
The Classroom Bookshelf
September 10, 2021 by Betsy Bird
Pairing with the utterly lovely Sophie Blackall, Kate DiCamillo presents us with a story that has all the trappings of a fable, and all the reality of a thoroughly thrilling tale.
May 11, 2016 by Betsy Bird
Recently I hosted a Literary Salon where an attendee asked at the end whether or not it was true that Kate DiCamillo deleted every draft she wrote, right after finishing it, so that she could rewrite it again. As it turns out, this isn’t exactly the case, but it did lead a lot of us […]
April 14, 2016 by Betsy Bird
Raymie Nightingale By Kate DiCamillo Candlewick Press $16.99 ISBN: 978-0-7636-8117-3 Ages 9-12 On shelves now My relationship to Kate DiCamillo’s books is one built entirely on meaning. Which is to say, the less emotional and meaningful they are, the better I like ‘em. Spaghetti loving horses and girls that live in tree houses? Right up […]
September 21, 2014 by Betsy Bird
Howdy, folks. I have news for you. Did you have any idea that a children’s literature online show called KidLit TV was in the works? Nor did I until I stopped by Roxie Munroe’s studio the other day. She informed me that man-about-town Rocco Staino had been by with an honest-to-goodness film crew to talk […]
February 6, 2014 by Betsy Bird
It’s always the filler. I have this little file where I jot down ideas for posts on days when my brain is mush, and most recently I jotted down the old “casual diversity” question a friend asked me once. Figured it would make for a good quickie blog post and then I’d be on my […]
January 12, 2014 by Betsy Bird
Some weeks can go by without a single solitary interesting video in sight. Other weeks, you drown in brilliance. This week inclines far more towards the latter than the former. I could not lead off today with anything other than the latest bit of Bookie Woogie brilliance. You keened to their 90-second rendition of Where […]
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June 10, 2013 by Betsy Bird
Flora and Ulysses By Kate DiCamillo Illustrated by K.G. Campbell Candlewick Press ISBN: 978-0-7636-6742-5 $17.99 Ages 9-12 On shelves September 24th I like a bit of subtlety with my “meaning”. What I mean by that is that when I pick up a book for kids, it’s tough on me, as a reader, to go through […]
November 21, 2012 by Betsy Bird
And I am SO going to be there. This is a crazy good line-up. Thalia Kids’ Book Club Presents The 2012 90-Second Newbery Film Festival Sunday, December 2 at 4 pm at Symphony Space All Tickets: $15 ($12 for members) This special event marks the debut screening of the top videos submitted by kids to […]
June 12, 2012 by Betsy Bird
#20 Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (2000) 81 points Because of Winn Dixie was my #1 pick the first time you did the chapter book poll; in the time since, no other book has threatened to overtake its place as my favorite chapter book of all time. It’s one of the greatest dog stories […]
May 24, 2012 by Betsy Bird
#51 The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, A Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo (2003) 41 points The perfect modern day fairytale. I also love how she broke the fourth wall and addressed the reader directly. – Amy Miele Charming, engaging, lovely, imaginative, and a great […]
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