Last year I had the privilege of participating in the literacy event Share A Story Shape A Future. It was a wonderful time for me, I was a fairly new person in the world of literacy and blogging which made it the perfect place to dip my feet in and get to know some of the “heavy hitters” on a very personal level. It also gave me the opportunity to share with the book blogging world the story of my son, The Turkeybird, and his early struggles with Autism. So, needless to say, as this time of year was approaching again I was eager to jump in full swing and participate in whatever way I could!

This year I have the wonderful opportunity of hosting today’s topic, Literacy 2.0 – Taking the Gift of Literacy Into the Future. This form of literacy is by far the most exciting for me, though encouraging literacy on any level is something to be celebrated. Technology is changing by the second and the way in which we approach literacy while using technology has the power to enhance the learning experience exponentially. Much of it is about incorporating and adapting to that ever-changing technology and using it as a force for good.

Today’s participants range from teachers to parents to authors and more. Each has their own unique way of incorporating the technology we have available to us in a way that enhances and improves the lives of the children around them. It’s an incredible honor to be hosting and I’m extremely excited about this group of bloggers/teachers/parents/etc.! Just take a look at the line up…

Carisa Kluver from Digital Storytime
With iPad books that look more like toys and entertainment how likely are they to be used as tools for literacy and how does it affect the reader, children?

Eric Van Raepenbusch from Happy Birthday Author
Using video to extend the meaning of a book beyond its pages, teach basic skills, entertain, and provide primary sources of information. The post includes examples of all these ideas, plus ideas to produce your own video as a literacy activity. And that’s not all….there are links to the sources of video I have used to write my blog.

Chris Singer from Book Dads
When the Color Nook was released I just wasn’t able to resist getting one. However, I wasn’t just going to buy one for myself, but also for my daughter Tessa (now 23 months old). Although it didn’t stop me from buying one, I admit I was a little bit worried about Tessa becoming mesmerized with the Nook, and not wanting to look at her picture books any more. In our particular case and I think for other kids as well, it was a needless worry. Check out the rest of my post on Book Dads to read more of my thoughts on the value of using the Color Nook with toddlers.

Pam van Hylckama Vlieg from Bookalicio.us
Using technology to foster a love of reading in the home.

Holly Slotkin from LitLad
Using the iPad/iPod Touch to complement, not replace, the printed word. iPad/iPod Touch apps (book apps & other reading-related apps) that help promote literacy.

Susan Stephenson from The Book Chook
Online Resources for Reading and Writing
The cyber world has wonderful web spaces that encourage kids to respond creatively, and to develop important skills for literacy development. Here are some Book Chook favourites for reading and writing.

Melissa Taylor from Imagination Soup
Reading On the Go!
Reading in the Car, at the Doctor’s Office, at Grandma’s House . . . Books, eBooks, Playaways and more!

Jonathan Auxier from The Scop
Hasta la Vista, Hardy Boys: No e-reader can compare to the beauty of a book on a shelf, ready to be re-opened at any time … but what about books you don’t want on your shelf forever?

Paul W. Hankins from Mr. Hankins is Reading and Writing in Kentuckiana
Digitizing the classroom. How digital media can be used in a classroom setting to enhance the literacy experience.

Mary Ann Scheuer from Great Kid Books
E-books for children, tweens and young adults.

Jennifer Vincent from Teach Mentor Texts
Using technology to encourage kids to read. Specifically by having a blog for students and offering books in different formats like on the Nook and as audiobooks.

Miss Remmers from Miss Remmers’ Reviews
Taking a classroom into the digital realm with limited funding. Stop by to see which teaching tools Miss Remmers uses on a daily basis.

If you’re still eager to throw your voice into the group, please comment on any number of the blogs participating and possibly even take a few minutes to post about your feelings on today’s topic on your own blog using the writing prompts on the main Share A Story Shape A Future site. (All those who comment today (on any of the posts listed above, as well as here) will have the opportunity of possibly winning one of 10 iPad/iPhone apps from PicPocket books! For more details, please see my previous post, Share A Story Shape A Future: Sponsor – PicPocket Books.)

