Kidsreads

When the Book Report Network debuted on AOL, they reviewed only adult book titles and authors.  So I approached the editors and asked why they didn't cover books for young readers.  Creators Jesse Kornbluth and Carol Fitzgerald asked me to put together a proposal and later accepted it.  

For almost two years, I was the first executive editor of KidsReads, which included teen titles at the time.  I reviewed ten books a week -- two baby books, two toddler books, two picture books, two middle grade books and two YA novels.  I also wrote two author interviews a month and did two topical book round ups each month.  Last but not least, I hosted online chat events with popular authors.  It was a heavy load, but I pulled it off.  And I loved every minute. 

In that year, I interviewed William Stieg, Eric Carle, Stan Berenstain, Brian Jacques, Jon Scieszka, David Kirk, David Carter, R.L. Stine, Dav Pilkey, Jean Craighead George, Aliki, Chris Crutcher, Janell Cannon, and so many other iconic writers and illustrators.  It was amazing!

I'm trying to recover the interviews I put together for KidsReads because most have disappeared from their existing website, which I understand.  Time marches on and new content trumps the old.  But I hope to post them here, because they were sensational pieces full of information.  So keep checking back for new discoveries.  


INTERVIEWS

Chris Crutcher
Nicholas Sparks
Garth Nix

CHAT TRANSCRIPTS

R.L. Stine