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March 3, 2008 by Betsy Bird

Fusenews: In Like a Lamb Edition

March 3, 2008 by Betsy Bird   4 comments


  • First up, a little movie news to whet the palate. Harry from Ain’t It Cool News was just on set for the City of Ember film that is currently filming and he has the rundown here.  The good news is that he approves of what’s been done.  The bad news is that Harry almost always approves of any movie where he has been flown onto the set.  Then again, I like what he has to say about the production.  Time will tell.


  • And now, some hometown news.  West Michigan, ho!   It looks at though there is now a brand spanking new children’s bookstore in Kalamazoo!!!!!  It is called Bookbug and hopes are high.  Ever since The Athena Bookstore closed in the downtown area (it was Kalamazoo’s oldest independent bookstore, doncha know) the only game in town has pretty much been uber-independent bookstore killer, Barnes and Ignoble.  Bookbug sounds like they’ll be doing a good job too. "With a calendar of events, educator discounts, gift cards and their own T-Shirts, Bookbug is not only the first independent children’s bookstore in Kalamazoo – but looks like it’ll quickly become a destination location for families with children."  Nice.  Of course, is it really the "first independent children’s bookstore in Kalamazoo" though?  I remember one as a kid that was pretty good.  Mom!  Mom, what was the name of that store? It was ALSO in Oakland Plaza (probably in the same space that this one is, now that I think about it).  But I digress . . . if you live in West Michigan, go spend your money on the independents.  Thanks to Kane/Miller for the news.


  • But maybe you don’t live in Kalamazoo.  Maybe you live across the ocean in, I dunno, Hertfordshire.  Well are YOU in luck then!  As fate would have it there happens to be a children’s literature conference in Hertfordshire April 3rd and 4th.  The name?  "The Sands of Time: Children’s Literature, Culture, Politics and identity with Anne Cassidy, Alan Gibbons, Elizabeth Laird, Richard MacSween, Berlie Doherty and Beverley Naidoo.  Neat.  You may contact a Lisa Garner for more information if you want in.  Thanks to Dr. Jenny Plastow on the child_lit listserv for the info.


  • I read a lot of bookflap copy and blurbs on a given day.  Often, when I’m attempting to summarize a plot for a review, I sit back and admire the work of countless men and women who so perfectly and succintly render a book into a single paragraph or two.  It only stands to reason that they’d crack once in a while under the strain, like so.


  • My dad would like to know what happens to the character of Filtch at the end of the final Harry Potter book.  I could try to figure that out but then I’d have to get UP off this futon, walk ALL the way into the kitchen, reach UP to the Harry Potter shelf . . . I’m exhausted just thinking about it.  Does anyone off the top of their head know?  Cheryl?  Monica?  Anybody?


  • Those of you who have ever had the pleasure of running into Jeff Kinney, author of the mega-hit Diary of a Wimpy Kid books will be pleased to know that he has sold the film rights.  Yay.  Whether it ever becomes a movie or not is up for debate.  If it does become one, I think that they should go the route of American Splendor, with a crazy mix of Jeff’s comics, animation, and live action recreations, possibly all at the same time.  A book that good deserves a little creativity, particularly when there are graphic elements to consider.  YOU GOT THAT, FOX 2000????


  • Generally I’m not a fan of children’s books that try to push some kind of "message" on kids.  Yeah yeah, there’s The Lorax speaking for trees and stuff, but generally people get a little nutty when it comes to literature and kids.  But you know what I’m even less of a fan of?  People who take already existing children’s books and then slap a whole new message on ’em.  Chaps my hide it does.  Check this out:


DENVER, Feb. 27 (UPI) — A Colorado anti-abortion group is using the theme of "a person’s a person, no matter how small," from the children’s classic "Horton Hears a Who" for its cause.

With a big screen version of Dr. Seuss’s 1954 story slated for release March 14, Colorado for Equal Rights is celebrating the tale’s message and petitioning for a ballot measure asking voters to recognize conception as the start of personhood, the Denver Post reported Wednesday.

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Well.  Isn’t that special?  *shudder*  Thanks to Sara Kramer and Bookslut for the link.

Filed under: Fusenews

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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 Horn Book, 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 Twitter: @fuseeight.

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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 Horn Book, 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 Twitter: @fuseeight.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. rams says

    March 3, 2008 at 9:31 am

    You’re thinking of The Golden Rule, which was indeed in the same spot. Also of blessed memory is Pinnocio’s, in the spot which was then The Golden Bough and is now the second location of Kazoo Books. In this town we navigate by What Used to Be There.

  2. Fuse #8 says

    March 3, 2008 at 9:59 am

    Ah. Thanks, mom. Then am I right in thinking that perhaps this Bookbug, for all its charm, is not actually the first children’s bookstore in Kalamazoo? Perhaps they should say, “The ONLY children’s bookstore in Kalamazoo” instead. That would undoubtedly be true.

  3. Kate Hannigan says

    March 3, 2008 at 10:00 am

    Hi there,
    I have about a zillion things I should be doing, but I just had to go find out about Filch. Can’t keep your dad hangin, after all. . .
    Here’s what I’ve found:
    On Page 602 he comes “hobbling into view, shouting ‘Studends out of bed!’. . .”
    McGonagall calls him a blithering idiot and orders him to go find Peeves.
    He appears again on 608 and is ordered to oversee the evacuation of Hogwarts, along with Madam Pomfrey.
    That’s all I see. Anyone else?

  4. Lori Van Hoesen says

    March 3, 2008 at 10:06 am

    I’m taking myself a field trip over to The Book Bug–just a buzz away from my town. Thanks for the Tip. Hadn’t heard about them yet.

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