Blog Name: Not Just For Kids
Blog URL: http://notjustforkids.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @tardisgrl
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2795173
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tardisgrl
Glue at http://getglue.com/tardisgrl
Momentile: http://www.momentile.com/tardisgrl (This one’s not always book related, but a lot of fun!)

When did you start your blog and why?

I had to double check, but I started my blog, Not Just For Kids, in the summer of 2007. At that time I was contemplating a return to graduate school to work towards a Master’s Degree in Children’s Literature. I was at a point where I was a little too comfortable in my job, and I was looking for an opportunity to immerse myself even further into the world of children’s literature. Actually, to be honest, what I wanted was to sit about and pontificate on the subject.  In the end I opted to change jobs and start a blog, which was infinitely less expensive than graduate school! And to keep with the intention of pontificating, the original plan for my blog was to write about the world of Children’s Literature in a very broad sense: news, trends I noticed, books I would love to see back in print, topical book lists. Also, the blog is aimed at the adult reader who reads children’s books for pleasure, not necessarily as a means to acquire recommendations for children. (Although I certainly hope there is plenty of that going on, too!) I was not initially interested in writing reviews, mainly because I was already reviewing freelance. However, it did not take me long to realize that reviewing is the bread and butter of kiddielit blogging. I still pontificate, but it is fair to say that my blog is now 50 % reviews, if not more.

Tell us a little about yourself outside of your interest in books.

How sad will it sound if I say there is little about me outside of books?! Obviously that is not true, but between working as a children’s librarian, review work, and blogging–it often seems that there is time for little else. I have a family–a husband and daughter. I’m a Red Sox season ticket holder–which often accounts for a severe lack of blogging productivity around play-off time or big series! I lived in England for six years (where I used to work as a train conductor and breed Fancy Rats, although not at the same time) and would very much like to retire there. My favorite TV show is Doctor Who, and is pretty much the only thing I watch, other than Red Sox baseball (and, if I’m brutally honest, America’s Funniest Home Videos.)

Your favorite book from your youth and the story behind it.

I can remember, with crystal clear recall, the day I learned to read; the day I first looked at a printed page and it all made sense. It was unbelievably exciting. My mother is a big reader, and I always saw her with her nose in a book, so part of the thrill at being able to read myself was related to being able to do something my mother could do (it just goes to show–never, ever underestimate the power of a child witnessing an adult reading). My favorite books from childhood are those first books I cut my reading teeth on: Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff; Johnny Lion’s Rubber Boots by Edith Thather Hurd; The Fire Cat by Esther Averil; Bears on Wheels by Stan and Jan Berenstain. They were the first books I claimed as my own; the first books that sent me back to the library for more. I still have a soft spot in my heart for that Early Reader level, because I remember how much those books meant to me, and how mastering them encouraged me to move on to chapter books.

“First off, can I just say…she’s Team Peeta! So right there she’s already scored bonus points in my book. For those of you who don’t know about the Team Peeta vs. Team Gale debate, well you better pick up a copy of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins right now! Go, I’ll wait…

“Kara’s site is great! I love the mix of reviews and industry info. For anyone at all interested in what’s happening with children’s literature I highly recommend checking her site out. And even if you aren’t, you may find something new to fall in love with. Thanks again to Kara for participating!”

“If you’re interested in participating in When I Was Young let me know by clicking here. You don’t even have to be a book blogger to participate.”

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