In current-day criticisms of consumer culture as well as of the performativity culture of the work place, the originally religious concept of the vice of acedia or sloth is reinterpreted as a virtue. Art, especially poetry, is put to the fore in that connection. The image of the reader is addressed when the question of the relationship between…

Recounts the activities that a number of bookstores have sponsored in order to generate children's interest in books, such as making valentines in February, having Santa Claus pay a visit in December, and having children tape record their favorite stories so that blind children can listen to them. (DF)

In this article, the author reminisces about the pleasure she derived from growing up in a "book-rich" home, and how that developed into a lifelong love of reading. Today, one-third of all children do not have books in their homes, and, even though they may have access to books over the Internet or at a library, the author contends that this is…

Elaborates on problems in the book industry. Describes current trends in publishing and future possibilities for the book industry. (EL)

Describes how the author was shaped by his reading experiences as a boy and young man. Suggests some of the values literature holds for individuals in various circumstances and urges that teachers work to match books to individual students and their needs and interests. (TJ)

Attempts to predict trends and changes that will accompany children's books into the 21st century and beyond. Hopes that readers will recognize how difficult it is to detach from the context of one's own lifetime experience with children's books. Suggests that the need of the human spirit to belong and be accepted will always give literature the…

Recounts the experiences of a bookseller in dealing with children's books, including what strategies increase sales, how mothers and fathers choose children's books differently, and giving book talks at parents' nights at preschool schools. (NKA)

Seven well-known people describe their early experiences with books and reading and tell how they became avid readers. (MD)

Born of a high school English teacher's frustration with his students' attitudes about books, this book presents, verbatim, nearly 50 letters sent to the teacher in response to his letter to the editor of the "San Francisco Chronicle" asking readers to write about their experiences with books and the role that books and literature played in their…

Argues that reading is a useful tool in successful living as well as a pleasure in itself and discusses the importance of making books accessible to children and teaching them how to select appropriate reading materials. (CHC)

Describes the author's teaching practice of sending her preservice reading teachers (and herself) on a reading odyssey that results in the creation of a personal anthology. Includes guidelines for the odyssey and the anthology. Discusses five books the author read on her reading odyssey and discusses the ways in which reading was ubiquitous in…

A children's book editor explains how manuscripts are evaluated. The "best" fiction must be a product of an author's deep insight and exhibit fine writing style, creative and far-reaching vision, and story-telling ability, while blending the reality of today with a bit of the possible tomorrow. (PP)

Argues that English teachers should remember that nonfiction is the preferred reading choice of many of their students, and can be a "good read" and have superb aesthetic qualities. Offers guidelines to help educators design strategies to elicit student responses about nonfiction in the classroom. Describes 25 recently published outstanding…

Describes how a simulated bedtime story experience in which an adult shares a book with a child can be used in classrooms to teach beginning readers. Points out the importance of using authentic children's literature in the approach. (EL)

Discusses ways fictional characters can help children develop reading habits and overcome reading frustrations. (FL)