100 Scope Notes
March 14, 2026 by Betsy Bird
That Chanel Miller’s writing is some of the strongest literary fiction coming out today is without question. But shhhh! Keep it to yourself, children. That’s just between you and this book.
May 24, 2017 by Betsy Bird
The Ring Bearer By Floyd Cooper Philomel Books (an imprint of Penguin Books USA) $16.99 ISBN: 978-0399167409 Ages 4-7 On shelves now. Decent, hard-working, necessary picture books are, in many ways, the hardest books I review. Decency, should anyone ask, is not exciting. Deplorable books are exciting. Madcap horrendous books are exciting. Dirty, indecent, awful, […]
November 5, 2014 by Betsy Bird
Once Upon an Alphabet: Short Stories for All the Letters By Oliver Jeffers Philomel (an imprint of Penguin) $26.99 ISBN: 978-0-399-16791-1 Ages 6 and up On shelves now Beware ever becoming a brand, my sweet, for that way lies nothing but unhappiness and ruin. Or not. I think the only real and true problem with […]
July 8, 2014 by Betsy Bird
Absolutely Almost By Lisa Graff Philomel (an imprint of Penguin) $16.99 ISBN: 978-0-399-16405-7 Ages 9-12 On shelves now. In the stage musical of Matilda, lyricist Tim Minchin begins the show with the following lines about the state of children today: “Specialness is de rigueur. / Above average is average. Go fig-ueur! / Is it some […]
August 5, 2013 by Betsy Bird
The Day the Crayons Quit By Drew Daywalt Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers Philomel (an imprint of Penguin) $17.99 ISBN: 978-0-399-25537-3 Ages 4-8 On shelves now. It is possible to read too much into a picture book. A funny statement since what were talking about is literature for people who haven’t even seen a decade of […]
April 11, 2012 by Betsy Bird
On to Viking! Viking This year I have carefully been keeping track of all the books that Kirkus stars. This is partially because Kirkus doesn’t star all that many things and partly because I like their taste. When I get a chance I go out, locate the starred books and read them through. One such […]
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September 19, 2011 by Betsy Bird
Hopper and Wilson By Maria van Lieshout Philomel Books (a division of Penguin) $16.99 ISBN: 978-0-399-25184-9 Ages 4-8 On shelves now. Inspiration comes in a variety of different forms though family is probably best source. One author might write a picture book and make all the monsters in it the relatives they knew growing up. […]
Teen Librarian Toolbox
by Amanda MacGregor
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