Sharlee Glenn

Library on Wheels (2:39)

Unsung heroes – there are many. People who do something significant, ground-breaking, history making – but little is known about them or their deeds. Our first guest on Worlds Awaiting, Sharlee Glenn, is singing the praises of one such forgotten hero. Sharlee tells of her experience discovering Mary Lemist Titcomb, inventor of the Book Mobile. Mary’s desire to get books into the hands of people far from cities, led to her pioneering efforts with her “Book Wagon.”  Her philosophy? ‘If the people won’t come to the books – let’s take the books to the people.’ Sharlee Glenn has written for adults in a variety of publications. Her primary focus, though, is writing for children. Her picture books include Library on Wheels: Mary Lemist Titcomb and America’s First Bookmobile; Keeping up with Roo – winner of the Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award; and Just What Mama Needs – featured on the EMMY award-winning PBS children's show Between the Lions. Her first middle-grade novel, Beyond the Green, will be released by Charlesbridge in the Fall of 2018.

Dr. Mimi Ito

Connected Learning (14:07)

Next, Dr. Mimi Ito chats with Rachel on Worlds Awaiting about Connected Learning – which is bringing the digital and network world into the classroom. These new tools like digital games, online communities, and social media provide the best kind of learning opportunities for kids in all walks of life. Dr. Ito is a cultural anthropologist of technology use, specializing in children and youth’s changing relationships to media and communications. She’s Professor in Residence and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Chair in Digital Media and Learning at the University of California. Mimi has co-authored the book, Hanging Out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out: Youth Living and Learning with New Media.

Author Tips (25:18)

We finish up the show today with three authors – Jennifer Nielsen, Whitney Gibbons, and Julie Berry – who offer some guidance for youth and adults who want to enter the