tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70463205454975733352024-03-14T15:09:08.833-04:00Collecting Children's BooksI'm not an "expert" on collecting children's books -- just someone with a hobby.
This is a place for discussing older children's books, as well as sharing info and opinions on new books that might become collectable in the years ahead.Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.comBlogger469125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-35828504587727227792012-05-13T19:08:00.000-04:002012-05-13T19:48:47.481-04:00Sunday Brunch for Mothers and MauriceWelcome to Sunday Brunch where, among other topics, we're celebrating Mother's Day and the legacy of Maurice Sendak.<br />
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SENDAK<br />
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The children's book world is still reeling from the death of Maurice Sendak earlier this week. There have been some wonderful tributes online, such as these illustrations from noted artists in today's <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/05/10/sunday-review/13sendak-slideshow.html?ref=sunday#6"> New York Times.</a> Author Amy Goldman Koss shares her thoughts in an <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-koss-sendak-and-the-wild-things-20120513,0,7624873.story"> LA Times opinion piece.</a> And my co-authors <a href="http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=2348ry"> Julie Walker Danielson </a> and <a href="http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2012/05/09/wild-thing-i-think-i-love-you-maurice-sendak-1928-2012/"> Elizabeth Bird</a> offered typically thoughtful remarks. <br />
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Since the focus of this blog is book collecting, I guess I should add some remarks about the availability and cost of books written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak.<br />
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The "bible" for Sendak collectors is known in the book trade as "Hanrahan." The actual title is WORKS OF MAURICE SENDAK, 1947-1994 : A COLLECTION WITH COMMENTS by Jean Y. Hanrahan. This bibliography gives very specific information on how to identify first editions of each Sendak book, along with price ranges. Needless to say, most of the prices mentioned in the book are now extremely dated. That most sought-after Sendak picture book, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, is listed at $350-$500. Today the price has skyrocketed to as much as $10,000 to $20,000! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqI1z7CPV-V_ZjOPrbUBDoON0yiiQH3alzL9WCqOJvZ_rtbCUotecgrzHokZLzP6zMl9qOgqYuZQlAjrs7HY5wroZdnyCpJjeh_1C0qYIWMPJyAqQkxROcRAozCnPduq6osP58xl9fXk/s1600/Hanrahan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqI1z7CPV-V_ZjOPrbUBDoON0yiiQH3alzL9WCqOJvZ_rtbCUotecgrzHokZLzP6zMl9qOgqYuZQlAjrs7HY5wroZdnyCpJjeh_1C0qYIWMPJyAqQkxROcRAozCnPduq6osP58xl9fXk/s400/Hanrahan.jpeg" /></a></div>Much of Sendak's work was issued by Harper, a publisher notorious for making their edition statements very unclear. The only way to identify copies of his second most-requested work, IN THE NIGHT KITCHEN, is check prices, numbers, and blurbs on the dustjacket; the edition of the BOOK ITSELF cannot be identified. Hanrahan lists this one from $100-$225, but today it's worth well over $1000.<br />
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Because Maurice Sendak's picure books are so expensive, I would advise beginning collectors to seek out books by other authors that Sendak illustrated early in his career.<br />
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The first children's novel he illustrated was THE WONDERFUL FARM by Marcel Ayme. Because it's Sendak's first children's book of any type, it too can ber fairly expensive, $500-$1000.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsw3iDOf5TXg4lrAvZjcon5iJv7n0Lu2Y3doq6OfKY-C8eJfE0Rkx4bB2AMu0xWst2OOCbseg3nZofm3mp4qBCQBPeu_zjh2n5J6fQCre7njUFHaOHbytxGmdJXKhdAogLgJwHDO9vHI/s1600/The-Wonderful-Farm1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="308" width="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsw3iDOf5TXg4lrAvZjcon5iJv7n0Lu2Y3doq6OfKY-C8eJfE0Rkx4bB2AMu0xWst2OOCbseg3nZofm3mp4qBCQBPeu_zjh2n5J6fQCre7njUFHaOHbytxGmdJXKhdAogLgJwHDO9vHI/s400/The-Wonderful-Farm1.jpg" /></a></div>However, it's probably also easier to find a cheap copy of this book at your local used bookstore or charity sale. If a Sendak picture book arrives at one of these venues, someone is going to stop, look at it, and investigate its value. If a book by Marcel Ayme (WHO?) arrives, no one may notice Sendak's involvement and the book may end up on the shelf for a couple bucks. So keep your eyes open!<br />
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Although some of the novels Sendak illustrated are still very collectable, such as MRS. PIGGLE'S FARM by Betty MacDonald: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGA6DBu1y1iJayQmeYOSQLJ_UnicfzMrrdWMYF0zsjS5n8W42GGVXlkMuQUZekmgyIqCJwLgL4FxpnMOG0wpen5ppE1fbEbfxX7t6wGswnQjMhvIuqXJj-F6g3nNjzfGvbf0cGbEI2aZU/s1600/pw%2527s+farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGA6DBu1y1iJayQmeYOSQLJ_UnicfzMrrdWMYF0zsjS5n8W42GGVXlkMuQUZekmgyIqCJwLgL4FxpnMOG0wpen5ppE1fbEbfxX7t6wGswnQjMhvIuqXJj-F6g3nNjzfGvbf0cGbEI2aZU/s400/pw%2527s+farm.jpg" /></a></div>or much beloved, like the many works he illustrated for Meindert DeJong, such as SHADRACH and THE WHEEL ON THE SCHOOL:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvfrJij-NVTPIBozWYmWX19LaLAjzTSQZbJ1gq1H7_Qzmeuu1TaYliYI7qwQ7z-rqPNXwo2Vk8jBNkD6lhgp4ylzkrG3tjN1SVaMwqItu0h0UNs5wv1YaWMA0nGDCP7zMGKtt89eozKw/s1600/shadrach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="349" width="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvfrJij-NVTPIBozWYmWX19LaLAjzTSQZbJ1gq1H7_Qzmeuu1TaYliYI7qwQ7z-rqPNXwo2Vk8jBNkD6lhgp4ylzkrG3tjN1SVaMwqItu0h0UNs5wv1YaWMA0nGDCP7zMGKtt89eozKw/s400/shadrach.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1RTLSVsPhfmJ7gdSmoV-o6TNqKEVUxmHmhM_AaZC8SaXavGj9f4Q5bm5U2oR8m1tggtaeHRDJpjmEExYboWtNyitQQQq78sDObAJF7Q2-9vRtop4dDU62pxMTy8kUAD_RYIKxancLIA/s1600/wheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1RTLSVsPhfmJ7gdSmoV-o6TNqKEVUxmHmhM_AaZC8SaXavGj9f4Q5bm5U2oR8m1tggtaeHRDJpjmEExYboWtNyitQQQq78sDObAJF7Q2-9vRtop4dDU62pxMTy8kUAD_RYIKxancLIA/s400/wheel.jpg" /></a></div>there are also a number of titles that few people remember these days. For example, have you ever heard of this 1955 book that features Sendak illustrations?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPf-2any8LNmXf2NgSgVVYDA8elz-2bgSsYqcI_EUKGuoHHMefahyphenhyphenHdq7WxMZxBFlZFOxC1xJT3_2Ha-GdOVvUzcEgtxa133PQqkYAuVOIA-ZnY6253wFZ197GXaeh3EaXBd62Jx6ngo/s1600/singing+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPf-2any8LNmXf2NgSgVVYDA8elz-2bgSsYqcI_EUKGuoHHMefahyphenhyphenHdq7WxMZxBFlZFOxC1xJT3_2Ha-GdOVvUzcEgtxa133PQqkYAuVOIA-ZnY6253wFZ197GXaeh3EaXBd62Jx6ngo/s400/singing+family.jpg" /></a></div>I don't know it at all!<br />
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WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE TRIVIA<br />
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When Joyce Hanrahan was researching her bibliography, she checked some of the Sendak books that were held by the Library of Congress.<br />
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The Library of Congress copy of WHERE THE WILD THING ARE was cataloged and stamped November 22, 1963....<br />
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MOTHER'S DAY<br />
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Happy Mother's Day to everyone, whether you are a mother or have one!<br />
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Last year I wrote a blog entry on the large number of Newbery winning books in which <a href="http://collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/2011/10/missing-moms-and-deleted-dads-newberys.html">moms (and dads) are almost completely absent.</a> And it does seem that mothers don't play roles in most of our classic children's books. The Darling Children and Alice go off on adventures without their parents. As do Claudia and Jamie Kincaid. Fern's mother is around, but what function does she serve after her daughter asks her, "Where's Papa going with that ax?" <br />
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This got me wondering about the memorable mothers in children's books. Who are the best? Who are the worst?<br />
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My candidates for the best would include "Marmee" from LITTLE WOMEN; I'm not sure I ever finished this book, but I know enough to think of Marmee as the quintessential children's book mother.<br />
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Who else?<br />
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Well, the Runaway Bunny's mother must be one of the best, considering the lengths she promises to go in order to be near her child: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGmKOEEL2fV_-Nn-HxbxEuug3grH7Vp8J7YvxOARQaLWWc2-d8I3o3ewdFW9377Q_O7dst3Fw4gem58TiLxFOLYL9MiLoBlOa47ZFcp3mwePm2KJ-XcTnPIqwOb3Kvdx1DQQbRLVXzzI/s1600/RunawayBunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="186" width="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGmKOEEL2fV_-Nn-HxbxEuug3grH7Vp8J7YvxOARQaLWWc2-d8I3o3ewdFW9377Q_O7dst3Fw4gem58TiLxFOLYL9MiLoBlOa47ZFcp3mwePm2KJ-XcTnPIqwOb3Kvdx1DQQbRLVXzzI/s400/RunawayBunny.jpg" /></a></div>Bessie Setzer from E.L. Konigsburg's ABOUT THE B'NAI BAGELS also seems to qualify. Yes, she's something of a stereotype, but she was one of the first comic Jewish mothers to appear in children's fiction -- both an expert cook ("Raisins are raisins and cabbage is cabbage, and in my pot they won't meet") and a baseball coach! PLUS she wields a mean slotted spoon. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCV2Stbqm7vMISuaI7utiHuJ6AdCyXJjDhbNfOL1fLmIMLp_EVYifVcydQZXjO7uky6dGIWEGs4q7L4PtgTmZ9-Ygr-WcTFUs_-ZVIbJ_l3GFVRXPiwUlrMxEeKMMiUW8V1oGDJo2iTI/s1600/Bnai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCV2Stbqm7vMISuaI7utiHuJ6AdCyXJjDhbNfOL1fLmIMLp_EVYifVcydQZXjO7uky6dGIWEGs4q7L4PtgTmZ9-Ygr-WcTFUs_-ZVIbJ_l3GFVRXPiwUlrMxEeKMMiUW8V1oGDJo2iTI/s400/Bnai.jpg" /></a></div>In the category of bad mothers, we have to start with Mayzie from Dr. Seuss's HORTON HATCHES THE EGG. When Mayzie takes a break from nesting, she toddles of to Palm Beach!<br />
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Liza Tillerman from Cynthia Voigt's HOMECOMING and DICEY'S SONG doesn't get any medals for good parenting. Granted, she's got mental problems, but abandoning four kids in a parking lot doesn't make her a good maternal figure.<br />
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Who are your most memorable mothers in children's books?<br />
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Which belong in the Motherhood Hall of Fame and which ones belong in the Motherhood Hall of Shame?<br />
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COVER STORIES<br />
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It's always interesting to see the dustjackets that publishers choose for their books.<br />
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Does the cover illustration reflect the content of the story inside?<br />
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Does it follow a contemporary trend in cover art (headless kids; legless feet; the use of stock photographs rather than original art)?<br />
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I just recently came across a new "drug" novel for teens called LUCY IN THE SKY, written by (who else?) "Anonymous."<br />
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Do the cover (and the author's name) remind you of anything?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oRVfSjBo876mDqlISBDZi2YX3yrmOfnPNOyirfRAKbpydKSFU_0-unrxqMnaDy1853117J6PzuTJkjvttebTjzET5KcT8g9d2BGzGmDQrGcMdplGx1tvG7QLkKgbp_9emXSVSs4VojU/s1600/LSD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oRVfSjBo876mDqlISBDZi2YX3yrmOfnPNOyirfRAKbpydKSFU_0-unrxqMnaDy1853117J6PzuTJkjvttebTjzET5KcT8g9d2BGzGmDQrGcMdplGx1tvG7QLkKgbp_9emXSVSs4VojU/s400/LSD.jpg" /></a></div>It reminded me of the paperback cover of that perennnial teenage read, GO ASK ALICE<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mBm8VdJd7U3GWTcHs60Qhu4ODcSbMTJUEQrAQ-3pRocXYtgqKqbUphP4JGQXcavoWai-qKN1KyRUwxCYibFq0DMGSYiNRA8u0R0R48z7C0HDYoNPEgg_1ujxRBW9DpyGPOPA62v_2g8/s1600/go+ask+alice+paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mBm8VdJd7U3GWTcHs60Qhu4ODcSbMTJUEQrAQ-3pRocXYtgqKqbUphP4JGQXcavoWai-qKN1KyRUwxCYibFq0DMGSYiNRA8u0R0R48z7C0HDYoNPEgg_1ujxRBW9DpyGPOPA62v_2g8/s400/go+ask+alice+paper.jpg" /></a></div>In the book we just wrote, Betsy Bird, Jules Danielson, and I discuss the murky origins of this dopey (pun intended) YA favorite, but praise the publisher for choosing a cover image that has literally lasted for generations. It's almost impossible to think of any other YA novel that has used the same cover photograph for nearly four decades. We can only assume that LUCY IN THE SKY (which references the title GO ASK ALICE on its cover) is paying an homage with its similar design.<br />
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Incidentally, few people know that, before it was a paperback, GO ASK ALICE was a hardcover book. And even fewer have seen the original dustjacket, so we present it here for your edification: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQO80BpeL3u5_IVQNOoVtY6VYWsiI9KETVWWFckmUAw90cEp-OzegETj8ql0-iro7FsiWfMNQ4dSpyzBpvJR5y0A9cNmIoNVEaY9vsrmMsNPLbgNckjPzBuBb-BPqevXC_qlsM2bwbzZo/s1600/Go+Ask+alice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQO80BpeL3u5_IVQNOoVtY6VYWsiI9KETVWWFckmUAw90cEp-OzegETj8ql0-iro7FsiWfMNQ4dSpyzBpvJR5y0A9cNmIoNVEaY9vsrmMsNPLbgNckjPzBuBb-BPqevXC_qlsM2bwbzZo/s400/Go+Ask+alice.jpg" /></a></div>I may be one of the few people who remember this original dj illustration. Months before the paperback appeared, I happened to run across the hardcover in the adult section of my public library. I checked it out and brought it to junior high with me. Soon everyone in my class wanted to borrow it from me -- especially the "cool" kids who had never acknowledged me before. I lent it to several of them (I was a book "pusher" -- a book "dealer"!) but my popularity was shortlived. As soon as the book had to be returned to the library, those kids forgot I existed. <br />
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I am also intrigued by a new young adult novel by Nina LaCour. The story is narrated by a BOY named COLBY, who plans to spend the year after high school traveling through Europe with HIS best friend Bev. But first they take a road trip with Bev's rock band, during which Bev informs COLBY that she no longer intends to go to Europe. HE is devastated. The book has received several starred reviews and, although I've only read half the novel so far, I think I can say with assurance that this is a strong book and that young MALE readers will relate to COLBY's issues and would enjoy picking up this book.<br />
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If it weren't for the chicklit cover.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BYJd0FfFcViRFZVZFIls3ICbtEclre2vhR58jkBqmZ1j49BVPAvIEB1JCaELMer9V4Vy9qpp_ySqbu8DdjB8Zz1HfN2quzqlvSaDjAf-m-cBeyYzOVMSdS8t4Dt2IJs9pzpaFdZzQQ8/s1600/disenchantments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BYJd0FfFcViRFZVZFIls3ICbtEclre2vhR58jkBqmZ1j49BVPAvIEB1JCaELMer9V4Vy9qpp_ySqbu8DdjB8Zz1HfN2quzqlvSaDjAf-m-cBeyYzOVMSdS8t4Dt2IJs9pzpaFdZzQQ8/s400/disenchantments.jpg" /></a></div>What were the publishers thinking?<br />
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PAPER DOLLS<br />
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Debbie Reese's <a href="http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/"> American Indians in Children's Literature </a> is an important blog that "provides critical perspectives and analysis of indigenous peoples in children's and young adult books, the school curriculum, popular culture, and society." Do I always agree with Debbie? No, but I definitely respect her thought-provoking opinions. I've learned a lot from her blog and am pleased we are friends on Facebook. (And if anyone reading this wants to keep in touch with me on Facebook, feel free to "friend" me.) <br />
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This week Debbie posted the following paper doll figures on Facebook, with the message: "These two paper dolls are excellent! Please SHARE with students in Education or Library School."<br />
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I love them too and want to share them here:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-K4U7kC1XiRmZM9__QYxikRoIZ-hY2Pzbs5YLlZAkZCdETBeVSn0Twyn6GuNybTSc3MlP3lu6rn8jT6s_maU1iNPAfgBwawy6ZvrRgJDTgzHRGfFma2zGDA62upXHLExkyfwYTImCBk/s1600/Traditional+Native1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="270" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-K4U7kC1XiRmZM9__QYxikRoIZ-hY2Pzbs5YLlZAkZCdETBeVSn0Twyn6GuNybTSc3MlP3lu6rn8jT6s_maU1iNPAfgBwawy6ZvrRgJDTgzHRGfFma2zGDA62upXHLExkyfwYTImCBk/s400/Traditional+Native1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2fctZE2Fb1LGGHBj6xZo2EMyMtWSDBb-7jBda4uAxvQa1dtEtHFnMuy_iGa-FmjvlEiWyIUTgYEGdpLXgfDiWOJKJvBIM5OcDH03tsEAYksgVE58Ha-KCFA6DhQrSguZUsFeG-QpMsM/s1600/Traditional+Native2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="262" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2fctZE2Fb1LGGHBj6xZo2EMyMtWSDBb-7jBda4uAxvQa1dtEtHFnMuy_iGa-FmjvlEiWyIUTgYEGdpLXgfDiWOJKJvBIM5OcDH03tsEAYksgVE58Ha-KCFA6DhQrSguZUsFeG-QpMsM/s400/Traditional+Native2.jpg" /></a></div>They are the work of Steven Paul Judd, who says he was inspired by paper dolls of the fifties and sixties. Steven says, "I'm not a psychologist so I can't tell you the effects of seeing your people only portrayed in a certain way. I can only speak on my own experience of being a little kid and looking for others on t.v. that I could identify with. Only person I could find was Erik "Ponch" Estrada from "CHiPs". So as a youn'un I pretended to be a motorcycle cop. So my thought is, what if our youth could see there selves not in just a historical context, but as doctors, lawyers, astronauts. So that's when I decided to make these drawings."<br />
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Pretty neat, huh?<br />
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Although, as Wikipedia says, "Paper dolls have been around as long as there has been paper," in the twentieth century they were manufacured by both game/toy companies and book publishers, such as Whitman and Saalfield.<br />
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This got me wondering how many children's books characters have been made into paper dolls.<br />
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A quick trip around the internet turned up Curious George:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWZGi1bbwZ2Au6Do4PHxVA688NRlaHtgCOkPU6K9wp1kCPgMsblR_9683phL79_h_k5fZmIPfdQ9ga9fDAOMJrh5hIdl1-oXhjK4AvpHvVaS5-MXzrRR4pjvDkhhprqBP3k-Zd9HmCrg/s1600/curiousgeorge+pd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWZGi1bbwZ2Au6Do4PHxVA688NRlaHtgCOkPU6K9wp1kCPgMsblR_9683phL79_h_k5fZmIPfdQ9ga9fDAOMJrh5hIdl1-oXhjK4AvpHvVaS5-MXzrRR4pjvDkhhprqBP3k-Zd9HmCrg/s400/curiousgeorge+pd.jpg" /></a></div>Madeline:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkaJoodscokWRqJmmb7y0jEJa3_ei11uW-Xk6KJlLkJ0pIO1gwyU77nhn6_fWIqxqu2wbxZ9Dm29jGZouI0NwZGzhI8WXDjC-rIxN9CDKd51SrQ4CzQVq7c_I_viYemEvIM7-iiWecyU/s1600/madeline+pd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkaJoodscokWRqJmmb7y0jEJa3_ei11uW-Xk6KJlLkJ0pIO1gwyU77nhn6_fWIqxqu2wbxZ9Dm29jGZouI0NwZGzhI8WXDjC-rIxN9CDKd51SrQ4CzQVq7c_I_viYemEvIM7-iiWecyU/s400/madeline+pd.jpg" /></a></div>The Little House girls:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWpjSNifwXwgZUlUwZZH74vNwyT31yeZgCGtg2EDy0dOmTPuUnrrZ10y0iOA5rf5Ly5znquVpToq8XeVlkR3XiIv2u5ALdUC8eQO2iBOwnjdEQR2w5rR4VOptBR-n4Uf1E33ObeBoEx8/s1600/Little+house+pd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="299" width="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWpjSNifwXwgZUlUwZZH74vNwyT31yeZgCGtg2EDy0dOmTPuUnrrZ10y0iOA5rf5Ly5znquVpToq8XeVlkR3XiIv2u5ALdUC8eQO2iBOwnjdEQR2w5rR4VOptBR-n4Uf1E33ObeBoEx8/s400/Little+house+pd.jpg" /></a></div>Ramona, Beezus, and Henry:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXu3kkieTgbQhr9ghdrewen6ib6FtimGAtUPSu8rLJhVFAF9Z0Q6LBcYztXZhKj5uMTb0EXNED7J-HQhRQFTWrno1nLwiZPhUICWsXQIzXpEe9c6ssDKhluQQSTF27LLAYF0V_LG0BfY/s1600/ramona+pd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXu3kkieTgbQhr9ghdrewen6ib6FtimGAtUPSu8rLJhVFAF9Z0Q6LBcYztXZhKj5uMTb0EXNED7J-HQhRQFTWrno1nLwiZPhUICWsXQIzXpEe9c6ssDKhluQQSTF27LLAYF0V_LG0BfY/s400/ramona+pd.jpg" /></a></div>Ivy and Bean:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHdvvVd_uA6uNk5nx96DS0ZOnwCBIjtPuW_Jd-_s-Hnjn3aNyj4HcCcMG4HNzgFwqSaRV4dT9DUs4JDqXIma98dOkRuQ41HzwS4ToFD61dhIvOVv1tsOWTRr2WDRCzfHo6KGFAGzbDNk/s1600/ivy+and+bean+pd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHdvvVd_uA6uNk5nx96DS0ZOnwCBIjtPuW_Jd-_s-Hnjn3aNyj4HcCcMG4HNzgFwqSaRV4dT9DUs4JDqXIma98dOkRuQ41HzwS4ToFD61dhIvOVv1tsOWTRr2WDRCzfHo6KGFAGzbDNk/s400/ivy+and+bean+pd.jpg" /></a></div>and Fancy Nancy:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIwqMgYARUGRnrpnEQslco69oDnj3P15TfObZGulmu_V9RNCRDlpcQW1cVfhz3_wuvgPvq1qU71-TL7DuqGaQ6IHeh8IV0TlW3k2Cy5SXnwNPaS3qdNI_sLE2jmKy_RVfRy8pkTvV4tk/s1600/fancy+nancy+pd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIwqMgYARUGRnrpnEQslco69oDnj3P15TfObZGulmu_V9RNCRDlpcQW1cVfhz3_wuvgPvq1qU71-TL7DuqGaQ6IHeh8IV0TlW3k2Cy5SXnwNPaS3qdNI_sLE2jmKy_RVfRy8pkTvV4tk/s400/fancy+nancy+pd.jpg" /></a></div>However, all of these paper dolls -- even those based on classic works -- were produced in recent years.<br />
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Although vintage peper dolls were created in the likeness of every movie star you can imagine, including some that rather arcane (Barbara Brittain?) and/or unlikely (Anthony Perkins?) names, I can't find any vintage dolls representing older children's books. No Moffats, no Melendys, no Harriet the Spy with removable hoodie. No Margaret from ARE YOU THERE GOD..? (Can you imagine <i>that </i>doll's accessories?) <br />
