The highly-respected Reading Rockets program offers both teachers and students a toolkit of ways to connect more actively with the materials they read. Some of these techniques are specifically for fiction-reading, others are designed for reading nonfiction and informational texts, while others are useful for any text.

Discover these exciting 25 activities that develop reading and writing skills while having fun. The activities are split for two different age groups.

Watch this interview with children's nonfiction author Gail Gibbons to learn how she goes about crafting her illustrated explanations. Biographical information, a selected book list and transcripts of the interview are also part of the site.

Reading Rockets offers this exceptional site with video footage of an interview with Laurence Yep. There are transcripts of the interview, biographical information, and links to some of his books as well.

Children and adults enjoy participating in Lois Ehlert's colorful books. She discusses her work in this video interview with Reading Rockets. Also included at the site are biographical notes, a transcript of the interview and a list of some of her books.

Besides watching video clips of an interview with the creator of the beloved big red dog, you can get biographical information and link to several of Bridwell's books at this site. Transcripts of the interview are available.

Mexican-American author Pat Mora discusses her work and her life in this video interview. Biographical information, a list of selected books and a transcript of the interview are all available at this site.

Czechoslovakian-born writer and illustrator Peter Sis shares his thoughts on his childhood and his work here in the United States in this video interview. Transcript and biographical details are also available.

Writer and illustrator Tomie dePaola shares details of his life in this interview with public television. Site includes biographical information, a transcript of the interview and some featured books.

Come and check out this awesome pre-reading resource. This site offers examples of simple word games you can play with kids to increase their ability to recognize and use letters and sounds. Try these games the next time you're in the car or on the go.

What is reading? Explore this article from to find the answer to this question.

This site features family reading activities that will guide parents with their children's reading development.

What are the foundations for reading? Come and explore this informative article to discover the answer to this question.

Come and learn how to begin to help parents and educators address the aftermath of a natural disaster with children through reading and books. This site features a list of titles to begin this journey of healing.

This site offers four short video clips for the early elementary teacher to watch and learn about effective phonemic awareness techniques. From the PBS television series "Launching Young Readers".

This resource provides information and techniques for teaching phonics and decoding, which assist with early literacy.

This site offers extensive resources for teaching poetry. Find interviews with poets, ideas for poetry lessons, book lists, and ways to use poetry across the curriculum. There are also resources specifically for National Poetry Month. Includes video. [4:58]

Come and learn more about these awesome phonemic activities for the preschool or elementary classroom.

Explore a list of simple things that principals can do to help all children learn to read. Come and learn more about the collaboration process with school administrators, teachers and staff.

What are some strategies for achieving the goal of every child reading? This site features several activities to achieve this goal with your readers.