Randomly

Thanks to Nat for a great 'starving artist' way to support the survivors of the Katrina mess. As the New Orleans libraries are restocking, consider giving them a book. Or six. Or the twelve stacked on the stairs because they won't fit on the shelf. They could really use a hand, and it costs less than you think.

Children's books are still needed. SCBWI primarily concentrated their 'Comfort Kits' (which included books, a soft toy, toothbrush and flashlight) on the outlying states who needed hurricane assistance, like Mississippi or Alabama, but the Louisiana Department of Education has information to help you find out how to help New Orleans schools and kids too.

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Did you know that for every fifteen books a teen reviews on Young Adult Books Central they have the opportunity to win books? Not a bad idea, that. This site also alerts readers to publisher-sponsored giveaways and contests, which is a great reason to check it out.

Meanwhile, HarperCollins has a new YA lit newsletter as of January. At least I think it's YA lit... it looks like it's Chick Lit Lite, since it's a.) pink and b.) doesn't seem to have too much for the guys... but anyway, it's HipLit, the latest offerings that people are talking about, so check it out.

A fun and funny theme for the Fourth Annual Arne Nixon Children's Center Secret Garden Party -- cats. They're even celebrating bad kitties (as found in Nick Bruel's picture book of the same title) and the fact that their comparative literature collection has just been gifted with hundreds of children's books about cats. No one knows what else is going on (thus the 'secret' part of the "secret garden" title), but you can find out if you go. It's a fundraiser - so the starving artist thing doesn't quite work, but if you love children's books (not YA, but children's), this is the gig for you.