Fusenews: Stuffed Souls

• There’s a new Shaun Tan book in town.  And by "in town" I mean "due out in October of 2008".  Odder still, the publisher is McClelland and Stewart, which appears to be Canadian.  Here’s a brief description of the title: "Through a series of captivating and sophisticated illustrated stories, Tan explores the precious strangeness of our existence. He gives us a portrait of modern suburban existence filtered through a wickedly Monty Pythonesque lens."  Book, please?  Thanks to Shaken & Stirred for the link.

• The PBS website has a great series up right now called The Political Dr. Seuss.  It’s a curious mix of arguments against anti-black racism and extremely offensive Japanese caricatures.  Thanks to Children’s Illustration for the link.

• So I’m checking my e-mail and because Hotmail is hosted by MSN I always have to pass some vague news-related items to get to my messages.  Under normal circumstances they don’t catch my eye, but today I see a headline that seems too inane to pass up: Stuffed Animals: Could they really have souls?  Oh, this I gotta see.  Turns out, it’s not as nutty as you would expect.  I was hoping for a "scientific" study to answer the age old question of whether or not my library’s Winnie-the-Pooh dolls had good karma.  Instead it was a piece on a frightening mix of stuffed animal meets the internet.  Ever heard of Webkinz?  My womb not having been occupied, I was unaware that 6-year-olds were now web addicts because of these toys.  Says a Ms. Emily Bazelon, "Each bear or tiger comes with its own code, which its kid companion/caretaker enters into the Web site. Next, the kid decorates his pet’s house by earning points in inane game-playing followed by even more inane shopping. And voilà, there you are, fighting with your 8-year-old or even your 6-year-old about screen time."  Ugh.  She and I are in agreement when she says, "Don’t try to console yourself with the mantra that they’re learning skills that will later serve them well in our technology-driven world. Using a mouse isn’t like learning to ski."  I think kids should learn how to use the internet while young.  Just not in a product-driven method that rips off Tamagotchi.  The piece begins with a nice discussion of The Velveteen Rabbit as well.

• The 2008 Hans Christian Andersen Award was announced at Bologna on March 31st and the winner?  Swiss author Jurg Schubiger, of course!  Uh . . . . hm.  I have never read anything by Swiss author Jurg Shubiger.  I’m pretty certain I’ve never read anything by anyone name "Jurg" in all the days of my brief ill-kempt life.  Perhaps some nice publisher could rectify this situation (number of hits this name brings up on Amazon: 0). On the other hand, Roberto Innocenti won the illustrator award, and I’m quite fond of his work.  I heard a rumor that he has recently done a version of Wind in the Willows.  Can I get a confirmation on this?  It’s great getting to see the list of 2008 nominees too.  Thanks to Monica Edinger for the links.

• The third 48-hour book challenge has been announced.  One of these years I’ll take a vacation and dedicate myself fully.  Until then, go for the gold, my pretties.

• Until reading the recent post on Libba Bray’s blog about the upcoming filmed version of A Great and Terrible Beauty I was unaware that it was being directed by a certain Charles Sturridge.  I know that authors get roundabout zero choice on the directors of the filmed versions of their books, but it seems to me that you would have to have pretty fabulous literary karma to acquire a feller like Mr. Sturridge.  Ever seen the made-for-tv version of Brideshead Revisited?  I recall two things about it.  One: Jeremy Irons was naked a lot.  Two: Jeremy Irons was . . . oh, no, I said that before.  Ah yes!  Two: It’s the most faithful adaptation of a book an author could dream of ever having.  So despite Ms. Bray’s very funny fears of how the film could turn out ("Movie Announcer Voice: The ladies of Spence aren’t lying back and thinking of England anymore. And when these rebel angels unleash a great and terrible power, hope will be a sweet far thing, and danger will be closer than ever…") she has little to worry about. Thanks to Shaken & Stirred again for the link.

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