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Bec Skau

This document provides an overview of a presentation analyzing reference tools for children under 13. It identifies four major categories of resources: encyclopedias and dictionaries, bibliographies and reader's advisory tools, atlases and almanacs, and databases and digital resources. The presentation will describe the best resources in each category based on evaluative criteria of authority, currency, and ease of use. It concludes that carefully analyzing and balancing youth reference materials benefits both children and information professionals by familiarizing children with reference practices from a young age.

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Reference Materials for Youths Katrina Braet Jodi Haven Deborah Manganello Victoria Soule Eva Weihl
Overview The goal of this presentation is to identify, survey, and analyze the reference tools available for children under the age of 13. We have focused on a small selection of reference works that represent the best available resources in a variety of categories and formats. This presentation will focus on four major categories of resources: encyclopedias and dictionaries, bibliographies and readers advisory tools, atlases and almanacs, and databases and digital resources. These categories do not represent the entirety of all youth reference materials, but are broad enough in scope to encompass a large portion of them in a cohesive format. Although some resources may fit into several of these categories, we have assigned them based on the primary function of the work (i.e.: an encyclopedia with both print and digital editions would fall under the category encyclopedias and dictionaries, while an exclusively digital repository would fall under databases and digital resources.) The best resources as we have chosen them will be described in the following slides; additional information analyzing their strengths will be included in audio narration and accompanying note fields. A complete bibliography of sources will be included at the end of the presentation.
Methodology As a group, we surveyed and located childrens reference materials through a variety of channels: public libraries, databases, web searches, professional reviews, and personal recommendations. These resources were aggregated and then pared down to what we deemed the best, based on the application of three evaluative criteria: authority, currency, and ease of use. These criteria are formatted as a series of questions to pose to each resource; although not all questions are applicable to each resource, they are formulated to illustrate the overall effectiveness and quality of a resource.
Criteria: Authority AUTHORITY: Are the creators (writers, editors, researchers, compilers, and so on) of the work credible authorities on the subject? Are the credentials of the creators easily findable? Does the work include references and citations to substantiate the content?
Criteria: Currency CURRENCY: Is the resource up-to-date? Was it created within a suitable time frame to ensure the information is current and accurate? If not, has it been recently edited, updated, or amended? Is the resource actively curated to ensure its accuracy?
Criteria: Ease of Use EASE OF USE: Can this resource be easily found and accessed by children under 13? Is the information presented clearly, concisely, and logically? Will a child under 13 be able to find the information they are looking for easily and with little assistance? Is there an index or table of contents to assist research? Is there a subscription or fee associated with the use of the resource? Is it prohibitively expensive for a user or an information repository to acquire and utilize? Who are the intended users of this resource?
Encyclopedias & Dictionaries World Book Kids Online: http://www.worldbookonline.com/kids/home Provides age-leveled search engines, articles, timelines, educational videos, activities, and games for children Pre-K and up in areas such as early childhood thinking skills and core subject areas. There is a specific area designed for children PreK-2nd grade that is kid-friendly and offers a variety of learning tools and games aimed to teach children based on their educational needs. Contains information on religion, technology, life skills, sports, and hobbies. Located on the World Books Kid Info Finder page, students are able to search the database for articles, pictures, videos, reports, and much more. There are also specific sections on this page dedicated to daily newspapers, biographies, science projects, and current events. A dedicated childrens reference page also provides a dictionary, a citation builder, and information on how to properly research. Childrens Encyclopedia of American History: a reference guide for children that provides information about Americas past historical events with the aid of maps, pictures, and illustrations. With historical events starting back from over 1,000 years ago to now, it provides children with a great overall resource to use when searching for information on Americas history.
Encyclopedias & Dictionaries Oxford Illustrated Childrens Dictionary: This resource provides children with over 20,000 word definitions along with example sentences, pronunciation guides, and colorful pictures. With its family-friendly format children are able to learn about word meanings, pronunciation, word origins, and correct word usage through context. Merriam-Websters Word Central: http://www.wordcentral.com A children's online dictionary where students can search word meanings, create their own dictionaries, learn daily new words, and play word games. Children can also use the online search engine on this site as a thesaurus or to find words that rhyme with the word they are searching. Each word listed in this online dictionary is provided with a definition, word function, and pronunciation with audio.
