Heavy Medal
March 30, 2015 by Betsy Bird
Red: A Crayon’s Story By Michael Hall Greenwillow (an imprint of Harper Collins) $17.99 ISBN: 978-0062252074 Ages 3-6 On shelves now Almost since their very conception children’s books were meant to teach and inform on the one hand, and to inform one’s moral fiber on the other. Why who can forget that catchy little 1730 […]
March 27, 2015 by Betsy Bird
I’ve been watching The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt recently. So far the resident husband and I have only made it through two episodes, but I was pleased as punch when I learned that the plot twist in storyline #2 hinged on a Baby-Sitter’s Club novel. Specifically Babysitter’s Club Mystery No. 12: Dawn and the Surfer Ghost. […]
March 26, 2015 by Betsy Bird
Tricky Vic: The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower By Greg Pizzoli Viking (an imprint of Penguin Group USA) $17.99 ISBN: 978-0-670-01652-5 Ages 8-11 On shelves now I was listening to a favorite podcast of mine the other day when the panelists began discussing the difference between heist films and […]
March 24, 2015 by Betsy Bird
That’s right. Andrew Smith. And it’s fantastic. The latest in Steve Sheinkin’s series “Walking and Talking”. Enjoy it. Big time thanks to Steve for putting these together and for this one in particular. Previous editions of this series include: Walking and Talking with John Corey Whaley Walking and Talking with Jenni Holm Walking and Talking […]
March 23, 2015 by Betsy Bird
It’s amazing what a blog post can do. About a year or so ago I wrote some thoughts about picture books created in other countries, and how they are received when they are brought to American shores. I’ve a great deal of experience with librarians considering some types of illustrations too “weird” to promote to […]
March 22, 2015 by Betsy Bird
Morning, folks. We’re beginning this Sunday morn with stuff that’s good for the soul. How often have you said to yourself, “I’d love to own some original art from illustrator Matthew Cordell but I’m too busy spending all my cash on children’s literacy foundations”? Well, fear not! Now you can do both. In celebration of […]
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March 19, 2015 by Betsy Bird
Goodbye Stranger By Rebecca Stead Wendy Lamb Books (an imprint of Random House Children’s Books) $16.99 ISBN: 978-0-385-74317-4 Ages 10-14 On shelves August 4th After much consideration, I think I’m going to begin this review with what has to be the hoity toity-est opening I have ever come up with. Gird thy loins, mes amies. […]
March 18, 2015 by Betsy Bird
There are traditions we adhere to because they are what we know. And what do I know? I know how much fun it is to predict Newbery and Caldecott winners WAY way way before I oughta. Why do I do it? Because it’s fun. Mind-blowingly ridiculous on some level. But fun. Each year I also […]
March 17, 2015 by Betsy Bird
If you’re going to sit down and study the history of children’s literature, you cannot skip the Little Nemo section of your textbook. Maurice Sendak’s wild imaginings, for example, would not have had their distinctive flavor if a certain little boy had been able to keep his dreamlife under control. Cartoonist Winsor McCay kicked off […]
March 16, 2015 by Betsy Bird
I’m a sucker for a good time travel story. By my count only a few have ever won the Newbery (is it two or three? You decide). Fewer still have won the National Book Award in the youth category. Even so, they live in a special place in my heart. So to hear that a […]
Teen Librarian Toolbox
by Amanda MacGregor
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