The 53rd Jane Addams Book Awards Winners were announced on April 28th, 2006

Details of the 2006 winners can be found at the American award's website:
http://home.igc.org/~japa/jacba/index_jacba.html

Hobby blog now a learning aid http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18928141-12332,00.html

This article from the Australian tells of James Farmer, an academic from Deakin University who through his web portal, edublogs.org, teachers and students can set up free blogs using WordPress, an open-source tool. Farmer offers free blogs for teachers, researchers, librarians and other education professionals.

Australian Edubloggers
http://australianedubloggers.pbwiki.com/

This Wiki lists Australian educators who have blogs and/or podcasts. I have added my little blog to the list. I see that I am in illustrious company. Other blogs listed include TomMarch's ozBlog, PD Spot by Garry Chapman and Warwick Wynne's teaching and learning.

The worldwide classroom - Blogs are the new discussion groups for schools by Jennifer Cook

An article on blogging in Australian schools appeared in The Education Age on 17th April 2006. http://www.theage.com.au/news/education-news/the-worldwide-classroom/2006/04/14/1144521472498.html

2006 NSW Premier's Literary Awards Shortlist

I missed this announcement earlier this month. The shortlist can be found at: http://www.arts.nsw.gov.au/awards/LiteraryAwards/2006%20awards/2006shortlist06.htm

The winners should be announced in May 2006

Authors vying for Grampian Book Award accolade

News of a children's choice award in North-East Scotland.
http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ACC_Data/news%20item/ppu_news_060427a.asp

The journey continues

Andrew Daddo has written his first adult book.
http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,18923249-5003425,00.html

The footy player, the bear and the bee

ABC article about Queensland author - Matt Day
http://www.abc.net.au/tropic/stories/s1625974.htm?backyard

Alternative Teen Services

A new blog in which two Kansas Librarians share viewpoints about serving teens, as well as day-to-day commentary on what the librarians are learning and experiencing. http://www.yalibrarian.com/

Bestseller Lists - Publisher's Weekly...

... make interesting reading

Children's Picture Books http://www.publishersweekly.com/index.asp?layout=bestsellerslist&channel=bestsellers&imarketid=3&listdate=04%2F26%2F2006

Children's Fiction http://www.publishersweekly.com/index.asp?layout=bestsellerslist&channel=bestsellers&imarketid=11&listdate=04%2F26%2F2006

Ireland's Bisto Book of the Year nominees announced

http://www.rte.ie/arts/2006/0322/bistobookoftheyear.html

Kate Thompson has a new website

http://www.katethompson.info/

Welsh Tir na n-Og Awards 2006 Shortlist

http://www.cllc.org.uk/child_tirnanog.html

Flights of the fantastic

Four Australian fantasy writers - Sophie Masson, Richard Harland, Ian Irvine and Sean Williams - discuss Pullman's new masterpiece
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,18655742-5003424,00.html

The bottom line in kids' books is udderly unreal

Censorship of illustrations impacts on children's titles
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/the-bottom-line-in-kids-books-is-udderly-unreal/2006/03/31/1143441339514.html

Judging this book by its cover title comes up trumps

At last Paul Jennings is on the CBC shortlist
http://the.standard.net.au/articles/2006/04/06/1143916626699.html

From Miami : Australian writer Markus Zusak is already a literary sensation

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/books/265602_bookthief06.html

Author heartened by today's well-read children

Article quoting young Canadian author, Matthew Skelton .
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060410/skelton_am_060410/20060410?hub=Entertainment

LibraryThing

If you have a personal library or want to create a digital reading log consider using LibraryThing http://www.librarything.com/ One can even create a widget to post into a blog. I have had enormous fun entering my reading log into this tool. The free version allows for up to 200 entries - I can see uses for students in English creating databases of their reading, for librarians creating reading lists for students......

Creatures of the Rainforest Celebrate with Kakadu

http://www.abc.net.au/message/news/stories/s1612929.htm

Ulster-born author in line for big award

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=687917