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.

This resource includes a 45-minute webcast with George Mason University education professor Dr. Lorraine Valdez Pierce, discussion questions, sample assessment tools, and other resources. Sample assessment tools are available as downloadable PDFs and include a teacher observation checklist, student self-assessment tool, and a sample scoring rubric.

This well-done site offers video clips of an interview with Avi, a brief biography, links to featured books and a transcript of the entire interview.

In this video [18:07], Beverly Cleary answers a baker's dozen out of 500 questions submitted by her readers. Listen in as Mrs. Cleary talks about her favorite teddy bear, where the character Ralph came from, the pleasures of reading and writing, and much more. A transcript is provided as well. A second video [14:38] features an interview from 2006. A short biography about her life and a selected list of her books are also included.

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.

The Reading Rockets project offers this exclusive and extensive interivew with Jane Yolen. It can be watched as a series of video clips, or you can read the transcripts. There is also a brief biographical sketch. Links to some of her books are included as well.

Jerry Pinkney is interviewed in this series of video clips. Biographical details, lists of works and transcripts of the interviews are available.

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.

You can watch an interview with Nikki Grimes, view the transcript and read a short biography. Also includes a list of her children's books. [1:37]

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.

Well-loved author and illustrator Patricia Polacco shares some insights about her childhood and her work in this video interview. Biographical details, a list of books, and a transcript of the interview are available.

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.

Watch William Joyce discuss his career creating such memorable characters as George Shrinks and Rolie Polie Olie among other topics. Biographical information, featured books and transcripts of the video interview are all included.

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.