How do we choose which books to read aloud or recommend to young readers or teaching colleagues? How do we know whether a book is "good" or not? Luckily, there are multiple resources to guide us and well-established criteria to rely upon including major review journals in the field of children's literature. There are many emerging online sources of reviews, including databases of comparative reviews via vendors such as Follett's Titlewave, Ingram's iPage, and Mackin. These are helpful for gathering input, but they often abridge or excerpt reviews due to space limitations, so it's important to check primary sources for a complete review picture. But we should seek out reviews from other sources as we decide which books are just right for the library collection. In fact, most librarians are required to cite at least two positive reviews from well regarded sources to justify a book's acquisition. What are reputable sources?

Most of these review sources below continue to offer print magazines and journals, but also include electronic access on a subscription basis. Many use their websites to offer additional resources that are updated on a regular basis. And laypeople enjoy reviewing, too. Reviews by librarians, educators, and young people themselves are popping up in all kinds of places, particularly on the Web, on blogs, and in informal publications. This can be a fun and meaningful activity to orchestrate and assist in collection development that more closely aligns with patron needs. Of course, relying on reviews alone is not enough to build a strong collection. We need to know the kids and our community and seek out books that meet their various needs, too.

Horn Book Magazine http://www.hbook.com

Horn Book Magazine is the pre-eminent journal in the field of children's literature. Since 1924, the Horn Book Magazine has been devoted to the critical analysis of children's literature, including articles, book reviews, and the speeches of the Newbery and Caldecott medal recipients. Horn Book cosponsors the annual Boston Globe/Horn Book awards, prints a yearly "Fanfare" list of best books, and publishes The Horn Book Guide, a comprehensive review source published semiannually.

School Library Journal http://www.slj.com/

School Library Journal (SLJ) may be the most comprehensive of the review media since it considers nearly all books published for young people and is available monthly, with reviews written by a nationwide panel of several hundred librarians. A starred review and/or inclusion on the "Best Books" list in December signifies a particularly noteworthy book.

Booklist http://www.booklistonline.com

Booklist is the major review publication of the American Library Association (ALA) and includes a "Books for Youth" section of reviews of books for older, middle, and young readers. Outstanding books are given starred reviews and an end-of-the-year "Editor's Choice" issue is especially helpful, as are the lists of "Best Books" compiled by various ALA committees. Print subscriptions include issues of Book Links magazine as a regular supplement offering columns and articles full of booklists, strategies, and tips.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB) http://bccb.lis.illinois.edu/

The Bulletin was founded by children's literature giant Zena Sutherland and is currently published in print and online by The Johns Hopkins University Press for the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Regular staff members review new books on a monthly basis (except August) and issue an annual list of Bulletin Blue Ribbon books.

Kirkus Reviews http://www.kirkusreviews.com/

Kirkus Reviews, founded in 1933, is published twice monthly and includes reviews written by specialists selected for their knowledge and expertise in a particular field with over 100 free lance reviewers contributing regularly.

Publishers Weekly http://www.publishersweekly.com/

Although the primary focus of Publishers Weekly is on books for adults, there are regular reviews of children's books in various categories such as fiction, picture books, and nonfiction written by permanent staff members. General information about the publishing industry including current bestsellers and publishing statistics is also interesting. Their PW Children's Bookshelf is a very popular and helpful digital newsletter.

VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) http://www.voyamagazine.com/

This journal provides reviews for librarians who work with teenagers and preteens and considers everything from fiction and fantasy to graphic novels and audiobooks. In addition, it offers interesting articles on current trends in literature and youth services.

The Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/

Based at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, the CCBC was established in 1963 as a center for research and study in children's literature. Currently headed by Kathleen T. (KT) Horning, the Center highlights a book of the week, the annual "CCBC Choices" best list, the Charlotte Zolotow award for picture books, and many helpful bibliographies.

School Library Connection / reVIEWS+

Previously, School Library Monthly and Library Media Connection were two publications that many librarians and teachers relied upon for information, reviews, and resources, but beginning in Fall 2015, they will combine to become School Library Connection, a new "best-of-the-best" publication that will deliver reviews, practical tips, conversation and inspiration for the school practitioner.