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Have <i>you </i>seen any vintage paper dollars based on children's books?<br />
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Also, this thread makes me wonder if any well-known children's book illustrators from the forties, fifties, or sixties, got their start designing or drawing paper dolls?<br />
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That alone might make certain dolls collectable.<br />
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GOOD NEWS<br />
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Fans of Zilpha Keatley Snyder's 1966 novel, BLACK AND BLUE MAGIC, will be glad to hear that it's being made into a movie for the Hallmark Network.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdjttitET6lEarFRHvrSMgPYZJnkC5HdMKwSPOKiTCx-HSBrgE4XNa7VuxN3wC7yIfkgJ-aH1szgZsDi7ob3kjQh-dxd-MELIpHo-voleaUcxuQ7KdLR6KtoOraPzzLIL_vp9vSXtlcA/s1600/Black-and-Blue-Magic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="310" width="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdjttitET6lEarFRHvrSMgPYZJnkC5HdMKwSPOKiTCx-HSBrgE4XNa7VuxN3wC7yIfkgJ-aH1szgZsDi7ob3kjQh-dxd-MELIpHo-voleaUcxuQ7KdLR6KtoOraPzzLIL_vp9vSXtlcA/s400/Black-and-Blue-Magic.jpg" /></a></div>Watch your TV listings later this year or early next year.<br />
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I'm always glad when a favorite from my own childhood becomes rediscovered by a new generation due to a movie or TV adadptation.<br />
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MORE GOOD NEWS<br />
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I was happy to see this poster, designed by Mike Anderick and distributed by the nonprofit group, Burning Through Books, go viral last week. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-l2Y-HQqtRuI3Rebla0z4bb0sIT0mOnAIdDF6ypT4ZNmkIi21ciRi70uNTHFfWeZdBGYuxyBAoVVge_C-CRTcEbUvCq85OJ4R-S89i9DD7hyphenhyphenZuU4SOjqMuyzVXx2_ddfwNhklh22Vp8/s1600/kids+on+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-l2Y-HQqtRuI3Rebla0z4bb0sIT0mOnAIdDF6ypT4ZNmkIi21ciRi70uNTHFfWeZdBGYuxyBAoVVge_C-CRTcEbUvCq85OJ4R-S89i9DD7hyphenhyphenZuU4SOjqMuyzVXx2_ddfwNhklh22Vp8/s400/kids+on+books.jpg" /></a></div>I think it speaks to (and for) any kids who has ever lost himself or herself in a book.<br />
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FINALLY<br />
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Okay, it doesn't have the same prestige of a Newbery or National Book Award sticker, but I can't imagine anyone not smiling at this new sticker that mocks the design of the Caldecott Award and announces that the book it's attached to is "Caldecott Eligible." <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ND9JbhjHUAy99Jeu3VxIGhwaXn3rJdGgSSM5Xkj91Wq_ZSqsG5HiuafbfuFW25CQd98NKbN8OBIVpRznRuLuA-9Ntbl6ZipzQQ_P65ggF9v4iibG2bTmTsBpFDdXHg-iHPI2NUIut28/s1600/Caldecott+eligible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ND9JbhjHUAy99Jeu3VxIGhwaXn3rJdGgSSM5Xkj91Wq_ZSqsG5HiuafbfuFW25CQd98NKbN8OBIVpRznRuLuA-9Ntbl6ZipzQQ_P65ggF9v4iibG2bTmTsBpFDdXHg-iHPI2NUIut28/s400/Caldecott+eligible.jpg" /></a></div>Well, of course it is. Nearly every book is Caldecott ELIGIBLE...but many are called...and few are chosen.<br />
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That sticker can be found on the cover of Stephen Colbert's new children's book I AM A POLE (AND SO CAN YOU.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqi-7PsMdSdCipoe-YOahfigkBtDFuksjhDOTZz34LxRYis8FWaeoufVhSh8989OyWw2yhR33J7v_9tTpQCY-FqEYVCV-ULH-ANmjYTtbbAhZowYk5CCY2BFx9-DYBKG2coyPJV8qxflU/s1600/Colbert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="360" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqi-7PsMdSdCipoe-YOahfigkBtDFuksjhDOTZz34LxRYis8FWaeoufVhSh8989OyWw2yhR33J7v_9tTpQCY-FqEYVCV-ULH-ANmjYTtbbAhZowYk5CCY2BFx9-DYBKG2coyPJV8qxflU/s400/Colbert.jpg" /></a></div>This is the book that Colbert pitched to Maurice Sendak during his recent televised interview.<br />
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And Maurice Sendak even includes a smiling, shrugging cover blurb: "The sad thing is, I like it!"<br />
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And with that, today's Sunday Brunch both begins and ends with Maurice Sendak.<br />
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Thanks for visiting. Please come back soon!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-67015352985989425032012-05-09T08:58:00.002-04:002012-05-09T09:03:54.201-04:00Maurice Sendak, 1928-2012Sailing home.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlH0ZQAJRvBiI0unwEtNZnYNF4yD_bQeamkSKEif17OwS6gtPDlL7GHAiYqEfgVycI9jDA263xaZ2CGVKBUFR2luKlglxHYcjRILTIlkVF2e5W4WgZldXAbZuyWpWMv1c9NjRImmJh0w/s1600/Sendak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="361" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlH0ZQAJRvBiI0unwEtNZnYNF4yD_bQeamkSKEif17OwS6gtPDlL7GHAiYqEfgVycI9jDA263xaZ2CGVKBUFR2luKlglxHYcjRILTIlkVF2e5W4WgZldXAbZuyWpWMv1c9NjRImmJh0w/s400/Sendak.jpg" /></a></div>His supper will still be waiting for him.<br />
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And it will still be hot.<br />
<br />Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-75257936346290107312012-05-08T15:52:00.002-04:002012-05-09T08:57:28.416-04:00Maurice Sendak : How It All Began<i>In honor of Maurice Sendak, here is a repost of a blog from three years ago, telling about the first book he ever illustrated:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyRVitfFdBX7BW0dnASAkD8OJNRNWQmS7bS9ink5WbHHQuWHCHyVPLX-lr5imX5hzAdOh4Ugony1QL78SQPiOxvl234M3RsBB1XH_Ygs7z9XgyJdNxADdbo37g6bf6Uh3Adcidz1C_NM/s1600-h/Atomics+for+the+millions.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyRVitfFdBX7BW0dnASAkD8OJNRNWQmS7bS9ink5WbHHQuWHCHyVPLX-lr5imX5hzAdOh4Ugony1QL78SQPiOxvl234M3RsBB1XH_Ygs7z9XgyJdNxADdbo37g6bf6Uh3Adcidz1C_NM/s400/Atomics+for+the+millions.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316491720812619186" /></a><br />
Most old science textbooks are virtually worthless, yet 1947's ATOMICS FOR THE MILLIONS is highly valued by children's book collectors. A true first edition (identified by its herringbone-patterned endpapers, price of $3.50 on both front and back flaps of the dustjacket, and notice on the copyright page stating “The quality of the materials used in the manufacture of this book is governed by continued postwar shortages") of ATOMICS FOR THE MILLIONS can be sold FOR THE THOUSANDS. I've seen copies priced as high as $1500.<br />
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What makes this book so valuable? Is it because the lead author, Dr. Maxwell Leigh Eidenoff, was part of the Atomic Bomb Project at Columbia University and the University of Chicago?<br />
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No, it has more to do with the fact that its co-author, Hyman Ruchlis, was a science teacher at Brooklyn’s Lafayette High School. <br />
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While working on the book, Mr. Ruchlis asked one of his students at Lafayette High, a gifted young artist, if he would provide the illustrations for the volume. The student agreed to do the artwork in exchange for $100 and -- now here’s a kid after my own heart -- a passing grade in class. <br />
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This kid also got his name on the title page:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uM16iVBlyiM-trESDi5wWQfEUADGJQkqu495pZXQ9VvSIHb6zZtQ02ZodoukvSFdlwcLTnRlB6ormnVFVxIyZwq9yhvOSBzjSuxqicob3PpVMhq-SzIxXMSDO5bu2ZIVKfkaEJJIbrU/s1600-h/img015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 373px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uM16iVBlyiM-trESDi5wWQfEUADGJQkqu495pZXQ9VvSIHb6zZtQ02ZodoukvSFdlwcLTnRlB6ormnVFVxIyZwq9yhvOSBzjSuxqicob3PpVMhq-SzIxXMSDO5bu2ZIVKfkaEJJIbrU/s400/img015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316492701146046162" /></a><br />
ATOMICS FOR THE MILLIONS was the first-ever book illustrated by Maurice Sendak. He was only nineteen when it was published and it would be another four years before he illustrated his first children's book, THE WONDERFUL FARM by Marcel Aymé. Since that time, of course, Maurice Sendak (WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE; IN THE NIGHT KITCHEN) has become one of the premiere children's book creators of our time. <br />
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Is it any wonder that so many book collectors want a copy of Mr. Sendak's very first published work...even though it is a science textbook? Here is his debut illustration from Chapter One of ATOMICS -- and chapter one of his career:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDBd43B6Z2id7JdJXoJxAE_oPr2vMjLIQyOSKzkzk-sY0xVjZYNMEBR_HyrV4UuJpbiHmDOqbfoNUhaLYbivhCJ7cvitAanbbfpJXHZtnE7-cT8dn7jg_YrGdFY5NKjW4j25eWR2iMjw/s1600-h/img024.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDBd43B6Z2id7JdJXoJxAE_oPr2vMjLIQyOSKzkzk-sY0xVjZYNMEBR_HyrV4UuJpbiHmDOqbfoNUhaLYbivhCJ7cvitAanbbfpJXHZtnE7-cT8dn7jg_YrGdFY5NKjW4j25eWR2iMjw/s320/img024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316771757922441026" /></a><br />
Reportedly, Mr. Sendak wasn't happy with his illustrations for this volume (he later inscribed one copy of the book with the phrase, "My first + worst") and it clearly is the work of a young artist -- a little primitive, a little messy and unpolished, but also bursting with enthusiasm, talent, and unfettered creativity. <br />
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It's fascinating to look at the wide array of illustration styles Maurice Sendak employed in these pages. In fact, it's easy to imagine the young artist going off in any number of career directions after finishing this book.<br />
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He could have specialized in portraiture or caricature:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZSBlVMRv5I7xUtzVMAVuHJ9f9pHzJY-M1_e5oOldHTKI61TxmkeQGg-ZpfbVR2B6EQDxdz80ux0qdud8aK819se5_lYPw2IVFuUTXQNJP04ZKtoY0Uc7rtJWNdWfKcAQX0rZVlI9oaU/s1600-h/img013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 311px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZSBlVMRv5I7xUtzVMAVuHJ9f9pHzJY-M1_e5oOldHTKI61TxmkeQGg-ZpfbVR2B6EQDxdz80ux0qdud8aK819se5_lYPw2IVFuUTXQNJP04ZKtoY0Uc7rtJWNdWfKcAQX0rZVlI9oaU/s320/img013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316491921279370866" /></a><br />
He could have illustrated nonfiction and historical novels:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT019-pGlPAPzy9A5fZPbMMt4IeUzVxd7ToUjfj7telBDL8V9M08C6ABOhlwqCEi7_e0bTrQm7flP2tKDaGjQkOM5XBblJeGi2RzJ5Wb4JxvnNEuUfWAlI53PhGRfpCa8ohocjPnunbqM/s1600-h/img016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT019-pGlPAPzy9A5fZPbMMt4IeUzVxd7ToUjfj7telBDL8V9M08C6ABOhlwqCEi7_e0bTrQm7flP2tKDaGjQkOM5XBblJeGi2RzJ5Wb4JxvnNEuUfWAlI53PhGRfpCa8ohocjPnunbqM/s320/img016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316758537477210466" /></a><br />
(Incidentally, you can click on any of these pictures to supersize them.)<br />
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He could have gotten into advertising illustration:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQVY5jxD_4qrekm95qmyT8zQy02iwQWUCc9Ge_ybJjsPAlhlhYfAaDEURDQfSwDhqXaacHnWbgaGJtxxBKteAKlbYsThnfzH5a97BDuG8lm1-ZwD5Aj7_94KpS5XJAoJOSAEjN_ilvl4/s1600-h/img017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQVY5jxD_4qrekm95qmyT8zQy02iwQWUCc9Ge_ybJjsPAlhlhYfAaDEURDQfSwDhqXaacHnWbgaGJtxxBKteAKlbYsThnfzH5a97BDuG8lm1-ZwD5Aj7_94KpS5XJAoJOSAEjN_ilvl4/s320/img017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316758546118741618" /></a><br />
(And what a far cry those bunnies are from the rabbit he later drew for Meindert DeJong's SHADRACH!) <br />
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He could have illustrated funny middle-grade fiction:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbZ_3no_aCca3hlE7pPjmjQ57Yt2xt8X75pvDNgJqmTxR57JOqXcPafk2YV7OpMXkQ5amNbgTy6HmRVopF3idACjfOpyC_AagrN-97TlxeKKpygPg1DOStlIm3-7O3cAdaRcD5IA3yps/s1600-h/img012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbZ_3no_aCca3hlE7pPjmjQ57Yt2xt8X75pvDNgJqmTxR57JOqXcPafk2YV7OpMXkQ5amNbgTy6HmRVopF3idACjfOpyC_AagrN-97TlxeKKpygPg1DOStlIm3-7O3cAdaRcD5IA3yps/s320/img012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316491528351902642" /></a><br />
Or worked in comic books:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hs2krxomUhS2G7XYrEK5hQX8GABWFvUPdG6b7wAOh7Ktz6IRq81-W-ZHY7nEIczZvsGaPSBcgEQAF_zBTwVUu841AG3B0X_HNHHmE6p5nustdeNh9TMdQ1CqXVHUvooRrUXTcM52FPo/s1600-h/img011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hs2krxomUhS2G7XYrEK5hQX8GABWFvUPdG6b7wAOh7Ktz6IRq81-W-ZHY7nEIczZvsGaPSBcgEQAF_zBTwVUu841AG3B0X_HNHHmE6p5nustdeNh9TMdQ1CqXVHUvooRrUXTcM52FPo/s320/img011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316491528101262370" /></a><br />
This one looks like a panel from a newspaper comic strip:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFlXoF0J3OQB2WEMvQhohUH3-gUvsFXJfxZbZrb-LiVwESgPELMU0XaSMcjvxYkeGhl6U3CQkKOfmYw9oX4slBJHHgYoL860TlrV2_4rkYopuJLyTqoGrYe5p6gOwL2gLsfSS-MNNE7Y/s1600-h/img023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFlXoF0J3OQB2WEMvQhohUH3-gUvsFXJfxZbZrb-LiVwESgPELMU0XaSMcjvxYkeGhl6U3CQkKOfmYw9oX4slBJHHgYoL860TlrV2_4rkYopuJLyTqoGrYe5p6gOwL2gLsfSS-MNNE7Y/s320/img023.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316759245688162418" /></a><br />
And of course he could have continued illustrating science and technical books:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1-Si3B1kGMLy8xLH8nhnZAY-ZnG70Occblyv7Rv1aIRaU2BWiMVk47LxDuTKdetmllq4-w9J9sFCfTnD6QbsWv0t_z9XjSxZw6i8BUgj_U6bGFi2IwDjK_c4_ZD6-ZOtfxh8iOUPGCA/s1600-h/img020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1-Si3B1kGMLy8xLH8nhnZAY-ZnG70Occblyv7Rv1aIRaU2BWiMVk47LxDuTKdetmllq4-w9J9sFCfTnD6QbsWv0t_z9XjSxZw6i8BUgj_U6bGFi2IwDjK_c4_ZD6-ZOtfxh8iOUPGCA/s320/img020.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316758555022720834" /></a><br />
Or branched out into animation:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDoZWORq04HTrceNKVQ36xudhn_jPxNm98cSDX8XhYrZwMQ3onig7XkzszGH5DtiqW149A1UFzlSxCYUjeSKHALJLe5gps3-yJEnSRqmqO5NnRQK5YR1KxK_la7SW4_QXla0HEbwJOdw/s1600-h/img018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDoZWORq04HTrceNKVQ36xudhn_jPxNm98cSDX8XhYrZwMQ3onig7XkzszGH5DtiqW149A1UFzlSxCYUjeSKHALJLe5gps3-yJEnSRqmqO5NnRQK5YR1KxK_la7SW4_QXla0HEbwJOdw/s320/img018.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316758544670455394" /></a><br />
...But do you think that <em>anyone</em> looking at this illustration:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW353j7l_1IANed3P2uuIGy2sVhmaYp_x0roclP5C6B2YIadPuEupohJFy1NTek9D8pY3LhmZYd4rOJy-oNbkb6MeyAqehrnF6-rFF_Jg3n7pjvu-P_IAeb62itjluo0QXh513lLwBvI/s1600-h/img022.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 188px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW353j7l_1IANed3P2uuIGy2sVhmaYp_x0roclP5C6B2YIadPuEupohJFy1NTek9D8pY3LhmZYd4rOJy-oNbkb6MeyAqehrnF6-rFF_Jg3n7pjvu-P_IAeb62itjluo0QXh513lLwBvI/s320/img022.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316758699280783362" /></a><br />
would have predicted a career as a picture book illustrator? I'm not sure I would have. <br />
<br />
You'll recall that ATOMICS FOR THE MILLIONS started with a picture of a road. It ends with one as well. And, of the dozens and dozens of varied illustrations Sendak contributed to the book, I think that last picture is my favorite: <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRqHZaHIUZ-RfQwa2Gy4D7QoneTVZHIecG2v-FvSUeodx3RZIZUAd8rt-bbfdj9LXbsjFOmWVMUqJcl1uiAY5zV-24bPUOeUFkYPDU73JjOArs4_eg1tfBdpyhzWJDVM-qov8oFnRmtQ/s1600-h/img021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRqHZaHIUZ-RfQwa2Gy4D7QoneTVZHIecG2v-FvSUeodx3RZIZUAd8rt-bbfdj9LXbsjFOmWVMUqJcl1uiAY5zV-24bPUOeUFkYPDU73JjOArs4_eg1tfBdpyhzWJDVM-qov8oFnRmtQ/s320/img021.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316758702724293522" /></a><br />
Reminiscent of an editorial cartoon, the illustration depicts mankind at the crossroads after dropping the atomic bomb. But I read other significance into this picture as well. To me it symbolizes the young Maurice Sendak who has just spent the past two hundred and fify pages showing us the breadth and depth of his talent. Now he's at the crossroads, ready to start his career. Which direction will he go? <br />
<br />
Science books? Advertising? Comic strips? Editorial cartoons?<br />
<br />
He had a world of possibilities to choose from.<br />
<br />
How lucky we were that he ended up following the road that led to children's books.Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-79867973123681660442012-04-29T17:49:00.001-04:002012-04-30T16:48:15.130-04:00April 29 Sunday BrunchInformation and opinions on children's books old and new, delivered Sunday Brunch style.<br />
<br />
<br />
I'M OKAY, MY BOOKS ARE OKAY<br />
<br />
A few years ago, soon after the publication of Gary Schmidt's THE WEDNESDAY WARS (his second Newbery Honor, after LIZZIE BRIGHT AND THE BUCKMINSTER BOY) the Michigan-based author had a speaking engagement/booksigning at a local library. As I've frequently mentioned on this blog, I am in awe of all my favorite writers -- and very much starstruck. Couple this with my natural shyness and you are not going to see me asking questions from the audience or making smalltalk with an author while my books are being signed. I can't do those things! However, when I attended that event (which was wonderful) I had a question I was just dying to ask Gary Schmidt. So I did what any other shy person would do in that situation: I begged my friend to ask the question for me! <br />
<br />
Here was the question my friend asked: "Mickey Mantle appears in your novel but comes across as an awful person. Was the scene based on something that happened in real life? If not, weren't you concerned about depicting a real person so negatively in your novel?"<br />
<br />
Gary Schmidt said that the scene in the book was completely fictional, but since stories of Mantle's cruel streak were legendary, he had no qualms about depicting the famous Yankee player in such a bad light. Later, someone who worked on the book sent Mr. Schmidt a note saying that scene rang true because they had once witnessed Mickey Mantle's bad behavior in person.<br />
<br />
In the years since THE WEDNESDAY WARS, Gary D. Schmidt has continued publishing outstanding novels such as TROUBLE and last year's OKAY FOR NOW, which was nominated for the National Book Award and recently won School Library Journal's Battle of the Books. <br />
<br />
This past week, Gary Schmidt was in town again for a presentation/signing. Because this event was sponsored by a school system and a big turnout was expected, I did not attend. (Plus, if I had gone, I would have had to leave work early. Besides, I was even more in awe of his talent since reading OKAY FOR NOW and probably would have made a fool of myself if I were there.) Fortunately, my bookseller buddy was providing books for the event and kindly offered to get my copies of OKAY FOR NOW signed for me. <br />
<br />
This past Friday I picked up the books and was thrilled to see the inscriptions.<br />
<br />
My first copy is very rare -- a large bound manuscript that was released even before the ARC (advance reading copy): <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZ0BVqTkqhPwsZpmZZlmeGs9eJ7_LAm09mAGcD_wJIcm9CHpH4PodbckWXFRBXmi-w3PdBRAAVHOtCW_pJfegdZ0M7yavxvfyOaGsteAcWKn6-XuZyGnr5ttxE85Jl3YWITRGaS9rRi8/s1600/Okay1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZ0BVqTkqhPwsZpmZZlmeGs9eJ7_LAm09mAGcD_wJIcm9CHpH4PodbckWXFRBXmi-w3PdBRAAVHOtCW_pJfegdZ0M7yavxvfyOaGsteAcWKn6-XuZyGnr5ttxE85Jl3YWITRGaS9rRi8/s400/Okay1.jpeg" /></a></div>Here is how he signed it:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzxTjak15dOChLCOhoKeh0qsQRaSdrN4QWVA35bFGOyRLVIdIj0GuNASPC6BlIt7QpZhKwt_R2NRCPYr74JmZDEJldz6atlAGXtYpCJUxHcbbsgo1OkCboHJCi4sP4BfD1QaK23ttdtU/s1600/Okay2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzxTjak15dOChLCOhoKeh0qsQRaSdrN4QWVA35bFGOyRLVIdIj0GuNASPC6BlIt7QpZhKwt_R2NRCPYr74JmZDEJldz6atlAGXtYpCJUxHcbbsgo1OkCboHJCi4sP4BfD1QaK23ttdtU/s400/Okay2.jpeg" /></a></div>You are probably wondering how I've cost Mr. Schmidt a "boatload" of money. Apparently he sometimes reads my blog (pausing here to do a little happy dance) and has gotten tips on older books he wants to add to his collection. The interesting thing is that Mr. Schmidt has cost me some money too. If you look in the upper right hand corner, you will see that that bound manuscript cost me $12. ...But as he said, "It's all worth it." I treasure this unusual copy of his book.<br />
<br />
Next is the ARC of OKAY FOR NOW: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG-GsrRisbg5FhFO5On86nmF7vxWm3P-diXcaAQZk120su3BydfVGakGip7eJ4ECafHEBcmBZGHGQK88mi6GKJYzW2F-9C8GDfqCvnYaEi-DQ-WZkuqJcGq7XvKVTwK27_83_YdI_xFg/s1600/Okay3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG-GsrRisbg5FhFO5On86nmF7vxWm3P-diXcaAQZk120su3BydfVGakGip7eJ4ECafHEBcmBZGHGQK88mi6GKJYzW2F-9C8GDfqCvnYaEi-DQ-WZkuqJcGq7XvKVTwK27_83_YdI_xFg/s400/Okay3.jpeg" /></a></div>and this great inscription:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2sWQUNZwfxmh0EpCKhEVUzXzEmJCkwwhUeLSp88SmHpCIRXXAB1xpH-mv5dpj0Nr2lg0w0haR_UWoGAAoru66XnuTdmQtxFUnGiPu6ym4TfXsQ0hI-2zaU1_bFez5_zuTbdhGlzkKpw/s1600/Okay4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2sWQUNZwfxmh0EpCKhEVUzXzEmJCkwwhUeLSp88SmHpCIRXXAB1xpH-mv5dpj0Nr2lg0w0haR_UWoGAAoru66XnuTdmQtxFUnGiPu6ym4TfXsQ0hI-2zaU1_bFez5_zuTbdhGlzkKpw/s400/Okay4.jpeg" /></a></div>Again, who knew he read this blog? I was both thrilled and nervous. Thrilled because I'm one of HIS faithful readers. And nervous because, well, he's a college professor who probably cringes at all my grammatical and punctuation errors.<br />
<br />
