Poll: Favorite winter-themed children's book

Interactive book flyer

Run Mouse over this interactive book flyer to connect to reviews and Amazon to purchase books.

Pew: Fewer bookworms

The Pew Research Center recently reported that almost a quarter of American adults haven't read a single book in the past year. *Gasp* Here's a look at the numbers, starting with 1978 when Gallup conducted the poll.

Percentage of Americans who haven't read at least one book in the past year:

Gallup 1978: 8 percent
Gallup 1990: 16 percent
Gallup 1999: 13 percent
Gallup 2001: 13 percent
Gallup 2002: 18 percent
Gallup 2005: 16 percent
Pew 2011: 18 percent
Pew 2012: 23 percent
Pew 2014: 23 percent

Does this surprise you?

Video: Inside Random House

I saw this video via a tweet from Random House Kids. It's a great overview of the publishing process.

Books make great gifts

"Do give books - religious or otherwise - for Christmas. They're never fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal." --Lenore Hershey

Are you giving books for Christmas? Are there books on your wish list? Is there any writing book you recommend? I just finished Betsy Lerner's Forest for the Trees. I really enjoyed it.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

     I can’t wait to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park later this summer. The attraction opens Friday. 
    For Potterphiles, it will be awesome to see how they brought the books to life. We’ll be able to walk down Hogsmeade, lined with our favorite shops: Zonko’s joke shop and the confectionary Honeydukes. We’ll be able to drink butterbeer and pumpkin juice, buy a wand or a broomstick or Sneakoscopes and extendable ears.  
    And, of course, we’ll be able to walk the halls of Hogwarts, where Harry and his magician friends study and live.
    Park construction was overseen by the production manager from the Potter movies, so I think we can count on it being great. 
    There are three rides in the new Potter Park, but the one I’m most excited about is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The ride combines the sensation of flight with a ton of special effects. Riders journey through Potter’s life, from the Quidditch field to the mouths of giant spiders and dragons. Sounds like a lot of fun! 
    What book would you like to see brought to life in a theme park? Anyone?

   
   
   

Catching Fire

Finally got my copy of Catching Fire and am so excited to read. For those of you who have read it, what to you think? Please share.