As I end my post I’d like to share a short video from a mother whose son Leo was recently featured during the launch of the iPad 2, Shannon Des Roches Rosa. Leo has a form of Autism and Shannon says in her own words, “the iPad gives Leo so much leisure- and learning-time independence and encourages so much self-direction.” This mother and her son have truly inspired me. Our own Turkeybird has a very mild form of Autism, but even still, it’s incredible the ways in which technology has been able to help him on so many levels and it’s wonderful to see that being recognized.

Take a look at the video below, Leo appears at about the 4:40 mark, but there are some other amazing stories in there to pay attention to including the way iPads are used in Chicago Public Schools and at Children’s Hospital in Boston with Autistic children.

Powerful things are happening in the world around us and there is so much we can do to improve literacy by using the technology that’s at our fingertips! Through eReaders, Skype, Blogs, Book Trailers, iPads & Tablet computers, Audiobooks and more we are reaching children in ways we never thought possible. Again, this is such an incredible topic and I hope you all find something you can use to improve your lives and the lives of the children you love.

Today’s topic for Share A Story Shape A Future is Literacy 2.0 – Taking the Gift of Literacy Into the Future and the wonderful PicPocket Books has stepped up to sponsor the day! My next post will go into the day’s discussions, but for now I wanted to talk a bit about PicPocket Books.

PicPocket Books has kindly offered 10 App codes for today’s event and I couldn’t be happier about it! One of the first books we “tried out” on my iPhone was a PicPocket Book app called Big Stuff: Tractors by Robert Gould. The Turkeybird instantly fell in love with the sounds, sites and stories about all the incredible machines and tractors. It’s an educational and entertaining book that to this day I’m happy to say is used regularly on the phone.

After our first experience with these fantastic books, it just went on from there. Every book we’ve tried has been excellent. With beautiful illustrations, educational material and fun ways to interact & listen kids can’t resist them!

Take a look at a couple of the reviews from the PicPocket Books site:

“From a parental perspective, I love the integration of art, technology and literacy in PicPocket Books.”
— Dr. Venus E. Evans-Winters, Illinois State University, Department of Educational Administration & Foundations

“I am the principal at Madison Elementary School. We use iTouches in our instruction daily and are constantly on the lookout for great apps for all levels of learners. I found Penelope the Purple Pirate an entertaining story that engaged our students while encouraging them to follow along with the words as the story was read. This high-interest story and interactive format makes this app a winner!”
— Michelle Hayes, Principal
Madison Elementary School

So, needless to say, if you have an iPhone/iPad and a young reader/learner you will want these books! What do you have to do to qualify? Read and comment on the posts for Literacy 2.0 – Taking the Gift of Literacy Into the Future (click to find the list of blogs participating). That’s pretty much it! Make sure you leave your email address with your comment and tomorrow evening the 10 winners will be selected out of the comments.

Thank you again to PicPocket Books for sponsoring this incredible event!

To find out more about Share A Story Shape A Future and get involved in encouraging literacy, please visit the main site.

First of all, Happy Read Across America Day! And Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss! What better way to celebrate a birthday than with books? Want to know a little more about the event? Take a look at this synopsis from the main Read Across America Day site and then head over there to take the pledge to participate by reading to the children in your life!

What is NEA’s Read Across America?
NEA’s Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.

NEA’s Read Across America also provides NEA members, parents, caregivers, and children the resources and activities they need to keep reading on the calendar 365 days a year.

In cities and towns across the nation, teachers, teenagers, librarians, politicians, actors, athletes, parents, grandparents, and others develop NEA’s Read Across America activities to bring reading excitement to children of all ages. Governors, mayors, and other elected officials recognize the role reading plays in their communities with proclamations and floor statements. Athletes and actors issue reading challenges to young readers. And teachers and principals seem to be more than happy to dye their hair green or be duct-taped to a wall if it boosts their students’ reading.

Also, if you’re on Facebook, and who isn’t? Take a look at the Dr. Seuss Books on Facebook page for a chance to win 3 of the best Dr. Seuss books ever!

So, which are your favorites? Are you reading any Dr. Seuss books today? Our pick for the day would definitely be Hop On Pop! It’s been both Turkeybird and Littlebug’s favorite from the very beginning!

