We speak to renowned children’s literature scholar Phil Nel for our first minisode and, naturally, it blossomed into a full-blown episode length. But when you hear all the things Phil has to say, you’ll agree that it was worth it.
Breaking Down the Changes to E-Content in Your Local Libraries: What You Need to Know
August 22, 2019 by Leave a Comment
If you’ve noticed the headlines in your literary news sources then you may have heard that publishers have been placing additional restrictions on libraries and the e-materials they circulate. But what are these changes and what do they mean? A breakdown of the state of things.
Fuse 8 n’ Kate: The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
August 21, 2019 by 2 Comments
It’s the 100th episode! The challenge of this episode of the podcast was to come up with a book for #100 that is widely known but that we hadn’t done already. And this book was waiting in the wings all along. Why? Because thanks to a great deal of scholarship out there on the topic, the “Cat” is no longer the simple beloved character he once was considered to be. This isn’t an easy book to do, but we managed it somehow.
Interview – Making the Leap: Author/Artist David Kirk Creates His Own Publishing Company
August 20, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Imagine, if you will for a moment, that you were to create your own book publishing company. Would that be a nightmare for you, or a dream? For David Kirk, it’s neither: It’s a reality.
Guest Post: The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival Wants YOU!
August 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment
I’m on vacation so while I’m away it appears that James Kennedy has hijacked my blog! Not to worry. He’s done it for a very worthy cause. Observe!
Review of the Day: Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds
August 15, 2019 by 1 Comment
Good news. I know exactly what to do with this particular middle school book. You need to weigh it down with awards, so many that it can no longer stand under its own weight and is forced to stagger to the display unit that stands front and center in the library where all the best books go. Then, and only then, will it have found its true home.
Unexpected Jolts of Children’s Literature
August 14, 2019 by 1 Comment
As you may know, my day job is as a librarian but not, as it happens, a librarian of children’s literature specifically. A lot of days I spend my time sorting through all the new releases for adults (horrors!). But since my heart is firmly ensconced in the world of books for kids, I always note when a book has some connection to literature for the young. Today, I’d like to introduce you to six 2019 titles that may be worth noting.
Cover Reveal and Interviews: Talking with Nina Crews and Angela Johnson
August 13, 2019 by 1 Comment
Angela Johnson has more than forty books to her name and she can write the gamut from board books to YA. This year, she’s giving us a poem-turned-book called A Girl Like Me, with illustrated photography by Nina Crews. Naturally I’d like to show you the cover, but first I had some questions for the creators.
Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Dinosaurs Divorce by Laurene Krasny Brown, ill. Marc Brown
August 12, 2019 by 1 Comment
This week’s challenge from Kate: Deliver unto her a “classic picture book about divorce”. So I conferred with my fellow librarians and we all agreed that there is really only one that would fit the bill: A little number from 1986. So how has it aged over the years?
Review of the Day: Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe
August 9, 2019 by 5 Comments
There’s something going on in this book. A wry, whipsmart, funny tale that actually may have a thing or two to say about female empowerment. Or not? It’s easy to read too much into this book, but I’d say it’s also just as easy to read into it everything that you need it to be. Intelligent writing for kids that will not just appeal but engage and entice.
The Best So Far: 2019 Picture Book Biographies Done Exceedingly Well
August 7, 2019 by 11 Comments
How have I not done this round-up yet?!? It’s baffling that I’ve waited this long, particularly when you take into account the sheer overwhelming number of picture book bios of exceeding beauty and charm we’ve been privy to in 2019. Here then, are some of the titles that have caught my eye (so far) this year.
Guest Post: What to Do When Disaster Destroys Your Books and How to Harness Social Media for Good
August 6, 2019 by Leave a Comment
How many of us prepare for what to do if an act of nature claims our materials, our space, even our jobs? Together, teacher Stacey Beam and author April Henry have penned an article on what happened when the worst hit too close to home and what you can do if it happens to you.
Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Sam and the Firefly by P.D. Eastman
August 5, 2019 by Leave a Comment
I’d been meaning to do this, Eastman’s third most famous easy book, and the first one he ever did on his own, for a while. Now, for years I’ve believed that Eastman has illustrated “night” better than most artists. After this recording I feel justified in having felt this way.
Review of the Day: Magic Ramen by Andrea Wang, ill. Kana Urbanowicz
August 1, 2019 by 9 Comments
Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando looks like a simple tale about the man who invented instant ramen, but look closer and you’ll see that what the book truly is is a paean to the necessity of failure, the beauty of persistence, and the pleasure that comes after messing up 99 times only to get it right on the 100th.
Like My Co-Writer? I Made ’em!
July 31, 2019 by 8 Comments
It’s just kind of neat watching a grown child collaborate with their parent, don’t you think? Periodically we’ve seen it done with different pairings over the years. Who are your favorites?
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