Finally, he signed my hardcover copy of OKAY FOR NOW:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyO7VyNeKQxoEH3kwmA8hUpMmTm3kIPqZY-m5xpiGst5kEQ_7H_tn81ctCNo6BzIj1L0pqBGY3N8DLUIoMx4mg1WqX0RIQLsuSKXV6CsBVAzY3hzHJw7uXWaB0vjAf2_G4n05gPtf4EA/s1600/Okay5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyO7VyNeKQxoEH3kwmA8hUpMmTm3kIPqZY-m5xpiGst5kEQ_7H_tn81ctCNo6BzIj1L0pqBGY3N8DLUIoMx4mg1WqX0RIQLsuSKXV6CsBVAzY3hzHJw7uXWaB0vjAf2_G4n05gPtf4EA/s400/Okay5.jpeg" /></a></div>with this nice inscription:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFPucStglwjIl7ospEUIwngaS72Gpp79TOAVfsNZ_ZJRR48hzKM_2saLFwmEyzWSiusMzBWZ3S7Diu9pHmaf1Bhhey4pjSDwknW1GAF6aDLQDc5nzAXOflRc_xsJHVbohyphenhyphenP_nKVudRKM/s1600/Okay6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFPucStglwjIl7ospEUIwngaS72Gpp79TOAVfsNZ_ZJRR48hzKM_2saLFwmEyzWSiusMzBWZ3S7Diu9pHmaf1Bhhey4pjSDwknW1GAF6aDLQDc5nzAXOflRc_xsJHVbohyphenhyphenP_nKVudRKM/s400/Okay6.jpeg" /></a></div>Just when you thought I was about to add these volumes to the shelf with my other Gary Schmidt books and move on to the next blog entry....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDesNeotmBFxEGYx4cw8u9gWDxKofXGFHIbgPY98YyaeaSlMFWee5qtAuF7SHz3AZOHIsl-riIYEPagqW0aAGdhPgLUqdsPpNSYJ_nAfc87EIVBnd5DnmWwNudf7YAOYoLdYzWMAqfxw/s1600/Schmidt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="336" width="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDesNeotmBFxEGYx4cw8u9gWDxKofXGFHIbgPY98YyaeaSlMFWee5qtAuF7SHz3AZOHIsl-riIYEPagqW0aAGdhPgLUqdsPpNSYJ_nAfc87EIVBnd5DnmWwNudf7YAOYoLdYzWMAqfxw/s400/Schmidt+2.jpg" /></a></div>...I'll adopt the voice of a TV infomerical pitch man and say, "But wait! There's more!"<br />
<br />
A day or two before the signing, my bookstore buddy received this ARC in the mail:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CdNM1Esc6oKjp6BKuvwpt-iuhzKsRc7b_zkuV9CEBH6ldmyB7JsHNPzGVb2QdCJLe7nNZW1wr-_g5xUdG4A_nZc1vnCCWlle2piOBZ_GFKGM8x13h94H8lFM7OLvMVzBQMaicO7ExzQ/s1600/stars1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CdNM1Esc6oKjp6BKuvwpt-iuhzKsRc7b_zkuV9CEBH6ldmyB7JsHNPzGVb2QdCJLe7nNZW1wr-_g5xUdG4A_nZc1vnCCWlle2piOBZ_GFKGM8x13h94H8lFM7OLvMVzBQMaicO7ExzQ/s400/stars1.jpeg" /></a></div>She said that even Mr. Schmidt was surprised to see she had it, since the book won't be published till September. My friend had just started reading it that day, but asked him if he'd sign it to me. Here's the one-in-a-million inscription he wrote inside:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAYeaxM8O85vQMgDNJyb937yTOYLzEW_SMTtXEJCQ8YLRXPo7ZoqCOpVEFfmBbTZbw6d51n9NV2ZJ44N4OESZbIgofEUBUA6GzfYQKhlwVT3awxpZ11JpRQSdbnVhIGsWc9GeBE1XMu0/s1600/Stars2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAYeaxM8O85vQMgDNJyb937yTOYLzEW_SMTtXEJCQ8YLRXPo7ZoqCOpVEFfmBbTZbw6d51n9NV2ZJ44N4OESZbIgofEUBUA6GzfYQKhlwVT3awxpZ11JpRQSdbnVhIGsWc9GeBE1XMu0/s400/Stars2.jpeg" /></a></div>How cool is that? Even if this book goes on to sell a million copies, I've got the very first copy the author ever signed!<br />
<br />
I am not, however, the first person to ever read this copy.<br />
<br />
My bookstore friend spent the last couple days reading the novel before telling me to drop by the bookstore this morning and pick it up. I asked what she thought of the book, but she did not want to influence my opinion. So she simply said, "You'll have to read it yourself."<br />
<br />
And now I can!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
A NEW STICKER<br />
<br />
Just bought a copy of Walter Dean Myers' latest novel, ALL THE RIGHT STUFF, and noticed a silver sticker on the cover:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1-sojcS4T6UqZ1sfrV7ueEkLF8MMxSqpAGMFK1rI4KfRyxea4eHqdUSDBeZKmkZjFlIe37K1PSbz-2ev0nbGhdkcUDBGtSQ4Vfyo5oFzbvhFfId55vS4wX3IohUv0kAcKAn-5geVpOk/s1600/Myers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1-sojcS4T6UqZ1sfrV7ueEkLF8MMxSqpAGMFK1rI4KfRyxea4eHqdUSDBeZKmkZjFlIe37K1PSbz-2ev0nbGhdkcUDBGtSQ4Vfyo5oFzbvhFfId55vS4wX3IohUv0kAcKAn-5geVpOk/s400/Myers.jpeg" /></a></div>Here's a closer look:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrleE89Bh3ph8KoqA71aYX54bqQjtbAm8pnAxyBuwquURZ19uAd9THX2TD5AsTUL8hTHN7y_SqXOiHW9fWTKvTpSacA18Qet_7M-uWvJJdE9MDSy9Bs4AWjrWMZ0mw5Thy4X7IkhQnzao/s1600/Myers2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrleE89Bh3ph8KoqA71aYX54bqQjtbAm8pnAxyBuwquURZ19uAd9THX2TD5AsTUL8hTHN7y_SqXOiHW9fWTKvTpSacA18Qet_7M-uWvJJdE9MDSy9Bs4AWjrWMZ0mw5Thy4X7IkhQnzao/s400/Myers2.jpeg" /></a></div>This is the first time I've seen this sticker on a book. Was the same seal used on books by former Ambassadors Jon Scieszka and Katherine Paterson?<br />
<br />
Is the sticker used only on books published during the author's tenure as Ambassador, or does it go on all of his previous books? It's great to see this honored acknowledged, but do you think this sticker will draw readers to the book? Or, more specifically, draw young readers? <br />
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REVIEW : DYING TO KNOW YOU<br />
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In the history of young adult fiction, can you remember a narrator ever complaining about his prostate problems? I can't. But then most YA protagonists are somewhere between the ages of thirteen and eighteen...not sixtysomething widowers like the unnamed narrator of Aidan Chambers' new novel, DYING TO KNOW YOU. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTllIQfSd0D2TaKGTBY1F34UJKmL81rO0ChTSaECp2UealhvuRDh99A9yuRd0mV9ecjdvEl7Fi7n_l5VepEtlhFbV3mo0UBLlJp8NUYOG9OjUDmGnisvPQdLyao3rCZKThP5mp5UOtxt8/s1600/Chambers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTllIQfSd0D2TaKGTBY1F34UJKmL81rO0ChTSaECp2UealhvuRDh99A9yuRd0mV9ecjdvEl7Fi7n_l5VepEtlhFbV3mo0UBLlJp8NUYOG9OjUDmGnisvPQdLyao3rCZKThP5mp5UOtxt8/s320/Chambers.jpeg" /></a></div>Chambers is known for writing lengthy, complex books about big themes: identity, sexuality, death, religion. Though his latest has a less intricate plot than the Printz-winning POSTCARDS FROM NO MAN'S LAND and tighter prose than the doorstop-sized THIS IS ALL, the novel still touches on many of Chambers' familiar themes and offers thought-provoking insights into human behavior, communication, and the artistic impulse. Eighteen-year-old Karl Williamson first approaches the narrator, an elderly author, for help in writing a letter to his literary-minded girlfriend. As usual with Aidan Chambers, style is important as content, with the author employing pages of ping-pong-like dialogue, letters, instant messages, a random footnote, and traditional narrative techniques to show the slowly developing relationship between the younger and older man -- in many ways, two versions of the same self, and both carrying secrets. Smart, mature, and sometimes funny, DYING TO KNOW YOU presents a fascinating portrait of a teenage romance observed through the eyes of an old man while simultaneously exporing a uniquely-memorable intergenerational friendship. <br />
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OTHER ADULT NARRATORS<br />
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Aidan Chambers is known for breaking with convention in his books for young people. His use of an adult narrator in DYING TO KNOW YOU got me wondering if there are many other books for children and teenagers that employ older narrators. Of course there are many cases where the protagonist is a grown-up looking back on experiences from his or her youth. But I'm thinking of something a little different here. I'm thinking of books FOR and ABOUT young people that are related by an adult who also appears in the story. The only ones that come to mind for me at the moment are two novels by Scott O'Dell. In KATHLEEN, PLEASE COME HOME, at least part of the book is narrated by the mother of a teenage runaway, while CHILD OF FIRE is told by the parole officer working with the book's teenage protagonist. Perhaps FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER would also qualify as a book with an adult narrator, although she only speaks in the first person during the framing device at the beginning and end of the novel. Can you think of any other books for kids with adult narrators?<br />
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MEET ME AT 84, CHARING CROSS ROAD<br />
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Many years ago I happened upon this paperback copy of Helene Hanff's 84, CHARING CROSS ROAD at a local bookstore:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qBCnNqPlTu1heXO_xa6BySV70gdSVk-9zdHXbG4I_KAFQk6f7vAHaRj21rCfjCvzdPSuBVB7WXZmlk8YbqxGiSvUewxcSQjtGPrs5HZYacDBv_f1oxVz1PRCMtAod2DRqNcH8zRbrJ4/s1600/Hanff2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qBCnNqPlTu1heXO_xa6BySV70gdSVk-9zdHXbG4I_KAFQk6f7vAHaRj21rCfjCvzdPSuBVB7WXZmlk8YbqxGiSvUewxcSQjtGPrs5HZYacDBv_f1oxVz1PRCMtAod2DRqNcH8zRbrJ4/s400/Hanff2.jpg" /></a></div>Late that night I picked up the book, planning to read a few pages before bed. Instead I read the entire (short) volume in one fell swoop. The next morning, before even getting out of bed to brush my teeth, I read the entire book again! <br />
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THAT's how crazy I am about this epistolary "love story" between a New York writer and a London bookseller. Since then I've read the book dozens of times, won a first edition for $25 at a library auction, went to see the stage production during a blizzard, and have seen the Anne Bancroft/Anthony Hopkins movie both in an empty theatre and at home on video. Throughout those years I have shared the book with many special friends. <br />
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I think anybody who loves books would love 84, CHARING CROSS ROAD.<br />
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Author Helene Hanff wrote several other books including UNDERFOOT IN SHOW BUSINESS, THE DUCHESS OF BLOOMSBURY STREET, and -- a real favorite -- LETTERS FROM NEW YORK. <br />
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In all these books, Helene herself pops off the page: larger-than-life, warm-hearted, gregarious -- the kind of person you would want as a friend. (Indeed, many readers felt so attached to her that they'd visit her in New York and even call her up on the phone.) Despite having such a "presence" on the page, Ms. Hanff was rather mysterious and private and no one seems to know much about her personal life. That's why I was thrilled when I recently came across this "biography" of the author:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2carqLixS0iVdWQBXIkPFN5TZEolKoYQO4u7FsDAUutt6n-ljbjU92Qimre5M0K51EHk6SOUF9eA0_mkUOBeH78DG1NpBL4_yRtj4EXxTlCnWviW6CATa-bC7S1-QqYrD0rvpXuLrisw/s1600/Hanff.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2carqLixS0iVdWQBXIkPFN5TZEolKoYQO4u7FsDAUutt6n-ljbjU92Qimre5M0K51EHk6SOUF9eA0_mkUOBeH78DG1NpBL4_yRtj4EXxTlCnWviW6CATa-bC7S1-QqYrD0rvpXuLrisw/s400/Hanff.jpeg" /></a></div>I just finished reading it and almost speechless.<br />
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HELENE HANFF : A LIFE could well be one of the <i>worst </i>books I've ever read! <br />
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I'm assuming this book was self-published -- and points out the importance of those often unsung heroes and heroines of publishing: editors. You don't realize how important they are until you read an unedited book like this one, filled with typographical errors and copy-editing mistakes. On one page Helene is described as attractive, on another she's homely. One minute she hates fiction, the next minute she loves novels. We're told that Helene doesn't drive and then, a little later, she hops into "her small red sedan" to visit someone. An relative listed as MIA in World War II is referred to as both her second cousin and her brother.<br />
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But beyond that, the book is poorly-written on every level. The chronology is off. Huge events, such as Helene's romance and engagement are described and then dropped (we see her trying on her wedding gown and packing her bags, then her fiance leaves town on a short trip and -- this romance -- is -- <i>never </i>-- mentioned -- again!) Other scenes -- complete with much dialogue, inner thoughts, and plodding descriptions ("Once in her apartment Helene took a long shower and feeling hungry decided to eat a big piece of pumpkin pie and to drink a glass of milk. She started reading some notes on education while she ate but was soon very sleepy so she went to bed for a short nap") -- are so odd that they feel completely fabricated. For example, I have always understood that, as depicted in 84, CHARING CROSS ROAD, Helene Hanff moved to a new apartment on E. 72nd Street in 1956 and remained there the rest of her life. What to make of this biography's description of a homeless Helene living pretty much as a bag lady until a connected friend gets her a job outside New York City as a postmistress and librarian? I didn't believe much of this book. However, if you are a fan of the author -- hungry for more info on her life -- you'll still be interested in this awful volume for the little glints and glimmers of the author's life that <i>might </i>be true.<br />
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And I do admit I liked the appended bibliography that lists all the books in Hanff's famous home library. She even owned a few children's books -- classics by Carroll and Milne, as well as, most intriguingly, a copy of THE DARK IS RISING by Susan Cooper. That last one really surprised me, as Hanff was known for her strong dislike of Tolkien.<br />
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In 84, CHARING CROSS ROAD, Ms. Hanff makes reference to writing several children's history books during the 1960s. I've seen a few of them and they are typical of the dreary informational "book report" volumes you frequently saw in libraries back in that era.<br />
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This new biography also tells about a young-adult book she was commissioned to write in the 1960s, about the political radicals of the time: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_WZT1mxubpXxyjFKEYEIk0rnz78aO1qevyrj5jnykuu5YK1CGELs-u1nBeJO4Zn9dssTwMff-NPtWPQj3OajUyTyZTfwwmpBCnPJ78E3u4UcBxq8jWF37LhcCFwKsEkdG_dVDBWDEuE/s1600/Movers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_WZT1mxubpXxyjFKEYEIk0rnz78aO1qevyrj5jnykuu5YK1CGELs-u1nBeJO4Zn9dssTwMff-NPtWPQj3OajUyTyZTfwwmpBCnPJ78E3u4UcBxq8jWF37LhcCFwKsEkdG_dVDBWDEuE/s400/Movers.jpg" /></a></div>I knew about that one, but must admit I did not know that she also wrote two picture books in the 1960s. <br />
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Published by Harper in 1964, TERRIBLE THOMAS is the story of a kid running rampant in a NYC apartment. Shades of Eloise. Kirus Reviews described it as a "tedious tomfoolery." <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8r-EwLMKTW4NLG73u5q2T78dGw9Xw-lf-DY_fCH-MbR6LLXchR7IvZP2pzd3LpJ7wJVJH3GyR3HOe60rxXH1zgb_GiLxeGbCjmKn04AaKIRJsWE0xmQVDFMHTWwUNSWfzkVdEvjTtW04/s1600/Thomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8r-EwLMKTW4NLG73u5q2T78dGw9Xw-lf-DY_fCH-MbR6LLXchR7IvZP2pzd3LpJ7wJVJH3GyR3HOe60rxXH1zgb_GiLxeGbCjmKn04AaKIRJsWE0xmQVDFMHTWwUNSWfzkVdEvjTtW04/s400/Thomas.jpg" /></a></div>Then in 1969, Parents Magazine Press released BUTCH ELECTS A MAYOR, which Kirkus called "pretty feeble."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzV0QdOksw7WFzwUM7_sU3LuYK8lwY_SgMDDs-19eAz2e_2rYQNYLjO_ZgU9VLst73bQCHDToYbB_ebrUQ4Fkv93R7WE4Tf8XQnewy78s4cgzvkcTVDuOYotdJoJYxRfRXspXhwlfjlTc/s1600/Butch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzV0QdOksw7WFzwUM7_sU3LuYK8lwY_SgMDDs-19eAz2e_2rYQNYLjO_ZgU9VLst73bQCHDToYbB_ebrUQ4Fkv93R7WE4Tf8XQnewy78s4cgzvkcTVDuOYotdJoJYxRfRXspXhwlfjlTc/s400/Butch.jpg" /></a></div>Anyone know it? Many Parents Magazine Books were released through their book club and are remembered very fondly today. Is this book remembered as fondly as other book club titles such as MISS SUZY, JELLYBEANS FOR BREAKFAST, and OLD BLACK WITCH?<br />
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PLAQUE BUILD UP<br />
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While Helene Hanff's children's books may be long-forgotten, her best-known work, 84, CHARING CROSS ROAD is so beloved that a commemorative plaque has been placed at the former location of Marks & Co., the bookshop that inspired her memoir.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqQZg-uACpRJiyc5uR7xg15bujz0_6egr-zUK9j5cMVyncpanm8yqnZZ3IqMkeU2tNRkd_JU_s9s3c8jNC5L5yYfvzGsCkM3wkognojoDm-AqmJKOFmKZS0wf___XUQj63HJQ5rDLVtw/s1600/Hanfflast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="360" width="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqQZg-uACpRJiyc5uR7xg15bujz0_6egr-zUK9j5cMVyncpanm8yqnZZ3IqMkeU2tNRkd_JU_s9s3c8jNC5L5yYfvzGsCkM3wkognojoDm-AqmJKOFmKZS0wf___XUQj63HJQ5rDLVtw/s400/Hanfflast.jpg" /></a></div>Perhaps even more unusually, Ms. Hanff's former NYC apartment has been renamed "Charing Cross House," with a plaque outside containing a quote from the book.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98OYhYSl2QwNuMn_QGt3HHN4scJVTr-wJ-0qTqepPQlPLJSdSuwdPjW7jsv4US1kW0t6ojaHuJdUXV-2JqihOAlI49FiufJOlWRFHvka8xyxxu_gywwoAwRSfOsIAyF5mihXRYtvsabI/s1600/Charing-House-305-East-72nd-Street-New-York-NY-100211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="364" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98OYhYSl2QwNuMn_QGt3HHN4scJVTr-wJ-0qTqepPQlPLJSdSuwdPjW7jsv4US1kW0t6ojaHuJdUXV-2JqihOAlI49FiufJOlWRFHvka8xyxxu_gywwoAwRSfOsIAyF5mihXRYtvsabI/s400/Charing-House-305-East-72nd-Street-New-York-NY-100211.jpg" /></a></div>This got me wondering if there are any building plaques that honor children's books and authors.<br />
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I did a quick internet search and found several in Europe. Here's one honoring Erich Kastner, author of EMIL AND THE DETECTIVES, in Germany:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyvRQUQj6gO5rGg9c0Xe7riWnV4wdLFCr5C0ERVl_X7V80eOGA6PnLkheiTm2XkTpP8wxEBkadyMsO36B2TG19z6HBfcHlXiLqw2a5vj5q5XtGXFaXVm8khxmYkZvKVLrZVfmS3Endtc/s1600/kastner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyvRQUQj6gO5rGg9c0Xe7riWnV4wdLFCr5C0ERVl_X7V80eOGA6PnLkheiTm2XkTpP8wxEBkadyMsO36B2TG19z6HBfcHlXiLqw2a5vj5q5XtGXFaXVm8khxmYkZvKVLrZVfmS3Endtc/s400/kastner.jpg" /></a></div>The location of the sweetshop recalled in Roald Dahl's BOY also merited a plaque:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7qvAVdgzRCc9ZuCFi8YLmfReMgbBR_0QBiDLU0tKUm47aD7Ydn7Cy5jrFpu2PFHD_4VPTll1KWJxY4CZcoRct1kZrK66bfrmoX3TFozcnTwPJyZEYVmOI1sPAnf-3x91h3w_5s5ZDBU/s1600/dahl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="336" width="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7qvAVdgzRCc9ZuCFi8YLmfReMgbBR_0QBiDLU0tKUm47aD7Ydn7Cy5jrFpu2PFHD_4VPTll1KWJxY4CZcoRct1kZrK66bfrmoX3TFozcnTwPJyZEYVmOI1sPAnf-3x91h3w_5s5ZDBU/s400/dahl.jpg" /></a></div>as did a former home of Kate Greenaway:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlN4o9zuY84xI_YjYTKFgaBePfcS8GCrnenjbe1Qj4GgD_3fioZnzWWTvQ3CNkM9B3OiLlftMH_-R_M_lwIwMT0DMb7E1CAsKg3aJ0h-ds2EcwqSmVCrZx3uj-zEbBqu3GLVVZuLqIF4/s1600/greenaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlN4o9zuY84xI_YjYTKFgaBePfcS8GCrnenjbe1Qj4GgD_3fioZnzWWTvQ3CNkM9B3OiLlftMH_-R_M_lwIwMT0DMb7E1CAsKg3aJ0h-ds2EcwqSmVCrZx3uj-zEbBqu3GLVVZuLqIF4/s400/greenaway.jpg" /></a></div>and this one marks where J.K. Rowling wrote the early part of Harry Potter:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-I7dJuTl5_YyZODZkmd4E5lnHTFxUI5gSJiarKd5Fbl6dlCDE5akHWm3cLs03bAyuECQx65naNrI7eXbdEvTxbKiYNhz8xhJ2C-2dfos3Q6YYQ3ZES4JoWeeY51rQ2w1Q36w2SsZW1nc/s1600/rowling_plaque_standard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="298" width="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-I7dJuTl5_YyZODZkmd4E5lnHTFxUI5gSJiarKd5Fbl6dlCDE5akHWm3cLs03bAyuECQx65naNrI7eXbdEvTxbKiYNhz8xhJ2C-2dfos3Q6YYQ3ZES4JoWeeY51rQ2w1Q36w2SsZW1nc/s400/rowling_plaque_standard.jpg" /></a></div>Can you think of any comparable sites here in the United States? Leonard Marcus wrote a book called STORIED CITY, which contains working tours of famous children's book sites in the Big Apple:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSzsrNDc1fzXdL9mhVbx7ENGNa74TDFxz_OkETsv7yDQvVStjWDhER2yGpvrS53XRl9Gqs0tuWiuyU6lp3rSCNTYHHSzoLyWKH4hTH8ybOH3BWo4HxUgHmOuVXNFrBlowbz08ogaCCRU/s1600/storied.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSzsrNDc1fzXdL9mhVbx7ENGNa74TDFxz_OkETsv7yDQvVStjWDhER2yGpvrS53XRl9Gqs0tuWiuyU6lp3rSCNTYHHSzoLyWKH4hTH8ybOH3BWo4HxUgHmOuVXNFrBlowbz08ogaCCRU/s400/storied.jpg" /></a></div>Maybe someday we should all take this tour and stop to put up plaques (or at least post-it notes!) at each location.<br />
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THANKS<br />
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Thanks for visiting Collecting Children's Books. Hope you'll be back!<br />
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<br />Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-20385399883287965822012-04-22T13:51:00.003-04:002012-04-23T08:01:37.600-04:00A Big Crunchy Sunday BrunchToday's Sunday brunch focuses on Pete Hautman, Dick Clark, Little Golden Books, and other random children's book info.<br />
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THE BIG REVEAL<br />
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This was my second and (sad sigh) last year serving as a judge for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in the category of Young Adult Literature. It was a blast. A couple months ago, fellow judges Cindy Dobrez, Angelina Benedetti, and I spent a spirited Saturday morning narrowing a long list of possible finalists down to five books: BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray; THE BIG CRUNCH by Pete Hautman; A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness; LIFE : AN EXPLODED DIAGRAM by Mal Peet, and THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater.<br />
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This past Friday night, at a star-studded ceremony in California, author Cornelia Funke announced the winning title:<br />
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THE BIG CRUNCH by Pete Hautman.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03UnDV3G6a_qb6Lc1JljixAl9_Wr-GM_8GQ0y-Y-R7VHGOe81nHKq_A9Y2mu6VdGBioDwBGFHUMgN4RNGQJYJ5sALXLZ942DtSI6CvxdwI8hHCVFhMwmG5tJNIHaQAA7D9TS0jdYBpaY/s1600/crunchcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03UnDV3G6a_qb6Lc1JljixAl9_Wr-GM_8GQ0y-Y-R7VHGOe81nHKq_A9Y2mu6VdGBioDwBGFHUMgN4RNGQJYJ5sALXLZ942DtSI6CvxdwI8hHCVFhMwmG5tJNIHaQAA7D9TS0jdYBpaY/s400/crunchcover.jpg" /></a></div>Here is how we described the book in our recommendation:<br />
