Heavy Medal
August 18, 2024 by Betsy Bird
Add a great text and art from an illustrious artist and you’ve got on your hands a librarian biography that’s a cut above the rest. A book that surpasses its form. A tale worth telling.
July 26, 2023 by Betsy Bird
In this book be prepared for laughs, music, snot, baby coffins, live amputations, feats of strength, bad haircuts, and (of course) family, family, family.
March 21, 2022 by Betsy Bird
The Lock-Eater is a marvelous example of how you may render old ideas new, if only you’ve the ability to combine smart, timely writing with the current zeitgeist. Our kids are lucky they get to tap into books like this. Let’s hope for more of the same.
September 23, 2021 by Betsy Bird
Lisa Wheeler and Loren Long have given us a title that is filled up to the brim with dignity. Dignity for the people who actually put their blood, sweat, and tears into making the places and objects we so desperately need to live.
February 18, 2021 by Betsy Bird
The publisher sold this book to me as Doll Bones with a trans narrative and maybe that’s the best description you should hope for. Smart. Original. Necessary. Thank god we have this book now.
May 28, 2020 by Betsy Bird
They say, write what you know. And if what you know is how to lie on a steel table, your head screwed into place, a laser pointed at your face, that might be a good place to start. We live in dark times. How dark are they? SO dark that a book about a kid with a potentially deadly eye cancer is the bit of lighthearted levity we all need and crave.
ADVERTISEMENT
May 7, 2020 by Betsy Bird
Not every 12-year-old is going to be ready for the abuse and pain addressed in Bradley’s latest. But for those kids that want a book can be honest with them about the world, written at their age-level, with funny parts and a happy ending where things get better, this is that book. It ain’t easy but it’s there for you.
April 14, 2020 by Betsy Bird
Firmly rooted in reality, the book tips its hat low to Sherlock Holmes but maintains an originality entirely of its own. Surely kids won't be asking for more of the same? They most certainly will. And don't call me Shirley.
May 29, 2018 by Betsy Bird
The Rabbit Listened By Cori Doerrfeld Dial (an imprint of Penguin Random House) $17.99 ISBN: 978-0-7352-2935-8 Ages 4 and up On shelves now Lest we forget, the only reason that children’s books were invented in the first place was to teach small human lessons. That is, in fact, the very backbone of the book business […]
September 24, 2015 by Betsy Bird
Robo-Sauce By Adam Rubin Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri Dial (an imprint of Penguin Books) $18.99 ISBN: 978-0525428879 Ages 4-6 On shelves October 20th. When I whip out the old we’re-living-in-a-golden-age-of-picture-book-creation argument with colleagues and friends, they humor what I’m sure they consider to be my hyperbole. Suuuuuure we are, Betsy. Not prone to exaggeration or […]
Teen Librarian Toolbox
by Amanda MacGregor
Politics in Practice
by John Chrastka
Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.