This week we decided that scatological was the way to go. And so, we are pleased to announce that this is honestly the first Nonfiction picture book we’ve done on the show. Thinking about it, this may well be the most famous Nonfiction picture book in America. I’d be interested in hearing your alternative suggestions. […]
Harbor Me By Jacqueline Woodson Nancy Paulsen Books (an imprint of Penguin) $17.99 ISBN: 978-0-399-25252-5 Ages 9-12 On shelves August 28th A good book, whether it’s written for a nine-year-old, a nineteen-year-old, or a ninety-year-old can tilt your perspective, if only momentarily. Consider the concept of the “happy ending” and what it’s supposed to resemble. […]
I don’t like to pick favorites but the ten books featured on the list today might well be my favorite board book run of this series. I mean, where else are you going to find animals of the Native Northwest, imports, picture book adaptations, high contrast titles, and books with removable components? The list: […]
I have a lot of “things” that I particularly like. Nonfiction that doesn’t contain fake dialogue. Translated children’s books from overseas. Comics. Math. I guess Poetry could fall into that category as well. Works of children’s poetry are always of interest to me, and it seems like this year there’s a whole slew of them […]
It’s getting down to the wire, but we’ve still a ways to go until the Top 20. Today’s listing of contenders has a certain level of sophistication at work. New names appear on the list, like Lane Smith and Marla Frazee, while others solidify their status (Boynton, Katz, Oxenbury, etc.). The oldest book on today’s […]
Hope you like Kathleen Turner, because in this long delayed episode I’m clearly doing my best rendition of her. Apologies for the gap in the episodes. Fortunately, we’re back in style. This week we discuss a book that has a complicated history. It would be easier if this were a more straightforward case of racism. […]
The overriding theme of today’s release of the Top 100 Board Books Poll results is currency. So many of the books on today’s list were published for the first time in the last five or so years). I myself have seen a distinct uptick during that time of quality (as well as quantity). Read your […]
Let me tell you a little something about reveals. They slot neatly into two categories: Cover Reveals and Book Trailer Reveals. Now Cover Reveals are pretty doggone easy. You just say you’ll show the book jacket of a book, even though you have the sneaking suspicion that somebody on Netgalley or edelweiss has probably already […]
The poll results continue. Yesterday we got off to a slambang start with a whole host of worthy titles. How will the next round stand up in comparison? See for yourself: #90 – Elephants Spray by Rebecca Glaser (2016) “Another title where I wish I could vote for the entire series! I love the […]
Did you think I had forgotten? Fear not, lovely readers! The time has come to start the newest countdown! What books did you all vote on in our online poll? The results begin today. To recap, in the past I’ve conducted polls of Top 100 Picture Books and Top 100 Children’s Novels. This year SLJ […]
As we all know, critical interpretations of book jackets are entirely subjective. What I might like, you might find appalling. What I abhor, you might find sweet. That said, is there any feeling in the world quite as frustrating as reading a marvelous middle grade novel, only to discover that the book jacket doesn’t do […]
While at a conference at Princeton a week or two ago (and yes, as you suspect, I am going to attempt to work in the word “Princeton” into pretty much everything I write, think, or say for the next two years or so, so gird thy loins) I was in conversation with author Marc Aronson […]
When traveling to a library conference in New Orleans, might I suggest that you take your little sister along. There are a multitude of good reasons to do so. 1. If you used to share a bedroom with the little sister, you may find that she is just as quiet a roommate now as she […]
I Hate Everyone By Naomi Danis Illustrated by Cinta Arribas POW! (a division of powerhouse) $17.99 ISBN: 978-1-576870874-3 Ages 4-7 On shelves now Childhood is riddled with contradictions. Wait. No. Scrap that thought. Let’s rewrite it slightly. Childhood’s fine it’s the CHILDREN that are riddled with contradictions. In the same breath a child can scream […]
*sniff sniff* Do you smell that? That’s 2019. And it’s right around the corner. And by “right around the corner” I mean “technically six months away but what-the-heck let’s do a cover reveal for a 2019 book today anyway”. So this is a bit of a thrill. I don’t usually do cover reveals quite this […]
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