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"An ordinary boy meets an ordinary girl in a novel that is anything but ordinary. Wes and June’s relationship mirrors the magnetic pull of an unfolding universe. Against a backdrop of the four seasons a series of brief, often understated, vignettes alternate between the perspectives of each teenager, highlighting their sometimes shared, sometimes differing, perspectives on young love: the physicality, the confusion, the euphoria, and even the occasional moments of disconnect. It’s rare to discover a love story this elemental in its telling, this balanced in its point of view, and this honest in emotion. Pete Hautman’s The Big Crunch redefines and re-energizes the “teen romance” genre for twenty-first century readers."<br />
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Big Congrats to THE BIG CRUNCH and its four extremely worthy fellow nominees!<br />
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TEN THINGS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT PETE HAUTMAN<br />
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To honor Mr. Hautman's big win, I've compiled a list of ten things you may or may not know about him:<br />
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1. SCHOOL DAYS : Pete Hautman attended the same Minnesota grade school as comedian/writer/senator Al Franken and filmdom's Ethan and Joel Cohen.<br />
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2. HE WRITES FICTION FOR ADULTS : Hautman entered the field of fiction with several books for adults, including DRAWING DEAD (1993), SHORT MONEY (1995), and THE MORTAL NUTS (1996) and has continued to publish adult novels such as RING GAME, MRS. MILLION, RAG MAN, DOOHICKEY and THE PROP during his career as a young adult author.<br />
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3. HE HAS A PSEUDONYM : Under the name "Peter Murray," he has published nearly 100 nonfiction books for children, on topics ranging from dinosaurs and kangaroos to juggling, paper airplanes, and chocolate chip cookies.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzXT5gpw84p4LMAaHMiErSTZWmDW4_m6Qlye1ZdaWJP-yJnLaRukw-gfIp_tA4Hi0CMNQVPELPjwB3qNxzF_tbhb9Ogd3WLVQTuJEQhfxpsi21uxdLXKtSURJ_jXB2xw_wKxtLv7sRM4/s1600/Murray1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzXT5gpw84p4LMAaHMiErSTZWmDW4_m6Qlye1ZdaWJP-yJnLaRukw-gfIp_tA4Hi0CMNQVPELPjwB3qNxzF_tbhb9Ogd3WLVQTuJEQhfxpsi21uxdLXKtSURJ_jXB2xw_wKxtLv7sRM4/s400/Murray1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1bUkjAiAdFcMYVRUEUQfQgyy23gudJYPMlv9YCrV6ewLGwNbg-v_xiGb5Ph8U4m2mlMYa9RiM9B2MPGPRa9DIc9VuXtuA00q1UyVSKwwb4xjsrvt0RLYu5PE5AW-gQOkvFmjApQHmGw/s1600/mURRAY2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1bUkjAiAdFcMYVRUEUQfQgyy23gudJYPMlv9YCrV6ewLGwNbg-v_xiGb5Ph8U4m2mlMYa9RiM9B2MPGPRa9DIc9VuXtuA00q1UyVSKwwb4xjsrvt0RLYu5PE5AW-gQOkvFmjApQHmGw/s400/mURRAY2.jpg" /></a></div>4. IT SOMETIMES TAKES HIM A LONG TIME TO WRITE A BOOK : According to his website, the author wrote INVISIBLE in just six weeks, but many books take longer because "I often get stuck when I'm writing. Rather than brood about it, I'll set a book aside for weeks, months, or years and work on something else. I usually have several projects underway." And some books take an entire lifetime to write. For example, GODLESS originated with a conversation Hautman had with some friends as a teenager; decades later he wrote the book and won the National Book Award for it. Of his latest work, "The Klaatu Diskos," Hautman says, "I've been thinking of this trilogy my whole life."<br />
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5. SWEETBLOOD AND THE SPOOKY COINCIDENCE : Hautman's vampire novel SWEETBLOOD took twenty-five years to write. He conceived the story in 1978, long before today's vampire craze began, developing the offbeat premise that vampire legends from the middle ages could simply have been cases of undiagnosed diabetes. The book would not be published until 2003. In the interim, Pete Hautman himself had been diagnosed with Type I diabetes.<br />
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6. HE'S GOT A CO-AUTHOR : Hautman shares his life with writer Mary Logue, who write poetry, adult mysteries, and children's books (DANCING WITH AN ALIEN.) Together, they've teamed up to write a series of mystery novels for kids including SNATCHED (2006), SKULLDUGGERY (2007), and DOPPELGANGER (2008.) They also started writing Hautman's new book, WHAT BOYS REALLY WANT, together but abandoned the project when Pete became (his word) "pushy." He later finished the book alone, but credits Mary with some of the best lines in the first four chapters of the published book. <br />
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7. HE'S A BIBLIOGRAPHER'S WORST NIGHTMARE : Writing across genres, writing solo and with a partner, using a pseudonym...we can deal with that. But having the same book published under three different titles will confuse the best of us:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsOyIhQ1HgxKFHOxB6GxIFII2HQ8B2IhDhYDtt5dlt_Y2-7MCDOFgMrMCeZmzaLJZ9rsy2WBLQMRUJzlXTA1LVVGPPE9gEm1mjPpUQLhqYm6YWVFDrFiTf8oTrPNOwMblPh3nggJJRXo/s1600/stone+cold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsOyIhQ1HgxKFHOxB6GxIFII2HQ8B2IhDhYDtt5dlt_Y2-7MCDOFgMrMCeZmzaLJZ9rsy2WBLQMRUJzlXTA1LVVGPPE9gEm1mjPpUQLhqYm6YWVFDrFiTf8oTrPNOwMblPh3nggJJRXo/s400/stone+cold.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6fxTfaM2F7700Dt65z853xAW5XTQOZlt685TLDImb4fRAta9F_ebcaIH2gMFBB7ZV9zRKoLExd5wEymyRRO8Dr81fjTQAf7QRxjZfAbAqNeqCxzE-SbCGCauermcd5lwrmdl7yDxCOo/s1600/No+limit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6fxTfaM2F7700Dt65z853xAW5XTQOZlt685TLDImb4fRAta9F_ebcaIH2gMFBB7ZV9zRKoLExd5wEymyRRO8Dr81fjTQAf7QRxjZfAbAqNeqCxzE-SbCGCauermcd5lwrmdl7yDxCOo/s400/No+limit.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDVwj60YaD1eBxZXQfUQgY5lRvb7k6OEiHO9c8BFE1hjIYoJo2GXfya44_WhsMVpIcX0sTSBaJ_k_i6zbZppKOtrnd5X1UaBRYyBtnFwdF1SBPPGdyw4F-GqffEXnvsTh22UQpLwEL4E/s1600/feeling+lucky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDVwj60YaD1eBxZXQfUQgY5lRvb7k6OEiHO9c8BFE1hjIYoJo2GXfya44_WhsMVpIcX0sTSBaJ_k_i6zbZppKOtrnd5X1UaBRYyBtnFwdF1SBPPGdyw4F-GqffEXnvsTh22UQpLwEL4E/s400/feeling+lucky.jpg" /></a></div><br />
8. DUSTJACKET DISASTER : Then, to confuse us even more, his publishers made a major goof with the dustjacket of THE BIG CRUNCH. If you've read the book, you know the female protagonist's first name is JUNE. Unfortunately, the dustjacket flap consistently refers to her as <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3GdtY37shoi_UBR6xlUBDohSsyvS8N9scAxphc19PlkyZlQ1-6cBBhvowpWN_FE-IAuA7hkRa-lNffihfY7j9g9RJRqAB7FSLR1a4J9yIU71qTmXmyxg7pTzmpqfWSmNTHPpSPQ4dno/s1600/Jen.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3GdtY37shoi_UBR6xlUBDohSsyvS8N9scAxphc19PlkyZlQ1-6cBBhvowpWN_FE-IAuA7hkRa-lNffihfY7j9g9RJRqAB7FSLR1a4J9yIU71qTmXmyxg7pTzmpqfWSmNTHPpSPQ4dno/s400/Jen.jpeg" /></a></div>9. HE'S MAKES FILMS : Pete Hautman has also been known to make "trailers" to promote his books on Youtube. Here is the one he made for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nAdhS9G9b0&feature=plcp&context=C4860500VDvjVQa1PpcFPEwPklA3yOGQ3KIV1aJ5aK_rCYt3dNrWA%3D">THE BIG CRUNCH.</a><br />
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10. HE'S GOT TWO BOOKS COMING OUT THIS SPRING : It's pretty rare for an author to have two books released in the same publishing season, but Pete Hautman has accomplished that this spring. His romantic comedy WHAT BOYS REALLY WANT was published a few months back by Scholastic and Candlewick just released THE OBSIDIAN BLADE, the first volume in the "Klaatu Diskos" trilogy. And we've got reviews of both book below!<br />
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TWO NEW NOVELS BY PETE HAUTMAN<br />
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One of the most engaging aspects of THE BIG CRUNCH is its exceptionally evenhanded exploration of boy/girl relationships. That balanced view of love and romance is also on display in WHAT BOYS REALLY WANT, a novel told in the alternating voices of high schooler Lita <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0CEpLtyAHl0cGwn_qxG9MNTseO95LYlvXRFpK-UUTlJko5GnLqDb5u1spO1nnKRrD1CYhLzCa9Db7kcUg4sewkhaT_HEx_9p8IK2smgT4b4w5pvPegcxOoGs8FcXP0MmLsqtjcPnyBk/s1600/What+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0CEpLtyAHl0cGwn_qxG9MNTseO95LYlvXRFpK-UUTlJko5GnLqDb5u1spO1nnKRrD1CYhLzCa9Db7kcUg4sewkhaT_HEx_9p8IK2smgT4b4w5pvPegcxOoGs8FcXP0MmLsqtjcPnyBk/s320/What+girls.jpg" /></a></div>and her best friend Adam. Lita is a wannabe writer who is working on a novel and writes an anonymous blog about relationships, but it's not-reading, business-minded Adam who actually sits down and writes WHAT BOYS WANT, a book that tells "the truth about what real boys are thinking, saying, and doing when it comes to sex, love, and romance!" Though neither shallow, oblivious Adam or snarky busybody Lita are particularly likable characters, their humorous dialogue is often laugh-out-loud funny. While the text could have been tightened by a third, the breezy story will likely have both male and female readers nodding in recognition at Adam and Lita's insights into what boys and girls really want from each other when it comes to romance and love.<br />
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THE OBSIDIAN BLADE is the first volume in a new science fiction/fantasy series titled "The Klaatu Diskos." An enigmatic opening relates how a "discorporal Klaatu artist" from far in the future created a series of portals that opened into important historical locations. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoP26tPKHHSy_vonba1UhNC7ZMIBG_Ukc66aHQQLNJK4Xz2Q_XYROtmZ_sMYpF_kDaxqhurTfYUTEFMxGah1XqBamSd-naFxmMVUogFhUNpwmRU25qrFrMoKQx_bwWAKJrJkXYuaTFBjg/s1600/The-Obsidian-Blade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoP26tPKHHSy_vonba1UhNC7ZMIBG_Ukc66aHQQLNJK4Xz2Q_XYROtmZ_sMYpF_kDaxqhurTfYUTEFMxGah1XqBamSd-naFxmMVUogFhUNpwmRU25qrFrMoKQx_bwWAKJrJkXYuaTFBjg/s320/The-Obsidian-Blade.jpg" /></a></div>The story then moves into the present as thirteen-year-old Tucker's father, fixing a loose shingle on the roof, tumbles through one of those portals -- or diskos -- and returns some time later with a little girl ("She is from...Bulgaria"...yeah, like the Coneheads were from France!) and a complete loss of religous faith -- particularly troubling since Tucker's dad is a minister. In the months to come, Tucker's mother has a breakdown and then both his parents disappear, leaving the teenager in the care of a hip uncle he's never before met. Soon Tucker himself is traveling through the mirage-like diskos floating in the air -- finding himself atop the World Trade Center on 9/11 and viewing the crucifixion of Jesus. Though filled with stunning moments, the novel becomes increasingly abstruse as it continues. By the final chapters -- in which Tucker has mysteriously aged, his mother has returned home years younger, married to another man, and not recognizing her son, and Dad is now an aged, evil religious leader -- many readers may be as confused as I am. I'm not sure what to make of the "Klaatu Diskos" at this point, but will trust that Hautman knows what he's doing and that the disjointed and confusing plotlines will seamlessly converge and make total sense in future volumes. <br />
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A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS<br />
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I've often said that my book collection, not to mention this book-collecting blog, would be pretty dull if I didn't get a lot of help from friends.<br />
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That was proven again this week, when two east coast friends went out of their way on my behalf.<br />
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First, my New York friend, who planned to attend the annual Newbery/Caldecott event at Books of Wonder, volunteered to take my first editions and Advance Readings Copies of winner DEAD END IN NORVELT and Honor Book BREAKING STALIN'S NOSE to the store to have them signed by Jack Gantos: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuVuftZntllD5ul0mbGaNQOAgQIYD1F-0M-PX48phZXlvOQdICZLtHWinUVlU_n4AAiYoM9a4kjlVSYkqyoByUJ-ETJhLt8OyqzQO4K05Phyiw9j68TOjUJZH5NUHwLiRzMHE0Qf4heA/s1600/Gantos.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuVuftZntllD5ul0mbGaNQOAgQIYD1F-0M-PX48phZXlvOQdICZLtHWinUVlU_n4AAiYoM9a4kjlVSYkqyoByUJ-ETJhLt8OyqzQO4K05Phyiw9j68TOjUJZH5NUHwLiRzMHE0Qf4heA/s400/Gantos.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733457029555324434" /></a><br />
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and Eugene Yelchin:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcqn0PUW4NwjH7p0CX8MmnGah-dsrX_n9HdFqaf97N_PVkSXDlc8kLdSVWP5llZsux0SjDbsfznh0FqHUZBIZsD_Aa4wbhpCXcETdP8a0JrTTehAKayoBpQOjt1MdYMl-E2RdWoOJA4k/s1600/Stalin.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcqn0PUW4NwjH7p0CX8MmnGah-dsrX_n9HdFqaf97N_PVkSXDlc8kLdSVWP5llZsux0SjDbsfznh0FqHUZBIZsD_Aa4wbhpCXcETdP8a0JrTTehAKayoBpQOjt1MdYMl-E2RdWoOJA4k/s400/Stalin.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733457033559434866" /></a><br />
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Meanwhile, my Connecticut friend recently told me expect a package in the mail. It didn't arrive and, instead, took a little trip back and forth across the country, until it finally arrived in my mailbox this week. <br />
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It was an ARC of one of this season's most talked-about children's books:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-49Yd_V9vWQa3kj14JenobCpqCaUm8FGRo3vuZ0CxXqMUxnd4eX5RWOxJnRKC7CdZnAomGAkg4u3P7jpiH3FXGCqBlwhUYZe1vJd2rRWllpPHIwMX1a4jVFoMnKYQTA_xB2edBcxTtnI/s1600/Crow+cover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-49Yd_V9vWQa3kj14JenobCpqCaUm8FGRo3vuZ0CxXqMUxnd4eX5RWOxJnRKC7CdZnAomGAkg4u3P7jpiH3FXGCqBlwhUYZe1vJd2rRWllpPHIwMX1a4jVFoMnKYQTA_xB2edBcxTtnI/s400/Crow+cover.jpeg" /></a></div>personally inscribed with a meaningful statement by author Barbara Wright:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7yZE0OMXEZHk1y1V3-C993ltNqcg6WQXz9gaA8HgFgP9A-IAF4XFXyLvF6PM5YhJ0EggiuwVbw1S2jzSSAHFQSIOtmIeyZJtvOJ2_hN3I01UPXZfy5p3mfpMrNo5nbhXBpyZ4m8upn0/s1600/Crow+tp.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7yZE0OMXEZHk1y1V3-C993ltNqcg6WQXz9gaA8HgFgP9A-IAF4XFXyLvF6PM5YhJ0EggiuwVbw1S2jzSSAHFQSIOtmIeyZJtvOJ2_hN3I01UPXZfy5p3mfpMrNo5nbhXBpyZ4m8upn0/s400/Crow+tp.jpeg" /></a></div>That particular friend is currently out of the country on vacation, so I have not written her personally to thank her for the wonderful surprise. Maybe she'll see it here first. In fact, maybe both of my friends will see this posting and know how grateful I am. Thank you, guys!<br />
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"I GIVE IT A 90 FOR THE PICTURES, BUT ONLY A 50 FOR THE WRITING"<br />
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Dick Clark died this week at age 82. It's a sign of his longevity in the entertainment business that every generation remembers him a different way.<br />
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Today's young people probably know him best from "New Year's Rockin' Eve" and the American Music Awards.<br />
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People of my generation knew him from hosting game shows. On our first trip to New York, in 1979, my brother and I watched a taping of THE $20,000 PYRAMID hosted by Dick and starring Joanne Worley and, of all people, David Letterman. (Children's book connection: THE $20,000 PYRAMID also plays a role in the Newbery-winning WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead, a novel set in 1979!)<br />
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And of course people from an earlier generation new Dick Clark best from AMERICAN BANDSTAND, the show which earned him the title "America's Oldest Teenager."<br />
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Did you know that Dick Clark also wrote a few books for teenagers? <br />
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There was YOUR HAPPIEST YEARS, which was published both in hardcover: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBruaUAdoAziuAWjViGdfQdYwkl9xFPKO55II6PW1Gtxw3SkNoPQQEGIIah_RiZQSTal9hZzT5wDbpEu1V948PAvkfVV1mqcLJ8N8YwI0ARHCzN4Q33UtfeTKF-Q1TBjKB0rs5p9SKcQ/s1600/Clark_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBruaUAdoAziuAWjViGdfQdYwkl9xFPKO55II6PW1Gtxw3SkNoPQQEGIIah_RiZQSTal9hZzT5wDbpEu1V948PAvkfVV1mqcLJ8N8YwI0ARHCzN4Q33UtfeTKF-Q1TBjKB0rs5p9SKcQ/s400/Clark_1.jpg" /></a></div>and in paperback:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdSx9Qz56fAbfY_b18GKpnF2voR4u7ad85Gof6OtR_mnUAqTmFNoC0FqF50YYCZhkg-S1IS-kgSQZncJWKJuZq8wqzTC21Azk2YBSvkR_LH1fI6giXw0UCWb_SKICxtyq_EqV0ciNkFI/s1600/dick_clark_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="284" width="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdSx9Qz56fAbfY_b18GKpnF2voR4u7ad85Gof6OtR_mnUAqTmFNoC0FqF50YYCZhkg-S1IS-kgSQZncJWKJuZq8wqzTC21Azk2YBSvkR_LH1fI6giXw0UCWb_SKICxtyq_EqV0ciNkFI/s400/dick_clark_4.jpg" /></a></div>Then there was TO GOOF OR NOT TO GOOF, also in hardcover:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-itWtvuWVkwnlQ1vvSWKIeaiQWGo2_rewPovGUAW030yTWLM7rIZ1VnP2yCQ77T7S984QtyBh8RjY1DzWoiUfHXHfgaz_MgmCFmSfaWynsX-phwN8K2wa2HAeSFgEaiva0ix2Vvzt9g/s1600/Clark3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="385" width="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-itWtvuWVkwnlQ1vvSWKIeaiQWGo2_rewPovGUAW030yTWLM7rIZ1VnP2yCQ77T7S984QtyBh8RjY1DzWoiUfHXHfgaz_MgmCFmSfaWynsX-phwN8K2wa2HAeSFgEaiva0ix2Vvzt9g/s400/Clark3.jpg" /></a></div>and paperback:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBB5lkiE01nTCeG2DXIOWyqTQIGF11R6GGlj9EooOCVq3rlwMLW8Amk6Ab0TUqk_8US_SO97jreVchGEv9Ug0ryjM5RDZ5HzTCRY4v6twa92WZiRGDDbfNeF01UlhpN-LEco3s61IP7DI/s1600/Clark2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBB5lkiE01nTCeG2DXIOWyqTQIGF11R6GGlj9EooOCVq3rlwMLW8Amk6Ab0TUqk_8US_SO97jreVchGEv9Ug0ryjM5RDZ5HzTCRY4v6twa92WZiRGDDbfNeF01UlhpN-LEco3s61IP7DI/s400/Clark2.jpg" /></a></div>He also wrote a few books for adults. I am somewhat skeptical whenever an entertainment personality is credited with writing a book. I know there are times when the famous individual really does write the volume, but there are other times when their only contribution is allowing their name to appear on the front cover. I don't know which was the case with the above YA books by Mr. Clark, but I assume this oddity -- apparently passed out as a bowling lane freebie -- is an example of just lending his name and image to a publishing package:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMBmwNpOB7QqNDdkDEBaIN8ZSnaywdFaQ-wN59fdUbymUiSL7cnDueQXuOfoqMKEjHD4u75viftSurA0wAtsD52ltVkG-xk0TvcRbIT1-ifBMjimLWD9izpNPTkTejmFz14owiF4CJBM/s1600/clark_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMBmwNpOB7QqNDdkDEBaIN8ZSnaywdFaQ-wN59fdUbymUiSL7cnDueQXuOfoqMKEjHD4u75viftSurA0wAtsD52ltVkG-xk0TvcRbIT1-ifBMjimLWD9izpNPTkTejmFz14owiF4CJBM/s400/clark_4.jpg" /></a></div>I think the following novel may be my favorite memorial to Dick Clark. Published in 1959, TV BANDSTAND is the story of a teenage girl who gets a make-over and joins the cast of "TV Bandstand, the popular, daily record hop at the television station." According to the dustjacket, "Here's a story as fast and irrepressible as rock 'n' roll itself. All teen-agers, especially those who enjoy 'American Bandstand,' will acclaim it true to life and one of the most exciting books they've read."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAdGHm6qRdUK3gb2np4ISIHeNN97fwszfg5k8yhsTcP2cW-Wo0kgbXMAzigixbqf5f99Na2SfhkdR8Aq9pZI-Xw6wS6n3o0iaaVEgfQ0_0HTBuEQWM_pbZp0iA5J6IhyphenhyphenaMrbNz0JkEXI/s1600/bandstand.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAdGHm6qRdUK3gb2np4ISIHeNN97fwszfg5k8yhsTcP2cW-Wo0kgbXMAzigixbqf5f99Na2SfhkdR8Aq9pZI-Xw6wS6n3o0iaaVEgfQ0_0HTBuEQWM_pbZp0iA5J6IhyphenhyphenaMrbNz0JkEXI/s400/bandstand.jpeg" /></a></div>Published when the author was only twenty-eight, TV BANDSTAND has been long out of print, but it's apparently quite well-remembered by former teens. It's in demand among book collectors and, the few times a copy turns up, it often sells for between $100 and $200.<br />
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CHILD CHOOSERS<br />
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There are just a few more days for kids to vote for their favorites in the fifth annual Children's Choice Book Awards. <br />
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According to a recent article in School Library Journal, over half a million kids participated last year and this year's goal is one million.<br />
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This year's finalists -- selected by the Children's Book Council -- are:<br />
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Kindergarten to Second Grade Book of the Year<br />
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BAILEY by Harry Bliss<br />
DOT by Patricia Intriago <br />
PIRATES DON'T TAKE BATHS by John Segal <br />
THREE HENS AND A PEACOCK by Lester L. Laminack, illustrated by Henry Cole <br />
ZOMBIE IN LOVE by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Scott Campbell <br />
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Third Grade to Fourth Grade Book of the Year<br />
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BAD KITTY MEETS THE BABY by Nick Bruel<br />
A FUNERAL IN THE BATHROOM AND OTHER SCHOOL BATHROOM POEMS by Kalli Dakos, illustrated by Mark Beech<br />
THE MONSTROUS BOOK OF MONSTERS by Libby Hamilton, illustrated by Jonny Duddle and Aleksei Bitskoff<br />
SIDEKICK by Dan Santat <br />
SQUISH #1, SUPER AMOEBA by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm<br />
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Fifth Grade to Sixth Grade Book of the Year<br />
