Thoughts on the International Reading Association

This last week I had the chance to meet teachers, educators, librarians, and literacy coaches at the International Reading Association in Atlanta, Georgia. I've attended several over the past few years and this one felt, somehow, more optimistic.

Perhaps I shouldn't be optimistic about children's literature, especially the books I write which don't usually end up in chain bookstores. After all, this evening I received word from Chauni Haslet that All for Kids Bookstore in Seattle will definitely close on June 30, which is a sad loss. (I feel fortunate to be able to visit A Children's Place here in the Portland area.)

Still, I met many teachers and literacy coaches including veterans and those starting their careers who were using trade books in the classroom, in spite of slashed school and library budgets and the testing restraints imposed by No Child Left Behind.

We all need story. Yes, we need evidence-based teaching practices to help children learn to read, but most of all we need stories.