Once upon a time, when I was newly pregnant and the prospect of several weeks off from work still felt like a distant dream, I thought I might try to write a book during maternity leave. Oh, ha HA. Everyone kept telling me that babies sleep a lot, especially during the first three months, and that I...

Yes, it is that time of year again, time for SXSW Interactive and the 2009 Weblog Awards! The Bloggies are the web's longest-running non-profit, reader voted blog awards. The votes are in and the Weblog Awards ceremony will be held on Monday, March 16th at 12:30pm (Central Time, GMT-5) at the SXSW T...

I know that I've been posting a lot about the Share a Story - Shape a Future literacy blog tour this week. But there have been lots of other things going on around the Kidlitosphere, too. Here are a few highlights: The latest issue of Notes from the Horn Book (a free email newsletter from the Ho...

I am bound to enter the cave soon. I can almost feel when it's going to happen. I stare out windows more. I retreat from friends. There is a storm growing in my insides and a haberdashery of screams in my brain. If I enter the cave in time then I can save myself from the humiliation of crying in...

Welcome to Day 3 of the Share a Story - Shape a Future literacy blog tour. Today's theme is Reading Aloud, hosted by Susan Stephenson, The Book Chook (image to the left created by Susan). Susan says: "Reading is magic. When you encourage a child to read, you are actually conferring tw...

I have been working extra hard to update my blog posts regularly but I’ve been incognito for the past couple days and I’m finally home to tell you why. If you remember, I announced the Indigo Festival a couple weeks ago and that’s where I went on Saturday. I was excited to go and s...

I have a job. IN THE CHILD CARE INDUSTRY. ................... I'll just let ya'll process that for a moment. I kid you not, I am working in a pre-school and day care. She who used to recoil at the sight of a toddler. She who has changed a total of three diapers in her entire life. She who can't see ...

LA Times teacher layoff story, with bias.Yes, layoffs based on seniority alone will always involve some retention of unfortunate burnout victims who shouldn't have that job anymore anyway. Like many issues in education, the current system is screwed, but I see no better way to fix it. (Don't tell me...

ART: Multimedia artist Thomas Beale hosts a cocktail reception tonight to help launch the 3-month-long "charity: water" photographic exhibition at Chelsea Market. The artist has even installed a custom-built wishing well for the installation (100% of the change tossed in will go towards the construc...

Photograph by Circular Ruins on Flickr From the Gothamist Newsmap: A pedestrian struck at E 19th St & Church Ave in Brooklyn, a large fuel spill at Cromwell Ave & Macombs Rd in the Bronx and a perp search on East 110 St in Manhattan. According to a report, city hospitals are terrible at reporting it...