Myths, Recaps, HMOCLs, and a Bit of Whazzy Whaz
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After a gander at the achingly beautiful Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art, Roger Sutton poses the following query: "But I couldn’t help noticing that only five of the twenty-three artists included are women. Having no idea if this representation is proportional, I compared it to the last 23 years of Caldecott winners. Only four women there. What do we think is or is not going on?" Join the debate at his blog. Extra points to Leo Landry for noting, "and furthermore, Roger, 7 out of the last 17 Caldecott winners were named David…!" David Ezra Stein, take note. There’s also a brief discussion (for reasons that are unclear to me) of whether or not the Hot Men of Children’s Literature is sexist (of course it is) and whether or not I go for "weedy slacker types" (again, no contest). I love the idea that this would have any bearing at all on Caldecott decisions. Speaking of people currently on the Caldecott committee, I never have done Roger . . .
- Whazzy whazzy whaz? That’s my reaction to the news that Dave Eggers has, heaven help us all, written an adult version of Where the Wild Things Are. I think Leila said it best, "Are other people going to start doing this? Who’s going to write the novel based on Miss Rumphius? Or, even better, Love You Forever? Actually, that one I might read." Ooo. Me too. Heck, I’ll write it if no one else does. This could be a whole new trend right there. Thanks to bookshelves of doom for the link.
- I do not have a lot of money, but I’ll definitely try to get something in the Robert’s Snow auction. What I really want, though? This. Oh, I want her so much. Can you blame me?
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- I didn’t get a chance to see Philip Pullman speak in New York, but that’s okay. Monica did it for me. She’s got the recap on her blog and it is certainly worth checking out. Pronto, y’all.
- The ALSC blog is rapidly becoming one of my regular must-reads. Check out their recent post on The Newbery Award: Answers to Six Questions, with a Few Myths Exposed.
- Speaking of worthy pieces of children’s literature, what makes a classic? Can you hold a children’s book in your hands and say, "This will stand the test of time"? Well the New York Times poses that very question and it definitely sees the answer sitting before us. Neil Gaiman. Whoda thunk it?
- And finally, a Halloween post I missed. The always fabulous strip Dykes to Watch Out For contained a reference to both Harry Potter and a bit of Sendak in the most recent strip. Seems to me that this year the best costume to wear would be a gay Dumbledore outfit, yes no?
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About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Kirkus, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on BlueSky at: @fuse8.bsky.social
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My husband Bob was gay Dumbledore. Wore a bathrobe and wielded a staff, then threw on my floor-length red sparkly cloak overtop.
And all I was was Edgar Winter! I was totally outclassed…
I knew it! A Google image search didn’t reveal anything, but I knew that there had to have been people out there. Thank you!
Get started on the adult novel “I’ll Love You Forever” right this minute, Betsy, because today is the beginning of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). You have until midnight on November 30th to finish. Ready, set, go!