Bibliographies & Readers Advisory Tools StoryPlace: storyplace.org is an award-winning interactive online childrens digital library featured on the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library website. Free to anyone, this site offers birth-elementary aged children and their caregivers the chance to hear online stories in English or Spanish, click through online activities, take home printable activities, and view thematic reading lists. Children can enter the Preschool or Elementary Library and explore its many options. Book Hive is a search database of book reviews broken into categories such as Adventure, Poetry, Scary; and then further narrowed by audience (birth through grade 6). Reading Rockets: http://www.readingrockets.org/books/booksbytheme. An extensive collection of reading lists sorted by theme of books for readers up to about age 9, including author interviews, articles on literacy, and so much more. The multiple award-winning site contains a section specifically for librarians with links to tools like Bookfinder (by PBS Parents) where users can select age (birth-8), theme (friends, feelings, art, etc.) and also enter keywords to find appropriate books.
Bibliographies & Readers Advisory Tools ALSAC: http://www.ala.org/alsc/compubs The Association for Library Service to Children division of ALA has compiled several lists and guidebooks for award-winning children's literature. The books and booklists represent titles carefully selected by ALSC committees made up of librarians, children's literature experts, school faculty, publishers and more. Lists are compiled in reference books or can be accessed online. Compilations of Notable Books offer collections of titles which have stood the test of time and should appeal to a wide variety of readers. ALSC also has recommended reading lists for children under the age of 5. Database of Award-Winning Childrens Literature: http://www.dawcl.com/ A regularly updated database of books for children which have won awards, created and maintained by librarian Lisa R. Bartle. This resource is used to find award-winning titles past-current. Users can select searching properties from the following: Age (birth-14+), Setting, Historical period, Language, Format (picture book, reference material, etc.), Genre, Gender of protagonist, publication year; also, can enter keywords or author/illustrators name. Can search by award, or choose to search ALL awards. Dozens of awards are included such as American Indian Youth Literature Award, Scott ODell Award, YALSA Top Ten.
Bibliographies & Readers Advisory Tools RIF: http://www.rif.org/us/literacy-resources/booklists.htm Reading is Fundamental (RIF) site features childrens book lists carefully crafted by their expert Literature Advisory Panel. This site includes lists of Caldecott and Newbery titles, but unique to this site is the multicultural lists from 2007-2014, compiled by grade level (pre K Grade 5). Many of the selections include activities and lesson plans.
Atlases & Almanacs National Geographic for Kids: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find A regularly updated website that covers both cultural and physical geographic of the countries around the world. Can be used to answer questions regarding geography. Example: What countries are located in North America? What climates do these countries experience? What is their culture and people like? National Geographic World Atlas For Kids (4th ed.): This book covers in-depth both cultural and physical geographic of the countries around the world. It is used to address questions regarding geography and culture. Example: What ethic groups are located in ____ country? What major religions are worshiped in ____ country? What is the landmass size of ___ country?
Atlases & Almanacs Childrens World Atlas: Published by Dorling Kindersley (DK) Publishing, this book specializes in illustrated reference books for adults and children. This book covers in-depth both cultural and physical geographic of the countries around the world. Although the material in this book is 2 years old, this volume has some of the most beautiful graphics on the market, and is a useful tool for visually engaging with geographical and cultural concepts and information.
Atlases & Almanacs The Old Farmers Almanac for Kids: Published yearly, this almanac covers historical events, science/historical information, and activities for children. It addresses a plethora of topics such as "Is a tomato a fruit or vegetable?" and "What day was Benjamin Franklin born and who is he?" There are also historical and educational notes on events on each day in the almanac, with a visually compelling layout. World Almanac For Kids Online: http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com Infobase Publishing, a leader in the publishing world for educational materials, has been making their World Almanac for over 100 years. Their online children's almanac is updated daily, and covers historical events, school subject information, activities for children, homework help, and more. It offers homework help and citations for easy use.
