Video Sunday: Just Call Me Old Softy
Okay, so I have to ask. What is up with various members of The Decemberists and children’s literature these days? First lead singer Colin Meloy writes a fantasy novel. Now Jenny Conlee helps compose a score for a stage adaptation of Matt Phelan’s The Storm in the Barn playing at The Oregon Children’s Theater. You’ve seen the trailer, so here’s the behind-the-scenes glimpse at the show itself:
Next up, I can’t help it. Whenever I see a video folks have made to save a library, I gotta post it. It’s not something I can even help! It’s not a choice, people. And Marjorie Ingall recently linked to some videos that were hoping to help save the Neighborhood School Library, a good cause if ever there was one. One video features the requisite adorable children. The other the gross 180 degree opposite of adorable children. Awesome.
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In other news the Obamas get all 21st century on us with a reading of A Sick Day for Amos McGee.
Thanks to 100 Scope Notes for the link.
In other news, Peter at Collecting Children’s Books identified some fun videos of Antiques Road Show appraising, of all folks, Edward Gorey. The fact that there was a Gorey tarot card deck out there and I didn’t know about it says something. It also got me to thinking . . . what other children’s book artists should do some tarot card decks? Cynthia von Buhler, obviously. Dave McKean. I wouldn’t mind seeing an Adam Rex tarot deck one of these days. And let’s throw Rosemary Wells in there, just because we can.
And then there’s the signed first edition Hobbit . . .
And finally, I have to thanks Lori and Alison for today’s off-topic video. This is the one about the kid who created his own cardboard arcade in his dad’s East LA. auto parts store. It’s kind of a tearjerker, this one. Just lovely.
Filed under: Videos

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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Loved that last video with a capital “L”!
the gorey tarot deck, the fantod, was reissued recently and i’ve seen it around better indie bookstores in my area.
Thank you, Betsy! Our students will be devastated if we lose our library and our amazing librarian Cheryl. Kind literacy-loving souls can donate on the Neighborhood School web site (tnsny.org).
Best thing, out of so many best things, about watching the video of President Obama read WTWTA was the point were all the kids in the audience uninterrupted to let him know they had the book at home. Good to know that our President gets the same treatment as I do when I read that book, (or any popular book for that matter). It was also pretty great when the dog chimed in.