Fusenews: In Like a Lamb Edition

• 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.

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

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