Summer Reading Champion
Just a reminder that
Dan Santat is
the
CSLP 2026 Summer Reading Champion!
Dan Santat has published over 100 books for children. His most notable works include
A First Time for Everything (A National Book Award winner), The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend (Caldecott Medal winner),
Are We There Yet? (#1 New York Times bestseller), and After the Fall (New York Times bestseller). His artwork is also featured in the bestselling series
The Misfts by Lisa Yee, Detective Duck by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, and Dav Pilkey’s
Ricky Ricotta. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and many, many pets.
Thanks to
CSLP's partner,
Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group,
Dan designed a special poster for Summer 2026. This large, full-color poster will provided at no cost to member libraries when they place an order in the
CSLP store starting
in January (until supplies last). Libraries can also opt to download a copy below.
Hey, fun idea for school outreach - print your library's SRP information flyer and on the back print out Dan's "How to Draw" activity sheet to give to students on your class visits!
Resources
Ready to Read Michigan
Earlier this month we wrapped up a 2-part webinar series with
The
Reading League. This series took a deeper dive into the Science of Reading
and how libraries can help support best practices for early literacy development. Recordings and handouts are now available:
Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18
Rise is accepting applications for ALA members interested in the 2027 committee. Applications are due by the end of day, Monday, February 16. The term begins on March
1, 2026, and runs through January 2027. Accepted applicants typically serve a 4-year term, although this is not required.
You can get additional information about applying at Rise's
website. You can also explore
this
year's Top 10 list,
this
year's full list, and
prior
year lists.
Members of this committee read and nominate fiction and nonfiction across the 0-18 spectrum. You'll get lots of great books sent to you, use your favorite methods for tracking
down other books that might off the beaten path, and have invigorating conversations with each other!
2026 Día Reading Lists for Free Download!
Celebrate Día this year with engaging stories for children representing a variety of cultures and backgrounds. This year's Día reading lists are available in English AND Spanish and free to download and distribute to your patrons
to share the #bookjoy! The lists are a great supplement to Día programming and stand on their own as a trusted guide for families looking for diverse books.
LENAR
LENA
is a national nonprofit on a mission to transform children’s futures through early talk technology and data-driven programs.
What Is a Language Environment? Making Space for Every Child’s Voice
Free Webinar — March 5 at 1:00 pm ET,
A conversation about language isolation and creating spaces where every child is heard.
Register here.
LENA also has
new 10‑Minute Mini‑Courses.
They’re short, free, and easy to use — perfect for educators who want simple, actionable strategies for building stronger interactions throughout the day.
Explore those mini-courses here.
Prepare for Citizen Science Month (April!)
Join an Acts of Science: Connected event on Zoom online, or join in-person at a local livestream gathering (host one at your library!).
Together, we’ll:
-
Travel to Mars on April 2
-
Preserve American history on
April 10
-
Play games on April 16
-
Track animals on April 22
-
And even catch comets on April 29
Libraries, Museums, Schools and Community Organizations:
time is running out to apply for a grant to host an Acts of Science: Connected event to livestream into your in-person gathering.
Apply
today!
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