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BAD ISLAND by Doug Ten Napel<br />
HOW TO SURVIVE ANYTHING by Rachel Buchholz,illustrated by Chris Philpot<br />
LOST & FOUND by Shaun Tan<br />
OKAY FOR NOW by Gary D. Schmidt<br />
RACING IN THE RAIN : MY LIFE AS A DOG by Garth Stein<br />
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Teen Book of the Year<br />
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CLOCKWORK PRINCE by Cassandra Clare<br />
DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor<br />
DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth<br />
PASSION by Lauren Kate<br />
PERFECT by Ellen Hopkins<br />
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Author of the Year<br />
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Jeff Kinney for DIARY OF A WIMPY KID 6: CABIN FEVER<br />
Christopher Paolini for INHERITANCE<br />
James Patterson for MIDDLE SCHOOL : THE WORST YEARS OF MY LIFE<br />
Rick Riordan for THE SON OF NEPTUNE<br />
Rachel Renee Russell for DORK DIARIES 3 : TALES FROM A NOT-SO-TALENTED POP STAR<br />
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Illustrator of the Year<br />
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Felicia Bond for IF YOU GIVE A DOG A DOUGHNUT<br />
Eric Carle for THE ARTIST WHO PAINTED A BLUE HORSE<br />
Anna Dewdney for LLAMA LLAMA HOME WITH MAMA<br />
Victoria Kann for SILVERLICIOUS<br />
Brian Selznick for WONDERSTRUCK<br />
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Kids (and, hey, no cheating!) can cast their votes <a href="http://www.bookweekonline.com/voting">here!</a><br />
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THOSE BOOKS WITH THE GOLDEN SPINE<br />
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I imagine that it's now been beaten out by boy wizards and teenage vampires but, as recently as 2001, THE POKY LITTLE PUPPY headed Publishers Weekly's list of <a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/20011217/28595-all-time-bestselling-children-s-books-.html">"All-time Bestselling Children's Book."</a> <br />
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This modest little volume by Janette Sebring Lowrey was one of the first twelve volumes published by Little Golden Books in 1942.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TuP4_bv3mwTpLix4CT0H3Se54HU0OL46yVosu5CkbA4Kace-mMOPPQsWbuxrnPfA6sNnAWmIcgmPy9ODLgPPty1jWyUixC5HJ6pDYZVvRuYxkCH44kj-5J3zklJfXFEoOcnaDC0lQrE/s1600/Poky-Little-Puppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="327" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TuP4_bv3mwTpLix4CT0H3Se54HU0OL46yVosu5CkbA4Kace-mMOPPQsWbuxrnPfA6sNnAWmIcgmPy9ODLgPPty1jWyUixC5HJ6pDYZVvRuYxkCH44kj-5J3zklJfXFEoOcnaDC0lQrE/s400/Poky-Little-Puppy.jpg" /></a></div>Today, Janette Sebring Lowrey remains virtually forgotten (to see how Ursula Nordstrom tried to nurture her talent over decades, get a hold of DEAR GENIUS, edited by Leonarad Marcus) but Golden Books are still going strong.<br />
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Here's an <a href="http://www.abebooks.com/books/childrens-poky-puppy-margaret-wise-brown/little-golden-books.shtml">interesting article</a> about the Little Golden Books that just appeared on ABEbooks site. Just seeing the pictures of those old book covers brought back a flood of memories, plus I enjoyed the comments from readers recalling their own favorite Little Golden Books from the past.<br />
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If you have an interest in Little Golden Books, the best place to start is with GOLDEN LEGACY, a history by Leonard Marcus:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQjNGwtC2KbA7QBcN04DdzNYgtg-fW0Ua-gp7T-b9OO-e4rNqvjT9zD41z-ABZmJnpNKUfc6VIPsU1falnoWQASd-9a1oAKYxEe24iS_klm_YFs5aQ0h2EFMOuqWjr-mUhp9QvuQUb7o/s1600/golden+0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQjNGwtC2KbA7QBcN04DdzNYgtg-fW0Ua-gp7T-b9OO-e4rNqvjT9zD41z-ABZmJnpNKUfc6VIPsU1falnoWQASd-9a1oAKYxEe24iS_klm_YFs5aQ0h2EFMOuqWjr-mUhp9QvuQUb7o/s400/golden+0.jpg" /></a></div>You might also be interested in this bibliography of all the Little Golden Books published between 1942 and 1985, compiled by Delores B. Jones:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfbTUyUpMEB0Ji_7czez1nslMODstFiUpBlQzpaGVVwWXqr5Dd1QodbEMx_tNgDJoz8739cyJj5FywKdpaYlixMZ5VL4WtoqLXYXjff0ktFXLWx0_E_xos1JDF2dLPQqj__E3aGrGnh4/s1600/golden0.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfbTUyUpMEB0Ji_7czez1nslMODstFiUpBlQzpaGVVwWXqr5Dd1QodbEMx_tNgDJoz8739cyJj5FywKdpaYlixMZ5VL4WtoqLXYXjff0ktFXLWx0_E_xos1JDF2dLPQqj__E3aGrGnh4/s400/golden0.5.jpg" /></a></div>And book collectors will appreciate these identification and price guides by Steve Santi:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGCrKUjyaq4lP7r00wMkSFkuTYrctPnPB8NiGWq3CrAab9mHNCN7Ejf88rcVlV30jADnwuM204fzcFlRwMGutMt5oVCFRQWY9XnHUpESl180xuHs-4nLW3LzFcSNOm3U_8i8bbRDoUOM/s1600/Golden1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGCrKUjyaq4lP7r00wMkSFkuTYrctPnPB8NiGWq3CrAab9mHNCN7Ejf88rcVlV30jADnwuM204fzcFlRwMGutMt5oVCFRQWY9XnHUpESl180xuHs-4nLW3LzFcSNOm3U_8i8bbRDoUOM/s400/Golden1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I73nvP2L1MrAXKREF9aCM9M0nMYiqWcL2JbIx8l3ESl0OeLBEiSSCgzveGcyrZ8I9JlRnzC4DUikeJoHUpp5MDOCWgpfFs_LqA7hE8wDdl4Nudiqh2IClRagJJ15n8QlpU6_6PT11HI/s1600/Golden+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I73nvP2L1MrAXKREF9aCM9M0nMYiqWcL2JbIx8l3ESl0OeLBEiSSCgzveGcyrZ8I9JlRnzC4DUikeJoHUpp5MDOCWgpfFs_LqA7hE8wDdl4Nudiqh2IClRagJJ15n8QlpU6_6PT11HI/s400/Golden+2.jpg" /></a></div>Though once criticized as cheap, commmercial "supermarket" books, the Little Golden Books frequently feature prose and art from creators who would later become famous in the world of children's books. And no one can deny the impact these books have had on the childhoods of millions.<br />
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WHICH ANDRE NORTON BOOK SHOULD I READ?<br />
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Considering her huge output of children's and young adult books, it's somewhat surprising that I only have one book by Andre Norton on my library shelves. It's a paperback copy of her 1947 book ROGUE REYNARD, which was re-issued as a sixty-five cent Dell Yearling paperback in 1972. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsI9uU7S7qE4eCWRUUksF8y9u5BAOTiVFpBZ9bYwCFxjIt6ThLJqYmY35aRHN-eDMoSq_JDVXI2UezS7QMjP6P52SOwNAVXvMYC6DNxbE0U9yCv2j26U8dLNraIT6sZNJZ9rfV6M6q8sc/s1600/Norton.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsI9uU7S7qE4eCWRUUksF8y9u5BAOTiVFpBZ9bYwCFxjIt6ThLJqYmY35aRHN-eDMoSq_JDVXI2UezS7QMjP6P52SOwNAVXvMYC6DNxbE0U9yCv2j26U8dLNraIT6sZNJZ9rfV6M6q8sc/s400/Norton.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733457041148067090" /></a><br />
I probably never would have bought it, except I was collecting Yearling Books at that time. However, I ended up loving it -- which is why I still own this volume while most of my other Yearling books have been lost, given away, or upgraded-to-hardcover over the past forty years.<br />
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Strangely, my love of this book did not make me an Andre Norton fan. The public library had dozens of her science fiction novels, and every now and then I'd check one out...but never made it past the first chapter or two. Science fiction just wasn't my thing, and I could never get past all those impossible-to-pronounce names of characters and planets. Later in life I did read and enjoy a couple of Ms. Norton's fantasies such as LAVENDER-GREEN MAGIC (I'm not a big fantasy reader either, but those stories were grounded enough in the "real world" to keep me interested) and at least one of her science fiction epics, THE JARGOON PARD (see what I mean about funny names? What's a "jargoon"? What's a "pard"???)<br />
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However, I've recently decided that -- as someone who writes about historical children's books -- I really do need to read at least a couple of Andre Norton's science fiction novels, just so I can have some perspective on the matter. <br />
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I asked one Norton fan what book would be a good starting place -- a readable title that will keep me interested and isn't overwhelmed with characters named Pker and Hslan living on the planet Xtrobilia. <br />
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This fan recommended Norton's SOLAR QUEEN.<br />
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Unfortunately, our copy is checked out of the library at present. While I wait for its return, can anyone recommend other favorite Andre Norton titles that might turn me into a fan?<br />
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BACK TO THE LA TIMES...<br />
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This weekends LA Times Book Prize Awards were presented as part of the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, a weekend celebration full of speeches, discussions, events, booksignings and other fun. I particularly liked this huge banner that public was invited to sign:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELoIZCbSGu1ZN-rlgOp4x_SU5pX62TrjG22X1U1Tp3QUaUT42KV1a3P_2rWhy3gzONbstqAJjUjNy6MPveIjRFOCfPunsn09KuteCt588PkVgk4kExhesMTJ3KBkhx2ZlDUDw0CFYh-Q/s1600/I%2527m+reading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELoIZCbSGu1ZN-rlgOp4x_SU5pX62TrjG22X1U1Tp3QUaUT42KV1a3P_2rWhy3gzONbstqAJjUjNy6MPveIjRFOCfPunsn09KuteCt588PkVgk4kExhesMTJ3KBkhx2ZlDUDw0CFYh-Q/s400/I%2527m+reading.jpg" /></a></div>Wouldn't it be great if every city had one of these hanging for the public to sign. What a great way to advertise books and show that reading is fun!<br />
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THANKS<br />
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Thanks for visiting Collecting Children's Books. Hope you'll be back!<br />
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<br />Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-19658963363284894522012-04-15T18:49:00.005-04:002012-04-15T19:24:31.802-04:00Changing Libraries, Changing Books, and Other Topics for Sunday BrunchAre libraries about to start "thinking locally"? Has a beloved children's book figure regressed in time? Is that furniture-sized appliance with spools of tape actually a <em>computer</em>? And what new and forthcoming books are starting to get "buzz"? We consider all of these questions in today's Sunday Brunch.<br /><br /><br />OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIBRARIES<br /><br />The Chinese word for "crisis" is composed of two characters. One stands for "danger" and the other represents "opportunity." I first read that over thirty years ago in THE SON OF SOMEONE FAMOUS by M.E. Kerr, an author who has continued teaching and entertaining me ever since. <br /><br />Anyway, it seems to me that our libraries are about to face a crisis. Due to the popularity of e-books, the good old-fashioned BOOK (the kind with pages and a cover) appears to be going the way of the dinosaur. At least that's the case at the library where I work. On Friday I learned that, while the number of patrons coming into our library is increasing, the number of books being circulated is getting smaller and smaller. Ten years ago we circulated over 500,000 books per year. Last year we were down to 100,000 circulations. The experts say that we will eventually level off at 20,000 books circulating per year. <br /><br />When I heard that, a siren and flashing neon light went off in my head ("Danger, Will Robinson!") and I pictured libraries following in the footsteps of the record stores and bookstores decimated by modern technology.<br /><br />But remember the line about "danger AND opportunity..."?<br /><br />The experts now tell us that one of the things that will save libraries is a switch in focus. Libraries will now find new life in archiving LOCAL history and events. My own library is already taking steps in this direction and I've heard that many others are following suit. <br /><br />Strangely, just after attending a meeting about this future role for libraries, I returned to my office and found this book on my desk:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIqaNDv3EMpGggl2F7tLYxOsokpMaJgdEi2GkaioIbIRjTgG1zV83esMWgz5C5vWnpJZvVLdXZeOjKYwltBEYGkdHpKEQ-_zCQ6QBDXTQBebUniJ7bVClArtz6cCwHww_XHFtH7Vpdxw/s1600/Marguerite.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 351px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIqaNDv3EMpGggl2F7tLYxOsokpMaJgdEi2GkaioIbIRjTgG1zV83esMWgz5C5vWnpJZvVLdXZeOjKYwltBEYGkdHpKEQ-_zCQ6QBDXTQBebUniJ7bVClArtz6cCwHww_XHFtH7Vpdxw/s400/Marguerite.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731606829108444770" /></a><br /><br />Published by the Marguerite de Angeli Library in Lapeer, Michigan, MICHIGAN'S MARGUERITE DE ANGELI includes biographical material, an interview/conversation from the author's 90th birthday celebration, family photographs, paintings, and material written for, but not included in, her novel COPPER-TOED BOOTS. It also contains a complete bibliography of de Angeli's work, noting where the original manuscripts for many of these books can be found.<br /><br />I thought this was an excellent example of a library focusing on local resources. Let's face it, except for a few major figures, monographs about children's authors don't have much of a market. Marguerite de Angeli may have been one of the most notable children's writers of the twentieth century, but she's not particularly well-known these days except for her Newbery-winner, THE DOOR IN THE WALL, and perhaps two or three other titles. Yet researchers, writers, teachers, and critics will always have an interest in this author -- and who better to continue her legacy than the library in her hometown of Lapeer, Michigan? This may be one role that libraries will fill in coming years -- creating books, online exhibits, and historical archives about local children's authors who may otherwise be lost to history.<br /><br /><br />SPEAKING OF LOCAL HISTORY....<br /><br />The other day I received an e-mail from a woman who had read my recent blog entry on author Palmer Brown. Cindy Z. said:<br /><br /><em>I don’t know much about him but he did live down the street from me when I was growing up. He gave my sister and I some of his books. He wrote inside the cover of each of the books, personalizing each of them for my sister and I, and drew beautiful unique watercolor artwork and signed them. I have three first edition books. Unfortunately the matching paper book jackets were damaged by smoke in a house fire that we had in 1999. But the books themselves survived and are in otherwise excellent condition.<br /> <br />Palmer Brown lived with his mother in a white stone house covered with ivy in the tiny little town of Oregon, Pennsylvania. [...] Long ago the town was called “Catfish”. Palmer Brown’s home was by the Oregon Hotel, which in later years has become Reflections Restaurant. <br /><br />I think he gave us the books as a Christmas present because my mom told him how much we loved to read. I remember trick or treating at his house one year. He was very quiet and you never saw much of him or his mother. But they were very nice people, very pleasant and sweet.</em><br /><br />Thank you, Cindy, for sharing these memories about the author of HICKORY and BEYOND THE PAW PAW TREES!<br /><br />Cindy's note got me wondering if anyone else had a famous children's author as a neighbor. If so, did you get to know them? Did you read their books? <br /><br />As a kid, I was so awed by authors that I could never imagine them living in regular neighorhoods...driving cars...going grocery shopping.... <br /><br />Although I now realize that yes, many writers live in regular neighborhoods and buy milk at the grocery store, I still tend to place them on pedestals. <br /><br />Many years ago I had a pair of friends in this area. Over the years, I occasionally accompanied them as they visited the wife's childhood home where her parents still lived. One day someone mentioned the neighbor, Mrs. Blos. I said, "There's a children's writer named Joan Blos." <br /><br />My friend said, "Yes, that's her. We grew up with her children. She won the Caldecott Award for one of her books."<br /><br />(She meant the Newbery -- and the book was A GATHERING OF DAYS.)<br /><br />I was so shocked to think that someone I knew grew up just across the street from a Newbery-winning writer! My friend said, "Some day I'll take you across the street to meet her." Alas, my friends soon moved to Chicago and evetnually got a divorce, so I never did have a personal meeting with this famous author.<br /><br />Have you ever lived across the street or on the other side of the fence from a famous writer?<br /><br /><br />THE WASP WOMAN AND WEETZIE BAT<br /><br />Speaking of literary connections: Last Sunday I wrote about actress Susan Cabot whose real-life experiences rivaled any of the B-movies she made in the 1950s. She dated King Hussein until he realized she was Jewish...she gave birth to a dwarf...she dabbled in drugs and even took her son's growth hormone medication...she became a recluse...and eventually the dwarf killed her with a barbell. The reason I wrote about her is that she once illustrated children's books, though I have been unable to find any of specific titles.<br /><br />I still haven't been able to identify those books, but this week I did note an unusual literary coincidence. <br /><br />Francesca Lia Block's latest book, PINK SMOG : BECOMING WEETZIE BAT features the eponymous character who made her debut in Block's 1989 debut novel and several subsequent books. In those stories Weetzie grows from a teenager to an adult. However in PINK SMOG we move back in time, meeting Weetzie when she was thirteen-year-old Louise. Reading this book I became intrigued by the character of Weetzie's father, who works in the field of B-movies. Knowing that some elements of these novels mirror Block's own life, I paid a visit to the imdb.com and discovered that Francesca's father, Irving Block, really did work in the field of B-movies. <br /><br />In fact, he wrote the original stories for two movies starring Susan Cabot -- WAR OF THE SATELLITES and 1957's THE SAGA OF THE VIKING WOMEN AND THEIR VOYAGE TO THE WATERS OF THE GREAT SEA SERPENT.<br /><br /><br />ANOTHER CHARACTER GETS YOUNG<br /><br />PINK SMOG works fairly well as a "prequel" to the "Weetzie Bat" series. However, I was recently unnerved when I discovered that another beloved children's book figure has also stepped back into time.<br /><br />You have probably already heard this news, since it's been going on since 2009...but I knew nothing about it until this past week when I saw a reference to this book:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-aBGzT0ZDnaQ6m_n9QeGefMLbjVx3OEsDss9goK8lsIfVFChLsl5tTs3P59zZ04Aip272Cd1hZX4Xj4KS-ScS2cssRgo3v68usCT1YHo4U80tefQu3e6WyF-OTasQ9lSylCGaP_1Vfo/s1600/Amelia.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 343px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-aBGzT0ZDnaQ6m_n9QeGefMLbjVx3OEsDss9goK8lsIfVFChLsl5tTs3P59zZ04Aip272Cd1hZX4Xj4KS-ScS2cssRgo3v68usCT1YHo4U80tefQu3e6WyF-OTasQ9lSylCGaP_1Vfo/s400/Amelia.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731704739141624066" /></a><br />That's Amelia Bedelia? A kid getting off a school bus?<br /><br />I thought Amelia Bedelia was a middle-aged maid, who looked like this:<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQV1kBrAe64fwSNj7J8qn5zEaYELm20KiLmcnVvHG3j_1nsBcbzwNAE3aVA6l6fWBtuocyKZWjcT8VHiRa_4ggxwWBujpmPzV3ER61rmWZeCZG2XvW8UBIXfZhTTE5E1CZseh1SvjB24/s1600/amelia2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQV1kBrAe64fwSNj7J8qn5zEaYELm20KiLmcnVvHG3j_1nsBcbzwNAE3aVA6l6fWBtuocyKZWjcT8VHiRa_4ggxwWBujpmPzV3ER61rmWZeCZG2XvW8UBIXfZhTTE5E1CZseh1SvjB24/s400/amelia2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731704734637081794" /></a><br />Apparently she is both.<br /><br />Amelia Bedelia was created by Peggy Parish, who based the character on a maid she once knew who always took comments literally. Introduced in 1963, this character starred in a dozen easy readers, sketching pictures of drapes when her employers told her to "draw the drapes" and sticking lightbulbs in the dirt when instructed to plant bulbs in the garden.<br /><br />Peggy Parish died in 1988, but her nephew continued the series beginning with 1995's GOOD DRIVING, AMELIA BEDELIA.<br /><br />However, in 2009 a major change took place in the series.<br /><br />Instead of easy readers, the volumes are now often (though not always) presented in a picture book format...and, instead of being an adult maid, Amelia Bedelias is <em>now a little girl. </em><br /><br />The idea is that we're now reading about Amelia's childhood -- an idea that doesn't quite work since the stories don't appear to revisit an earlier time period and Amelia is dressed in very contemporary fashions.<br /><br />It would be interesting to learn what kids think of this change in Amelia. Do they like her better as a kid? Can they relate to her more easily now?<br /><br />I guess I'm old school.<br /><br />There was something especially funny about seeing such a literal-minded adult...and it was comforting to see that, despite her "issues," Amelia Bedelia was so warmly regarded by her employers and friends. Now she seems just like just anohter silly, annoying kid and not nearly as individualized as she was in the adult volumes.<br /><br />What do you think about this change in Amelia Bedelia?<br /><br /><br />SERIOUSLY, NOW....<br /><br />It took many decades for the character of Amelia Bedelia to change.<br /><br />It took less than a year before GO THE F*** TO SLEEP changed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jiO9V8R5NRDSAACI5HgK59ZTxXfbTAjBoJJ0DsLlErQLMKWhXip3MbypjZTKbSn0kDddGuf_F2bAnVCGnUbtG5RFvGgYKclZtmQdcY4BckLFQWkZ5ZCT9F4i9F6ZROOoc7AEOsqNl78/s1600/Go-the-Fuck-to-Sleep-007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jiO9V8R5NRDSAACI5HgK59ZTxXfbTAjBoJJ0DsLlErQLMKWhXip3MbypjZTKbSn0kDddGuf_F2bAnVCGnUbtG5RFvGgYKclZtmQdcY4BckLFQWkZ5ZCT9F4i9F6ZROOoc7AEOsqNl78/s400/Go-the-Fuck-to-Sleep-007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731712593218962178" /></a> <br />Of course you remember 2011's most scandalous d-- a lullabye book that contained such as verses as:<br /><br />The cats nestle close to their kittens now.