A number of sites on the Internet label content in children’s and young adult books for the purpose of helping parents and teachers make “smart” decisions about reading materials. Rating content goes wrong when censors use this information to pressure teachers and librarians to remove books commonly used in schools. This session focuses on what teachers and librarians need to know about these sites, and how to respond when the censor calls.
The Caldecott Committee is charged with evaluating illustrations in a picture book. They consider style, texture, shape, line, color, and the overall design of the book. This session focuses on how to read pictures, and how the Caldecott Committee works together to reach the final decision of which book wins the medal.
