Fusenews: The “bovine Freaks and Geeks”

Have you ever been reading a funny article containing faux children’s books and found yourself thinking, "Waaait a minute.  That art’s just a little too good for a silly little humor piece."  Such was the case when I read and enjoyed My Clone, My Own: An Introductory Guide for IdentiPure Individuals in a funny Wired article Found: The Future of Children’s Books.  Those illustrations (seen on the left here) are by none other than the multi-talented Christoph Niemann. Who else would think to create a shuttlecock DNA strand (read the article to get a better look).  Says the piece: "What do you think our world will look like in 10, 20 or 100 years? We need your help creating a new artifact from the future for every issue of Wired magazine. Each month, we’ll propose a scenario and ask for your prognostications. Check out the latest challenge, then sketch out your vision and upload your ideas. See other submissions and vote for your favorites."  Authors and illustrators of the world, here’s a fun diversion to take you away from your necessary writing.  I already like what they’ve shown so far.  Big time thanks to Jenny Schwartzberg for the link!

• Rather along the same lines was the recent piece in The Millions called Are Picture Books Leading Our Children Astray?  In it the author pulls five picture book favorites to call out.  I was particularly fond of the reference to Ferdinand as "a bovine Freaks and Geeks" and the rather good point that in Caps for Sale the peddler, "balances his wares upon his head and returns to town, eager to unload caps that were just worn by monkeys. The steady spread of head lice and untold ape-mites throughout his drab little village seems a given."  It ends with a diatribe against Curious George Flies a Kite that makes the whole thing worthwhile.  Jacob Lambert, I am your new fan.

• A tip of the hat to some of the classiest illustrators this side of the sun. Aliki, Brian Selznick, Caroline Arnold, David Shannon, Joe Cepeda, Kazu Kibuishi, Marianne Wallace, and Marla Frazee have all either donated images or given permission for them to be used by California school libraries facing potential cuts.  Reports SLJ, this campaign to support these libraries was begun by Marie Slim, a media specialist at Petaluma High School and a California School Librarian Association board member, and Pat Nelson of Mrs. Nelson’s Toy and Book Shop in Laverne, CA. "Each artist is asking that librarians credit their work; however, they may be used on letterhead without any credit." And for my part, y’all are a thoroughly noteworthy bunch. You can see the full images on the SLAdvocacy Wiki.  Thanks to SLJ’s Extra Helping for the link.

• With the release of the iPad a young girl’s fancies turn to the future of book reviewing.  A person can now read a book on an electronic device.  Plummy.  Now what about a galley?  My ARCs (Advanced Reading Copies) tend to be paper, so I see no need for a Kindle, Sony eReader, or what have you.  Into this void steps a site like Net Galley.  Say they of themselves, "NetGalley is an inexpensive and green way for publishers to share their digital galleys securely. Professional readers—reviewers, media, bloggers, journalists, librarians, booksellers and educators—can all use NetGalley for FREE to read and request galleys they want to review."  Oh so?  I learned of this site primarily because author Kersten Hamilton turned me on to it.  She pointed out that Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has signed up for this service.  Can others be far behind?  Considering the prohibitive cost of printing galleys, this might be the future of book reviewing.  I’ve looked at their children’s selection and there are only eight titles available.  Still, it causes one to think.  Thanks to Kersten Hamilton for the info.

• There are days when working in a library can feel like you’re working in a grocery store.  Well now you can do both!  If you work in a Baltimore library, that is.  NPR had the story, and it’s a darn good idea.  Never would have occurred to me personally, though.  Thanks to Jules for the link.

• This may be one of the more evil creations out there.  The Geocities-izer promises to "make any webpage look like it was made by a 13 year-old in 1996."  Want to see how far the online world has come?  Go to this site and plug in your website or blog.  I gotta say that the tinny 90s music is dead on.  DEAD on.  Thanks to BoingBoing for the link.

• Daily Image:

The site Bluefaqs came up with 60 Highly Clever Minimal Logo Designs which I could stare at all day.  I particularly liked:

And my favorite . . .

Thanks to Swiss-Miss for the link.

Filed under: Fusenews