Databases & Digital Resources PebbleGo!: http://www.pebblego.com Part of the Capstone Company, an established name in the education community for many years, PebbleGo! is an acclaimed online database for emergent readers, aimed at students in grades K-3. It provides databases on subjects such as animals, biographies, earth and space, and social studies. It also includes educational games, an article of the day, and a poll question of the day. This database features leveled text and reading scaffolds to engage children with simultaneous research and reading. It is valuable because students can read the text as well as being accompanied by full narration, and also allows students to type in search terms or search visually. TrueFlix: www.scholastic.com/trueflix An online resource created by the well known company Scholastic books, this source for upper elementary students augments their True Book nonfiction print series and helps students to improve literacy skills and gain content area knowledge. The primary function of this database is to give students an introduction to the inquiry process. It can be used individually by students or as a group activity on a whiteboard. It includes a read it option which has leveled texts, and a watch it option that includes voice-over reading, as well as an explore more section that accompanies every True Book links to the Grolier Online Encyclopedia articles, and an activity center for informal interactive assessment.
Databases & Digital Resources InfoTrac Junior Edition: A more advanced, in-depth research tool for students at the middle school level, InfoTrac Junior introduces the content and features of an academic research database in a way that is accessible to elementary and middle school students. It contains full-text titles from sources such as magazines, newspapers, and reference works for information on current events, the arts, and science; student researchers can easily access over 300 indexed general interest titles. The layout and interface is scholarly but simple and easy to use, and competently introduces research concepts such as citations, relevancy ratings, multi-format materials, and more. It is part of the Gale PowerSearch platform, which is a branch of the Gale Virtual Reference Libraries, a highly credible and powerful reference tool.
Reflections & Conclusion The breadth and depth of the research tools available for children directly affects how both children and information professionals interact with those resources. Because of this scope and variety, it is imperative to thoughtfully analyze these sources in terms of quality and usability with a clear set of criteria. This analysis guides our children's reference collection development as well as our ability to instruct students on their usage. Criteria can be applied differently depending on the resource; not all resources will meet every guideline, but that does not mean it is unusable. For instance, some of our chosen "best" resources are print books that are less current, but have valuable illustrations or other factors that make it strong in the area of ease of use. Ultimately, the evaluation criteria are a guideline to consider how a work fits into a reference collection overall, rather than a checklist that exists in stasis and without context.
Reflections & Conclusions Ultimately, a children's reference collection must be created with balance in mind. Some factors that are important to consider when building and evaluating a youth reference collection: Budget: What is the price? Will this item need to be replaced frequently as information becomes outdated? Will several children be able to use it at once, as in a database subscription? Format: Is the resource print or digital? Does the collection favor one format too heavily over the others to the disadvantage of those using it? (For instance, too many digital resources put those users with less technological literacy at a disadvantage). Intended Audience: Does the collection favor very early learners over tweens or vice versa? Does it address a variety of learning styles, subject material, etc.? Type: Is there an adequate balance of encyclopedias, databases, bibliographies, non-fiction materials, and so on?
Reflections & Conclusions Childrens reference collections are constantly evolving and require steady evaluation and re-evaluation to be curated to the highest standards. Ultimately, with consideration, analysis, and reflection, we can become fluent in the variety of childrens reference materials that exist, and best use them in our libraries and information centers to the benefit of our young patrons. Doing so will allow us to familiarize children with reference practices and information fluency from a young age, benefiting them for the rest of their years as learners.
References Adams, S. (2011). Children's world atlas. New York: Dk Publishing. American Library Association (2014, March 3). Association for Library Service to Children. Available: www.ala.org/alsc Bartle, L. R. (2014, March 3). The Database of Award-Winning Children's Literature. Available: http://www.dawcl.com/ Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (2014, March 9). StoryPlace: The childrens digital library. Available: http://www.storyplace.org Infotrac junior edition. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=STOJ&u=lom_accessmich King, D. C. (2003). Children's encyclopedia of American history. New York: Smithsonian Institution. Merriam-Websters Word Central. (2014) Retrieved from http://www.wordcentral.com/
References National Geographic: Kids. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2014, from http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find/ National geographic kids world atlas (Fourth ed.). (2013). Washington DC: National Geographic Society. The old farmer's almanac for kids. (2013). Dublin, N.H.: Yankee Pub. Oxford illustrated childrens dictionary. (2010). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Pebblego!. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pebblego.com/ Reading is Fundamental (2014, March 2). RIF. Retrieved from http://www.rif.org Trueflix. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/trueflix
References World Book Kids Online. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.worldbookonline.com/kids/home WETA Public Broadcasting (2014, March 5). Reading Rockets. Retrieved from http://www.readingrockets.org/ World Almanac For Kids. Infobase Publishing, n.d. Web. 2 Mar. 2014. Retrieved from http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com

More Related Content

Group project final

  • 1. Reference Materials for Youths Katrina Braet Jodi Haven Deborah Manganello Victoria Soule Eva Weihl
  • 2. Overview The goal of this presentation is to identify, survey, and analyze the reference tools available for children under the age of 13. We have focused on a small selection of reference works that represent the best available resources in a variety of categories and formats. This presentation will focus on four major categories of resources: encyclopedias and dictionaries, bibliographies and readers advisory tools, atlases and almanacs, and databases and digital resources. These categories do not represent the entirety of all youth reference materials, but are broad enough in scope to encompass a large portion of them in a cohesive format. Although some resources may fit into several of these categories, we have assigned them based on the primary function of the work (i.e.: an encyclopedia with both print and digital editions would fall under the category encyclopedias and dictionaries, while an exclusively digital repository would fall under databases and digital resources.) The best resources as we have chosen them will be described in the following slides; additional information analyzing their strengths will be included in audio narration and accompanying note fields. A complete bibliography of sources will be included at the end of the presentation.
