Competency #3: Podcast

Name of Podcast: Reading Rockets Presents Meet the Author

Link to Podcast: http://www.readingrockets.org/podcasts/authors

(Note: I found this site through ITUNES, so if you have an ITUNES account you can access many of these audio interviews, but I am including the actual website, which will have video podcasts in addition to the audio.)

Description: This is a podcast that interviews the crème de la crème of children’s book authors and illustrators. The podcast is geared not just towards children but towards adults as well. The interviews can be accessed as audio or video, and you can also find transcripts on the interviews. The following list is just a taste of some of the authors interviewed: Laurie Halse Anderson, Mem Fox, Avi, Janet Wong, Nikki Giovanni, R.L. Stine, Jon Scieszka, Laurence Yep and many more. (Caveat: The actual website provides you with links to access the video podcasts through Google or videostreaming and most of the audio podcasts through ITUNES. However, I found that I could not access all of the videostreaming links, but I had no problems with the Google links.)

Rationale for Inclusion: I chose this podcast because it meets my library type and topic. I am interested in Elementary School Libraries and/or specialized Children’s Libraries, and the topic I am interested in is promoting literacy. I think this is a great resource for librarians and educators because it uses media in an interesting way and can generate an interest in children to read new authors and encourage them to keep reading the authors who are already their favorites. I also chose this podcast because the customer ratings on ITUNES gave it five stars, which is the top rating.

Search Engine Used: ITUNES