Fusenews: “If two toucans, two hairy gnus can”

• Sometimes when I am working the reference desk The President will pop his head in.  Not the President of this country mind (though I have a crazy plan for that possible weirdness) but natty man-about-town and President of the New York Public Library, Paul LeClerc.  It is always mildly disconcerting to see him, since NYPL is very large and I am at my most comfortable when important folks don’t know I exist.  So it’s funny to think that I didn’t even know about the article in the New York Times called Ask About the New York Public Library where Dr. LeClerc would answer people’s questions.  It turned out to be hugely popular with comments of all sorts coming in.  Now the PLA Blog has created a Wordle of the most popular words found in the questions.  Fun to look at, certainly.

• I have been a good little blog reader lately.  And because of this I have seen that in the midst of the massive quantities of blood being spilt all over the publishing house floors, there are authors out there attempting to make us feel happy anyway.  Enter Kids Heart Authors Day.  Slated for February 14th of 2009 it is, according to Finding Wonderland, the brainchild of author Mitali Perkins. Says the site, "Bundle up your brood and head to your community bookstore on Saturday, February 14th, where local authors and illustrators will gather from 10 to 12 a.m. to sign books for kids and teens."  There’s a roster of participating folks already growing and plenty of room for more.  And while it may be primarily New England involved, there’s no reason why other folks around the country might not want to create some little bandwagons to jump onto as well.  Thanks to Finding Wonderland for the link.

• Magazines can surprise you.  Who knows how many harbor secret reviews of children’s books beneath their pages?  For example, author Gail Gauthier just discovered that Audubon Magazine, of all creations, has children’s reviews of its very own.  Those authors and illustrators amongst you that write nature books might want to consider submitting a title or two to this mag.  Thanks to Original Content for the link.

When a season comes along I don’t tend to spend much time telling you guys what holiday books to read or purchase or chew on.  There’s no particular reason for this aside from the fact that it never really occurs to me.  But recently author Sarah Miller highlighted a baby Jesus story that is probably my favorite of the bunch o’ them.  The Nativity as illustrated by Julie Vivas is one of those picture books that takes into consideration, amongst other things, the enormous difficulties a pregnant woman would have when it comes to getting on a donkey.  Sarah’s post is particularly welcome because it takes into account a bookseller’s point of view when it comes to recommending this title.  Says she, "Vivas’s watercolors show whimsical, slightly tatty characters acting out the familiar story in playful, earnest pantomime. And even though the illustrations never ever cross the line into irreverence, some folks just can’t handle them."  I could see that.

• I missed the fact that those intrepid authors The Longstockings were having a Knock Our Socks Off Contest when it came to renaming classic children’s books.  Gotta say I like the winner, though.

• I’ve seen this kind of thing crop up in children’s museums, but this is the first time I’ve heard of it making the leap to libraries as well.  Over in the Wyoming section of the world, the Laramie County Library System has set up animation stations for its children.   Students also use it for homework, because the videos can be downloaded and used in presentations. “A huge benefit of the animation station is that it is just fun . . . Even though they are learning, they are mostly having fun and enjoying something they don’t have access to anywhere else in Cheyenne.”  You can see one such video on their website here.  Thanks to American Libraries Direct for the link.

• Little Brown editor Alvina Ling brings up a fascinating topic that I haven’t heard much about before.  Is there Ageism in Publishing? Which is to say, is there an inclination in the publishing industry to publish folks below the age of 55?  Alvina makes a good case for "No" but also brings up cases where age does come into play.   Interesting thoughts on the matter.

• Daily Image – Holiday Gift Edition:

Illustrator Jaime Temairik once made for me my very own toucan.  He was a plump jolly little fellow, meant to grace the side of a candybar of my own designing.  I have the original here in my home, but it occurs to me that perhaps some of you find him as cute as I do.  If so, you can purchase him as a bookplate as shown right here:

Aww.  Such a cute little feller.  Thanks for making him available, Jaime!

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