The March edition of The Edge of the Forest is out and I have to say that the interviews and articles for this month are probably the best yet.
Indefatigable Kelly has a write up of Readergirlz.
Pam MotherReader Coughlan has an insightful and inspiring article about what it takes to become a B-List Blogger and member of this terrific community of Kitlitospherians.
Liz Burns's interview with author Kirby Larson is outstanding.
Adrienne Furness explores the expanding presence of Sock Monkeys in children's books.
Allie has one of her thoughtful and fascinating interviews, this time with author Jenny Han.
Kim Winters describes the Day in the Life of Laura Ruby.
Interesting reviews, What's in the Backpack and Sherry Early's Kid Picks of homeschoolers plus a podcast with Daniel Pinkwater...
Bravi, team!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Un Frisson
During the summer of 2005, I was perusing the listings of author signings in the area and suggested to my entling that we should pop over to Blue Willow Book Shop and see this Rick Riordan guy. His book sounded interesting and knowing my girl's interest in all things mythologically Greek, I thought it might be worthwhile.
I am not a soothsayer, a prognosticator or even a weather forecaster but as I listened to him talk about his new book, The Lightning Thief, I swear I felt un frisson about this book. When my girl disappeared for several hours upon returning home, I knew something special was going on.
Since then the book was selected for the Texas Bluebonnet list and it has become part of novel study units. His rockstar status grows daily. My entling has sworn she must have a Hunters of Artemis t-shirt so we will be in line at The Titan's Curse signing for sure.
I sat with a friend at TLA last year where Riordan appeared on a panel to discuss books and the industry. After the session was over my friend said, "I have to have him."
Of course she meant she had to "have him" visit her school and present to her students. When librarians make those comments, it can be misinterpreted. One time I said that I'd "had" Jack Gantos and I got the strangest looks from the non library folk I was dining with. The further explanation, "At my library, I mean!" didn't help. I digress.
I've written a lot about Rockstar Rick Riordan over the past two years because he is important. I've seen Riordan's books hook kids that parents thought would NEVER EVER read a book just for the fun of it. I've heard from many parents who say, "you know that book you recommended for young Horatio (Hortense?) He/she didn't play with his/her (insert expensive electronic media device here) all weekend. He/she said they just wanted to read!!!"
I know kids who have never picked up Harry Potter (too thick) who are fervently, desperately and impatiently awaiting The Titan's Curse.
My friend will indeed "have" Riordan at her school next week and she's invited me to come hear him. I am looking forward to sitting in the back and watching the magic happen.
I am not a soothsayer, a prognosticator or even a weather forecaster but as I listened to him talk about his new book, The Lightning Thief, I swear I felt un frisson about this book. When my girl disappeared for several hours upon returning home, I knew something special was going on.
Since then the book was selected for the Texas Bluebonnet list and it has become part of novel study units. His rockstar status grows daily. My entling has sworn she must have a Hunters of Artemis t-shirt so we will be in line at The Titan's Curse signing for sure.
I sat with a friend at TLA last year where Riordan appeared on a panel to discuss books and the industry. After the session was over my friend said, "I have to have him."
Of course she meant she had to "have him" visit her school and present to her students. When librarians make those comments, it can be misinterpreted. One time I said that I'd "had" Jack Gantos and I got the strangest looks from the non library folk I was dining with. The further explanation, "At my library, I mean!" didn't help. I digress.
I've written a lot about Rockstar Rick Riordan over the past two years because he is important. I've seen Riordan's books hook kids that parents thought would NEVER EVER read a book just for the fun of it. I've heard from many parents who say, "you know that book you recommended for young Horatio (Hortense?) He/she didn't play with his/her (insert expensive electronic media device here) all weekend. He/she said they just wanted to read!!!"
I know kids who have never picked up Harry Potter (too thick) who are fervently, desperately and impatiently awaiting The Titan's Curse.
My friend will indeed "have" Riordan at her school next week and she's invited me to come hear him. I am looking forward to sitting in the back and watching the magic happen.
Monday, March 12, 2007
I should be writing reviews
Here is the problem, I start out to write some reviews, clearly defining the noble qualities of the novels I just finished but instead I get distracted by following links and I ended up here.
Maureen Johnson's posts on "How to be a writer" are perfection. I love the photos from movies which perfectly illustrate her points.
More amazing coincidences in my life.
I subbed at local area high school library Friday. It was an extremely busy day with three (count 'em three) classes in the house for research--the last day of school before spring break. (The English classes were working on the COOLEST project--they had to watch a movie with a historical context and then research the reality of the event/time period and point out the discrepancies in the movie.)
There were also study hall students there and even when they get to high school they still ask you questions like:
Girl: "Do you have any books on animals?"
Me: Yes, what kind of animal are you interested in?
Girl: "Snakes."
Now, every computer was occupied so she could not use the OPAC but luckily for this student I KNOW that snakes are in 597 so we moseyed over to the shelf to have a look-see.
As we contemplated the selection of reptile books, the girl asked me,
Girl: "What is that book under your arm?"
I had discovered Maureen Johnson's 13 Little Blue Envelopes on the shelf and had been reading it during lunch and in between showing kids for the nth time how to connect to a printer and the other librarian had already said I could borrow it over spring break (it is not all roses having me as a sub) and I had already had the thought at least once that I wished the kids would leave so I could read the book because it was soooo... good.
Me: Oh, this book is so awesome! ...and then went on to give a synopsis of the first two chapters.
Her: "Wow, I would really like to read that."
Me: - sigh -
Me: Well, here. If you would like to read it, you can check it out BUT if you don't want it, give it back to me, Ok?
She checked it out.
We are going to the bookstore in a few minutes.
Maureen Johnson's posts on "How to be a writer" are perfection. I love the photos from movies which perfectly illustrate her points.
