Fusenews: In Brief

Well, my panel discussion at Comic-Con went swimmingly.  I’ll be returning today to pump the publishers I know for even more of their forbidden goodies.  In the meantime, here are some brief links to tide you over.

• Perhaps I am old and crochety (4 days until I say that with a straight face) but if Crayola comes out with a crayon and calls it Giving Tree Green, wouldn’t the natural assumption be that it has something to do with how humans take and take and take from nature and nature just sits back and lets it happen?  The description "it’s a colorful truth that kids are thinking green, too, and want to play a part in protecting the Earth" (colorful truth?) suggests that Crayola didn’t even know that there was a book out there by the name of The Giving Tree.  Thanks to bookshelves of doom for the link.

• And have you ever found yourself wondering, "How on earth am I to teach Economics to my kids?"  Nope.  Me neither.  It must happen from time to time, though.  In fact, maybe if I’d learned the stuff in my own past I’d be a savvier gent (so to speak).  Introducing, direct from the hallowed halls of Rutgers University, EconKids.  The site describes itself thusly: "This website provides teachers, parents, and volunteers with ideas for using children’s literature to introduce economics to children.  This site also reviews new books from leading publishers and makes selections for ‘Book of the Month’ and ‘Top Five’ categories.  Unlike many of the existing websites on economics education, EconKids focuses on younger students in elementary school.  Its user-friendly design can provide quick suggestions that are based on current research in economics and education."

Cool.  An Associate Professor in the Women and Gender Studies department brought it to my attention.  I particularly like that Book of the Month feature.  This month is Violet the Pilot, a book that I’ve been meaning to review myself at some point and just haven’t gotten around to.  Be sure to check out their New Books section for some interesting reviews as well.

Filed under: Fusenews