Today the immediate answer is Google and Wikipedia. But perhaps these sources will not answer the sort of question that may be in a librarian’s mind. When I was training there were a variety of publications to guide my thinking in my work – Margery Fisher with Growing Point, Nancy and Aiden Chambers producing Signal, The Times Literary Supplement covering Children’s Books to name a few; today no more. But since 1980 there has been one source that continues to create articles of interest – and enjoyment – as well as introductions to authors and illustrators and, of course, useful reviews – Books for Keeps.

I was asked if I might like to highlight some of my favourite articles. I have found this almost impossible. In almost every one of the 245 issues there is something to attract, to reflect on, to interest. Indeed the current issue devoted entirely to Poetry is a real treasure trove with articles on introducing poetry to a class, poems to excite and to enchant, anthologies to add to the library, personal choices. However, looking back over the years Books for Keeps has always championed poetry. In 1981, Howard Sergeant was also giving advice on choosing poems for the classroom (BfK No 8) . We find Pat Triggs looking at ways into poetry in BfK No 21 and in 1996 Philippa Milnes-Smith poses Ten Questions and Some Answers. You might find some of these quite familiar.

As a judge of the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway awards, part of our training to judge the latter was to read the article by Joanna Carey on assessing a picture book – Words about Pictures (Bfk 146, 2004). There was so little to guide one on the subject of visual literacy. But looking back through the Books for Keeps archive, I am reminded of the articles that did look at so many aspects of the picture book. There is Jane Doonan’s “Analysing a Picture Book” in which she explores Helen Cooper’s The Bear Under the Stairs (Bfk No 86, 1994) I found this a real eye-opener – and I recommend it even now. Then more recently there is the series by Piet Grobler writing about visual literacy – another brilliant and accessible starting point.

Do you remember Picture Books for Older Readers? We are still pushing for this, trying to persuade parents and teachers that the description “picture book” does not automatically mean it is only of interest to the very youngest.  It is not new – in Janice Morris article Picture Books for Everyone (Bf k 174) she reminds us of that champion of the picture book, Elaine Moss and finds that, yes, the picture book is relevant to older readers. It is articles like this that chime with questions we still confront that pop up again and again, providing us with a history. Diversity so much embedded in recent issues through the challenging and accessible articles by Darren Chetty and Karen Sands-O’Connor, features throughout its history – raising awareness, challenging the failure of our publishers to create books reflecting the realities of our world, pointing to books that, however few, did exist.

Then there are all the lovely incidentals – Hal’s Diary, in which we are introduced to baby Jack and follow his reactions to books through the diary kept by his father; very good material for a children’s librarian. There is the Good Reads feature where real young people can present their favourite book. And, of course, the Authorgraph and Windows on Illustration. Where else can you meet such a range of authors and illustrators? These are true highlights – what a parade – Charles Keeping, Russell Hoban, Betsy Byers, Elizabeth Acevedo...

Of course when thinking of Books for Keeps it is the reviews that come to mind – an increasingly important feature. But don’t forget the Archive through which you can explore everything – ten best books in the 80’s? It might just answer that tricky query... What is not to love. It truly is a resource and we need to look after it. So please as a Christmas present to yourself (or a colleague) donate to help it continue to grow. (The button is on the front page – so easy!)

A big thank you to Ferelith Hordon for sharing some of her top picks.  Ferelith is Editorial Advisor for Books for Keeps and is our very own editor of the Youth Library Review and the YLG Newsletter.