Fusenews: My Gym Used to Run the Video of Coin-Operated Boy. True Story.
Kudos and culottes to Anthony Browne who has just been named the U.K.’s sixth Children’s Laureate. Coincidentally, I actually got my first Browne-related reference question the other day. Patron walked in and wanted a specific picture book about a gorilla and a kitten that had come out recently. My mind, naturally, went to Koko’s Kitten, but fine book that might be, it’s not recent. I don’t remember what she said to trigger my brain’s synapses, but when I gave it a little thought I suddenly remembered Browne’s Little Beauty, and lo and behold that was the one. So cheers to Mr. Browne! My sole objection with him is that the extra "e" at the end of his name confuses my library pages when alphabetizing the picture books. Thanks to PW Daily for the link.
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I hereby declare the 4th 48-Hour MotherReader Book Challenge a rousing success. Not that it needs my blessing. I mean just look at all the participants!
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Judy Freeman (who, to my mind, is the real brains behind Read Kiddo Read, but what do I know) has a spiffy little blog I didn’t know about. Or if I did know about it, the information flitted between my ears and then ran for the hills. Ms. Freeman is a children’s literary expert the like of which could put the rest of us to shame. So when she talks about classic literature that still works or great picture books, it’s worth your time to sit up and take notice.
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My constantly saying "I don’t do YA" is basically the blog equivalent of a lady doth protesting too much (cue the Shakespeare scholars to all squeeze their eyes shut in pain). Fact of the matter is, I will occasionally link to a YA concern when the fancy strikes. For example, take the case of Lisa Von Drasek. Not too long ago The Wall Street Journal wrote the article It Was, Like, All Dark and Stormy which, as you might be able to tell from the title, isn’t the world’s most informed view of the genre as a whole. It also contains the mighty amusing line, "Somewhere along the line our teenagers have become connoisseurs of disaster.” Along the line? I’ll grant the point if by "along the line" you mean, "since the first child in the history of humankind became a teenager." In any case, Lisa Von Drasek’s response is an excellent point-by-point encapsulation of where the piece went astray.
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Children’s librarians, this is a good idea. You know how you get those parents in your library who sometimes want something that helps them know more about literacy and their children? The Book Chook has found an answer. The beautifully designed Literacy Lava online PDF is meant to answer such concerns and contains such articles as "Tips for Reading Aloud", "When Do I Start Reading Aloud?", "Literacy Through Play", "Reluctant Reader vs Despondent Mom", and others. Best of all, tis free. Read more about it here. It’s easy to use, and easier still to print out.
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An excellent discussion is going on over at Mitali Perkins’ Fire Escape. The question is this: "Should publishers edit beloved children’s books like LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE or THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA to eliminate racial or ethnic stereotyping? When (if ever) is it okay?" She’s conducting a poll of viewers’ opinions that includes such options as, "(1) if the changes made are incidental rather than integral to the plot. (2) if the publisher includes a note in the re-issue explaining the reasoning behind the change. (3) if the author is alive and wants the changes (4) if the copyright holder (a descendant) is still alive and authorizes the changes (5) never." Recorded Books makes a particularly good point right from the start. "I personally think it’s more valuable to make the problem known when reading the book and open it up for discussion. Imagine if we edited all racist or otherwise objectionable texts from the past! We should be honest about what is there and why."
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Author/blogger Chris Barton has an excellent post on his blog about how big bookstores sort of shove non-fiction titles off to one side. You’d like my library, Chris. We keep all the fiction in the back and the non-fiction up front where everyone can see them. Boo-yah!
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The premise: 30 Rock is just a new version of The Muppet Show sans puppets. The evidence: I won’t go so far as to say it’s compelling, but at the very least it IS amusing.
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Speaking of amusing, Amy Krouse Rosenthal (Duck, Rabbit, Little Pea, and so on and so on and such) has had an absolutely delightful notion. Other New York Times bestselling authors take note:
"Here’s the deal. For every week that Duck! Rabbit! is on the New York Times Best Seller List , Amy and Tom will call that number of children and read them a bedtime story. (We’re thinking Duck! Rabbit! would be the book of choice, but we’re open.) As of this announcement (June 8th), we’re thrilled that the book has been on the list 4 weeks. So, we’ll call 4 kids. If we’re lucky enough to stay on the list next week, we’ll call 5 kids! And on like that. Simply email missamykr@yahoo.com with the subject heading “Duck Call” and your name will be put in the hat for the weekly drawing. Easy as that. Hop to it!"
