Fusenews: Featuring Some of the Coolest Children’s Literature Related Items on the Market Today

• My pal Davin works for Private Air Daily, a mag for people who own their own horseless flying contraptions (i.e. jets).  Recently he asked me for some illustrator suggestions.  They needed a top-notch artist for their regular SketchPad piece, and did I have any ideas?  Naturally my mind wandered to David Macaulay and his ilk and I gave Davin a list of names with him at the top.  Interestingly the fellow that Private Air went with instead was none other than Mr. Tony DiTerlizzi (or, as the Book Lover’s edition of Trivial Pursuit prefers to call him, "Tony DiTerlizzido"). When asked to interpret an aircraft, Tony went with a rather classy design.  Apparently his dad designs jet engines for Pratt & Whitney.  Kismet.  You can see his sketch by signing up for free on the site.  Don’t worry.  I haven’t received any private airplane spam as a result (though admittedly it would make my day if I did).

• Alas.  PBS has finally cancelled Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood just as we all knew they would, eventually.  PBS is all about the boffo bucks these days and I seriously doubt those old Mr. R shorts pull in the moolah of a single Elmo toothbrush.   Thanks to Jane Yolen for the info.

• Leila Roy reads and presents a play-by-play of Breaking Dawn.  I figure that’s worthy of note right then and there.  Beats reading the book myself, to my mind.  Plus I was o’erfilled with joy when I read sentences like this: "Ooo!  She pulled out the marble simile already!  And the stone metaphor!  And there goes glass!  All in the same paragraph!  Wheeee!  It’s like Bella is making out with a lawn ornament!"  In the meantime, The Washington Post continues its fine tradition of having women named Elizabeth review its books for youth.  Elizabeth Ward may be gone but that doesn’t mean that Elizabeth Hand isn’t handing out some delicious opinions on Breaking Dawn herself.  Thanks to Big A little a for the link.

• Ah.  The wait is over and the Oprah’s Book Club Kids Reading List is up and running.  I’m pleased at how the contemporary titles come first and the older titles second.  And I am intrigued by the spotlight books that precede the others in each section.  In fact, I was a little disappointed not to see any titles that I particularly loathed or disliked.  Gary Schmidt gets two books on the 12 and up list which seems a little unfair, but that’s the extent of the weirdness.  Plus I’m a huge fan of The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm by Nancy Farmer and was happy to see it in the 12 and up section.  One has to wonder who exactly chose these titles and what their methods were.  Still, I’m a little disappointed that I can’t rant about this. Looks pretty good to my eyes.  Thanks to Big A little a for the link.

• J.L. Bell over at Oz and Ends takes a long hard look at G.P. Taylor (remember when they tried to tout his books as "The Christian Harry Potter" back in the day?) and how he’s switched his focus from Rowling to Pullman.  I read Shadowmancer once upon a time.  Sure I did.  They marketed the wazoo out of that pup, so I felt obligated.  But apparently the man spends his days trolling the web for neggie naysayers like myself so I’ll have to admit that I can’t remember if I finished the book or not.  I assume that I did, but some protective veil has descended over that particular corner of my brain and is adamantly refusing to allow me to get even a peek into what I can only assume must have been an experience like no other. Very refreshing to read Mr. Bell’s take on the matter in any case.

• Further evidence that my brain isn’t operating at full capacity: I should have let you know that over at 7-Imp they’ve some lovely pictures of how Mr. Adam Rex went about creating the Headless Horseman’s pumpkin noggin for his latest Frankenstein book of poetry (hint: It involves balloons).  I assume you all read your 7-Imp faithfully, but in the odd event that you missed this, do be so good as to check it out.

• A personage of Horn Bookian occupation is doing a survey of Kidlit fanfic.  Perhaps you would like to aid her in this endeavor.  There is more information here at Puggy’s Hill.  Thanks to Shaken & Stirred for the link.

• Walter at The Monkey Speaks provides the 457th reason why I should have taken Spanish instead of French in high school and college.  Unless, of course, the U.S. is suddenly inundated with a massive influx of Quebecois immigrants in the next few years.  Then I’m golden.

• Oh good.  Looks like we’re half a step away from one of the three hallows.  That just leaves unbeatable wands and rings that can raise the dead.  Onward!

• One of the more depressing areas of the country you can visit is the American side of Niagara Falls.  So it was without surprise that I saw this Crooked House entry on the world’s most seeming apt hotel.  A pity that’s not its real moniker.  Perhaps they should consider a name switch.

• Daily Image(s):

This is what happens when you get an author/artist in charge of a blogger conference.  Laini Taylor has created some mighty fine wares (found here) to raise money for the upcoming conference.  Even if you aren’t attending, tell me you aren’t just the slightest bit tempted by these objects.

I am purposefully not including a pic of the object I want the most because I want it all for myself.  Mine mine mine!  I am a perverse beastie these days, I tell ya.  Even if you’re not attending, though, you should buy this stuff up.  Above all else, it’s almost immoderately attractive.

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