More amazing coincidences in my life.
I subbed at local area high school library Friday. It was an extremely busy day with three (count 'em three) classes in the house for research--the last day of school before spring break. (The English classes were working on the COOLEST project--they had to watch a movie with a historical context and then research the reality of the event/time period and point out the discrepancies in the movie.)
There were also study hall students there and even when they get to high school they still ask you questions like:
Girl: "Do you have any books on animals?"
Me: Yes, what kind of animal are you interested in?
Girl: "Snakes."
Now, every computer was occupied so she could not use the OPAC but luckily for this student I KNOW that snakes are in 597 so we moseyed over to the shelf to have a look-see.
As we contemplated the selection of reptile books, the girl asked me,
Girl: "What is that book under your arm?"
I had discovered Maureen Johnson's 13 Little Blue Envelopes on the shelf and had been reading it during lunch and in between showing kids for the nth time how to connect to a printer and the other librarian had already said I could borrow it over spring break (it is not all roses having me as a sub) and I had already had the thought at least once that I wished the kids would leave so I could read the book because it was soooo... good.
Me: Oh, this book is so awesome! ...and then went on to give a synopsis of the first two chapters.
Her: "Wow, I would really like to read that."
Me: - sigh -
Me: Well, here. If you would like to read it, you can check it out BUT if you don't want it, give it back to me, Ok?
She checked it out.
We are going to the bookstore in a few minutes.
Spring Break
This week is spring break and we do not have any travel plans. I am weird because I don't really like Spring Break. It just causes problems for blood sugar levels here.
I may attempt an excavation of a foreign land, (the entling's bedroom) and squint at paint chips for another room but beyond that my goals are modest and involve crafting some reviews of the fantastic books I've been reading.
I have been virtually traveling with author/illustrator Grace Lin at pacyforest as she travels through Hong Kong. She is posting lots of pictures. What a treat!
I may attempt an excavation of a foreign land, (the entling's bedroom) and squint at paint chips for another room but beyond that my goals are modest and involve crafting some reviews of the fantastic books I've been reading.
I have been virtually traveling with author/illustrator Grace Lin at pacyforest as she travels through Hong Kong. She is posting lots of pictures. What a treat!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Aaackkk...!!!
Ok, I will NEVER be able to ponder the Great Scrotum Debate of 2007 ever again without thinking of Greg's post, "Speaking of dirty words."
AAAAAAAAAaaaaaaacccccccccccckkkkkk
Calf Fries!
Nooooooooo!!!!
AAAAAAAAAaaaaaaacccccccccccckkkkkk
Calf Fries!
Nooooooooo!!!!
Specism in Children's Literature
Kelly has an interesting post, about the recently announced study, "Gender Stereotyping and Under-Representation of Female Characters in 200 Popular Children's Picture Books: A 21st Century Update."
The comments to her post are excellent and worth your attention as they ponder the study's methodology.
I for one, am concerned about rampant specism in children's books. Honestly, cute little pigs, adorable bunnies, playful monkeys, soft feathery ducklings seem to dominate picture books. Happily, it is not all bad news for the fur and feather challenged. Ants have made some gains in recent years and seem to be gaining a small foothold with young readers.
There is much work to be done though. If it were not for Pond Scum, where would salamanders be? Pity scavengers too, have you read a tender tale about hyenas recently?
I think there should be some studies (or maybe there already have been) on this looming issue.
The comments to her post are excellent and worth your attention as they ponder the study's methodology.
I for one, am concerned about rampant specism in children's books. Honestly, cute little pigs, adorable bunnies, playful monkeys, soft feathery ducklings seem to dominate picture books. Happily, it is not all bad news for the fur and feather challenged. Ants have made some gains in recent years and seem to be gaining a small foothold with young readers.
There is much work to be done though. If it were not for Pond Scum, where would salamanders be? Pity scavengers too, have you read a tender tale about hyenas recently?
I think there should be some studies (or maybe there already have been) on this looming issue.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
As If!
Do BBKNNs outnumber the Concerned Parents in your life? AS IF! Authors Support Intellectual Freedom is a blog I am clicking on regularly.
Their mission statement:
Their mission statement:
AS IF! (Authors Supporting Intellectual Freedom) champions those who stand against censorship, especially of books for and about teens.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Goal!!!
Well, I step away from the computer for a few days and a blogging friend gets a book deal!
Our fearless leader and Cybil Nonfiction Picture Book Wrangler, Chris Barton has sold his book, S.V.T. to Little, Brown.
Chris blogs at Bartography and he will give away a free copy of the book (when it comes out) to the first person to guess what S.V.T. stands for. He says people see it as a "boy" book so I am thinking the "S" has to be "slime" or "super." The "v" could be "vomit" but on reflection that is a little strong for a title, it is probably a noun... I'm thinking "t" is for "team" or "terror" or "turbulence."
Slimey Vulture Terror -- Super Vacuum Team?
Our fearless leader and Cybil Nonfiction Picture Book Wrangler, Chris Barton has sold his book, S.V.T. to Little, Brown.
Chris blogs at Bartography and he will give away a free copy of the book (when it comes out) to the first person to guess what S.V.T. stands for. He says people see it as a "boy" book so I am thinking the "S" has to be "slime" or "super." The "v" could be "vomit" but on reflection that is a little strong for a title, it is probably a noun... I'm thinking "t" is for "team" or "terror" or "turbulence."
Slimey Vulture Terror -- Super Vacuum Team?
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Pimp my Bookcart Winners
The response to the Overdue Media fellows' "Pimp my Book Cart" contest was overwhelming.
This is too much fun!
<--- Grand Prize: Pink Cadillac by Katie George and the teens of the Miller Branch Library in Ellicot City, MD
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)