Children

Jon Scieszka Named National Ambassador for Young People's Literature The Library of Congress has named Jon Scieszka (The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, Viking) as the first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. The appointment is for a two-year term. As National Ambassador, Scieszka will encourage the appreciation of young people's literature throughout the U.S. through both personal and media appearances.

The Winter 2007 - 2008 Book Sense Children's Picks List is available now for preview. The list will be coming to independent bookstores with Book Sense in the Children's White Box, which will arrive in stores this month. Additional copies of the Winter Kids' Picks list may be requested via e-mail to lindaf@bookweb.org.

1. AGATE: What Good Is a Moose?, by Joy M. Dey, Nikki Johnson (illus.) (Lake Superior Port Cities, $17.95, 9780942235739 / 0942235738) "Agate is a moose with self-esteem issues. He really is a gem -- he just doesn't know it. Dey's lively, lyrical text reminds us to look for inner strength in ourselves and others. Johnson's stunning yet simple watercolors capture the personality and beauty of every animal in the book." --Anita Zager, Northern Lights Books & Gifts, Duluth, MN

The Women's National Book Association (WNBA) is calling for nominations for the Lucile Micheels Pannell Awards, honoring bookstores that excel at inspiring interest in reading and creatively bringing books and young people together. WNBA will present the awards to two bookstores -- one general and one children's specialty bookstore -- at BookExpo America 2008 in Los Angeles. Each recipient will receive a check for $1,000 plus a framed piece of original art by a children's book illustrator.

After a decade of hosting hundreds of author visits as the marketing director for Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, California, Linda Urban will now be the one signing the books.

A reminder that the Scholastic Main Street Contest, celebrating the publication of Ann M. Martin's new Main Street series, is now underway. Materials are still available, and all young readers from the ages of 6 to 12 are encouraged to enter.

The Friday Children's Book & Author Breakfast was a wonderful way to start the day, if the laughter and applause of several hundred booksellers and publishing professionals was any indication. Libba Bray, author of the forthcoming The Sweet Far Thing (Delacorte Press), was emcee for the breakfast event, which was presented in cooperation with the Children's Booksellers and Publishers Committee, a cooperative committee of the American Booksellers Association, Association of Booksellers for Children, and the Children's Book Council.

1. THE WHITE GIRAFFE, by Lauren St. John (Dial, $16.99, 9780803732117 / 0803732112) "After 11-year-old Martine's parents die in a fire, she leaves England to live on a game preserve in South Africa" -- with the grandmother she never knew she had. The kindness of Zulu gamekeeper Tendai, the amazing wildlife, and the mystery of the legendary white giraffe sustain Martine. An exciting, exotic, and magical story." --Tegan Tigani, Queen Anne Books, Seattle, WA

Jack Prelutsky