  • 3. Methodology As a group, we surveyed and located childrens reference materials through a variety of channels: public libraries, databases, web searches, professional reviews, and personal recommendations. These resources were aggregated and then pared down to what we deemed the best, based on the application of three evaluative criteria: authority, currency, and ease of use. These criteria are formatted as a series of questions to pose to each resource; although not all questions are applicable to each resource, they are formulated to illustrate the overall effectiveness and quality of a resource.
  • 4. Criteria: Authority AUTHORITY: Are the creators (writers, editors, researchers, compilers, and so on) of the work credible authorities on the subject? Are the credentials of the creators easily findable? Does the work include references and citations to substantiate the content?
  • 5. Criteria: Currency CURRENCY: Is the resource up-to-date? Was it created within a suitable time frame to ensure the information is current and accurate? If not, has it been recently edited, updated, or amended? Is the resource actively curated to ensure its accuracy?
  • 6. Criteria: Ease of Use EASE OF USE: Can this resource be easily found and accessed by children under 13? Is the information presented clearly, concisely, and logically? Will a child under 13 be able to find the information they are looking for easily and with little assistance? Is there an index or table of contents to assist research? Is there a subscription or fee associated with the use of the resource? Is it prohibitively expensive for a user or an information repository to acquire and utilize? Who are the intended users of this resource?
  • 7. Encyclopedias & Dictionaries World Book Kids Online: http://www.worldbookonline.com/kids/home Provides age-leveled search engines, articles, timelines, educational videos, activities, and games for children Pre-K and up in areas such as early childhood thinking skills and core subject areas. There is a specific area designed for children PreK-2nd grade that is kid-friendly and offers a variety of learning tools and games aimed to teach children based on their educational needs. Contains information on religion, technology, life skills, sports, and hobbies. Located on the World Books Kid Info Finder page, students are able to search the database for articles, pictures, videos, reports, and much more. There are also specific sections on this page dedicated to daily newspapers, biographies, science projects, and current events. A dedicated childrens reference page also provides a dictionary, a citation builder, and information on how to properly research. Childrens Encyclopedia of American History: a reference guide for children that provides information about Americas past historical events with the aid of maps, pictures, and illustrations. With historical events starting back from over 1,000 years ago to now, it provides children with a great overall resource to use when searching for information on Americas history.
  • 8. Encyclopedias & Dictionaries Oxford Illustrated Childrens Dictionary: This resource provides children with over 20,000 word definitions along with example sentences, pronunciation guides, and colorful pictures. With its family-friendly format children are able to learn about word meanings, pronunciation, word origins, and correct word usage through context. Merriam-Websters Word Central: http://www.wordcentral.com A children's online dictionary where students can search word meanings, create their own dictionaries, learn daily new words, and play word games. Children can also use the online search engine on this site as a thesaurus or to find words that rhyme with the word they are searching. Each word listed in this online dictionary is provided with a definition, word function, and pronunciation with audio.
