Oh MG News

Everywhere Book Fest

Coming to a screen near you … via YouTube … it’s the Everywhere Book Fest: a virtual gathering of kidlit authors, illustrators, and books.

Everywhere Book Fest

The idea: in a time when we can’t go out to find the book, let’s bring the book to the reader. The schedule for the two-day event features live and pre-recorded sessions on such topics as sibling stories, writing #HERstory, and Magic vs. Science.

The beauty of this event is that even if you can’t catch it live, you can still go back to YouTube to watch the sessions on demand. SO … for those of you still supplementing asynchronous school activities … check it out. And for those of you who just love good kidlit discussions or want to get ideas for new books to read…check it out!

#AuthorsTakeAction

#AuthorsTakeAction Clark

#AuthorsTakeAction is a new Twitter hashtag encouraging readers to maintain social distance, act responsibly, and keep reading while they stay home. Author Padma Venkatraman is spearheading the effort; for more on the origin story, including the brainstorming from author Aida Salazar that started the whole thing,  see Padma’s website.

It’s easy:

  1. Grab one (or more) of your books – like Mixed-Up Files contributor Samantha Clark in the picture below)
  2. Write #AuthorsTakeAction on a sticky note and put it on your book
  3. Write another message – be thoughtful — encouraging social distancing. You can use a new post it for this or use the first post it – whatever works. You can also encourage reading, but be sure to include the theme of social distancing.
  4. Take a selfie with the books and post-its and post on Twitter with the hashtag #AuthorsTakeAction

(Want to read more from author Aidia Salazar ? Read this post)

Venkatraman urged hashtag contributors to stay on message: encourage social distancing. “I just ask that you remember to take time to compose the message with care, keeping in mind your audience kids/teens/young adults (or teachers or librarians who connect with kids).”

#AuthorsTakeAction Faruqi

Photo from former Mixed-Up Files contributor Saadia Faruqi

I just ask that you remember to take time to compose the message with care, keeping in mind your audience kids/teens/youngadults (or teachers or librarians who connect with kids).

Photo from Mixed-Up Files contributor/author Samantha Clark

#AuthorsTakeAction Shovan

Photo from author Laura Shovan

Kids At Home? We have got some resources for you!

Homeschooling in covid19

Hi Everyone,

We hope you are all doing well and staying safe. In light of the current COVID-19 social distancing requirements, I bet more than a few of you are at home with your families.  It can be difficult to find ways to keep everyone occupied, especially for kids of all ages. 🙂

Thankfully, TONS of organizations– including the kidlit community– have stepped up and are offering online FUN resources. We have compiled some of them here. Note, this is not a full list of everything that’s out there. If you have more suggestions, please add them to the comments so everyone can see them.

 

Here is a list that we have compiled so far:  (click on the highlighted words in each listing for the link)

 

Connecting with Children’s Authors

SCBWI Connect – the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators  has compiled a huge list of links to connect with authors for resources, activities, and book read alouds

Mom’s Choice Awards Authors

Spooky Middle Grade website teacher guides 

Kate Messner’s Read, Wonder, and Learn— a FABULOUS resource!!

Loree Griffin Burns 

Melissa Stewart 

Stimola Live — has lots of great readings and live streams by children’s authors

 

Connect with some of our own Mixed-Up Files Authors

Shari Larsen

Dorian Cirrone

Jennifer Swanson 

Melissa Roske 

Samantha Clark

 Julie Rubini 

 

Connect with Children’s Illustrators — many of whom are offering free coloring pages and more!

Jarrett Lerner

Joe Cepada 

Rafael Lopez

Steve Musgrave

 

 

Children’s Publishers

Many publishers are setting up a resource page where their authors can post videos

Charlesbridge Publishing (check out their resource tab)  https://www.charlesbridge.com/pages/remote-author-content

Peachtree Publishing  https://peachtree-online.com/resources/

Macmillan Kids https://us.macmillan.com/mackids/

Scholastic https://www.scholastic.com/home/

National Geographic Kids https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/publishing/

 

Science Activities

STEM Tuesday from our very own website. It has two years worth of activities, project ideas, and literacy and STEM connections for kids of all ages https://fromthemixedupfiles.com/stem-tuesday/

Skype a Scientist Live! Follow on Twitter @SkypeScientist for live talks given by real scientists.

National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Learning Center https://learningcenter.nsta.org/science60/science60-learning-together.aspx

Follow @ScienceStory on Twitter for great #STEM activities

STEAMTeam2020 website packed with videos and STEM activities  http://www.steamteambooks.com/

 

 

Museums

Shedd Aquarium https://www.youtube.com/user/sheddaquariumchicago/videos

Smithsonian Museum Online learning https://www.si.edu/educators

The Field Museum https://www.fieldmuseum.org/educators/learning-resources

The USS Intrepid Museum 

 

Writers

Highlights Foundations  #HFGathers 

 

There is so much to do!  And these are not everything. So many authors, publishers, teachers,  and professionals are coming together to help each other out in this time. It’s wonderful to see. Take advantage of it if you can.

To find more resources online,  take a look at the following hashtags that are being used to promote resources

On Twitter look for #kidlitquarantine  #covid-19  #kidsathome #parentingathome #operationstorytime #homeschool #quarantineactivities

But also, take the time you need. Here is a great post that gives you tips for how to cope during this time

10-suggestions-1-for-suddenly-homeschooling-your-kids

Whatever you do, please be safe.  And hang in there!

 

From the Mixed-Up Files crew