Fusenews: Orange Baby Mice and French Rickshaws

• Good news!  I use my free days at home to work on things that I would much prefer to put off.  Things like, oh I dunno, SCBWI Western Washington presentations.  I’ll be speaking at the 17th Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference in Seattle on April 26-27th.  That means speeches.  Three of ’em to be precise.  And last night I am happy to report that Speech Numero Uno got donedy done done.  Whoop!  If you’re planning on attending, please do be sweet and see me talk.  I will tap dance and juggle if that’s what you want to see.  Anything to lure you away from the charms of other presenters like Mo Willems and Arthur A. Levine.

• Matthew Holm, in keeping with the St. Patrick’s Day holiday season, announced the upcoming release of this particularly color-shocked little gem. Behold the appearance of ORANGE:

• The reporters appear to still be beating down Newbery winner Laura Amy Schlitz’s door, a full three months after the Newbery committee announced their decision.  A recent Christian Science Monitor article proves as much.  It’s a lot of information you my have heard before but I did enjoy this particular line regarding the Newbery acceptance speech Ms. Schlitz must write. "I’ve been reading through the past speeches, hoping to find a dismal one that will give me a sense of confidence, but they’re all wonderful."  All right, people.  Let’s help Ms. Schlitz out here.  There have been eighty-six some Newbery speeches (unless they didn’t do them in the early days, which is entirely possible).  Amongst those speeches there must have been a doozy (and Caldecott speeches do NOT count).  Anyone know of a lamentable 1944 or pitiable 1932?  No?  Consarn it . . . Thanks to Educating Alice for the link.  And does anyone want to help me find a new dress for the Newbery event?  I think I need some help again.

• The recent California decision to require that children between the ages of six and 18 can only be taught by credentialed teachers has the general homeschooling nation up in arms.  Walter Minkel, librarian and former NYPL co-worker, weighs in at The Monkey Speaks.

• My current co-workers are also smarties, sure, but how often do I see one writing book reviews in The New York Times?  Not often enough.  Kudos then to everyone’s favorite teen librarian Jack Martin (he of the glorious sideburns) as he reviews Boy Toy by Barry Lyga. Thanks to Big A little a for the link.

• Fashion advice from Mr. McFeely?  Why not?  It seems that March 20th is now officially Wear a Sweater Dayin honor of Mr. Rogers and Mr. McFeely (a.k.a. David Newell) is organizing it.  He explains it a little better himself, actually.  Thanks to Linda Urban for the link.

• Crank up the "awwwww" factor.  Crank it way way up.  Crank it . . . crank it . . . there.  You are now ready to read about a class of kids that created their own Knuffle Bunny 3.  I suppose we could all do that, given half a chance.  My title?  Knuffle Bunny 3: Final Reckoning.  You know the best part of this?  Rather than, I dunno, sue the school for copyright infringement ala Disney, Mr. Mo is all for the idea of kids actually being creative.  Whatta concept!  Thanks to Mo Willems for the link.

• Author Sam Riddleburger continues his quest to find children’s authors portrayed in stage and screen.  This month?  An episode of the 1978 Wodehouse Playhouse.  Mercy.

• I’ve complained and complained and complained that there has never been an action movie starring black kids.  Mostly I complain in the hopes that someday Nancy Farmer’s The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm will get picked up, but who’s counting?  In any case, it looks like the tide is finally turning and it’s all due to Will Smith’s offspring.  According to Dark Horizons: "Willow and Jaden Smith will star in Warner Bros. Pictures’ adaptation of Kazu Kibuishi’s fantasy graphic novel ‘Amulet’ for Overbrook Entertainment reports Variety."  That’s fine, I guess, but can I level with you?  I read Amulet and it just didn’t do anything for me.  It might make a better movie than book, but I remain skeptical.  Just the same . . . could someone please make a Jellaby movie too?

• My obsession with covers is no secret.  To my mind, every time an author receives a copy of one of their books from another port of call, chapter fiction in particular, they should post that book’s cover online for everyone to see.  Mitali Perkins has already done so.  Voila the French edition of Rickshaw Girl:

Of Father and Daughter?  Uh . . . okay.  I think Rickshaw Girl is a little more kicking, but that’s just me.  I wonder if the interior illustrations are different too.  Any word on that, Mitali?

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