Author: Mitali Perkins

Author/blogger Mitali Perkins announces that her fictional character Sameera Righton is blogging. I spent some time on the site yesterday. "Sameera" is doing a great job covering all sides of the ' 08 campaign. I need to nominate my favorite junior high library for the contest.

Sameera Righton, the main character in First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover and First Daughter: White House Rules (Dutton Books For Young Readers), is blogging about the real first kid wannabes in the '08 campaign from now until November 2008 at www.sparrowblog.com.

To celebrate the release of the first novel in this two-book series, we're giving away ten signed copies. Here's how to get one if you're interested:

THIS SUMMER: Five libraries (school or public) can win free signed copies as visitors come to Sparrow's blog (www.sparrowblog.com) from June 15 - September 1 and leave the name of the library they love in the comments. The five most frequently mentioned libraries win the books.

PUB DATE CONTEST: Five libraries can win free signed copies on pub date by linking to and sending the most visitors to Sparrow's '08 campaign blog (www.sparrowblog.com) before June 14, 2007. Right now, the libraries in the lead are:

* Beaverton City Library, Oregon
* Westerville Public Library, Ohio
* Mamaronek Library, New York
* West Bend Library, Wisconsin
* Bellingham Public Library, Washington

Book Designer: Chad Beckerman

Excellent interview with Chad Beckerman about the role and responsibilities of an associate art director.

I knew I loved his book designs (The Last Apprentice) but it was fun to learn Beckerman is a kindred spirit. He is a book smeller!

At the end of a project you get to hold onto something you helped make, that is so rewarding. I think that's something that is sort of archaic now a days but it's kind of great. This might sound odd but the first thing I do when I get a new book in from the printer is I smell it. There is nothing quite like smelling the fruits of your labor. The fresh ink can give you a headache. But it’s a great feeling. Much more rewarding than candy.

I love cracking open a box of new books, admiring the pristine covers, then fanning the pages to the middle of a book and smelling that glorious fragrance, that bouquet of ink and fresh paper.

Magdalena Kožená

I just became a Magdalena Kožená fan. I wonder if the young mezzo soprano I know is ready for this piece?

Copyright bahs

Saints and Spinners pointed me to this Unshelved.
Just tell me who to "hug" indeed.

In case you have not see this take on copyright law they have it on You Tube now.
How much longer is "the Mouse" protected?

8 Things Meme

Indefatigable Kelly tagged me with the 8 Things Meme.

Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. I lived in the Netherlands as a child. I never learned to speak Dutch but I know enough to eat very well. Pannekoeken and poffertjes, patat, bitterbal, (John Green just ate one on Brotherhood 2.0 and described it as "meat, flour and hope,") speculaas, oliebollen...Verkade, Droste...

2. My favorite reading series as a child were Nancy Drew and Noel Streatfield.

3. I love "needle arts," including quilting, sewing, knitting, insulin pumps.

4. I can find musical notes on a piano and play in a halting slow manner.

5. I do not like steep bridges or overpasses. There used to be a bridge into Louisiana from Texas that was so steep, I almost did not make it over one time.

6. I have been fascinated by miniature houses all my life, probably beginning with dollhouses as a kid. I end up collecting them. I just found a series of small cross-stitched houses to stitch and assemble. I bought one. I will probably have to go back and get the rest. They were on sale. Really, they are a bargain...

7. I am a Anglophile. I have been fortunate to visit England in my youth. I have never been to Scotland or Ireland or Wales but they are on the list.

8. I lived in Strasbourg, France for a year during a long, long, loooong, PTT grève.

I tag:
Sherry
Gail
Matali
Becky
PJLibrarian
Alkelda the Gleeful
Jackie
Tasha

Knitting and Harry

I have had this book on my wish list for sometime. It has finally been published. I am a rank amateur knitter (emphasis on "rank") who enjoys knitting blogs and "fiber" links. This article, "Knit if you love Harry Potter," by Molly Millett caught my eye.

Right about now, you might be thinking: Harry Potter? Knitting? Huh? But knitting references are woven throughout the series:

Molly Weasley, the mother of Harry's friend, Ron, gives hand-knit sweaters as Christmas gifts.

Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore enjoys reading Muggle knitting patterns.

Harry's friend, Hermione, knits hats for house elves.

In the movies, the characters wear lovely, hand-knit scarves, sweaters, socks and hats

In preparation for the book, Alison Hansel did her research.

"I went through all the Harry Potter books again and looked for knitting references, like the socks Dobby the house elf gave Harry for Christmas - one is green with broomsticks and the other is red with snitches," Hansel said. "From there, you have to come up with the details. I also searched the movies. For a Harry Potter fan, any excuse to reread the books or watch the movies is good."

Knitters don't just watch the movies - they study them.

"The knit items in the movie are really nicely made, and knitters will go back and pause scenes to see how the items are constructed," Hansel said.

Check out the Hogwarts Sock Swap. These folks are having too much fun.

I would really like to learn how to knit socks. Sockbug sent me some very good links and directions. One of my goals this summer is to give her suggestions a try.

Alison Hansel blogs at the blue blog.
Charmed Knits Knit-Along

48 Hour Book Challenge

Mother Reader's 24 Hour Book Challenge is coming up soon. I had started a nice little pile of books that I wanted to devote myself to for that weekend. Well, best laid plans and all that.

Turns out we will be a'voyaging to Washington D.C. the week before and we will be flying home on the 9th. So, my challenge will be to read on the plane and while doing laundry when we get home. Maybe I will receive honorable mention for the most number of pages read at the highest altitude?

We are all very dizzy with excitement. I have only been to Washington D.C. once and that was as a chaperone on a high school band trip in April 2001. The youngest entling has never been there so we are having great fun reading guide books and making our lists.



The Folger Shakespeare Library, the Library of Congress and Ford's Theater top my list. Ever since I read James Swanson's riveting page-turner, Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer last year I have been anxious to see the theater where the drama began.

Update: Blast and drat! I just visted the Ford's Theater site and saw this:

Please note: Ford's Theatre Historic Site will be closed to the public through November 2007. There will be no performances or tours during this time. We will reopen in November 2007 for our production of Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol. Please check back for updates throughout the summer.