 "The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who'll get me a book I have not read." What better way to honor Lincoln's 200th birthday and extraordinary life story than with books. This collection gives children an intimate look at our 16th president as an adventurous young boy, loving husband and father, and steadfast leader during the most difficult of times. Go to Lincoln booklist > In these new video interviews, listen in as authors Rosemary Wells, Deborah Hopkinson, and Candace Fleming talk about their approach to writing historical fiction and non-fiction for children. Wells and Hopkinson also read from their new books about Lincoln.
Celebrate the achievements of African Americans through stories, biography, and literacy activities. Take a look at our Black History Month resource section for classroom and at-home ideas. Browse our Standing Tall booklist, featuring stories about brave men and women who persevered and stood up for their beliefs and civil rights. Black History Month resources > Watch our video interview with renowned children's literature historian Leonard Marcus. In this wide-ranging discussion, Marcus talks about the push for multiracial books in the early 20th century and the radicalism of two picture books that emerged in the 1960s: The Snowy Day and Stevie.
March 2nd is NEA's Read Across America Day, the nation's biggest read-in! Celebrated each year in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday, it's a chance for families, schools, libraries, and communities to join together and celebrate reading. Visit Read Across America section > NEA has new resources to make your event Seussational! You'll find new certificates, bookmarks, posters, and proclamations. From kidthing, get free downloadable books for your event including The Cat in the Hat. And don't forget to join the new Facebook fan page where you can pick up even more news and resources. Visit NEA's Read Across America site >
 School counselors can be stronger advocates for students with disabilities and their parents when they know more about the social/emotional issues that really matter to parents. Find out what parents say about friendships, safety, and transitions — and concerns that their children's disabilities might overshadow their abilities. Go to article > The National Council of Teachers of English announced their 2009 Orbis Pictus Award for outstanding nonfiction for children. Through the booklist, children learn about Amelia Earhart, George Washington Carver, ice bears, and Hitler! To see the eclectic list of winners > SqoolTube offers teachers access to free educational videos without the worry of inappropriate content. With almost 200 book related videos, and videos that focus on reading, comprehension, and phonics, you may find something that you'd like to share with your kids. Browse video site >
 Sometimes it's nice to be reminded that making a difference in your child's life can be as easy as taking a walk and talking about what you see. ThrivebyFive Washington offers parents a list of little things that will make a big difference in helping your child to grow in healthy ways. To see the list > Many parents are concerned about the influence media plays in children's lives. TRUCE (Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children's Entertainment) offers a media guide for parents. The guide aims to promote informed and responsible use of media and to help parents take action to reduce the overall impact of media. To view the media guide > Time magazine offers a great website just for kids. In addition to a Homework Helper, Time for Kids offers fun games for kids (Don't Get Stuck with the Fruitcake!), an online weekly magazine written for kids, and news from around the world. The language on the site is very readable. We think your kids will find "time" to read this! Browse online magazine >
 On January 20, Barack Obama was sworn in as 44th President of the U.S. and Arne Duncan was confirmed by the Senate as U.S. Secretary of Education. To view Obama's education agenda, to watch Duncan's testimony, and to listen to Duncan talk about issues confronting teachers, including alternative routes to licensure, visit some of the new resources on the U.S. Department of Education's home page. To read more > Obama's economic stimulus plan provides $150 in new federal spending, a move that more than doubles the Department of Education's current budget. According to the New York Times, the money would impact nearly every realm of education, including school renovation, special education, Head Start, and grants to needy college students. To read more > A new report from the Albert Shanker Institute outlines developmental accomplishments and instructional practices in four areas of preschool curriculum: oral language, literacy, mathematics, and science. Their recommendations can inform districts struggling to design a preschool program or provide guidelines for program evaluation. To read more >
 NCTE is devoted to improving the teaching and learning of English and the language arts. During the month of February, the Black Caucus urges schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, community and professional organizations, and interested citizens to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by hosting and coordinating Read-Ins in their communities. Learn more about the 2009 National African American Read-In > ASCA provides professional development, publications and other resources, research and advocacy to more than 24,000 professional school counselors. ASCA sponsors National School Counseling Week (February 2-6, 2009) which highlights the impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve success in school. Learn more about National School Counseling Week > | 
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