Did any single event inspire the hoards of animators working today to consider a switch of occupation to children’s book publishing? It couldn’t have just been the success of Mr. Mo. Something else must be at work, I should think. Sometimes it feels as if I can’t turn around without running into another animator turned [...]
Fusenews: None of This Has Anything to do With BookExpo
May 30, 2009 By 5 Comments
A big thanks to everyone who showed up to Kidlit Drink Night last evening. Cheryl took pictures (I never think to). A wonderful turnout, in spite of the two separate dinners and the Libba Bray rock concert happening at the same time. I think we packed the joint. Kudos. This rewards those of you who [...]
Review of the Day: How Oliver Olson Changed the World by Claudia Mills
May 29, 2009 By 3 Comments
How Oliver Olson Changed the World By Claudia Mills Illustrated by Heather Maione Farrar Straus and Giroux $15.95 ISBN: 978-0-374-33487-1 Ages 6-10 I’ve a little early chapter book radar in my left frontal lobe. Every time I’m handed a pile of books that little radar beeps out a series of signals in a desperate attempt [...]
Fusenews: I Also Insist On the Song "I Get Around" Being On the Soundtrack
May 28, 2009 By 9 Comments
James Preller has taken it upon himself to interview me and the results border on insanity. We spent an inordinate amount of time discussing cheese logs, ferret dances, and the Kalamazoo, Michigan tourist board. It’s actually very fun (though I don’t know where he got the Spiderman window washer picture from). Thanks, James! I was willing [...]
Nancy Drew Responsible for Nominated Supreme Court Judge
May 27, 2009 By 1 Comment
Yeah. That’s right. When it comes to news articles I basically seek out what the person in them read as a child and then make assumptions. But according to Huffington Post, Sonia Sotomayor’s love of Nancy Drew led her to pursue a career in law. I call upon Leila Roy, our resident Nancy Drew expert [...]
Press Release Fun:Little Airplane Children’s Book Academy
May 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment
I’d promote it anyway but since I’m also speaking at it there’s an added incentive. Plus it’s pretty awesome in and of itself. Little Airplane Children’s Book Academy Renowned children¹s book publisher Brenda Bowen will lead an intensive three-day workshop at Little Airplane Productions dedicated to the craft of creating quality children¹s books. The Little [...]
Review of the Day: Good Egg by Barney Saltzberg
May 27, 2009 By 1 Comment
Good Egg By Barney Saltzberg Designed and lettered by Netta Rabin Workman Publishing $9.95 ISBN: 978-0-7611-5406-8 Ages 3-8 On shelves now You know, in the old days a children’s librarian would sooner saw off her right arm than be caught adding a “novelty” book to her children’s room. We are the standard bearers. The folks [...]
The Box Arrived Without Fanfare
May 26, 2009 By 33 Comments
State of the To-Be-Read Shelf: Late May
May 26, 2009 By 7 Comments
Review of the Day: Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede
May 25, 2009 By 8 Comments
Thirteenth Child By Patricia C. Wrede Scholastic Press $16.99 ISBN: 978-0-545-03342-8 Ages 11 and up On shelves now Back up, kids. I’m weighing in. Proper credit to the folks who dream big. Even if they fail, they fail brilliantly, wrapped tightly within the confines of their meticulously constructed little worlds. When I got my copy [...]
Fusenews: Emily the Litigious
May 25, 2009 By 6 Comments
Video Sunday: I’m Ready For My Close-Up, Mr. Levine
May 24, 2009 By 3 Comments
SCBWI Tribute from Kimberly C. Baker on Vimeo. Weirdly, I know and like everyone in this video. What’re the odds? Back in January I was approached by the lovely ladies of the magnificent Pacific Northwest SCBWI chapter about appearing in a l’il ole video they were producing. I get to play the evil librarian, which [...]
Children’s Literary Cafe – June: William Low and His Amazing Digital Art
May 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Review of the Day: 1000 Times No by Mr. Warburton
May 23, 2009 By 2 Comments
1000 Times No By Mr. Warburton Laura Geringer Books (a Harper Collins imprint) $17.99 ISBN: 978-0-06-154263-3 Ages 4-8 On shelves now When a child is born it gets to hear all sorts of interesting words from day one. These are, ideally, almost always good words to know. Then the child starts to get a little [...]
Fusenews: Leechtastic!
May 22, 2009 By 8 Comments
There’s a catchy headline for you. Scholar Denies Oral Roots of Fairy Tales: Traditional view that fairy tales were handed down via folk traditions has ‘no basis in verifiable fact’. It’s oral storytelling vs. print in a fight to the finish! Fairy Tales: A New History by Ruth B. Bottigheimer is making the claim that [...]
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