<br />The lambs have laid down with the sheep.<br />You’re cozy and warm in your bed, my dear<br />Please go the (bleep) to sleep.<br /><br />The book has just been released in a new edition called SERIOUSLY, JUST GO TO SLEEP:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJDXdqBqgAQWlfaFpDVTWrrrNvhIuO0wbZLJuBN_ci_Fe45UFL-ChOEXIPra7zorsierL38sojJ2d7RLz53V0aHGJLgj4Q6pF7kl5egRNa6r_dwiRaKtDuFqN37cW-0Boo2wwks8LdA4/s1600/seriously.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJDXdqBqgAQWlfaFpDVTWrrrNvhIuO0wbZLJuBN_ci_Fe45UFL-ChOEXIPra7zorsierL38sojJ2d7RLz53V0aHGJLgj4Q6pF7kl5egRNa6r_dwiRaKtDuFqN37cW-0Boo2wwks8LdA4/s400/seriously.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731712593177903554" /></a><br />The illustrations have been slightly altered, and so has the text. <br /><br />Here is the new version of the verse above:<br /><br />The cats nestle close to their kittens,<br />The lambs have lain down with the sheep.<br />You're cozy and warm in your bed, my deaar.<br />Please, just this once, go to sleep.<br /><br />Same intent, same overall meaning...but this time G-rated.<br /><br />Though this version unlikely to get the same gut-level (often smirking and nodding) response from adults that the original edition did, this book can at least be brought into nurseries without the threat of a visit from Child Protective Services. <br /><br /><br />A GOREY COLLECTION<br /><br />Do you collect books by Edward Gorey?<br /><br />Last night I was watching ANTIQUES ROADSHOW and saw an appraisal for a colletion of Gorey books and stuffed figures that would make many children's book collector drool. Did you miss it? You can still catch it <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/201102A09.html"> here. </a><br /><br /><br />BUT THAT'S NOTHING...<br /><br />The $5000 value of that Gorey collection seems like peanuts when compared to the recent ROADSHOW appraisal of a signed first edition of J.R.R. Tolkien's THE HOBBIT, which was valued at between $80,000 and $120,000. You can watch that video <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/201102A52.html"> here. </a><br /><br />Many people forget that THE HOBBIT was originally published as a children's book.<br /><br /><br />OLD SCHOOL COMPUTERS<br /><br />Wandering through the library stacks this week, I came across an oldie by William D. Hayes -- HOLD THAT COMPUTER! Although I remember a few of the author's other books with fondness (PROJECT: GENIUS and PROJECT SCOOP), I had never read this title before. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XWgFdQOEg19WCgSFrdT-Lnjc9-3MsZCZhDDbkPGMrwJRB21JU38WWuRNJyznVPFVAtGZ9hdLmrCExNAhyzDPK7jxoC5m4xE85pUMMZ4MP5-lIGDkYgcRMdStx7Zk7bXXk0J1ZVIvjJY/s1600/Hold+That+Computer.jpg.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XWgFdQOEg19WCgSFrdT-Lnjc9-3MsZCZhDDbkPGMrwJRB21JU38WWuRNJyznVPFVAtGZ9hdLmrCExNAhyzDPK7jxoC5m4xE85pUMMZ4MP5-lIGDkYgcRMdStx7Zk7bXXk0J1ZVIvjJY/s400/Hold+That+Computer.jpg.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731607059016836114" /></a> HOLD THAT COMPUTER! turned out to be a rather pedestrian effort -- a tired plot, flat dialogue, interchangable characters -- so it's hard to believe it was published by Jean Karl at Atheneum during the era of E.L. Konigsburg, Zilpha Keatley Snyder, and so many other luminaries. Of course at the time of publication, many kids were likely drawn to this title because of the topic, as baseball players Hank and his friends use the new school computer to figure out why they can't beat a rival team. The subject -- so new in 1968 -- is what really dates the book today, as the boys input info into a machine as big as a kitchen appliance hung with spools of tape. Predictably, it eventually blows up when facing off with another computer during the book's climax. <br /><br />Although this book is almost forgettable (how forgettable? I had to go back and look up the name of the protagonist even though I just finished reading the book yesterday) it is rather notable as an early story about computers. Can anyone think of any other children's books from 1968 or earlier that dealt with computers? Of course there were a few nonfiction volumes, plus references to computers in science ficton novels, but I'm hard-pressed to think of any other realistic novels that touch on the topic. I did find one, OLLIE'S TEAM AND THE BASKETBALL COMPUTER by Clem Philbrook, published a year later by Hastings House. Funny that two of earlist children's books to feature computers also focused on sports. Nowadays kids seem to play all their games ON the computer, rather than using computers to help them play better on the field or the court.<br /><br /><br />AFTER EASTER SPECIAL<br /><br />Well, it took a week of lunches to finish up all my Easter egg-salad. But the holiday is still not quite over. That's because blog-reader ChrisinNY reminded me of my failed promise to read THE WICKED ENCHANTMENT by Margot Benary-Isbert. During a previous Easter blog I mentioned that many books are set in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas -- and sometimes even leading up to holidays such as Thanksgiving and Halloween. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSP1uYh6fBTtFTWRNYvUT7v7CDceR75t2qB0dobI77OtDiV2d5T7kHkw-QQ_MaPqPQxPNiwiyMfk7k3kyQ5ATlaM5HstM3UshCzrbkYrAZcAT301XqzrTPkJsRsGjuK0vEKofskHSO4k/s1600/wicked+enchantment.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSP1uYh6fBTtFTWRNYvUT7v7CDceR75t2qB0dobI77OtDiV2d5T7kHkw-QQ_MaPqPQxPNiwiyMfk7k3kyQ5ATlaM5HstM3UshCzrbkYrAZcAT301XqzrTPkJsRsGjuK0vEKofskHSO4k/s400/wicked+enchantment.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731606916907886242" /></a> But I could think of very few books set during the Easter season. At the time, Chris suggested the Benary-Isbert novel as a good example, but the seasons passed and I never got around to reading it. This past week Chris wrote to say, "Last year you asked if anyone knew of books that centered on Holy Week and I suggested this title. I actually reread it every year in the weeks approaching Easter, and wondered if you had ever tracked it down and read it? It has a real sense of taking place in another country/culture/time, but has a lot of humor and fun too. If you ever get a chance, try it." Well, I don't have to be told twice (actually, I DID have to told twice!), so this week I finally found a copy. I'll report back with my thoughts when I finish it, but at this point I'm really enjoying it. I believe this is the only fantasy that Margot Benary-Isbert wrote. She was mostly noted for writing realistic fiction about Germany during and after World War II. In fact, her best-known novel DIE ARCHE NOAH (published in the United States as THE ARK) was one of the first children's novels published in Germany after WWII. The book concerns a refugee family who turn an abandoned railway car into a home for themselves. The book was well-received by American critics though, from today's perspective, one wonders how any book about Germany and World War II could avoid mention of Nazis or the Holocaust...and the railway car seems a strange device considering how such cars were utilized during the war. Later books by Margot Benary-Isbert, such as DANGEROUS SPRING were much more unflinching in their portrayals of Nazism and the Hitler Youth. The author had experienced all these things first hand in Germany. Born in 1889, she was not allowed to publish anything between 1933 and 1945 because she refused to join the Nazi writers organization. In 1953, she and her family immigrated to the United States and became naturalized citizens. Her publishing career continued to flourish, although she continued to write in her native language and have the books tranlsated into English.<br /><br /><br />WHAT'S THE BUZZ?<br /><br />Although we are only four months into 2012, I'm curious about what books have been getting a lot of "buzz." I don't necessarily mean great reviews (some haven't even been reviewed yet) but just lots of chatter among colleagues, on message boards, on Facebook, etc. Some of the titles I've been hearing a lot about include:<br /><br />THE FALSE PRINCE by Jennifer Nielsen (I loved this one!)<br />STEP GENTLY OUT by Helen Frost and Rick Lieder (ditto! And my bookstore friend can't keep it in stock)<br />WONDER by R.J. Palacio<br />CROW by Barbara Wright<br />THE LIONS OF LITTLE ROCK by Kristin Levine<br />STARRY RIVER OF THE SKY by Grace Lin<br />TWELVE KINDS OF ICE by Ellen Obed<br />SUMMER OF THE GYPSY MOTHS by Sara Pennypacker<br />KEEPING THE CASTLE by Patrice Kindl<br />LIAR AND SPY by Rebecca Stead<br />SEE YOU AT HARRY'S by Jo Knowles (I'm hearing rapturous advance word)<br />TEMPLE GRANDIN by Sy Montgomery<br />CODE NAME VERITY by Elizabeth Wein<br /><br />Which titles are you hearing about?<br /><br /><br />THANKS<br /><br />Thanks for visiting Collecting Children's Books. Hope you'll be back soon!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-44698050859725020542012-04-08T05:41:00.007-04:002012-04-09T01:57:59.072-04:00Sunday Brunch with Uncle Wiggily, The Wasp Woman, and "The Other Quimby"Happy Easter. Happy Passover. Happy Spring. Hope everyone is having a good weekend. In the spirit of the season, today's blog looks back at a popular bunny book. We also reveal some board games inspired by children's books, share some programs from Newbery/Caldecott banquets, and consider a book with a holiday theme: Christmas! If you have a taste for the macabre, there are also mentions of "The Wasp Woman" and that vampire known as Jack Gantos. <br /><br /><br />A BUNNY BOOK<br /><br />There is no shortage of bunnies in the world of children's books. <br /><br />In fact, they sometimes seem to multiply like...well, rabbits.<br /><br />There's Peter Rabbit, Br'er Rabbit, Thumper, Little Georgie from RABBIT HILL, and an entire warren of 'em in WATERSHIP DOWN. The current publishing season brings us MR. AND MRS. BUNNY, DETECTIVES EXTRAORDINARE by Polly Horvath.<br /><br />One of the most enduring rabbit books for children never receives much critical attention, yet it will mark its fiftieth anniversary next year. As far as I know it has never been out of print in all that time. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl2kKiXj7Mssy71PkM8g0D7Hquk6wSqNBUttu6qztpJZdeoyTr0C1m3oBkLXil_YU2TKgLH4MCTyUwLCsluV8Vq5mmhbVXI-Y_3PhQpQiuBYnGFL76NZRmHuj-E3WbqkdaBZ8VLYnhbU/s1600/bunny5.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl2kKiXj7Mssy71PkM8g0D7Hquk6wSqNBUttu6qztpJZdeoyTr0C1m3oBkLXil_YU2TKgLH4MCTyUwLCsluV8Vq5mmhbVXI-Y_3PhQpQiuBYnGFL76NZRmHuj-E3WbqkdaBZ8VLYnhbU/s400/bunny5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729037505509766546" /></a> And if you check Amazon.com, you'll find well over one hundred reviews from enthusiastic fans who either remember the book from their own childhood or read it to their children today. I AM A BUNNY, a story in which a young rabbit observes the changing of the four seasons, features some of Richard's Scarry's finest illustrations. You'll note that the author's name does not even appear on the cover. The writer was Ole Risom, who also served as art director at Golden Books; the book's narrator, Nicholas, was based on Risom's own son Nicholas. Risom was born in Denmark, entered the publishing field in Sweden, and came to the United States in 1940. Serving in the U.S. Army in WWII, he met and married a German countess, then returned to this country where he worked for Golden Books from 1947 to 1972 and Random House from 1972 to 1990. In GOLDEN LEGACY, children's book historian Leonard Marcus refers to Ole Rissom as a "populist who took unabashed pride in devising book/toy hybrids that children enjoyed, whatever critics might say about them." He published many Golden Books based on movies, such as THE JUNGLE BOOK, as well as the first American scratch-and-sniff book, THE SMELL OF CHRISTMAS by Patricia Scarry (Richard's wife) in 1970. Ole Risom and Richard Scarry were best friends and Ole would eventually co-write a monograph, THE BUSY BUSY WORLD OF RICHARD SCARRY, published in 1997. Springboarding off the success of I AM A BUNNY, he also wrote several other similar Golden Books for children such as I AM A KITTEN, I AM A MOUSE, and I AM A FOX. None of those titles remains in print today, yet Nicholas-the-bunny is still hopping along nearly five decades since being introduced in 1963.<br /><br /><br />UNCLE WIGGILY -- IN CONNECTICUT AND EVERYWHERE<br /><br />Another literary rabbit of renown is Uncle Wiggily Longears.<br /><br />The creation of Howard R. Garis, Uncle Wiggily first appeared as the lead character in a children's story Garis published in the Newark News on January 10, 1910. For the next 37 years, Mr. Garis published six Uncle Wiggily stories in the newspaper every week -- over fifteen thousand in total. The stories were collected in nearly eighty volumes, beginning with UNCLE WIGGILY'S ADVENTURES in 1912 and featuring such volumes as UNCLE WIGGILY AND OLD MOTHER HUBBARD and UNCLE WIGGILY AND THE AUTO SLED: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbCqWogD8uJwIzddQPJSg8xPyHTAKDkbFLVyrJOq2SZraB5Xj_wIX4DuWcIO0_Yynh723YrqbfbCKHQcAJ8LfKKZt7iuVr0xEbaCvsCKGVQFHP4iDIM8qvwzSIlWkBM_l3LOudDDGU2k/s1600/w+book+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 340px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbCqWogD8uJwIzddQPJSg8xPyHTAKDkbFLVyrJOq2SZraB5Xj_wIX4DuWcIO0_Yynh723YrqbfbCKHQcAJ8LfKKZt7iuVr0xEbaCvsCKGVQFHP4iDIM8qvwzSIlWkBM_l3LOudDDGU2k/s400/w+book+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729044094851941682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-_kETBfRx73V-pBf0ZC4fIRlthbAXZhUBlFf4H4s_chwFxyCuVtyTHa-0ywzNyg5TNptzqGCzAGZCwZHuOb1TIhWNa6vOjQXYNqlrxQ3i9xJ-zFs2_bnYHsFRPgv6fba3ZuKQHarBmc/s1600/wiggily2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 324px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-_kETBfRx73V-pBf0ZC4fIRlthbAXZhUBlFf4H4s_chwFxyCuVtyTHa-0ywzNyg5TNptzqGCzAGZCwZHuOb1TIhWNa6vOjQXYNqlrxQ3i9xJ-zFs2_bnYHsFRPgv6fba3ZuKQHarBmc/s400/wiggily2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729044098131877858" /></a><br />Surprisingly, a few of the Uncle W books are still in print today, including UNCLE WIGGILY'S STORYBOOK:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRk5Hz9TjdLs-xUtUsgZPlGqHQTMJJS_4FYc8JpHfHoKLS2Pp8KUrX-hpuqBnZh_1JCLmqVHgs6x3MVKZ7HzrOjJIdyAWFLOzLjBsH_YRcDH45SN-gcohrQrKu-huwurfGMYwDV5sIGHk/s1600/w+book2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRk5Hz9TjdLs-xUtUsgZPlGqHQTMJJS_4FYc8JpHfHoKLS2Pp8KUrX-hpuqBnZh_1JCLmqVHgs6x3MVKZ7HzrOjJIdyAWFLOzLjBsH_YRcDH45SN-gcohrQrKu-huwurfGMYwDV5sIGHk/s400/w+book2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729044092233093042" /></a><br />In addition to writing the Uncle Wiggily books, Howard Garis and his wife Lillian both wrote for the Stratemeyer Syndicate, producing volumes for Tom Swift, the Bobbsey Twins, and many other lesser-known series.<br /><br />Their son Roger wrote a 1966 biography of his dad, MY FATHER WAS UNCLE WIGGILY:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT62cNyblyAJfYSYPpN3QUjsiR2D_87GkcjDgOXFZnN_8UaXLqcB8QTDN4QVqd8lRVqpAJBBqgs-0UUB9zzLdffehawXwca2WIQ0ORsgaZl-uV9y3EZLuJX7iUrA40EwZNRPaVz7m_KKE/s1600/my+father.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT62cNyblyAJfYSYPpN3QUjsiR2D_87GkcjDgOXFZnN_8UaXLqcB8QTDN4QVqd8lRVqpAJBBqgs-0UUB9zzLdffehawXwca2WIQ0ORsgaZl-uV9y3EZLuJX7iUrA40EwZNRPaVz7m_KKE/s400/my+father.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729046739454053634" /></a><br />Just today, in writing this blog, I learned about a 2007 memoir written by granddaughter Leslie Garis called HOUSE OF HAPPY ENDINGS:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzvVDjoH64OSdj0REoHtZSXpm1g0YtVJ4V5VtzOvlcA-AyQD8UEUsnGhfZf3fuT_TQj4N5E1gkwaD0swY4jrC4T4CJxdTR1dsdB7v7ZmYaTldjVTUsShNfANeGYLj5Ic_F_7ikEtZPdo/s1600/happy+endings.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzvVDjoH64OSdj0REoHtZSXpm1g0YtVJ4V5VtzOvlcA-AyQD8UEUsnGhfZf3fuT_TQj4N5E1gkwaD0swY4jrC4T4CJxdTR1dsdB7v7ZmYaTldjVTUsShNfANeGYLj5Ic_F_7ikEtZPdo/s400/happy+endings.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729046735259381826" /></a><br />The book was given a starred review by Publishers Weekly, which said:<br /><br /><em>In this spellbinding memoir of green moments and gray ones, Garis chronicles how, in this book-reading, music-playing and, most importantly, loving family of writers, her grandmother went from being a vibrant woman to a recumbent recluse and how the years damaged her father, who seemed perfect; her beautiful mother; and her adorable brothers. You can't turn away from the truth because it's lurid and jarring, her playwright father advises. In lesser hands, the quarrels, litigation and violence that surface might control the narrative, but even as the family copes with disappointment, financial stress, nervous breakdowns, physical illness and death, Garis's capacity for conveying the family's vibrancy and vigor trumps. Garis's remarkable accomplishment in this memoir is to convey the normal, the enviable and the gothic with unsentimentalized affection, grace and painful honesty in her grandparents' writing against the harsh realities of their family life.</em><br /><br />Sounds fascinating. I just ordered a copy of the book this morning.<br /><br /><br />BOOKS BECOME GAMES<br /><br />I imagine that one of the reasons the UNCLE WIGGILY STORYBOOK remains in print is because the name "Uncle Wiggily" has become part of popular culture...and one of the reasons that name remains known is because of the Uncle Wiggily board game, which was first released in 1916 by Milton Bradley. Over the years there have been several variations in the game itself, as well as in the packaging:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rdQikRpTHKqNofRkycA9hwf7qKLFUWE-mNyqZRZXPzTzWzuoF9xgiLLELaPg4SM0f9OP7thYEZ6gSDHVH-UQ6yzOGP5igzSYWBdcTo33vIpwxUHu3JpCWaTVc44HUwA7lkiiaY0bjB0/s1600/Uncle-Wiggily-Board-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 324px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rdQikRpTHKqNofRkycA9hwf7qKLFUWE-mNyqZRZXPzTzWzuoF9xgiLLELaPg4SM0f9OP7thYEZ6gSDHVH-UQ6yzOGP5igzSYWBdcTo33vIpwxUHu3JpCWaTVc44HUwA7lkiiaY0bjB0/s400/Uncle-Wiggily-Board-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728914674999694770" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4z8dfW3SSWsL80QPCU7pHzpEbuTSOy0L-ciVTn58rYPSurtaN6tPOLsD6yfMVWwla7UF4tqFSpWkLOHfVJMKyR5IVHkp3FyWcq1ecYWp9sh-e3nj_RpOP-nc7-E8_sdsWmAZ1kXtW4Q/s1600/wiggily1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4z8dfW3SSWsL80QPCU7pHzpEbuTSOy0L-ciVTn58rYPSurtaN6tPOLsD6yfMVWwla7UF4tqFSpWkLOHfVJMKyR5IVHkp3FyWcq1ecYWp9sh-e3nj_RpOP-nc7-E8_sdsWmAZ1kXtW4Q/s400/wiggily1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728913699052236626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ylXOEaFK4JxHlp7pp2hSo-ZVJ20B6sL2-Uhg6D4-iT2saqGFPfGWbUKsAzKKwPO9OSPtIVLIJGeMMbX6aXCHXh_e77Nr2BwmXOHxS634y9tV7rj4SybhkJ0bZoCG0Xs6fCgeJgZCC94/s1600/wiggily+1.5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 388px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ylXOEaFK4JxHlp7pp2hSo-ZVJ20B6sL2-Uhg6D4-iT2saqGFPfGWbUKsAzKKwPO9OSPtIVLIJGeMMbX6aXCHXh_e77Nr2BwmXOHxS634y9tV7rj4SybhkJ0bZoCG0Xs6fCgeJgZCC94/s400/wiggily+1.5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728913684388856018" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNJmFzKatRFPnlSa3i5U9Z91h-LgekQjVUQ87KReLv97sScC7izDQ82NJYua9pD9lsGb-Zb1Jpe_nQ3oL48Uq3Oh0jBgZ_I-19DRGSO3MiEIpkVR-CnUEdKn1nMfRKYx8ApCpL_txQn0/s1600/wiggily+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNJmFzKatRFPnlSa3i5U9Z91h-LgekQjVUQ87KReLv97sScC7izDQ82NJYua9pD9lsGb-Zb1Jpe_nQ3oL48Uq3Oh0jBgZ_I-19DRGSO3MiEIpkVR-CnUEdKn1nMfRKYx8ApCpL_txQn0/s400/wiggily+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728913676423829042" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYKUfwcNn1h7w42HfkN9Yd-P3M7wvfrpdA70H_83ED7jlBR9Ng4pe0pTbCTqKMtREyW-k_rHFPpVSyOmPxdL9QlP4rVZFLoajE_-FvwAVXtPrCTGKZy2J9Yj3PA013a1NpQaFLSiRDks/s1600/wiggily3"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYKUfwcNn1h7w42HfkN9Yd-P3M7wvfrpdA70H_83ED7jlBR9Ng4pe0pTbCTqKMtREyW-k_rHFPpVSyOmPxdL9QlP4rVZFLoajE_-FvwAVXtPrCTGKZy2J9Yj3PA013a1NpQaFLSiRDks/s400/wiggily3" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728913666199928626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMy9ADyRlnfL-GrtPD5iWMrOYiV1mddQ7gFTbB-0FG8-mTgLp4UNhQzjpYRTgu0jF3ZXyLRAvm1stAGCFIh0AbXqydC78gwC74V-pzkWk079k2PkEPM5e_M5YenpOUHpHUIIipiK_xjw/s1600/wiggily4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMy9ADyRlnfL-GrtPD5iWMrOYiV1mddQ7gFTbB-0FG8-mTgLp4UNhQzjpYRTgu0jF3ZXyLRAvm1stAGCFIh0AbXqydC78gwC74V-pzkWk079k2PkEPM5e_M5YenpOUHpHUIIipiK_xjw/s400/wiggily4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728913660965893090" /></a><br />You can tell that last example is one of the most recent, as it includes the usual modern-day warning of the small game pieces being a "choking hazard" for kids. I wonder if, between the game's first incarnatiion in 1916 and whenever this warning appeared, any kids actually DID choke on one of the game pieces....<br /><br />Seeing Howard Garis' name displayed so prominently on the box made me wonder if any other children's books inspired board games. <br /><br />My first thought was that games don't usually appear until after a children's book becomes a movie. For example, when I was a kid some of our neighbors had these games based on the then-current movie version of MARY POPPINS. I particularly liked the first one because it featured a spinning device. You'd insert the characters into slots in a plastic holder and then they'd slowly spin down a grooved plastic mechanism.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-zXijCOA2RDYm7u207BgFVHnBJ27H5QY5lgGnvsX5gZnQywqm3zucdBrwBAzzT7QmxX2w4drjW-ye-9b1lZmvBuz8m0fqPhUY-VM5gOitZ0-28n0OYceBftqknZkqGFXf9mhiBXTNU8/s1600/poppins.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-zXijCOA2RDYm7u207BgFVHnBJ27H5QY5lgGnvsX5gZnQywqm3zucdBrwBAzzT7QmxX2w4drjW-ye-9b1lZmvBuz8m0fqPhUY-VM5gOitZ0-28n0OYceBftqknZkqGFXf9mhiBXTNU8/s400/poppins.