The woman should write a book on how to market oneself in an adorable fashion. Or teach classes. She just keeps impressing me. It’s hard to make yourself beloved to unknown masses. Somehow she’s perfected the technique.
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A thank you to attendee Claudia Carlson for not only coming to my last Children’s Literary Cafe at New York Public Library but going so far as to report on it as well. William Low, as expected, brought down the proverbial house. Such a great speaker. And we even managed to get a cute little room where his PowerPoint worked and everything. Of course, if you read Claudia’s recap, you will notice other items of interest. Like, who it is that Neil Gaiman is currently dating. Which is blowing my little mind (note the Eloise reference in this link). After all, I only purchase the music of three bands on a regular basis: The Magnetic Fields, Divine Comedy, and The Dresden Dolls. I find it strange how my little world is closing in on itself with every passing day. First Neil collaborates with Band #1, then he dates Band #3. I suppose I’d be upset if I didn’t worship ground upon which that woman walks. Of course, if Neil Gaiman gets anywhere near Neil Hannon I am dunking my head in the nearest saltwater bog and I am not coming back up for air.
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You’ve got your children’s literary blog. You’ve got your mommy blogs. And then you have your teacher blogs. I’ve never really paid adequate attention to the teacher bloggers out there and this is a shame because it means that I’ve missed sites like It’s Not All Flowers and Sausages. It’s a Harlem schoolteacher with a rip-roaring sense of humor and a biting wit. Apparently if you’re a teacher, this speaks truths you’ve barely allowed yourself to think. If you’re anyone else, it’s just darned funny. Thanks to Lisa Von Drasek for the link.
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Daily Image:
Haven’t done much for the design nutters in a while. Here you go, kids! Abecedarian delights in the form of a zoological typeface.
Thanks to Swiss Miss 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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Okay, not to get all into Neil Gaiman’s business but isn’t he married? I know he has three children that he blogs about a lot (especially the youngest) and I thought he was still married. I guess he’s not but I must have missed something.
Hmm, in retrospect, maybe this is getting too much into his business though….
Such a rich edition of Fusenews! I particularly appreciated the referral to Mitali’s current post as I often think about that issue which once again hit me between the eyes last weekend as I read DOWN SAND MOUNTAIN and thought about how good it is for people like me, people of my age to read a book with some of those themes to remind us how recently (and even today) we have lived in that atmostphere, a culture where the outlooks of some are like those of characters in that book; it was sobering for me.
And thank you for drawing attention to the misguided WSJ article.
I thought he was married too. Poo.
While blogging today, I discovered Double Booked Designs – handbags made from old books. Thought you might enjoy it.
Sorry, I can’t include the link in a comment but it’s easy to find.
If Neil Gaiman isn’t actually divorced from his wife (which he may be), he’s been separated from her for quite some time — there was a post about this on his LJ awhile ago.
Why are you giving women’s trousers cut full like a skirt to Anthony Browne? I love these things… (though they are hard to find) but I’ve never heard of a fellow wearing them. Is there some slang I am missing?
Well I was trying to find a word to accompany “kudos”. Kudos and Kool-aid? Kudos and Cooper Union? Kudos and Kumbaya? Culottes is the obvious choice when seen in that light. Plus it gave me an excuse to figure out how to spell it.
Fantastic post; I will be referencing many of your links on my library blog (which, it turns out, has a reader!). I just love that you do all the legwork for us and recap all the “news that’s fit to print” so we can enjoy the juiciest bits of the kidlit world. So, thank you for your hard work!
As for Neil Gaiman, my understanding is that he was separated from his wife for quite a few years and the divorce was finalized last year. And they still live next door to each other to help care for their youngest daughter. It messes with my head that Amanda Palmer is the same age as I am, totally artistically accomplished, AND she gets to date Neil Gaiman. Somehow the world doesn’t seem fair. But they’re happy, which is important.
Thanks to everyone (especially Yukari) for clearing up Neil Gaiman’s love life for me! (I know I should not care but man….Yukari is so right. Lucky Amanda Palmer!!!!)
Thanks for mentioning Literacy Lava, Betsy.
I only know Browne’s Piggybook and Into the Forest, both of which make me slightly uncomfortable. That’s not a criticism either – I think we need books, even in pbs, that make us ask ourselves questions.