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Maria Salvadore

Reading Rockets' children's literature expert, Maria Salvadore, brings you into her world as she explores the best ways to use kids' books both inside — and outside — of the classroom.

Picture books: poetry in motion

July 6, 2015

I’ve been thinking a lot about picture books and why some work and are memorable while others just land with a thud when read. I continue to ask myself what is it about those picture books that resonate with readers and particularly those that can be shared many times between adults and children, delighting both.

Everyone has a story: an interview with author Karen Deans

June 11, 2015

Karen Deans is an author and an artist who tells stories in several ways. She uses rich language in her books as she reveals lives of interesting women. She is a painter, creating images that capture a mood or a place for the stage. And some of her paintings are just for pleasure to look at every day.

Books make a big difference

April 29, 2015

Working with children means that you work with the significant adults in their lives. I’ve often found — both personally and professionally — that parents are flummoxed by the huge number of messages about raising children; all too often parenting becomes fraught with guilt.

Let’s talk about poetry with Lee Bennett Hopkins

March 31, 2015

In honor of National Poetry Month I contacted one of the most prolific and versatile poets and anthologist whose books I’ve long used and admired.

Because They Marched: Our interview with writer Russell Freedman

March 9, 2015

Russell Freedman was raised by parents who were involved with books and authors, so perhaps it is not surprising that he was attracted to writing. It is fortunate for readers of all ages that he was ultimately drawn to it as a full-time career.

The end of a month

February 26, 2015

I read a statement on a publisher’s blog that resonated with me: “Black History is American History.” (The publisher is Lee & Low, a press known for publishing diverse books.)

Pages

Find the best apps for building literacy skills.

Literacy Apps

Find the best apps for building literacy skills.

Target the Problem: Pinpoint the problem a struggling reader is having and discover ways to help.

Target the Problem

Pinpoint the problem a struggling reader is having and discover ways to help.

Ready for Kindergarten! What parents, teachers and child care providers need to know.

Ready for Kindergarten

What parents, teachers and child care providers need to know.

Our Podcasts: Watch or listen to our classroom video, author interviews and more.

Our Podcasts

Watch or listen to our classroom video, author interviews and more.

FAQs About Reading: Real questions from parents and educators, answered by experts.

FAQs About Reading

Real questions from parents and educators, answered by experts.

"I feel the need of reading. It is a loss to a man not to have grown up among books." —

Abraham Lincoln

Classroom Strategies

Research-based teaching strategies

Classroom Strategies

Reading Basics
From print awareness to comprehension

Reading 101 Course
K-3 professional development course

Looking at Writing

Writing samples from real kids pre-K–3

Looking at Writing

More in Teaching Reading:

Why Some Kids Struggle

The reasons why some kids struggle with reading

Why Some Kids Struggle

Target the Problem!

Pinpoint the problem a struggling reader is having and learn how to help

Target the Problem!

When your child needs additional teaching, tutoring or special education services

FAQs

Questions about assessment, comprehension, dyslexia and more

More in Struggling Readers:

Author Interviews
Meet your favorite authors and illustrators in our video interviews

Book Finder
Create your own booklists from our library of 5,000 books!

Themed Booklists
Dozens of carefully selected booklists, for kids 0-12 years old

Nonfiction for Kids
Tips on finding great books, reading nonfiction and more

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