Fusenews: Bikbussen!

You know, you can shave your head for a charitable organization and that’s fine.  It’s your call.  I mean, shaved heads are kind of "in" right now, but I’m sure that for some guys it would be a hardship.  But you know what’s even gutsier than shaving hair?  Growing it.  Particularly when all you are growing is a single solitary mustache.  Yes, there is actually an organization out there called Mustaches for Kids which sets up the ground rules and guidelines under which these follicle-feeding participants must abide.  Now illustrator Adam Rex has decided to join in the fun and he’s set up a lovely donor page for you to pledge money to.  I highly recommend that you do so, since his causes are very good and I for one would like to see the mustache he grows.  According to the rules he cannot do a handlebar, which chaps my hide considerably.  To my mind, every man should grow a handlebar if he is able.  It’s a trend I’ve been anxiously waiting to see emerge again.  Thanks to Wagging Tales for the link.

UPDATE: We have been informed via the comments that illustrator Brian Biggs is also growing a stache for charity.  Other author/illustrators we’d like to see do this next year: Richard Peck, Chris Raschka, Tobin Anderson, and (of course) John Green.

• I was pretty thrilled when I heard about Philip Nel’s upcoming anthology Tales for Little Rebels, published by New York University.  If you will cast your mind back you will recall that Mr. Nel has already been responsible for that annotated version of The Cat in the Hat, to say nothing of the reprinted Crockett Johnson picture book The Magic Beach.  The New Yorker has written a brief piece on this newest title, discussing at least two of the stories that are meant to exemplify, "radical children’s literature from the early nineteen-hundreds to the nineteen-seventies."  I’m very much looking forward to it, though I’d love to see a book look at titles since the 70s as well.

• Apropos of nothing I was just hanging around the website of one Jonny Duddle, a U.K. illustrator I heard about at a Greenwillow shindig.  As I looking about I saw this cover for a British book called A Nest of Vipers by Catherine Johnson.  How awesome is this image? 

Thanks to Steve Geck for the link.

• The U.K.’s first Roald Dahl Funny Prize was awarded just the other day to a couple kids books that dare to be amusing.  According to Bookseller.com, "For children aged six and under, the winning book was The Witch’s Children Go to School by Ursula Jones, illustrated by Russell Ayto (Orchard Books). For children aged seven to 14, the winning book was Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear by Andy Stanton, illustrated by David Tazzyman (Egmont Press)."  Mr. Gum!  Mr. Gum got himself an award!  You’re a Bad Man, Mr. Gum was a great little book that was published here in America earlier in the year.  I’m pleased as punch to see Mr. Stanton getting some praise.  On the shortlist the only book I’ve read is Paddington Here and Now which, if you have not seen it, is worth your time and money.  You can read the full shortlist here.  Thanks to PW Children’s Bookshelf for the link.

• Daily Image:

As I know you all heard, Peter Thuvander and Martin Hedenström of the design group Muungano have won the Swedish Library Bus of the Year award for . . . I’m sorry.  What?  The "Swedish Library Bus of the Year award"???   Oh yeah, baby.  It completely exists.  And here is the winner of said contest with some shots of the interior.

Filed under: Fusenews