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729054980718207826" /></a> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIAjOtjG2FI7tBF95pzh634hXWnv8k0iwITP5T0kMNdR-jXzOWNZLkzSWEX-vxAKYFqFUGHDV3C84B0yLs5trJ5cE7BXyrY9zsC4BiSMPSIs6PHeUu8kqbArKta1fOd-Y1qEOjfaXmM8/s1600/poppins+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIAjOtjG2FI7tBF95pzh634hXWnv8k0iwITP5T0kMNdR-jXzOWNZLkzSWEX-vxAKYFqFUGHDV3C84B0yLs5trJ5cE7BXyrY9zsC4BiSMPSIs6PHeUu8kqbArKta1fOd-Y1qEOjfaXmM8/s400/poppins+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728914281726175042" /></a><br />And it's true that there are board games (and now computer and Playstation games) based on books-into-movies such as WINNIE-THE-POOH and CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, but upon further research I was surprised to learn there have also been games that seemed to be inspired -- not by a movie, but by the original books. <br /><br />This 2003 CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY board game has Roald Dahl's name on the cover and features illustrations by Quentin Blake:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNihatG_vkAkjEauLuzzNLOvIqtwODOasD_G3gDJKUuU_WhZdWs_bzoS9oDUMbr6bNtM5gO-SXKrBl3CFx0f4NCBZanCFIFzYnMV3Erziu000dydTV6YJu1EE2TcZ1ob9HG8FGcB0Pag/s1600/wonka+2+2003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNihatG_vkAkjEauLuzzNLOvIqtwODOasD_G3gDJKUuU_WhZdWs_bzoS9oDUMbr6bNtM5gO-SXKrBl3CFx0f4NCBZanCFIFzYnMV3Erziu000dydTV6YJu1EE2TcZ1ob9HG8FGcB0Pag/s400/wonka+2+2003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728913021292391842" /></a><br />And who knew there was a 1933 Parker Brothers board game based on Winnie-the-Pooh?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1sAFJxoBXkdOPNswLH4Zno83SBgfOu6lRSl-aFmi2Du_QhuzDF0Zbq06Dr8O4j8FbqLwSz2PMeeqhhG-mudiq53IAXkV3-69zeq1_Z8asJKY3YxLXgMsxIORoqCYyyRfBBwJWMo-ZlM/s1600/Winnie-The-Pooh-Board-Game-1933.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1sAFJxoBXkdOPNswLH4Zno83SBgfOu6lRSl-aFmi2Du_QhuzDF0Zbq06Dr8O4j8FbqLwSz2PMeeqhhG-mudiq53IAXkV3-69zeq1_Z8asJKY3YxLXgMsxIORoqCYyyRfBBwJWMo-ZlM/s400/Winnie-The-Pooh-Board-Game-1933.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728914296431668002" /></a><br /><br />Now if you were going to base a board game on any Newbery winner, which title would you choose?<br /><br />Maybe THE WESTING GAME? Or perhaps you'd send Claudia and Jamie through the Metropolitan Museum of the arts in search of an original Michelangelo in a FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES game?<br /><br />...But would you believe that there was actually a game based on the very first Newbery winner, 1922's THE STORY OF MANKIND by Hendrik Van Loon?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtD55c9DgqP-dxzjVWIOfYYb8wNzJyFw68hUWKkICDZM91w5W5jGrbnc6EX3mdSTtmPe2_tPQxd6SuLWxgaUMInh-RA89oeRi9pMDqoBuvI4-PdIzXNLy-pUpbE2EQzSeQXNGL1RnNkFY/s1600/vanloongame.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtD55c9DgqP-dxzjVWIOfYYb8wNzJyFw68hUWKkICDZM91w5W5jGrbnc6EX3mdSTtmPe2_tPQxd6SuLWxgaUMInh-RA89oeRi9pMDqoBuvI4-PdIzXNLy-pUpbE2EQzSeQXNGL1RnNkFY/s400/vanloongame.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729177980410490194" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-fjeFwv_uyFBsofwugpNMc8aD7Naa7KWJEvvL2SIIvJiJqdhUeDpLHRI9QVeafqyYa-BbKWXnrLUPW08DezIqgbl5QsA-q5U3l3U4sKS9B-5LuLD4A4QouqpmY-7kQOxyoYKFjpDbyg/s1600/vanloongamed1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-fjeFwv_uyFBsofwugpNMc8aD7Naa7KWJEvvL2SIIvJiJqdhUeDpLHRI9QVeafqyYa-BbKWXnrLUPW08DezIqgbl5QsA-q5U3l3U4sKS9B-5LuLD4A4QouqpmY-7kQOxyoYKFjpDbyg/s400/vanloongamed1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728914662875886738" /></a><br />Thanks to internet friend Sarah H. who tipped me off to this vintage board game some months ago. I understand it sells for about $200 these days. I've never seen a copy myself. Have you?<br /><br /><br />EASTER BANQUET<br /><br />Incidentally, when Hendrik Van Loon accepted that first Newbery in 1922, the American Library Association conference was held here in Detroit. Although Van Loon delivered an acceptance speech for the award, there is no written record of what he said. I don't know if there was an actual "banquet" for the award back then, but in later years there would be. <br /><br />As a Newbery buff, I am an avid collector of the programs given out at these banquets and have quite a few in my library -- though still less than half the amount one of my fellow collectors has. But I'm working on it!<br /><br />A couple weeks ago, just as I got my income tax refund, a bookseller contacted me about seven Newbery/Caldecott programs she had for sale. <br /><br />There went part of my tax refund!<br /><br />Actually, two of the seven I already owned, but I bought them anyway -- for future trading!<br /><br />These are the brand new ones I added to my library.<br /><br />A bland 1962 (Newbery winner THE BRONZE BOW by Elizabeth George Speare, Caldecott winner ONCE A MOUSE by Marcia Brown) program:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVK6_Upu41kVelAteo66r70LH4sujv-zhxrQ2FcuI40rVQq-7FkK3Qr1BnGrTy-AOyBZsjk2MfuOR5iW9ETln-yqIInxMT1qAMoYH1tNRNujmTg97Q_IA4w1H5yfEM248KzdJ9BdHVXLo/s1600/1962.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 193px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVK6_Upu41kVelAteo66r70LH4sujv-zhxrQ2FcuI40rVQq-7FkK3Qr1BnGrTy-AOyBZsjk2MfuOR5iW9ETln-yqIInxMT1qAMoYH1tNRNujmTg97Q_IA4w1H5yfEM248KzdJ9BdHVXLo/s400/1962.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729073722868149362" /></a><br />1963's is very nice, especially since this was the year that two especially popular titles won the award:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32rch0X-86jDnp0WjFt_32SH9fk65Uk7Lyd3LVtl5dIKHWSfBnoXtQO9e2idP0A8PoWjMGnoBZwOhyphenhyphenoE4Hub7l0ojRPuzfudygZYR8_w_9R_AYfkpDrcYX85bWAgDxReT0W5U-vknuEw/s1600/1963+1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32rch0X-86jDnp0WjFt_32SH9fk65Uk7Lyd3LVtl5dIKHWSfBnoXtQO9e2idP0A8PoWjMGnoBZwOhyphenhyphenoE4Hub7l0ojRPuzfudygZYR8_w_9R_AYfkpDrcYX85bWAgDxReT0W5U-vknuEw/s400/1963+1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729073714837473362" /></a><br />Inside is a tribute to Frederic G. Melcher, who had died earlier that year. One of the last letters he ever wrote was to Madeleine L'Engle, congratulating her on winning the Newbery:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGX9iMUboob_L-IvXWMBq-W4p4E_qL07AdYCBdFWC3NwaFrkdOLqYrqSEDuA1h1JUPS1iaSo2i7S73ZZYxRgcfR-7mDqhEYI70-lZrL32eIbkYzvLXOZjUYv3dzeEEYS5cL4AkLDsLDJI/s1600/1963+2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGX9iMUboob_L-IvXWMBq-W4p4E_qL07AdYCBdFWC3NwaFrkdOLqYrqSEDuA1h1JUPS1iaSo2i7S73ZZYxRgcfR-7mDqhEYI70-lZrL32eIbkYzvLXOZjUYv3dzeEEYS5cL4AkLDsLDJI/s400/1963+2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729073708790447586" /></a><br />The 1966 program contains a signed block print from Nonny Hogrogian (it's signed in pencil so hard to see on this scan) and a signed message from Elizabeth Borton De Trevino:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDGjAfIaxnqFaRi9WAEf0Pbh7cKAqIEhTA_cgPhCwmP0sjwm5FEKBqKwCKhd8eELZVME7vtBdFlxErxmKZPNqfvvPRNJGAFVlrBED5xOyGGmkruraA8TcpQFh-JTHUmOJ4KZdmXFZF70/s1600/1966.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDGjAfIaxnqFaRi9WAEf0Pbh7cKAqIEhTA_cgPhCwmP0sjwm5FEKBqKwCKhd8eELZVME7vtBdFlxErxmKZPNqfvvPRNJGAFVlrBED5xOyGGmkruraA8TcpQFh-JTHUmOJ4KZdmXFZF70/s400/1966.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729073379700856578" /></a><br />The program from 1968 contains a signed print from Ed Emberley:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04-KJ7M43aWaaHxGCEQk7ARfByrALFuNM7HVylJsheO_le-pNm_EfjkSum_rUonoIh64_HO_BneuPZiqcEwmiV2Sw-j9u3RxIi47id5sJUHG6MllPxBL5rSWQm7a7xGkoqqV0AyocaCs/s1600/1968.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04-KJ7M43aWaaHxGCEQk7ARfByrALFuNM7HVylJsheO_le-pNm_EfjkSum_rUonoIh64_HO_BneuPZiqcEwmiV2Sw-j9u3RxIi47id5sJUHG6MllPxBL5rSWQm7a7xGkoqqV0AyocaCs/s400/1968.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729073376940636626" /></a><br />What makes my copy of the 1978 banquet program especially interesting is that it's autographed by Beverly Cleary: "Love to the Harriet -- the other Quimby." Harriet Quimby worked for the American Library Association and her name appears on some of the other materials.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSk_cNRu_h-ijulVwrHQi_mUqhSQl_fhA_b_uMGGAjs9ocal7zIK4JltVGq0LbvAoPK5T0ee36K47SorRBsbZM9q35LxchuraQ1CGx9lDQV_3lgNdwKUxVBSnlkOvCy-pkEz-9tLJvd-Q/s1600/1978.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 345px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSk_cNRu_h-ijulVwrHQi_mUqhSQl_fhA_b_uMGGAjs9ocal7zIK4JltVGq0LbvAoPK5T0ee36K47SorRBsbZM9q35LxchuraQ1CGx9lDQV_3lgNdwKUxVBSnlkOvCy-pkEz-9tLJvd-Q/s400/1978.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729073369773865906" /></a><br />Here is the cover of the 1980 program, which honored Joan Blos for A GATHERING OF DAYS, Barbara Cooney for THE OX-CART MAN and Dr. Seuss for his entire career:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiisGNIkUnRG0UvyeiYFk642PYFZFoaxbZHHoIAlcPf-cYjAnRRKOwoKHNyhhDg31nXGl8Y6P7tuoOhqSafTLEHo0jr75C-G2l9Y704PJB-MqznFqvvm9sj_wB1h1efW4TkaiFFq-Ipo/s1600/1980+1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 353px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiisGNIkUnRG0UvyeiYFk642PYFZFoaxbZHHoIAlcPf-cYjAnRRKOwoKHNyhhDg31nXGl8Y6P7tuoOhqSafTLEHo0jr75C-G2l9Y704PJB-MqznFqvvm9sj_wB1h1efW4TkaiFFq-Ipo/s400/1980+1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729073363271268610" /></a><br />And looked what I noticed on the back cover. Sitting at the Head Table (lower tier) was Ole Risom, author of I AM A BUNNY!<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PCoguv_nNDlnpywp-er3UYG9DT_EAWspaWv1I8mnsBoVbnKsWlr0_Z__RakzIW1Wp_QzaiB_upMRB1Lkd8YY5oqnP5zoDdJT6sIpkL6sLpCsme632ljkqAPzU3w5iuR-B6juJ9wtgyo/s1600/1980+2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PCoguv_nNDlnpywp-er3UYG9DT_EAWspaWv1I8mnsBoVbnKsWlr0_Z__RakzIW1Wp_QzaiB_upMRB1Lkd8YY5oqnP5zoDdJT6sIpkL6sLpCsme632ljkqAPzU3w5iuR-B6juJ9wtgyo/s400/1980+2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729073358991028210" /></a><br />My friend who also collects these programs asked if I thought the American Library Asscociation kept an archive of these materials. You'd think so, right? I mean they are librarians. But I would not be surprised to learn that the ALA (which I find lax in so many matters) does not actually have an <em>official collection </em>of such materials. I hope I am wrong.<br /><br />ALL TUCKERED OUT ON EASTER<br /><br />This past December I asked people to name their favorite holiday books -- titles they read over again every Christmas. Several mentioned THE COTTAGE HOLIDAY, a book in "The Tuckers," series. The Tuckers were featured in nine novels and a handful of storybooks published by Whitman in the early 1960s. These were the types of book usually sold in dimestores and giftshops for a dollar or so. The author was "Jo Mendel," actually a pseudonym for Gladys Baker Bond, who was born in 1912 and (has anyone seen obituary?) may still be alive and approaching her hundredth birthday. The other writer was Mildred Gilbertson, who usually wrote under the name Nan Gilbert and she lived from 1908 to 1988. <br /><br />Here is the complete series of Tucker novels, followed by the the name of its author:<br /><br />The Wonderful House, 1961<br />The Special Secret, 1961, Bond<br />The Adventures of Plum Tucker, 1961, Gilbertson<br />Trouble on Valley View, 1961, Gilbertson<br />The Cottage Holiday, 1962<br />Tell a Tale of Tuckers, 1962, Gilbertson<br />Here Comes a Friend!, 1963, Bond<br />The Turn-about Summer, 1963, Gilbertson<br />That Kitten Again!, 1964, Bond<br /><br />I cannot find a reference to who wrote the first book, and both Bond and Gilbertson claim credit for THE COTTAGE HOLIDAY in different reference books.<br /><br />When so many people recommended THE COTTAGE HOLIDAY, I found an copy online and planned to read it on Christmas break, but you know how that works out. You get busy and suddenly it's Easter! But in honor of blog readers Linda, Bybee, and others who suggested it, I finally read it this weekend.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Qy4hWG113Uzoxr684AI9PwLJg5k3ntNZ1whd7NSAK11wA7CAWuYgKIW8-PcDrnMwEWXn9MruNu4Bj8qpojvbye6YqqUiysa97mS6_5bq6pDfH1ORVuZK2WptDNVW0aHOMlJ-beqoByI/s1600/cottage+holiday.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 221px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Qy4hWG113Uzoxr684AI9PwLJg5k3ntNZ1whd7NSAK11wA7CAWuYgKIW8-PcDrnMwEWXn9MruNu4Bj8qpojvbye6YqqUiysa97mS6_5bq6pDfH1ORVuZK2WptDNVW0aHOMlJ-beqoByI/s400/cottage+holiday.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728915880948787506" /></a> Some of the earlier Tucker books I've read have featured multiple viewpoints between the five children in the family: eleven-year-old Tina, male/female twins Terry and Merry, seven-year-old Penny and young Tom. THE COTTAGE HOLIDAY is written entirely the perspective of Penny -- the "sickly" member of the family who often finds herself left behind on family activities. But it's Penny's idea for the family to spend Christmas vacation at Lake Annabelle (also the summer setting for HERE COMES A FRIEND!) and the book explores the Tuckers' adventures -- there's a cougar loose in the woods and a baby abandoned in a trailer on the side of the road -- as well as Penny's growing independence, bravery and self-empowerment, as she experiences new challenges and learns to accept the help of others cheerfully (some may say <em>too </em>cheerfully; the Tuckers are sometimes a bit too good to be true.) On a sentence-by-sentence basis, the writing is pedestrian -- sometimes downright clunky ("To skate was fun!") but it's also well-paced and emotionally satisfying. Though this kind of warm family story can seem dated, the Christmas setting (the Tuckers decorate a tree outside with lights and "baubles"), the "nice" sibling dynamics, and the many descriptions of meals and meal preparations combine to make this what a friend of mine calls a "cozy book" -- the type of story you enjoy reading because you want to be a member of the Tucker family for a little while. I can easily see why so many people re-read this book every December. I might do so next December as well. But it's also fun to read it in the spring, as I did...because the winter setting is so convincing portrayed that, during the few hours I was reading THE COTTAGE HOLIDAY, Eastertime turned into Christmas. <br /> <br /><br />MY EASTER BOOK, SHE IS BEAUTIFUL!<br /><br />THE COTTAGE HOLIDAY is not the only book I've been reading this week. In fact, I have a whole stack of them. I just started reading an adult novel, THE BEGINNER'S GOODBYE by Anne Tyler, one of my favorite writers. It just came out this week and I thought that reading it would be the perfect way to spend Easter weekend.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jvrvlMGG_4MVqwDrbptxlYs3tE6J24iE2BnzNyhTWEtYdJQQuk5d_1kfV6vcrExIyHJtCzoyaziuY7bR46C_6RWNIO-SgpLOlNDVK5esA7aFnQ4QRE5s8fVo3hDT-fqw4OQwkdTkCQE/s1600/good1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jvrvlMGG_4MVqwDrbptxlYs3tE6J24iE2BnzNyhTWEtYdJQQuk5d_1kfV6vcrExIyHJtCzoyaziuY7bR46C_6RWNIO-SgpLOlNDVK5esA7aFnQ4QRE5s8fVo3hDT-fqw4OQwkdTkCQE/s400/good1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729140901698138706" /></a><br />I've only read a couple chapters, but so far I'm enjoying it. However, I had to laugh at a typo on the backflap.<br /><br />When I was a kid, there was a convention in sitcoms and bad movies to have comic characters from foreign countries as supporting character or guest stars. Seems like every time I turned on a TV show in the sixties or seventies, the characters would receive word that "Uncle So-and-so" was coming for a visit. Uncle So-and-so was usually a big, boisterous guy with a mustache who'd throw his arms around and announce "Life, she is beautiful!" or "Your house, she is magnificent!" or "The United States, she is my favorite country in the world!" <br /><br />Anyway, I was reading the backflap of THE BEGINNER'S GOODBYE yesterday aand noticed this:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoFOrMcjaAtNYAV56GgDQN0CQqegamOInLEb1gIFe-FB_bFvtH7JxPqdk7-FzSHSom_vJDPWrUxX3DOoPSXiyu_x-zMLP6RiF1oarRzPeNUi_t1UYwaO00fUrvRRooGrp6BjrZSe2poA/s1600/Good2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoFOrMcjaAtNYAV56GgDQN0CQqegamOInLEb1gIFe-FB_bFvtH7JxPqdk7-FzSHSom_vJDPWrUxX3DOoPSXiyu_x-zMLP6RiF1oarRzPeNUi_t1UYwaO00fUrvRRooGrp6BjrZSe2poA/s400/Good2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729140892243705074" /></a><br />I guess Uncle So-and-so liked America so much that he finally stayed -- and found a job writing author blurbs on dustjackets!<br /><br /><br />WHO WAS THE WASP WOMAN AND WHAT CHILDREN'S BOOKS DID SHE ILLUSTRATE?<br /><br />This story is as over-the-top and bizarre as a B-movie.<br /><br />That makes sense, since the story has connections to a B-movie. <br /><br />The film in question is the Roger Corman shlocky shocker THE WASP WOMAN, about a cosmetics company executive who, fearful of losing her youthful looks, begins injecting herself with royal jelly from a queen wasp. What happens next?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidk1A0vyOD9HjngWhIrOgTcXoM2CF6FYFjSoYWjFbquuSduyYCsxcsCTBbPFC4RoDry4HQJB8awvJNe7lOCd2RqDD7QfnkgoPC-XJ5sZBpuOS-SaoSJZSTwPkJZ1BzjuCNeAEvEliJmfw/s1600/Wasp+woman.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidk1A0vyOD9HjngWhIrOgTcXoM2CF6FYFjSoYWjFbquuSduyYCsxcsCTBbPFC4RoDry4HQJB8awvJNe7lOCd2RqDD7QfnkgoPC-XJ5sZBpuOS-SaoSJZSTwPkJZ1BzjuCNeAEvEliJmfw/s400/Wasp+woman.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728917178743685746" /></a>Just read the movie's tagline: "A beautiful woman by day -- a lusting queen wasp by night!" <br /><br />Love the illustration used in the ad!<br /><br />What makes this story especially intriguing is the actress who played "The Wasp Woman." <br /><br />Susan Cabot was her name and her LIFE was something of a B-movie! <br /><br />She never made it big in Hollywood (she mostly made B-westerns) but her personal life would probably merit her a reality TV show today.<br /><br />Married twice, she also dated King Hussein of Jordan...until he discovered she was actually Jewish (born Harriet Shapiro in Boston, 1927.) <br /><br />In the early sixties Susan gave birth to her only child, Timothy. <br /><br />He was a dwarf.<br /><br />Growing up Tim took a human growth hormone to help his condition. <br /><br />His mother, who was by then no longer acting and becoming increasingly unstable, began taking the growth hormone as well, which only added to her mental problems.<br /><br />In 1986, Tim called the police saying that a man dressed in a Ninja costume had broken into the house he shared with his mother. Susan Cabot was found bludgeoned to death in her bed, under a mirrored ceiling. Eventually the police figured out that there was no Ninja. Tim had killed his own mother and hidden the murder weapon -- an exercise weight -- in a box of detergent.<br /><br />During Timothy's trial there was some confusion about his parentage. (Some said King Hussein was his father, but actor Christopher Jones claimed he was the real father. Apparently both were wrong and Susan's second husband actually was the father.) Tim's lawyer also said that the human growth hormone taken by his client was known to cause mental issues. So Tim ended up receiving a three-year suspended sentence and being placed on probation.<br /><br />So, you're probably wondering: what in the world does this have to do with children's books?<br /><br />Well, according to nearly every biographical sketch I've found about Susan Cabot, when she was first starting off in show business, "she illustrated children's books by day" while singing in nightclubs at night. Yet I've been able to find no references to any children's books illustrated by Susan Cabot AKA Harriet Shapiro. <br /><br />Have you seen any? <br /><br />What children's books were illustrated by The Wasp Woman?<br /><br /><br />NOTHING LIKE A DAME<br /><br />Finally, I couldn't let Easter go by without telling you about a holiday party you would NOT want your kids to attend.<br /><br />This pasat week I came across this book in the children's section of the library where I work:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8vhHzTNOzOKOjalzZQxj1W5uAkRY5bEdsPuFYMP3Y1oAzdp63Hpr4kNFQiNGWYK0z-8MCSJExoCemBOrT0HncAIGMlD76Vo2B125swIM-b8-4cXvEKC8Pv8-dmxKD_Nbvj2ew9OqpUI/s1600/Cursty+cover+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8vhHzTNOzOKOjalzZQxj1W5uAkRY5bEdsPuFYMP3Y1oAzdp63Hpr4kNFQiNGWYK0z-8MCSJExoCemBOrT0HncAIGMlD76Vo2B125swIM-b8-4cXvEKC8Pv8-dmxKD_Nbvj2ew9OqpUI/s400/Cursty+cover+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728901928672642626" /></a><br />I don't think the book is really written <em>for </em>child readers, but is rather <em>about </em>children. Apparently "Dame Curtsey" was a persona adopted by Ellye Howell Glover, who wrote books about cooking, entertaining and etiquette early in the twentieth century. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJwa7uJhY0ZZGowV512uogBcbyj6-sru2pj2psC_zFL6Iv5tmA_JPcsIj1kZjdZLxwo35VXLTepRV47Ov3dZz2UmiiNqU2ourK2l87Sb87RgHGNc_6v2XztorFoKFD6A2TLDjCKCI3Uw/s1600/curtsy+tp+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJwa7uJhY0ZZGowV512uogBcbyj6-sru2pj2psC_zFL6Iv5tmA_JPcsIj1kZjdZLxwo35VXLTepRV47Ov3dZz2UmiiNqU2ourK2l87Sb87RgHGNc_6v2XztorFoKFD6A2TLDjCKCI3Uw/s400/curtsy+tp+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728901643217437058" /></a><br />This particular volume contains instructions for all kinds of elaborate parties one can throw for children. Needless to say, the entire enterprise is very dated. Some of the parties even segregate activities by sex, allowing boys to play and girls to be the timekeepers or cheering squad. <br /><br />There are instructions for several Easter parties in the book, but this one is my favorite:<br /><br /><em>A Jolly Easter Party<br /><br />The invitations to this pretty party were issued in a unique way. Wee baskets, each containing an egg tied in the middle, carried the following neatly written message:<br /><br />Lillian Whiting<br />33 Chestnut Street,<br />Easter Party,<br />Monday, April 12, 1944,<br />2:30 to 6.