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Typically, the Prairie Wind uses the Someone You Should Know column to introduce SCBWI-Illinois to an important person in the children’s literature community who might help you create, network, publish, promote, and so on. For this installment, however, we turned this column on its head and asked SCBWI-Illinois who you already know. We asked Continue reading The Someones We Know: Our Local Librarians By Jeremy Dunn [Editor’s Note: Many individuals and organizations work hard to connect our books with readers. During the past few years, SCBWI-Illinois has developed a relationship with the Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA) to help foster connections between authors and school librarians. Jeremy Dunn, president of ISLMA, offers a description of his organization and its Continue reading ISLMA + SCBWI = SUCCESS By Janice M. Del Negro Let me begin by commenting on hats. I wear, figuratively speaking, a number of them, all at once, like that monkey-beset cap seller or Bartholomew Cubbins. I am a professor at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, where I teach Storytelling, Children’s Literature, Young Adult Literature, Foundations of Library and Information Science, the Capstone Class, and the PhD Reading Seminar. Continue reading The Butler Children’s Literature Center at Dominican University By Sara Grant Ever considered ghostwriting children’s fiction? Ghostwriting can be a lucrative means to hone your craft, gain experience, and break into publishing. Working Partners is a creative think tank, specializing in series fiction for children, that works with ghostwriters. Continue reading Sara Grant of Working Partners: Writers Wanted By Natalie Ziarnik Jan Watkins has been a children’s librarian for twenty-eight years and is currently the Head of Youth Services at the Skokie Public Library. An active member of the American Library Service to Children (ALSC), she has chaired many committees, has served on the Newbery Award Committee, and currently serves on the Caldecott Award Committee. She is also on the Board of Directors of the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) and serves on the organizing committee for “Children’s Books: Where Worlds Meet,” a USBBY regional conference taking place in St. Charles, Illinois, from October 2-4, 2009. Jan is one of those librarians I have long admired for her excellent service and dedication to the profession. Continue reading Jan Watkins and the USBBY By Lisa Chellman
By Kristin Walker
I had the opportunity to ask her a few questions about the exhibit and her expertise. She is incredibly passionate and knowledgeable, and . . . well, see for yourself! Continue reading Newberry Library’s Jenny Schwartzberg By Rich and Mary Chamberlin “I want to bring together readers and writers,” is the wish of Bonnie Matheis, coordinator of Illinois Center for the Book.
“Books can inspire people,” Bonnie declares. When she read the Harry Potter series with her son, they would alternate pages. “It created a bonding experience. For children, every story is an opportunity for change.” Now her son is an avid reader. Continue reading Bonnie Matheis & the Center for the Book
MacArthur Fellow Peter Sís launched his national book tour for The Wall at the Center for Teaching Through Children’s Books in September 2007. Pictured from left are Junko Yokota, Peter Sís and Gail Bush. By Ruth Spiro With this Spring issue, we offer more than Someone You Should Know. We offer Someplace You Should Know, as well. Tucked away in the library at National-Louis University in Skokie is a hidden treasure: The Center for Teaching Through Children’s Books. Directed by Junko Yokota and and Gail Bush, both PhDs, the Center is “dedicated to excellence in teaching with quality literature for children and adolescents.” By Laura Crawford
March 2008 is going to be a good month for Illinois author Sally Walker. She is receiving the Prairie State Award for her distinguished career in children’s literature, celebrating 20 years of writing for Lerner and her first fiction picture book is being released. Several years ago, I heard Sally do a book talk at the Northern Illinois University Children’s Literature Conference. I was impressed with her knowledge of each title, but what I remember most about Sally Walker was her enthusiasm as she spoke about each title. She made me want to read every book she described. I remember thinking, “Wow, she has a way with words.” 
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The 
I’d love to take full credit for writing this article, but the truth is Jenny Schwartzberg did most of the work. Which is amazing, considering how busy she must be preparing for the opening of her exhibit at the Newberry Library in Chicago. Jenny (pictured above) is the Gift Specialist at the library, and she’s co-curator of their 
With their recent enhancements to their programs and website, they are in a great position to assist aspiring and experienced authors alike (such as Illinois luminaries Richard Peck and Ray Elliott, picture here with Bonnie). We spent a few minutes chatting with Bonnie recently and believe she really is Someone You Should Know.
Fifty books in 20 years? Now that’s impressive!