Fusenews: I had a little list, the prettiest ever seen
Oh, so very much has gone on this week! Where to begin? What to do? Well, for starters, NYPL released a handy dandy list to accompany their current exhibit The ABC of It: Why Children’s Books Matter. I helped make said list, which is officially called 100 Great Children’s Books, 100 Years. So, two things. #1: We didn’t say “best” or “most popular”. We just said great. These are great books. Hard to argue with that. And #2: It’s just the stuff published in the last 100 years. So before you get your knickers in a twist, there is a reason The Secret Garden, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland are nowhere in sight. NYPL even lets you buy the books in little packages by age level or the whole kerschmozzle at one time. Groovy.
- In conjunction with the exhibit and the list, the library brought over Judy Blume and Eric Carle. So, naturally, when a photograph was to be taken I wedged myself between the two of them. I intend to blow it up, crop it, and then in fifty years claim to my grandchildren that we were all bestest buddies and this was taken mere moments before we stepped out for some pie.
- And now, on the depressing side of things, Gary Soto explains why I haven’t seen a new children’s title come out of him since I got my library degree. I just completely missed that entire Marisol debacle. In 2005 I was a newly minted librarian. Seems a bit unfair that I just missed the output of Soto. So come on, man! That was basically a decade ago. Time to do with the typey type.
- In happier news, Vermont college offers a scholarship to minority children’s & YA authors. This fact is accompanied by a killer photo of Angela Johnson. Worth it right there.
- More with the me stuff. Rob Smith was kind enough to interview me for his podcast The Interactive Teacher. Now the podcast is up and running and you can hear me yammer from here to Sunday, should you chose to do so. If you follow this link you’ll find that the written recap isn’t strictly what I’ve said, but it comes close. Thanks for chatting with me, Rob! Good stuff.
- I don’t care that it’s YA. I think I’m still going to have to read this when galleys become available. If only because the last name of the heroine is Gumm. Cute.
- I know Banned Books Week is over but I just wanna say one thing. Anything that uses rollergirls can only be a force for good. In my next life, I’m coming back as one of them. I ain’t kidding.
- Note to Self: Create place on website where you can include amazing examples of programs that folks have done in conjunction with Giant Dance Party. Today’s example, Ms. Helen N. Hill and the AMAZING ideas she came up with after reading my book. This completely and utterly rocks. Thank you, Helen!!!
- Speaking of GDP, do you happen to live in NJ? Anywhere near Montclair? Wanna see me dance like a fool and read my book? Watchung Booksellers is hosting l’il ole me this coming Saturday morning at 10:30. Please come!
- Do you instead live on the other side of the country entirely? Say, around the San Francisco area? Then why don’t you consider heading on over to Booksmith on Saturday, October 20th at 2 p.m.? Apparently Julie Downing (Spooky Friends) and Lisa Brown (Vampire Boy’s Good Night) will come together to tell Halloween stories and draw pictures of the kids that attend in costume. Now there’s an offer you can’t refuse.
- Daily Image:
Haven’t a clue where my Aunt Judy found this or even who it’s by. All I know is I love it.
I want to go to there.
Filed under: Fusenews
Best Book ListsBook ArtEric CarleFusenewsGary SotoGiant Dance PartyJudy BlumeMe stuffNYPLroller derby names
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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WOW, to the Gary Soto thing. I was just in grad school, so that whole thing was right over my head. It was definitely pre-kidlitospere; I can imagine that in that court of opinion he might not have come out entirely better, but the discussion, I hope, would’ve been kinder and more well-rounded. I hope he goes back to writing; seriously, I think we’re all big enough to deal with the idea of urban flight now.
We’re sorry they won, Mr. Soto. Will make finding a copy of A Simple Plan my mission this fall.
Sorry we can’t make it to Montclair to see you read your book today, Betsy. (We have a prior appointment at Smorgasburg.) They’re going to love you at Watchung Booksellers!
Well, I appreciate your considering it just the same. And it was a lovely little event. They were just the nicest folks.
Hi Betsy- I’m glad you enjoyed my program ideas. Let there be reading! Let there be dance! Let there be sketching and reading and dance! – Helen