  • 9. Bibliographies & Readers Advisory Tools StoryPlace: storyplace.org is an award-winning interactive online childrens digital library featured on the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library website. Free to anyone, this site offers birth-elementary aged children and their caregivers the chance to hear online stories in English or Spanish, click through online activities, take home printable activities, and view thematic reading lists. Children can enter the Preschool or Elementary Library and explore its many options. Book Hive is a search database of book reviews broken into categories such as Adventure, Poetry, Scary; and then further narrowed by audience (birth through grade 6). Reading Rockets: http://www.readingrockets.org/books/booksbytheme. An extensive collection of reading lists sorted by theme of books for readers up to about age 9, including author interviews, articles on literacy, and so much more. The multiple award-winning site contains a section specifically for librarians with links to tools like Bookfinder (by PBS Parents) where users can select age (birth-8), theme (friends, feelings, art, etc.) and also enter keywords to find appropriate books.
  • 10. Bibliographies & Readers Advisory Tools ALSAC: http://www.ala.org/alsc/compubs The Association for Library Service to Children division of ALA has compiled several lists and guidebooks for award-winning children's literature. The books and booklists represent titles carefully selected by ALSC committees made up of librarians, children's literature experts, school faculty, publishers and more. Lists are compiled in reference books or can be accessed online. Compilations of Notable Books offer collections of titles which have stood the test of time and should appeal to a wide variety of readers. ALSC also has recommended reading lists for children under the age of 5. Database of Award-Winning Childrens Literature: http://www.dawcl.com/ A regularly updated database of books for children which have won awards, created and maintained by librarian Lisa R. Bartle. This resource is used to find award-winning titles past-current. Users can select searching properties from the following: Age (birth-14+), Setting, Historical period, Language, Format (picture book, reference material, etc.), Genre, Gender of protagonist, publication year; also, can enter keywords or author/illustrators name. Can search by award, or choose to search ALL awards. Dozens of awards are included such as American Indian Youth Literature Award, Scott ODell Award, YALSA Top Ten.
  • 11. Bibliographies & Readers Advisory Tools RIF: http://www.rif.org/us/literacy-resources/booklists.htm Reading is Fundamental (RIF) site features childrens book lists carefully crafted by their expert Literature Advisory Panel. This site includes lists of Caldecott and Newbery titles, but unique to this site is the multicultural lists from 2007-2014, compiled by grade level (pre K Grade 5). Many of the selections include activities and lesson plans.
  • 12. Atlases & Almanacs National Geographic for Kids: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find A regularly updated website that covers both cultural and physical geographic of the countries around the world. Can be used to answer questions regarding geography. Example: What countries are located in North America? What climates do these countries experience? What is their culture and people like? National Geographic World Atlas For Kids (4th ed.): This book covers in-depth both cultural and physical geographic of the countries around the world. It is used to address questions regarding geography and culture. Example: What ethic groups are located in ____ country? What major religions are worshiped in ____ country? What is the landmass size of ___ country?
  • 13. Atlases & Almanacs Childrens World Atlas: Published by Dorling Kindersley (DK) Publishing, this book specializes in illustrated reference books for adults and children. This book covers in-depth both cultural and physical geographic of the countries around the world. Although the material in this book is 2 years old, this volume has some of the most beautiful graphics on the market, and is a useful tool for visually engaging with geographical and cultural concepts and information.
  • 14. Atlases & Almanacs The Old Farmers Almanac for Kids: Published yearly, this almanac covers historical events, science/historical information, and activities for children. It addresses a plethora of topics such as "Is a tomato a fruit or vegetable?" and "What day was Benjamin Franklin born and who is he?" There are also historical and educational notes on events on each day in the almanac, with a visually compelling layout. World Almanac For Kids Online: http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com Infobase Publishing, a leader in the publishing world for educational materials, has been making their World Almanac for over 100 years. Their online children's almanac is updated daily, and covers historical events, school subject information, activities for children, homework help, and more. It offers homework help and citations for easy use.
  • 15. Databases & Digital Resources PebbleGo!: http://www.pebblego.com Part of the Capstone Company, an established name in the education community for many years, PebbleGo! is an acclaimed online database for emergent readers, aimed at students in grades K-3. It provides databases on subjects such as animals, biographies, earth and space, and social studies. It also includes educational games, an article of the day, and a poll question of the day. This database features leveled text and reading scaffolds to engage children with simultaneous research and reading. It is valuable because students can read the text as well as being accompanied by full narration, and also allows students to type in search terms or search visually. TrueFlix: www.scholastic.com/trueflix An online resource created by the well known company Scholastic books, this source for upper elementary students augments their True Book nonfiction print series and helps students to improve literacy skills and gain content area knowledge. The primary function of this database is to give students an introduction to the inquiry process. It can be used individually by students or as a group activity on a whiteboard. It includes a read it option which has leveled texts, and a watch it option that includes voice-over reading, as well as an explore more section that accompanies every True Book links to the Grolier Online Encyclopedia articles, and an activity center for informal interactive assessment.
