Get Graphic
The GetGraphic website was created by a consortium of libraries in the Erie/Buffalo New York area, by the Buffalo Public School System and local media. It was funded by a grant from the New York State Libraries and the New York State Education Department.
The purpose of this website is to introduce parents, teens, librarians and teachers to the literary format of graphic novels. There are resource pages, booklists, news and information and a blog. This site also talks about types of graphic novels, ie. superhero, manga, satire, etc.
Graphic novels have been around for a long time. This site will help people who are not familiar with this format to better understand its importance and influence.
Lookybook
Lookybook is a new California-based interactive company created by Craig Frazier, author and illustrator of the Stanley books(
Stanley Goes Fishing,Stanley Goes for a Drive). About 300 picture books can be viewed in their entirety, with about 1000 expected by mid 2008.You can search for books by author, illustrator, keyword and subject(currently under construction). Although the site is just a preview now, it will be a live beta site by December 1st. One can also create a "bookshelf" where you can share comments and write reviews. Sign-up is free.This is a great site for librarians, authors, and parents alike.
http://www.lookybook.com/.
Aesop's Fables
Copper Giloth, a professor at U Mass Amherst, teaches a course entitled Introduction to Computing in Fine Arts. Since 1994, she has given her students an assignment to create a classical and modern interpretation of some 30 plus fables. The students have made some tales that are animated(using Macromedia Flash), and some that are static. The results are quite amazing. Check it out at
www.umass.edu/aesop/index.php.
Welcome to Nicktropolis...
I guess it was just a matter of time before there was a 3D virtual world which kids could create... Last week, Nickelodeon launched
Nicktropolis, a virtual world aimed at 6- to 14-year-olds. Inside
Nicktropolis, kids can play games, watch TV and interact with animated characters like SpongeBob. Kids can choose and personalize their own avatar. They can also create their own 3D rooms and decorate them with items bought with Nick points. (Members get points by joining the world and playing various games.) The default communication mode inside
Nicktropolis is chat with pre-written messages and there appear to be many parental safety controls. What do you think...?
-Morrigan
Media Review for Kids
Commonsense Media is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that "gives parents, educators and kids a choice and a voice in selecting media". Founded in 2003, by James Steyer, this San Francisco based site rates different media, including movies, TV, games,music, websites and books. The reviewers are parents and people with experience in child advocacy, public policy, media and entertainment. In looking for a movie, etc., one can search by title, category and age range.Registered users can also express their opinions. The sign-up is free. Great site for anyone having trouble finding appropriate material for children.
Xochiquetzal www.commonsensemedia.org
Bookhive
Bookhive is the creation of children's librarians from the library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. A reader's advisory site, it was launched in June of 1999. Recommended booklists are given for children from infancy through age 12. Books can be found by title, author, illustrator, reading level and number of pages. Kids can create their own booklists as well. Other fun activities include coloring pages, book quizzes and printable bookplates. There are even stories one can listen to. This site has received many awards, such as the ALSC Notable Award and the SLJ site of the month.
www.bookhive.orgXochiquetzal
Crafty Ideas
Leanne Guenther from Calgary, Alberta, Canada started
www.dltk-kids.com about nine years ago, but it went on-line in March of 2000. Craft ideas are broken down into categories, such as Holidays, Favorite Friends, Animals, Countries, etc. Printable greeting cards are also included. Another way to access the crafts are by the materials needed. They are often given age ranges, and many templates are printable in color or black and white. A great site for teachers and librarians who need activities to supplement storytimes or lesson plans. Some sister sites are
www.first-school.ws and
www.coloring.ws -Xochiquetzal
Berit's Best
Berit's Best was launched in 1994 by Berit Erickson, a librarian. It began with only 25 sites, but now rates about 1,000 children's websites. Categories include: creatures great and small, holidays and seasons, just for fun(crafts, games, coloring, sports, etc),kids on the net, and areas about safe surfing and homework helpers. Berit gets many suggestions from both adults and kids, and has specific criteria that have to be met before a site can be included. Kaboose, an on-line media company focused on kids and families, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, acquired Berit's Best in August of 2004.
www.beritsbest.com -Xochiquetzal
