Hello, all, and welcome to Literago’s kid lit column. It’s pretty simple, really: Chicago has kid lit authors and illustrators, Chicago has kids, Chicago has parents who want said kids to become book-loving, book-devouring geniuses. And finally, Chicago has this fine literary go-to site, and on it a contributor (hi!) with a healthy curiosity about books of the words-&-pictures variety.  Hence, Literago’s new column dedicated solely to children’s lit.

Like the adult stuff, children’s lit encompasses worlds, and I don’t plan to traverse all of them. My exploration will be focused on picture books – from, say, baby-friendly titles up to about age 8 or so. There may be exceptions—say, when I discover Chicagoland middle-grade or YA authors I simply can’t not rave about or pull into our lair for a quick Q&A, or otherwise flirt with and flatter. But mostly, what you can hope to find here is regular dish and dialogue (and I do hope it’s a dialogue!) on marvelous books for the blankie set.

I come to this column bubbling with semi-selfish excitement, but also a lick of humility. As mama to one book-crazy toddlerina, I’m hot for the picture books right now, too—i.e., enthusiasm I have in spades. But let’s face it: The kidlitosphere is richly populated enough already to, well, merit the description “kidlitosphere,” so who do I think I am, hoisting myself all up in here as a children’s lit blogger, adding my tinny chirp to the chorus?

I base my authority on two pieces of cred: A) I am writer of some things that’ve found their way into print, including one quasi YA novel, and B) that bona fide mama status I mentioned just above.

Which is to say: Not that much. But hopefully enough.

If I am so lucky to have other, more seasoned children’s book bloggers out there reading these words? Please do send word (to susannah.felts [at] gmail [dot] com). Take my sweaty, sticky little hand in yours, and let’s play nice. Please: send inspirations, kind nudges of direction, corrections where merited.

What I hope we’ll all get out of this: Inspiration and guidance for your next library or bookstore spree. A glance at the latest and best in newly published picture books. A doorway to the lively chatter in the kidlitosphere. Lively (and by lively, I mean toddler-worthy lively) discussions of kid lit old and new, and of the challenge of raising readers in not-so-book-besotted world (A licensed-character-driven narrative of a world. The question: To Elmo lit or not to Elmo lit?). And, as my toddler would say, with left pointer finger poking vigorously at right palm: “Meh,” or more.

I hope to offer you an idiosyncratic, at times irreverent, take on the books my family and I are digging at a given moment, on our adventures in reading. And I hope to bring in some children’s book writers and illustrators for hearty Q&A, especially those bedded down in, or with even the most tenuous ties to, Chicago. (Shout out via that email address above if this sounds like you; likewise, if you’re a publicist/publisher/author workin’ it…)

More soon, but for now, speaking of irreverence, I leave you with this bit o’ fun: “Mom Takes Children’s Songs Literally,” from McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. (What are you talking about, “how I wonder what you are”? It’s a star. You just said it was a star.)

Check back soon for official column the first!