  • 16. Databases & Digital Resources InfoTrac Junior Edition: A more advanced, in-depth research tool for students at the middle school level, InfoTrac Junior introduces the content and features of an academic research database in a way that is accessible to elementary and middle school students. It contains full-text titles from sources such as magazines, newspapers, and reference works for information on current events, the arts, and science; student researchers can easily access over 300 indexed general interest titles. The layout and interface is scholarly but simple and easy to use, and competently introduces research concepts such as citations, relevancy ratings, multi-format materials, and more. It is part of the Gale PowerSearch platform, which is a branch of the Gale Virtual Reference Libraries, a highly credible and powerful reference tool.
  • 17. Reflections & Conclusion The breadth and depth of the research tools available for children directly affects how both children and information professionals interact with those resources. Because of this scope and variety, it is imperative to thoughtfully analyze these sources in terms of quality and usability with a clear set of criteria. This analysis guides our children's reference collection development as well as our ability to instruct students on their usage. Criteria can be applied differently depending on the resource; not all resources will meet every guideline, but that does not mean it is unusable. For instance, some of our chosen "best" resources are print books that are less current, but have valuable illustrations or other factors that make it strong in the area of ease of use. Ultimately, the evaluation criteria are a guideline to consider how a work fits into a reference collection overall, rather than a checklist that exists in stasis and without context.
  • 18. Reflections & Conclusions Ultimately, a children's reference collection must be created with balance in mind. Some factors that are important to consider when building and evaluating a youth reference collection: Budget: What is the price? Will this item need to be replaced frequently as information becomes outdated? Will several children be able to use it at once, as in a database subscription? Format: Is the resource print or digital? Does the collection favor one format too heavily over the others to the disadvantage of those using it? (For instance, too many digital resources put those users with less technological literacy at a disadvantage). Intended Audience: Does the collection favor very early learners over tweens or vice versa? Does it address a variety of learning styles, subject material, etc.? Type: Is there an adequate balance of encyclopedias, databases, bibliographies, non-fiction materials, and so on?
  • 19. Reflections & Conclusions Childrens reference collections are constantly evolving and require steady evaluation and re-evaluation to be curated to the highest standards. Ultimately, with consideration, analysis, and reflection, we can become fluent in the variety of childrens reference materials that exist, and best use them in our libraries and information centers to the benefit of our young patrons. Doing so will allow us to familiarize children with reference practices and information fluency from a young age, benefiting them for the rest of their years as learners.
  • 20. References Adams, S. (2011). Children's world atlas. New York: Dk Publishing. American Library Association (2014, March 3). Association for Library Service to Children. Available: www.ala.org/alsc Bartle, L. R. (2014, March 3). The Database of Award-Winning Children's Literature. Available: http://www.dawcl.com/ Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (2014, March 9). StoryPlace: The childrens digital library. Available: http://www.storyplace.org Infotrac junior edition. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=STOJ&u=lom_accessmich King, D. C. (2003). Children's encyclopedia of American history. New York: Smithsonian Institution. Merriam-Websters Word Central. (2014) Retrieved from http://www.wordcentral.com/
  • 21. References National Geographic: Kids. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2014, from http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find/ National geographic kids world atlas (Fourth ed.). (2013). Washington DC: National Geographic Society. The old farmer's almanac for kids. (2013). Dublin, N.H.: Yankee Pub. Oxford illustrated childrens dictionary. (2010). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Pebblego!. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pebblego.com/ Reading is Fundamental (2014, March 2). RIF. Retrieved from http://www.rif.org Trueflix. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/trueflix
  • 22. References World Book Kids Online. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.worldbookonline.com/kids/home WETA Public Broadcasting (2014, March 5). Reading Rockets. Retrieved from http://www.readingrockets.org/ World Almanac For Kids. Infobase Publishing, n.d. Web. 2 Mar. 2014. Retrieved from http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com

Editor's Notes

  • #8: World Book Kids: Offers a plethora of information as well as research tools; created and maintained by World Book, a credible source publishing encyclopedias since 1917. Updated frequently by WB, and contains a wide breadth of content and topics. Available through subscription, and is designed specifically to be used by kids with content tailored to a range of ages. Childrens Encyclopedia of American History: Published by DK, a reputable reference source, in association with the Smithsonian, a highly credible institution. Published in 2003, so only ideal for events up until that point, but the information is accurate, insightful, spanning a long period (going back almost 1,000 years), and accompanied by very engaging illustrations.
