Betsy Bird, the blogger of A Fuse #8 Production has signed with ALA to write a book with the working title “KidLit: Finding Old and New Classics in Your Collection.” Before talking with Betsy about a concept for the book, I was captivated by her distinctive, engaging voice in the blog. I was also amazed that she not only could read so many new children’s books, but also go to so many publisher parties, and still find time for so many blog posts. In the book, Betsy will share her tips for keeping up with the new literature. What caught my attention is that she has her eyes on forgotten gems as well. The Winged Girl of Knossos, by Erick Berry, is one she mentioned in a telephone conversation. On her blog she describes it as “a retelling of the Icarus myth that would go over like gangbusters with today’s Lightning Thief loving crowd.”

Betsy Bird was in the Chicago area this past weekend for the first Kidlitosphere blogger conference, which she reported on in few posts. Another ALA Editions author, Adrienne Furness, who blogs at What Adrienne Thinks About That also attended.

At Midwinter in Seattle, no fewer than three people sought me out, one even stopping me on the street, to tell me that “Michael Porter’s got an idea” for a book. Never one to be too slow on the uptake, I made sure to talk with him at a reception we were both attending. Several conversations and one contract later, I’m thrilled to say that Michael (aka Libraryman) will be writing for us.

Just what is this big idea, you say? Michael will be interviewing and gathering stories from individuals and institutions that have become leaders in successful electronic community engagement. He will use these stories as the basis for real-world lessons that libraries can use to more effectively engage the communities they serve. The work will be many things: part historical snapshot of this transition period in library service, part motivational storytelling, part benchmarking, and part practical handbook.

Michael himself is thoroughly immersed in this world of electronic community engagement, and I’m really looking forward to his tour.