Next, if you are a parent, teacher, librarian or just someone looking for great ways to improve children’s literacy you need to be on the lookout for these next two items…

The Book Chook’s quarterly Literacy Lava has just been released! Literacy Lava 8 is out now! No doubt this will be an excellent resource for anyone who is around children at all. You’ll find tips on reading aloud, creative thinking, starting your own toddler book club and more. Don’t miss this issue and past issues, if you haven’t read them already, it will be a great resource I’m positive!

The last item I want to bring your attention to is one readers may remember from last year, Share A Story Shape A Future. This week long literacy event is one that unites the online community in sharing ways to improve, incorporate and encourage literacy with children. It’s something I’m incredibly proud to be a part of and this year I will be hosting the third day, Wednesday the 9th of March, in which we’ll be discussing literacy for the future. We’ll be chatting about technology, from apps to book trailers to eReaders and how the work into the equation of Literacy 2.0. It’s sure to be a fantastic event and I can’t wait for each and every day! Here are the other topics to look forward to:

• The Power of a Book – From the literal power of owning a book and a good story to the intangible power that comes with knowing how to read.
• The Gift of Reading – Whether you’re looking for a book to excite a reader, want to help someone learn to read or celebrate the “gift” … it’s covered.
• Unwrapping Literacy 2.0 – With all of the talk of digital literacy, e-readers, etc. What does “literacy” look like in this new century?
• Love of Reading v. Homework – Do they have to be at odds? We’ll talk about ways to help readers at home and at school.
• The Gift that Keeps on Giving – To wrap up the week we’ll be remembering “that moment” when we realized we were a reader or writer and how to celebrate it with others. Lots(!) of interviews this day.

It begins next week, March 7-11, so make sure to add the Share A Story Shape A Future site to your reader and get ready for some incredible information!

I absolutely adore this time of year, if for no other reason than all the literacy activities going on around the internet! What about you? Are you looking forward to any of these events, or possibly already planning to participate? I’d love to know!

This fabulous weekly recap is hosted by Shelia of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week we recap what we’ve read and look at what’s coming up this week. If you’re interested head over to Shelia’s site and get involved! It’s a blast and I may even stop by to see what you’re up to!

Here’s what we’ve been up to this week:

This week was fabulous! I had the opportunity to participate in a Literacy Blog Tour called Share A Story Shape A Future. The Tour’s theme, It Takes a Village to Raise a Reader was amazing and I was able to learn so much from the various posts around the blogosphere. I also participated in a few myself:

A Sticky Situation – Using Activity and Sticker Books (The story behind my Turkeybird’s struggle with a learning disability.)
When I Was Young: The Books That Got Them Started (A wonderful recap of some of the great reviewers I’ve had on so far!)
Make A Lasting Impact on a Child’s Life: Read to Them!

I also was able to host a giveaway that benefited not One, but Three underfunded schools! It was provided by The Itty Bitty Bookworm and again, I have to say thank you to them for such a generous offering.

Read (I did actually get some reading in this week!):
This Is Me From Now On by Barbara Dee
The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams by Rhonda Hayter
Artsy Fartsy by Karla Oceanak Illustrated by Kendra Spanjer

What’s up for the week to come:

Reviewing:
The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams by Rhonda Hayter (ARC provided via Traveling ARC Tours)
Artsy Fartsy by Karla Oceanak Illustrated by Kendra Spanjer (Review Copy provided by Bailiwick Press)
Toy Boat by Randall de Seve illustrated by Loren Long
Baby Animals by Green Start

Reading:
Happyface by Stephen Emond (Review Copy provided by Little Brown Books for Young Readers)
The Bird Room by Chris Killen (Review Copy provided by Harper Perennial)
Mrs. Kaputnik’s Pool Hall and Matzo Ball Emporium by Rona Arato (Review Copy provided through LibraryThing Early Reviewers)
Gone by Lisa McMann

The Turkeybird and Littlebug are Reading:
How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
Farm Animals by Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells

So, what are you reading this week? Have any suggestions I should add to my reading pile?

Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with Amazon.com.