  • #9: Oxford Illustrated Childrens Dictionary: Created by Oxford Press, a large, reputable source publishing dictionaries since 1884. Updated versions through 2010. Its strength as a resource is its accessibility and ease of use, and provides clear, simple term word definitions in a way that allows children to understand the word meanings easier using context sentences and pictures. M-W Word Central: Created and maintained by M-W, a reputable dictionary source since 1828. The website is constantly revised, making it very up-to-date, and is free to use for those with internet access. Formatted as an easy-to-use search engine with lots of interactive tools that allow children to explore words and their definitions in an engaging way.
  • #10: StoryPlace: Non-subscription, free to all users; interactive and kid-friendly, and can be used at home or in the library. Curated by a reputable library system. Updated regularly. Available in multiple languages (ease of use). Reading Rockets: Links to reputable sources (including PBS bookfinder) and accurately aggregates books by themes. Has won several awards, and can be used by librarians and patrons alike to find readalikes and recommendations for young readers. Busy layout may make it a better option for older users, but the information contained is very valuable for recommendations, collection development, and so on.
  • #11: ALSAC: Curated by the American Library Association, a credible and authoritative source in childrens literature. These digital book lists and print editions bring together many powerful resources for navigating award-winning childrens literature, and are updated regularly. The option to use lists online rather than purchasing new editions of guidebooks make it easy to use. Database of Award-Winning Childrens Literature: Curated by a professional librarian (Lisa R. Bartle), and frequently updated. Aggregates information in one easily searchable place with a powerful search function; although young children may need adult assistance using the search tools, the powerful customization options make it a good resource.
  • #12: RIF: Curated by the organizations Literature Advisory Panel for accuracy and credibility. Includes activities and multicultural booklists. Updated regularly through 2014.
  • #13: National Geographic for Kids: NG is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational institutions in the world. It has over 100+ years of experience in the fields of geography, archaeology and natural science, and the promotion of environmental and historical conservation. Website was updated as of February 2014. National Geographic World Atlas For Kids: Same credibility; ease of use in portability of book (lightweight, paperback).
  • #14: Childrens World Atlas: DK Editorial Board vets and edits all content, making it credible and verifiable. While this title is around 2 years old, the information is not notably out of date, and the illustrations and accompanying visuals make it outstanding in its field and easy (and enjoyable) for children to use.
  • #15: Old Farmers Almanac for Kids: Print resource that covers a wide array of content concerning science, history, and more. OFA has been published for 150+ years, and is highly credible and acclaimed. There is a large board of editors that vet the content, and the layout is friendly and engaging for young users. Published yearly, it is up to date and although it contains a great deal of information, is laid out in a kid-friendly way. World Almanac For Kids Online: Curated by InfoBase Publishing, with a long-standing reputation and acclaimed credibility; updated nearly daily, this provides many reference and research tools for children, including but not limited to homework help and citation information.
  • #16: PebbleGo: Offered through Capstone Company, an acclaimed and credible source in the education community. PebbleGo offers many databases, reading, and reference tools ideal for young children and emergent readers with many interactive options. Available via subscription, but allows for multiple users at a time. Has received many awards, including Teachers Choice in 2010, and the 2011 Bessie Award for best educational software, and is very user friendly. TrueFlix: Created by Scholastic, a well-known and reputable education source with many valuable reference materials. This database is colorful and intriguing, but still uncluttered and easy to navigate. The information is clearly divided by subject and sub-headings, and provides a wide variety of ways for children to build their research skills while engaging with the information. Updated frequently and links to up-to-date content and accompanying sources.
  • #17: InfoTrac Junior: Powered through Gale Virtual Reference Libraries, an accredited and powerful reference database system, this database introduces children to more advanced research concepts in a scholarly yet easy to use format. The database as well as the content it provides are both constantly updated and clearly cited, and allows students to engage with the scholarly research process through a powerful and age-appropriate medium.