Announcing ... Booklights, from PBS Parents

I am delighted to announce the launch of a new children's book blog from PBS Parents, Booklights. Pam Coughlan (MotherReader), Susan Kusel (Wizards Wireless), and I will be working with Gina Montefusco from PBS, along with various guest contributors, to bring literacy and reading content to the PBS Parents audience. The goal of Booklights, in line with the goals that Susan, Pam, and I have for our personal blogs, is to help people to inspire a love of reading in children.

Currently we're in "soft launch" mode, which means that PBS won't be announcing the blog anywhere until next week. But I wanted you, my loyal blog readers, to be the first to know that the long-discussed "blog for PBS" has finally come to fruition. We have some early introductory posts and lists of favorite picture books now available.

I am thrilled to be working with Gina, Pam, and Susan on this project. I'll be sharing children's literacy and kidlitosphere news at Booklights, along with posts about books and encouraging young readers. But not to worry, I'll still be blogging as usual at Jen Robinson's Book Page. I do hope that you'll take a few minutes to check out the new blog, and that you'll consider adding it to your regular blog reading. We all welcome your feedback and comments!

P.S. A much more entertaining version of this announcement is now available at MotherReader. Or at least it made me laugh. A lot.

Comments

[PJ Hoover]

Added! And congrats on starting a new blog!
I see you're reading City of Bones which I loved. I'm almost done with Life as we knew It!

[BookMoot]

Booklights looks wonderful. What a terrific platform for your insight and passion! I'm so thrilled for you all and look forward to sharing Booklights with others!

Hip,hip hoorah!

[Gregory K.]

Congrats, Jen (and Susan and Pam)! Looks fabulous!

[Jen Robinson]

Thanks, PJ, Camille, and Greg. PJ, I haven't quite started that book yet (I list all of my library books as what I'm reading, since I intend to read them next). But I am looking forward to it.

And thanks so much to you all for helping to spread the word about Booklights. Your support means a lot!

[Kate Coombs]

What a great new site! I did try to leave a comment there, but it repeatedly rejected my writing of the anti-spam words. (Possible glitch, or maybe just today?)

[Kim Kasch]

OMG I love PBS - here in Oregon the affiliate is OPB :) We're supporters.

[Jen Robinson]

Thanks for letting me know that, Kate. I also was unable to get through the catchpa. I've sent PBS an email, to have that checked out (it is nice to have tech support people). I really appreciate you a) trying to comment, and b) letting me know.

And Kim, I love PBS, too. Especially now.

[Little Willow]

WOO HOO! Congrats, ladies! :)

[Book Chook]

Just to let you know Jen that Capcha defeated my efforts, too.

[laurasalas]

Looks fantastic, Jen--congratulations!

[jama]

Congratulations! So excited for all of you. :)

[tanita]

Go, Jen! Congratulations! It cracks me up that you wanted to blog less once upon a time...

[Lori]

I just subscribed to Booklights in my Google Reader. It looks wonderful and I'm so happy that you have another outlet to help spread the word about children's books and literacy. I look forward to reading your posts!

All the best,
Lori
www.loricalabrese.com

[Rich Greif]

Congrats Jen, that is fantastic! Let me know if we can help with content from our end of the children's literacy world.

Rich Greif
National Executive Director
Everybody Wins! USA

[Gina]

Hi, this is Gina from PBS. We've got the comments feature fixed on Booklights, so please go and show Jen, Susan, and Pam some love when you get a chance!
www.pbs.org/parents/booklights

[Jen Robinson]

Thanks so much for the support, all! People like you are what make blogging so rewarding in the first place. I especially appreciate people's help in spreading the word, and signing up for our feed. It will be nice to feel like people are actually reading.

And yes, Tanita, I do periodically try to blog less ... then things come along that I can't resist.

[Eva M]

Oh my gosh, another great blog to add to my overburdened blog reader!!! Congrats, you guys - this is so fabulous.

[Solvang Sherrie]

Very cool - congratulations!

[Elaine Magliaro]

Congratulations! I'll add Booklights to my blogroll at Wild Rose Reader.

[Judy Weymouth]

I try to read my "check weekly" blogs in the morning and my "check daily" blogs each evening. This morning I read about Booklights on Chicken Spaghetti and thought, "why didn't Jen tell us about this yesterday?" So I quickly checked your blog and there it is. Finally, after several months of waiting, here it is!!! I love the name you came up with and the entries on the blog so far are great. Congratulations and best of luck with your new endeavor. I'll add this to my "check daily" group!

[adrienne]

I just went over and read the first bunch of entries, and it looks great! Congratulations-and kudos to PBS for adding something so cool to their site.

[Jen Robinson]

Judy, it's an honor to be on your check daily list (twice, even!).

Thanks to you all for the encouragement, and for adding us to your readers. Susan, Pam and I will all be working hard to make Booklights worthy of your time.

[Vivian]

This is fantastic! Congratulations, I know this will be a success.

[Scope Notes]

I've been looking forward to this announcement. Booklights is going to be a fun read!

[Maureen]

Congrats on the new venture, Jen, Pam, and Susan!

Maureen

[The Children's Book Review Bianca Schulze]

Congratulations!

[Jules]

I am so excited about this. I finally just went to the new blog, and it's wonderful, and they are in such good hands with you all. This is a definite kick for me this week, and I'm gonna post about it on Sunday!

[Jen Robinson]

Thanks so much, guys! And Jules, this is going to be one of my kicks, too. And one thing that makes it such a true kick is the wonderful and supportive response from friends like you all.