Fusenews: Bite They Little Heads Off. Nibble on They Tiny Feet.
Monica has seen the new Tale of Despereaux movie and she says it’s okay. I wasn’t a great fan of the book myself (the jovial physical violence and death of sympathetic characters without so much as a howdy-doo got under my skin) so I’m curious about the film. Maybe I’d like it more than the book itself. It’s a possibility. Monica says everything has been toned down. If that means less boxing of the ears of small children, then I am okay with that. Alison Morris offers a remarkably detailed review of the film herself. Makes for good reading.
- Big news coming out of Macmillan these days. When I saw the PW title Macmillan Eliminates 64 Positions; Forms Children’s Group, I was wary. After reading it beginning to end I don’t know what to think. Take a gander for yourself: “As part of the restructuring, the company is forming a new unified children’s publishing division that will bring all of its imprints under one umbrella, said Macmillan head John Sargent. The new division, to be known as the Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, will be headed by Dan Farley, who will continue to oversee Henry Holt as well.” What on earth does this mean? New hires? New layoffs? Puzzled and worried am I.
- “The biggest faux pas in book gift giving is going too young.” So sayeth Lisa Von Drasek (Bank Street College librarian) in her article Books for Kids: a Scouting Report, 2008. The piece talks about how one goes about giving a book to a child when you don’t actually know the kid too well. Useful for the upcoming holiday season, don’t you think? She likes different books than myself, but I loved it when she said the following: ” If I could only pick one picture book for a four- and five-year-olds, it would be A Visitor for Bear by Bonnie Becker, with pictures by Kady MacDonald.” Right on, woman. I’m with you all the way. Ditto your love of Skim.
- Peter at Collecting Children’s Books stirs a handful of paprika into the emotions with an interesting question: “Just for the sake of being controversial, let me throw out this thought: does anyone think that the Caldecott Medal, in particular, is often a ‘career’ award given to an artist whose ‘time has come’ — someone who has labored in the field of children’s book illustration for many years and never won before?” I wish! If that were the case I’d be a happy woman. Doesn’t work that way but in some cases (I know Kadir Nelson is young but why does he never get the BIG award?) I wish that it did. Sarah Miller then asks why a solo African-American has never won the gold, which I have to admit I had not known. And THEN the man goes on to ask, “does anyone think it would be a good idea if the Caldecott, Newbery, and other children’s and young-adult book awards skipped a year if no book was deemed distinguished enough to win?” Ha! Imagine if that actually happened. You’re officially our devil’s advocate this week, Peter.
- There is never enough time to read everything that you would like to, but when Bill Watterson (of Calvin & Hobbes fame) blurbs a graphic novel, people should sit up and take notice. The First Second blog highlighted a little book called Cul de Sac. Color me immensely curious.
- Here’s a Best Books list you won’t find much of anywhere else. The Puffin UK blog has come up with their own list of Best Books and Hot Tips. Since they’re Brits they’re only just now getting excited about things like Diary of a Wimpy Kid (and about bloody time our titles started getting popular across the ocean instead of vice versa). They’ve also some information on titles that we should probably be looking at acquiring over here as well. Things like Mr. Big by Ed Vere (“Bright colours, a suited gorilla and JAZZ!”) and Then by Morris Gleitzman (“A story that will haunt you long after you finish the book”). Then is apparently available here in the U.S. as an audiobook, which puzzles me to no end. Not sure what the deal is with that one is. And I can’t say as I approve of the British Savvy cover. Seriously, when it’s as good as Brandon Dorman’s why not use it worldwide?
- Huh! Recorded Books offers a little audio samples of some of their new books from time to time. I was pleased to see that one such sample was for the book Waiting for Normal by Leslie O’Connor. Excellent choice, my dear fellows. Top drawer!
- And the new literary term of the day is: Hybrid reader. Which is to say, someone raised on real books who can also deal with those of the electronic kind as well. A writer at Huffington Post queries, “But what happens when we die out? Will the young’uns feel as we do about books? I’d like to think so, but I guess in twenty years or so, what I think won’t make a shred of difference, not to the young’uns, or the text they are reading.” Bookninja continues with thoughts of his own. I can’t say that I’m particularly concerned myself, but it’s a question worth bringing up from time to time.
- Submissions volume is explained in a lovely Venn diagram.
- In other news my mother is called an award-winning poet in a blog post (which she is). I can blog this because the post also mentions an up-and-coming YA author as well. Sweet sweet justification.
- Cheryl told me at a party about this screenwriter’s blog in which his son comes up with potential ideas for Jurassic Park IV. Time travel, dinosaurs, and Nazis. It’s everything a movie should be. Thanks to Brooklyn Arden for the link.
- Here’s a press release for your LGBT authors who might want an award to subsidize your travel stipend to NYPL’s LGBT collections. I dunno what you guys are working on right now, but maybe this could help someone out:
NYPL Launches LGBT Visiting Scholars Program
The New York Public Library—home to one of the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) collections in the U.S.—has announced the creation of the LGBT Visiting Scholars Program.
Created with the generous support of LGBT Committee Ambassador Martin Duberman and his partner Eli Zal, the program enables the Library to provide travel stipends to New York City for up to three visiting scholars to do LGBT research in the Library’s collections. Ranging in size from $1,000 to $8,500, the awards will be limited to emerging scholars or those who are unaffiliated with an academic institution. The application deadline is January 31, 2009.
For more information visit http://www.nypl.org/press/releases/?article_id=193.
- Daily Image:
My eyes! My eyes! For the love of all that is good and holy, why aren’t these babies crying?
It’s a Hello Kitty themed nursery in Taiwan. I think I’d prefer Spongebob Squarepants. Thanks to Children’s Illustration for the link.
Filed under: Fusenews
About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.
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Richard Lorig says
Hurrah! Your title made me laugh. I remember that Kliban quote was the first “poem” my brother learned. He repeated it ad nauseam.
Ellen Booraem says
I still chant that Kliban ditty to myself in times of stress. Didn’t realize I had company…
BETH says
What do you mean about Uri? He won for THE FOOL OF THE WORLD AND THE FLYING SHIP in 1969, and been awarded Caldecott Honors twice since. I agree that he is due for another Medal…
PS Lisa and I can explain all about Macmillan if you wish! Actually, a press release that will be more clear should come out today too.
TadMack says
Oh, my word. I am crying FOR the babies.
Meh. Not so much liking the Savvy cover, either.
And I have to admit relief that someone else was lukewarm about Tale of Despereaux…
Julia says
love to eat them mousies!
Fuse #8 says
Zut! How could I forget “Flying Ship”?? Old age is taking its toll on me. I think I was just hoping that his “How I Learned Geography” would get some sort of nod this year. Now where can I get my hands on that press release?
janeyolen says
I have a cup with the “Bite they little heads off” quote around here somewhere.
Jane
Jaime Temairik says
Betsy, um. Did you not just finish a book yesterday? And now you have more than a dozen linky bits? Does Red Bull come in a barrel? How do you do it?
Nice to see Bonny Becker’s book getting a Bank Street shout out. Did you know Bonny does editing services? And teaches? I think maybe she drinks Red Bull, too.
I’m also confused by the Macmillan announcement and hope all those imprints don’t get swallowed up by The Man.
Looking forward to Cul de Sac especially if Mark Siegel approves.
khazelrigg says
I completely agree about the UK Savvy cover. Brandon Dorman’s artwork is absolutely gorgeous. Why would anyone ever settle for less?