A few bookish links from across the Web:

• The rumoured Apple Tablet comes closer to reality: the new product, potentially called iSlate, is expected to be unveiled on Jan. 26 in San Francisco
• Danger! Apparently, books and magazines pose a security threat to airplanes. They have been banned as carry-ons by Transport Canada until further notice
• Hobbit-lovers, mount your high horses: The Guardian‘s Andrew Brown turns his blog into a place to discuss the literary demerits of Lord of the Rings
• The Onion on adults who get slightly overexcited by children’s picture books, including the gem Green Man, Blue Cat
• Katherine Paterson, author of The Bridge to Terabithia, has been named the national ambassador for young people’s literature in the U.S.