MORE POSTS FROM SEPTEMBER 2010
As a kid, I remember having the impression that a lot of middle class families in my town were divided in a very easy to understand way. You either subscribed to Newsweek or you subscribed to TIME. This is one of those perceptions that you look back on in later years and just kinda sigh […]
Where the Streets Had a Name By Randa Abdel-Fattah Scholastic $17.99 ISBN: 978-0-545-17292-9 Ages 9 and up On shelves November 1, 2010 When I was a child I had a very vague sense of global conflicts in other countries. Because of my Bloom County comics I knew a bit about apartheid in South Africa. Later […]
Also known as a cheapo filler post. It’s what puts bread on the table! So I was invited to moderate a panel at last weekend’s Brooklyn Book Festival and I had, in no uncertain terms, a blast. Of course it was raining, as you can see here (compliments of Nancy Mercado): Hipster children. Gotta love […]
Sometimes I feel that in midst of all our Newbery/Caldecott predictions we tend to place more attention on the Newbery side of the equation. There are Mock Newbery committees all around the country with blogs. How strange that there are fewer Mock Caldecott committees. You’d think it would be the other way around. After all, […]
I always find it interesting to watch how different author/illustrators confront audiences. Writing children’s books means, to some extent, that you’ve signed on to be a performer for children. So what technique suits you best? Do you have to rely on a chicken costume, or can you be relaxed and natural with your audience? This […]
Sneaky Sheep By Chris Monroe Carolrhoda Books (a division of Lerner) $15.95 ISBN: 978-0-7613-5615-8 Ages 4-8 On shelves now. If an author/illustrator redefines picturebookdom’s understanding of the relationship between monkeys and their tool belts, it’s difficult to predict where they may go next. Chris Monroe is one such puzzle to me. Most picture book author/illustrators […]
Yes, it’s time yet again to try to figure out what might win this year’s Newbery (for the best written work for children) and Caldecott (for the best illustrated book for children) Awards for 2011. Let’s try something a little different from Part One and Part Two of this year’s predictionfest. Now with Heavy Medal […]
Binky to the Rescue By Ashley Spires Kids Can Press $8.95 ISBN: 978-1-55453-597-2 Ages 7-12 On shelves now When I try to think of cat-related graphic novels for kids, I find that titles don’t fall trippingly off of my tongue. Sure there’s the fabulous Fashion Kitty (a great series, in spite of the sound of […]
Oh man. I need to get my third Newbery/Caldecott predictions up and pronto. Now that the Heavy Medal blog has entered the arena again you just know that the debating is about to begin. Already I can see that I’ll have to fight tooth and nail for my beloved One Crazy Summer and that Nina […]
Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins and Other Nasties: A Practical Guide by Miss Edythe McFate As told to Lesley M.M. Blume Illustrated by David Foote Alfred A. Knopf (an imprint of Random House) $16.99 ISBN: 978-0-375-86203-8 Ages 9-12 On shelves September 14th The term “urban fantasy” gets bandied about a bit these days. If you’re unfamiliar […]