Share A Story Shape A Future has been a fabulous journey! I’m excited to come back tomorrow with my wrap up post, but for now I want to get to the really exciting news. The winner of The Itty Bitty Bookworm Giveaway.

The winner will receive Year One and Year Two of the Bo Curriculum.

There were many votes tallied, but in the end there had to be a winner. Without further ado, the winner is…

Summit County Integrated Preschool- Newberry

Also…

because Tara was so touched by each of the schools and their individual stories she decided to extend the giveaway to the two runner-ups. Both East Elementary and Fleming Island Elementary will be receiving Year One of the Bo Curriculum on CD! So, wonderful!

I want to personally thank Tara and The Itty Bitty Bookworm, on the behalf of the Share A Story Shape A Future Tour, for the generosity provided to these wonderful schools. I know that every student who has the opportunity to take part in this amazing curriculum will appreciate it so much!

Make sure to take a look at The Itty Bitty Bookworm Site and Blog when you have time, you never know…you may just find what you need to help the kiddos in your life!

I will be contacting the nominating parties of the winners with the details on how to receive your winnings.

The Share A Story Shape A Future Tour is going out with a bang today! Jen Robinson of Jen Robinson’s Book Page is hosting Day 5 – “Reading for the Next Generation”.  Each of the contributors will be talking about how to approach reading when your interests and your child’s don’t match. Maybe because you don’t like to read but your child does, so how do you raise the reader you’re not, and dealing with the “pressure” of feeling forced to read.

I have to say when it comes to this topic, I loved Lee Wind’s post on Monday, “Dads! The 3 Secrets to Reading with Your Daughters“. He talked all about his aversion to glitter and pixie dust, repetition with kids and how it can send you to dream land, and how to “experience” a book with your child. Every bit of this article was amazing and informative.

For me, I’ve only just begun to deal with this problem. My own son has been, from day one, an avid truck/car lover. Well, I can’t say I’m not, because one of the reasons my husband originally was drawn to me was because of my propensity to work on a car here and there. But working on them and reading about neon colored ones are completely different.

What I’ve found, through trial and error is that it’s not so much about whether you like the book, but how you make your child feel about it. You obviously don’t want to promote something you find offensive or harmful, but how many children’s books are? Engage them. Share with them and show them that you are passionate about a book or subject too. That doesn’t mean it has to be the same, my taste in books is quite different from my mother’s, but she’s who I remember reading as a child. It stays with them and as they get older the impact will be lasting.

Make sure to stop by the contributors for Day 5 and learn a little more about “Reading for the Next Generation”:

• Sarah shares “Let the Sillies Out: Reading to Babies and Young Children” at In Need of Chocolate.
• Melissa shares “Help! My Child’s Stuck!” at Book Nut.
• Mary Ann Scheuer shares “How do I help my child learn to love reading if I am not a great reader myself?” at Great Kid Books.
• Dawn Morris shares “Am I a failure if I don’t read with my kids?” at Moms Inspire Learning.
• Joyce Grant shares “Getting Your Video-Kid Reading” at Getting Kids Reading.
• Caroline Lennox shares “Princess Books? Give Me a Break!” at Learning Parade.
• Dawn Little shares “Resisting the Urge to Create a Reading Superstar” at Literacy Toolbox.
• Kate Messner shares “The Trouble with Great Expectations: Should kids be pushed to read more difficult books?” at Kate’s Book Blog
• Esme Raji Codell shares “After the Love Has Gone: Read-Aloud for the Young and the Restless” at Planet Esme.
• Amy Watson shares “Help! My Reading Interests are Different from my Child’s” at Literacy Launchpad.
• Mary Lee Hahn shares “Trusting Your Child to Make It through His/Her Current Reading Phase” at A Year of Reading.

Also, make sure to check out Tif’s site Tif Talks Books where today she will be sharing, in honor of the event, the favorite fairy tales from childhood of the participants in her event “Fairy Tale Fridays“. One not to be missed for sure!

As well, you only have until tonight at midnight to cast your vote for The Itty Bitty Bookworm Giveaway and make a difference in lives of many children! Please click on the link to cast your vote!

Susan Stephenson, the Book Chook, made the above logo for Share a Story Shape a Future at ToonDoo.com