderings shares Scholastic's recently announced 100 Greatest Books for Children.

Jeanette at SpeakWell, ReadWell writes about language, literacy, and literature in her post about Super Snail.  She's a speech therapist and incorporates literature into her work with her students.

Carnival in Venice

Fiction


Good Books for Young Souls reviews Summer of the Monkeys, "an engrossing read for long winter nights. And who can resist a story about a boy and his dog, a grandpa, and some renegade monkeys!"

Jeff at NC Teacher Stuff reviews Anna McQuinn's newest picture book, Lola Reads to Leo.

Pat at Read, Write, and Report shares a guest review by 11-year old Niki of My Very Un-Fairy Tale Life by Anna Staniszweski.

Mary Ann is sharing her thoughtful post on setting and the magic of a place, published as a guest post on the Nerdy Book Blog.

Kim of Dead Houseplants shares a post about the Submarine Outlaw series, a Canadian series that's great for boys and reluctant readers.

Valarie of Jump Into a Book writes about celebrating Mardi Gras and Cornelia Funke's The Thief Lord, with lots of fun Carnival links including how to make a carnival mask.

Deborah of Cavitt's Book Reviews shares a book about saving and giving, Three Cups by Tony Townsley.

Michelle at Connect-a-Blog posts about Robert Munsch's classic Love You Forever, saying "You'll find a video of the author, Robert Munsch, singing the tune to the love you forever song in the book."

The Cath in the Hat has a review of Duck, Death and the Tulip.  She comments that it's a picture book "that deals with death like no other I've read."

Polly of The Little Wooden Horse offers an "ever-so-slightly gushy rave review" of Dave Shelton's perfectly formed A Boy and a Bear in a Boat.

In this Leap month, Kerry at Picture Books and Pirouettes highlights the picture book Leap Back Home to Me by Lauren Thompson and Matthew Cordell.

Ali at Literary Lunchbox says Gary D. Schmidt's Okay for Now is "better than okay."  Check out some of her favorite quotes from thisf

Dogs join in the fun in Brazil's carnival-and is there something delicious on the end of his nose?

Poetry


Myra at Gathering Books  rounds up a list of novels in verse and poetry books for children.

A joyous New Orleans Mardi Gras baby

Nonfiction

Jen at Jean Little Library shares seven different books on recycling.  A terrific post if you're looking to update your collection in this very popular subject area.

Susan at The Book Chook  has a review of You Can Draw Anything by Australian illustrator Kim Gable.

Kate at Book Aunt reviews a number of titles for Black History Month, including two new picture books,  Freedom's A'Calling Me by Ntozake Shange and When Grandmama Sings, by Margaree King Mitchell.

Author Lisa Yee muses about NBA superstar Jeremy Lin, her father, basketball, and more in her blog post, Jeremy Lin and the Boys of Basketball (also featured in USA Today!)

Shirley at Simply Science shares a write-up of Step by Step Experiments with Plants.

Heidi at Geo Librarian shares two new picks for President's Day about Thomas Jefferson and John Adams:  Those Rebels, John and Tom, by Barbara Kerley, and Worst of Friends:  Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the True Story of an American Feud, by Suzanne Tripp Jumain.  These books are a great way to meet two of our Founding Fathers.

Roberta of Wrapped in Foil reviews a new middle grade nonfiction book about an unusual disaster, The Great Molasses Flood:  Boston, 1919, by Deborah Kops.

Lori Calabrese has a review of one of Kidlitosphere's own, Laura Purdie Salas' new book, A Leaf Can Be... Lori says, "kids will never look at a leaf the same way again!"

Trudy at Boys and Literacy reviews We've Got a Job:  The 1963 Birmingham Children's March by Cynthia Levinson.  She remarks, "I thought this was a beautiful book on the 1963 Birmingham Children's March.

Lisa at Shelf-Employed has a provocative post, "What we say without words," in which she examines the impact of different covers of a children's nonfiction book on Iran.




Illustration

Good Reads with Ronna celebrates Black History Month by sharing Debbie Glade's interview with illustrator Eric Velasquez:  "People, Jazz, and Life, the Inspirations of Illustrator Eric Velasquez."

Interviews

At The Fourth Musketeer, I interviewed author Laurie Calkhoven, author of The Boys of Wartime series, about her newest book, Michael at the Invasion of France, 1943.


Carmela of Teaching Authors has a guest interview with Barb Rosenstock, author of The Camping Trip that Changed America, illustrated by Caldecott winner Mordecai Gerstein.

Children's carnival in Brazil

Book Projects


Zoe at Playing by the Book invites you to participate in the upcoming inaugural International Edible Book Festival, an opportunity to create an edible book inspired by children's literature.  Photos must be submitted by March 16, and there are prizes available!

Paul at Babysitting Jobs posts a useful list of 10 bedtime stories parents love to read with their kids.

Holly at LitLad shares a post on the Louis Armstrong biography Play, Louis, Play!   and her new boys' book club, the Pop Bag Book Club.

Glen shares tips on how to create fiction middle grade readers will enjoy at his blog Glen C. Strathy.

Aaron at Children's Books and Reviews presents a free e-book on how to choose children's books.

Katrina of Moms Kids Books offers a series of blog posts on what to look for in a great book for kids.

Eric at Happy Birthday Author shares his birthday celebration post for author Jim Aylesworth, reading his book The Full Belly Bowl and then making papier mache full belly bowls for his grandparent's 65th wedding anniversary.

Carol talks about book jackets, including a new book devoted to the topic, at Rasco from RIF.

Lisa from Adventures in Writing and Publishing  invites you to read her post to find out what makes a good critique group.

Myra of Gathering Books has a round-up of February activities.

Celebrating Carnival in Venice

Thanks for joining me for this month's carnival!  In March, look for the Carnival of Children's Literature at  Just Children's Books!