The Internet can be a great learning tool! Here are some links to web sites that you may find helpful. This list is constantly being updated, so check back often for new entries.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WRITING FOR CHILDREN IN PARTICULAR, AND CREATIVE WRITING IN GENERAL

  • BACKSPACE AUTHOR-AGENT SEMINARS:  With only agents on the faculty, this one-day program in NYC is the perfect chance to learn from people who sell book manuscripts and proposals to leading publishers 24/7.  For more information, click here. 
  • WRITERS DIGEST: comprehensive information about all types of creative writing for all media. Offers market guides, book club, correspondence school, contests, etc.
  • SOCIETY OF CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS: This is THE professional organization to join if you want to write and/or illustrate stories for children. Offers quarterly magazine, local chapters, national conference, workshops, networking opportunities, etc.
  • CHILDREN'S WRITER: Offers instruction and marketing tips for writers creating stories for children's book publishers and periodicals.
  • ONCE UPON A TIME: Quarterly magazine offers a forum for exchange of helpful information to thousands of writers, editors and others who share a love of children's literature.
  • WRITERS WRITE
  • SCREENWRITERS ONLINE
  • FORWRITERS.COM: A useful page for writers of all types, containing a massive collection of links to writer organizations worldwide.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BOOKS FOR CHILDREN, AND RESOURCES FOR BOOK REVIEWS

FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON BOOKS FROM A PUBLISHING HOUSE
Many publishers now have their catalogs available on-line. If you are searching for books on a certain topic, looking for more titles by a particular author or looking for lesson plans developed for a series of books or individual title, you may find the sources below a helpful starting point.

AUTHOR FRIENDS AND MENTORS
One of the nicest things about a career in children's literature is the opportunity to meet and work with so many wonderful people! The following web sites will introduce you to some of the children's authors and illustrators who have provided me with guidance, friendship, instruction, and inspiration. I love their work and think you will, too.


THE ART OF STORYTELLING AND PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLERS:
Before there were books in print, there was a child asking someone to "tell me a story". Writers can learn important lessons about our craft by studying the art of storytelling.

  • THE STORYCRAFTERS: An energetic husband and wife storytelling duo from New York state who also host a local public radio show. Offers audiotapes and videocassettes of their award winning performances.


PARENTING INFORMATION

  • Wee Ones Magazine : Children's Magazine, Parenting Magazine For Family & Kids.
  • NATIONAL PARENT INFORMATION NETWORK: The purpose of NPIN is to provide information to parents and those who work with parents, and to foster the exchange of parenting materials. Sponsored by the National Library of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, and the U.S. Department of Education.
  • AMERICA'S PROMISE: General Colin Powell's non-profit organization emphasizes literacy and character education issues.


FOR TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS

  • A handy state-by-state listing of authors who do school visits and other programs, go to  http://www.authorvisitsbystate.com/
  • AUTHORS FOR SCHOOL VISITS:  Looking for an author or illustrator to speak at your school, library, or community group meeting?  Just the right speaker might be right around the corner! Check out this great group of accomplished professionals, located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida.  For more information, click here.
  • AMERICA WRITES FOR KIDS: Search for information about authors and their books.
  • THE VIRTUAL SHARYN NOVEMBER: Written by a children's publishing professional, and it contains the most comprehensive listing of links to children's author web sites that I've ever seen, broken down 'a-i', 'j-q' and 'r-z'. If anyone is seeking more information about ANY children's author, it's a good bet that they will get a great start here.
  • HODGE PODGE BOOKS: One of the most acclaimed children's book stores on the East Coast, . Owner Frank Hodge is a school teacher, children's literature professor and book reviewer who knows what reading specialists and youth librarians need to inspire the next generation of avid readers. Mr. Hodge also sponsors and organizes a wonderful educational event each spring for parents and educators in Albany, New York called "LET THE READING BEGIN".
  • National Poetry Month Gallery : The Academy of American Poets
  • AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION:
  • THE JUNIOR GREAT BOOKS PROGRAM FOR SCHOOLS:
  • PRIMARY RESOURCES: Lesson plans, activity ideas and resources for Primary teachers.
  • THE CENTER FOR THE BOOK: This is a link to a powerhouse of information on organizations and programs that stimulate public awareness of books, reading, libraries and literacy. Organized alphabetically and under topic headings.