<br />Egg Rolling,<br />Rabbit Hunt,<br />Lots of fun.<br /><br />The names of the children invited were written on Easter cards tied to the handles with white and yellow ribbon. Partners for refreshments were found by matching eggs of the same color. The ice cream was in the form of yellow chicks on nests of green spun sugar candy. The best of all was the rabbit hunt, which took place just before the children went home. Real live rabbits (one for each child) were in a screened corner of the porch in straw and leaves; the children went one at a time and took a bunny by it ears, put it in a little covered basket, and took it home.</em><br /><br />Can you imagine such a party today? With kids coming home carrying live bunnies in baskets? The mind boggles!<br /><br /><br />THANKS<br /><br />Many thanks to the readers of Collecting Children's Books. I especially appreciated the kind words about last Sunday April Fool's blog. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTR6qtOCokuODUyzjSAhHPua4Rm3-kZ4UV6-5tpuis_nxI7O4ZO10sHPhd4yrSDlbOyTzgOreqdbd90iV7B8Q19oZ5eG2-K2wk00CLyHRWJRVHiLQr32cRWLzWKVD_atq_cRVjfmbAxjc/s1600/norvelt33-3copy1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTR6qtOCokuODUyzjSAhHPua4Rm3-kZ4UV6-5tpuis_nxI7O4ZO10sHPhd4yrSDlbOyTzgOreqdbd90iV7B8Q19oZ5eG2-K2wk00CLyHRWJRVHiLQr32cRWLzWKVD_atq_cRVjfmbAxjc/s320/norvelt33-3copy1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729275418378397538" /></a> It was a blast to work on that one and I could hardly wait to post it last weekend. I also participated in another April Fool's hoax last week. I wrote and illustrated (well, photoshopped) a piece about a new series called "Vamped-up Newberys": which appeared on the Horn Book's site last Sunday. If you haven't seen it yet, you can visit by clicking <a href="http://www.hbook.com/2012/04/blogs/read-roger/well-this-bites/"> here. </a> It's fun to write blogs for various holidays, like today's Easter entry, but the funnest ones to write are the April Fool's Day blogs! Thanks for visiting. Hope you'll be back soon!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-2678531116047595342012-04-01T00:00:00.029-04:002012-04-01T09:19:40.077-04:00A Sunday Brunch with All the News That's Fit to BlogChildren's books have really been in the news this week! <br /><br />Needless to say, a lot of media coverage has centered on THE HUNGER GAMES, which is breaking records at the box office. We too have several HUNGER GAMES stories to share, as well as news reports on an upcoming picture book from a political wife, a re-release of a young adult novel from the seventies, a new study on the popularity of various Newbery winners, and a tragic tale about the loss of a beloved children's book icon. Read on for a round-up of recent children's book news stories, presented Sunday Brunch style.<br /><br /><br />REAL LIFE HUNGER GAMES PLOT FOILED<br /><br />Cuts in library budgets. An overworked public servant. A popular children's book, recently made into a major motion picture.<br /><br />These three components came together last week in a near-tragic incident that resulted in the arrest of a beloved children's librarian.<br /><br />Delores Clemmons, 38, was head children's librarian at the Collingswood, Colorado Public Library. Popular with both young patrons and their parents, Clemmons was known for afterschool programs such as "Westing Game Mini-Mysteries," "Sew Your Own Joseph's Little Overcoat," and every Christmas Eve she would dress up as a train conductor and take young library patrons on an imaginary trip aboard the Polar Express.<br /><br />However, city budget cuts for fiscal year 2011-2012 resulted in Clemmons' staff being reduced from four full-time librarians and six part-time paraprofessionals, to one librarian -- Clemmons herself -- and two teenaged book shelvers. <br /><br />Clemmons (shown below in an unrepentant arrest photograph) has become a fixture at Collingswood City Council meetings over the past year, complaining of overwork and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4a1gf9LGs3q24XHamqr_ZUYBrff78VuGKP-sSyNwKUTzjdkvKHaEInEqiCKNxydLl00i5THvDHWDzBm67itahyBNL6SBEYBLo4zXXq0-7I7oPcV3CltXOPj1d_Cm6xYfFV_sb8LYDpk/s1600/mugshot.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4a1gf9LGs3q24XHamqr_ZUYBrff78VuGKP-sSyNwKUTzjdkvKHaEInEqiCKNxydLl00i5THvDHWDzBm67itahyBNL6SBEYBLo4zXXq0-7I7oPcV3CltXOPj1d_Cm6xYfFV_sb8LYDpk/s320/mugshot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726278236185711090" /></a> demanding increased staffing. Her parting words at last week's Council meeting -- "We either need a bigger staff or fewer young patrons!" -- seem particularly chilling in light of what would happen several days later. To celebrate the release of the new movie, Clemmons planned a Friday night "Hunger Games Party" in the basement of her library. Children between the ages of five and twelve were invited to dress as their favorite character from the book. When they arrived, Clemmons locked the children in the basement with hunting bows and arrows, razor-tipped lawn darts, and flame throwers, as well as an assortment of loaded firearms. Fortunately, Collingswood Police -- contacted by a Facebook friend of Clemmons -- were able to break down the doors and remove the weapons before any children were hurt.<br /><br />"Social networking saved those kids!" declared Police Chief Dan Landale. <br /><br />In the days leading up to the Hunger Games Party, Ms. Clemmons had posted a number of disturbing messsages on her Facebook wall, including:<br /><br />CALL ME KATNISS!<br /><br />ONE LIBRARIAN + 2000 PATRONS = MADNESS!<br /><br />JUST THINK OF IT AS "THINNING THE HERD."<br /><br />AND YOU THOUGHT IT WAS <em>JUST A GAME!</em><br /><br />Concerned by these messages, Ms. Clemmons' Facebook friend contacted authorities just minutes before the party was to begin.<br /><br />Delores Clemmons is currently being held without bail at the Collingswood City jail, charged with child endangerment and conspiracy to commit murder. Her lawyers are seeking a plea bargain, but the librarian says she is ready and willing to go to prison and looks forward to possibly working in the prison library and organizing events such as ground-digging/tree-planting parties inspired by the children's book HOLES.<br /><br /><br />A NEW HUNGER GAMES BOOK <br /><br />No, Suzanne Collins does not plan a fourth book to her very popular series...but the success of the movie version has inspired a coloring book based on the novels. "Why should older kids have all the fun?" asks Richard Deeth, vice-president of marketing for Colormore Coloring Books. "Kids five and under may be too young to read the books or see the movies, but there's no reason they can't 'Color Along with Katniss.'" <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunV49k-QwB36GORjshyphenhyphen2VrVFoLRlLLK2qd9jZJksg7AZH5nboGf4-0ebKFxV_ybfIPgZkDt_hMw02srAlMpg2U9Ibw7FKl3o_zAalaX599X2bbSLWqfWv23zi-HeQOEfXsRBPTPjOXlw/s1600/Hunger+games+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunV49k-QwB36GORjshyphenhyphen2VrVFoLRlLLK2qd9jZJksg7AZH5nboGf4-0ebKFxV_ybfIPgZkDt_hMw02srAlMpg2U9Ibw7FKl3o_zAalaX599X2bbSLWqfWv23zi-HeQOEfXsRBPTPjOXlw/s400/Hunger+games+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725475096964578450" /></a><br />Mom-of-two Jackie Oberg has a different perspective on the issue, stating, "Preschoolers are too young for all that blood and gore," but Deeth countered by asking if she'd even looked at the coloring book "which contains many character studies and lovely pastoral landscapes."<br /><br />Oberg then asked why the accompanying "Hunger Games Crayon Set" was issued with every crayon a different shade of red, all labeled with names such as Plasma, First Blood, Splattered Scarlet, Transfusion Red, and Type O Negative.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q-r0jmZzcJyL5iBEW7_HKmrPQPpCsj0BPPNpW79F3c9T-6Isb-9IYd1QDf0iLQfl-mdx3b8OKYTVhiFCcL7nkd0suCS-Uu4iYXkvsDwWJ5b6Gurd6MBEtg1RuVCHh4sDRf1YmgP0Ja4/s1600/red-crayons.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q-r0jmZzcJyL5iBEW7_HKmrPQPpCsj0BPPNpW79F3c9T-6Isb-9IYd1QDf0iLQfl-mdx3b8OKYTVhiFCcL7nkd0suCS-Uu4iYXkvsDwWJ5b6Gurd6MBEtg1RuVCHh4sDRf1YmgP0Ja4/s400/red-crayons.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725479337770429154" /></a><br />Deeth stated that it's not unusual for Colormore to release boxes of only color tone, pointing out the recent set of gray crayons that accompanies the company's new coloring book based on the internet literary sensation, FIFTY SHADES OF GREY.<br /><br /><br />ONE LAST HUNGER GAMES STORY<br /><br />Perhaps the biggest controversy surrounding this week's release of the HUNGER GAMES movie had nothing to do with the film's violence. It turns out that some fans were upset by the movie's depiction of Roo, a young participant in the Hunger Games ceremony. "She didn't look like I expected," tweeted one, adding, "and I think you know <em>exactly</em> what I mean!"<br /><br />Several other viewers took to Twitter with complaints that usually began, "Don't call me a bigot, <em>but</em>...."<br /><br />One Twitter user finally said it straight out: "I pictured Roo being a blonde-haired, blue-eyed little girl. I never dreamed they'd cast this part with a <em>male kangaroo</em>!"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimt7ZH1ntfIB0xiNYzJTFkd3cql31I_YNrLyxn7NHox7d8-rX0m7GO1H64Vxjtb6unQWXWCUgp7Pa9Il0jt9NPuMOe4SbfKRUubmJUNOUjfo8knH5ly9AHobBULnrTJTIB5ueJmKRc7UQ/s1600/Katniss-and-Rue-The-Hunger-2copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimt7ZH1ntfIB0xiNYzJTFkd3cql31I_YNrLyxn7NHox7d8-rX0m7GO1H64Vxjtb6unQWXWCUgp7Pa9Il0jt9NPuMOe4SbfKRUubmJUNOUjfo8knH5ly9AHobBULnrTJTIB5ueJmKRc7UQ/s400/Katniss-and-Rue-The-Hunger-2copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725664358768634946" /></a><br />The young actor playing this role is disappointed in the reaction "from a few bad apples," but says the majority of moviegoers have been nothing but supportive. Roo (shown on the left <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuK2DA0ub3nzoQJW_YiNQR5ud2OLoIsGiCd9hw8WAm2nMhP7oCbo-d07SC8aN7gwOi8oEWaWZad95Jh2AaqfRRyqAcRbE58YkpzHt2SL3AGJrRS7uh6Enmm3US7W79TEf8mZLIq6SeLU/s1600/kanga_roo.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuK2DA0ub3nzoQJW_YiNQR5ud2OLoIsGiCd9hw8WAm2nMhP7oCbo-d07SC8aN7gwOi8oEWaWZad95Jh2AaqfRRyqAcRbE58YkpzHt2SL3AGJrRS7uh6Enmm3US7W79TEf8mZLIq6SeLU/s320/kanga_roo.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726278724417475634" /></a> with actress mother Kanga in an earlier, undated photo) said times have been rough since he outgrew the Winnie the Pooh movie franchise some years ago. "I was thinking of chucking my acting career and heading off to Australia or someplace," says Roo, now basking in great reviews for his comeback performance in the year's hottest film. "If a few of the book's fans feel I don't have the right 'physical appearance' for the role, they can bite me. I thought we'd outgrown the era when actors were judged by the color of their pelt. Look around yourselves, folks. I mean, there's nothing wrong with blonde, blue-eyed girls, but thank goodness our world is filled with a lot more variety than that!"<br /><br /><br />OF COURSE HE'D LIKE IT<br /><br />However, those who <em>do </em>have an interest in blonde, blue-eyed girls can still find one hanging out on the cover of Fran Arrick's 1978 young-adult novel, STEFFIE CAN'T COME OUT TO PLAY. <br /><br />One of the first YA novels to deal with the subject of teenage prostitution, the novel was a groundbreaker in 1978 and still speaks to youth today, according to publisher Deb McClain-Volson, who has just re-issued the book for twenty-first century readers, along with a cover blurb from an individual known for his strong feelings on the subject:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tuTUbTo5SjrfpCGkB82lxVtxfHyM4Y5S1I0JMranUKw1_1i3kiAuEH1CJ8-0anE_rXS9J9ycqzZQEDwFZT8fswwvh-BFCliIFruwSzWB1_NFncWO3YMlRSvZq885lD4DNgUT4NyNNuI/s1600/steffie22+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tuTUbTo5SjrfpCGkB82lxVtxfHyM4Y5S1I0JMranUKw1_1i3kiAuEH1CJ8-0anE_rXS9J9ycqzZQEDwFZT8fswwvh-BFCliIFruwSzWB1_NFncWO3YMlRSvZq885lD4DNgUT4NyNNuI/s400/steffie22+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725471299805152114" /></a><br /><br />BAN THE HOODIE FOR GOODIE?<br /><br />Meanwhile, Limbaugh's colleague Geraldo Rivera stuck his foot in his mouth this week when he advised young people to avoid wearing "hoodies." <br /><br />Spurred on by Geraldo's remarks, thousands of Fox News viewers mounted a "ban the hoodie" campaign and directed it at an unlikely enemy: children's books.<br /><br />In a petition to several major publishers, Fox viewers demanded a number of high profile novels have their texts altered and illustrations changed to eliminate hoodies from the pages of children's books. Favorite characters who could be affected by this petition include Harriet M. Welsch:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNQjksyF2gXPwJ7WBk3bXYua29VpjEvIuRS0OldFbcZzOxyQsTmekcT2bQrIAA8SCvZsVWt973bvSpkUQER-VwV_cpVTQiKfp5bXBrGFE27hpK0YEDqO_LLIeN6lxH1bDxMbTZYNiTG4/s1600/harr.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 155px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNQjksyF2gXPwJ7WBk3bXYua29VpjEvIuRS0OldFbcZzOxyQsTmekcT2bQrIAA8SCvZsVWt973bvSpkUQER-VwV_cpVTQiKfp5bXBrGFE27hpK0YEDqO_LLIeN6lxH1bDxMbTZYNiTG4/s400/harr.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725847774805505730" /></a><br />and Ramona Quimby:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VvITdfCpqn1DQ5cbUfCe21wO42e-PpcEc1V1FQBmocOdToc8gpVFgdvMaQr1SZYJIuM7_xgMbFTv7XiEa9ULi6Kay-kR5U78v5lFbt6__xQ5vBKjHKzdw9rpnBO1nSDIzGHy2fxEA90/s1600/Ramona.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 397px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VvITdfCpqn1DQ5cbUfCe21wO42e-PpcEc1V1FQBmocOdToc8gpVFgdvMaQr1SZYJIuM7_xgMbFTv7XiEa9ULi6Kay-kR5U78v5lFbt6__xQ5vBKjHKzdw9rpnBO1nSDIzGHy2fxEA90/s400/Ramona.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725847772308839218" /></a><br />Needless to say, Harriet and Ramona are two of the most formidable children's book protagonists of all time. <br /><br />Something tells us that the Fox crowd have picked the wrong kids to tangle with!<br /><br /><br />HAS THE NEWBERY FOUND ITS WAY AFTER ALL?<br /><br />The question that has confounded children's book critics for generations may finally be answered: do children <em>really</em> like books that have won the Newbery Medal? Past criticism has centered around the award winners being appreciated much more by adults than by young readers. However, a new poll from KidReadUSA -- the first of its kind -- may stand conventional thinking on its ear. According to this poll of 3000 grade school kids who characterize themselves as "average to compulsive readers" ("average" being described as "reading 2 to 4 books per month" with "compulsive readers" reading "between 12 to 1800 books per month"), the Newbery books are among the most popular volumes being read by youngsters today. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfCimRsBREnvoPdfDIb4R-VfnjR-wcpFDfelpt6LJ-bVSG5B45Yh_NdcQ-ug2weBtKv8b8hRzFcIPFlRl8w3CZadBCRWW-W_Qw8ozJCjGxV4s8fAbgSUGK8sWxtvge-bnjiZueT7X2eQ/s1600/I-Juan-de-Pareja.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 221px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfCimRsBREnvoPdfDIb4R-VfnjR-wcpFDfelpt6LJ-bVSG5B45Yh_NdcQ-ug2weBtKv8b8hRzFcIPFlRl8w3CZadBCRWW-W_Qw8ozJCjGxV4s8fAbgSUGK8sWxtvge-bnjiZueT7X2eQ/s320/I-Juan-de-Pareja.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726079893922416866" /></a> Which Newbery titles are their very favorites? According to the poll, which ranked the individual titles from first to last, the #1 favorite among young readers is the 1966 winner I, JUAN DE PAREJA by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino. As Melinda W., age 8, said, "If I have to choose between a book cover that shows a boy playing with his dog, or a couple girls talking, or a grown-up man with a mustache and pantaloons...well, I'm always going to choose the man with the pantaloons." Danny G., age 10, stated, "You can never go wrong with a book by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino -- and this may be the very best!" Kristin K., age 6, said, "Stories about modern kids having problems at school and home are okay, but I always prefer a good novel about a thirty-five-year-old illegitimate slave serving a Spanish artist like Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velazquez." <br /><br />The #2 favorite in the poll was 1928 winner GAY-NECK : THE STORY OF A PIGEON by Dhan Gopal Mukerji. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiutkO7OidPBKQXzn-vhKYO3IzplX-mi5nM-ns5PT0L_ndSwFTsdfHntle4YkYPIO069AgoGvi7Q3MiOk4LXDlMhG38LuXaHtfUF0Ksqiy8iRBiKmidKoPWzircXdyawV92E_Tomk9SQ/s1600/gayneck.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiutkO7OidPBKQXzn-vhKYO3IzplX-mi5nM-ns5PT0L_ndSwFTsdfHntle4YkYPIO069AgoGvi7Q3MiOk4LXDlMhG38LuXaHtfUF0Ksqiy8iRBiKmidKoPWzircXdyawV92E_Tomk9SQ/s320/gayneck.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726079992070364594" /></a> According to Matt S., age 11, "Some kids like boy-and-dog stories. Me, I like a good boy-and-pigeon story!" Another reader, Morgan Y., age 11, said, "Some of the Newbery books tend to stretch credibility. Kids running away to a museum? A dead kid living in a graveyard? C'mon. For me there's nothing better than a good, ol' realistic story told in first-person by a pigeon." Finally, Heather A., age 5, had this to say: "Gay-neck's insights into India's caste sysem are fascinating!" <br /><br />Rounding out the top three favorites among average-to-compulsive readers is SECRET OF THE ANDES by Ann Nolan Clark, which <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPC-z2GXy415VbIendQq7E7MFrv5FjbGpnNsT0ysLA3AEtsXu1WFCEqdBnmM1_TBhxizHKUPXVjRNbKFctRvn5888ZaEaheN0A8AOXOcAwyhBXbzcY6QRz8A57q9I31tRn6oFoRbUgsI/s1600/secret.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPC-z2GXy415VbIendQq7E7MFrv5FjbGpnNsT0ysLA3AEtsXu1WFCEqdBnmM1_TBhxizHKUPXVjRNbKFctRvn5888ZaEaheN0A8AOXOcAwyhBXbzcY6QRz8A57q9I31tRn6oFoRbUgsI/s320/secret.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726079884756016162" /></a> won the Newbery in 1953. Of this book, Jacob C., age 9, said, "Llama herders living alone in Peru? It doesn't get more exciting than that!" Boyd M., age 8, reported, "A lot of people pre-judge this book because it beat out CHARLOTTE'S WEB for the Newbery. My advice? Read the book! By the time you get done with SECRET OF THE ANDES, you'll be saying, Charlotte WHO?" Perhaps Katherine R., age 12, summed it up best when she said, "Who <em>doesn't </em>love a 'SECRET'?"<br /><br /><br />THE GROWING THREAT OF SELZNICK SYNDROME<br /><br />This is Bobby. <br /><br />Bobby has Selznick Syndrome.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVZKX1MF7S9y3U8D9uguSrB4RKBoPi_-OW1ARdKYhCrQYklDN53CgBdDXRdQIsr1fQmnlwGHtdzDNtwWbDbSFRHfoJ5j5vvBsrr_19WQLHKs0YYrHPSIUA3uAq3nzg_pPko9W9Lb60P4/s1600/broken.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 145px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVZKX1MF7S9y3U8D9uguSrB4RKBoPi_-OW1ARdKYhCrQYklDN53CgBdDXRdQIsr1fQmnlwGHtdzDNtwWbDbSFRHfoJ5j5vvBsrr_19WQLHKs0YYrHPSIUA3uAq3nzg_pPko9W9Lb60P4/s400/broken.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726160759229675762" /></a><br />You've never heard of this condition?<br /><br />You will soon. <br /><br />Selznick Syndrome has increased by 300% during 2011 and, experts predict, it may double yet again by the end of this year.<br /><br />Bobby, like thousands of other children in the United States, suffered a broken arm when he attempted to lift Brian Selznick's WONDERSTRUCK off the picture book shelf at his local public library.<br /><br />"It was the fifth time this year that we've had to call EMS for a child who tried to read a Brian Selznick book," reports Richard Warrington, children's librarian at the Peoria, Illinois main library. "Folks, there's a <em>reason </em> that picture books traditionally had very few pages. Children's bones are not fully-formed and they don't have the strength to hold such heavy books. It was bad enough that THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET was 533 pages. Two of our young patrons broke their arms just carrying the book to the circulation desk. Then WONDERSTRUCK came out this year and it's over 600 pages! One little girl put the book in her backpack and is now hospitalized with a broken spine."<br /><br />Because of the high incidence of injury associated with Selznick's books, many libraries will not allow children under ten to borrow these volumes without bringing in either a muscular parent or a wheeled cart to transport the book home.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTJOiROzjfKWFb6hIkZv2swl-3Dhdvh1e95Rh6P8NEFrzd3RNHJIJG7Qoaag7LzIW2jQEpCd_vTnAwh7fAqOkVDlv67DaRLt3rUAao71wo-vRZ8NJdWZgSOdnBh6C4E5UJFb0VeoPd6E/s1600/kid-with-rolling-suitcase+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 321px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTJOiROzjfKWFb6hIkZv2swl-3Dhdvh1e95Rh6P8NEFrzd3RNHJIJG7Qoaag7LzIW2jQEpCd_vTnAwh7fAqOkVDlv67DaRLt3rUAao71wo-vRZ8NJdWZgSOdnBh6C4E5UJFb0VeoPd6E/s400/kid-with-rolling-suitcase+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726107038070898226" /></a><br /><br />PEEPY, WE HARDLY KNEW YEE<br /><br />For years now, award-winning author Lisa Yee has traveled with a special mascot in tow -- the much-loved Peepy. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVQFI7-slt_FK1BI-LXjd9g1ygqFIh9WykhRGkslg8c_d6BOGPnqu4sQKMeNBXRbzT3L_A9PvS9Iw2YEO7N8Q72fydTGT8ZDMsNUN7bZ6Zlq3Z2N0fI_lo01QNou4x1jx1_2EW5hAtCg/s1600/Peepy+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVQFI7-slt_FK1BI-LXjd9g1ygqFIh9WykhRGkslg8c_d6BOGPnqu4sQKMeNBXRbzT3L_A9PvS9Iw2YEO7N8Q72fydTGT8ZDMsNUN7bZ6Zlq3Z2N0fI_lo01QNou4x1jx1_2EW5hAtCg/s400/Peepy+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725860954369317922" /></a><br />Peepy has many friends and fans in the children's book community, ranging from ORIGAMI YODA author Tom Angleberger:<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYf3C9eTjm6uCJJvcZ2bgfR5oybQK7o8nva687Ql71grric0tA0uE6PcHSVoLmh9JjF0-gRwUdcfr_0nEn8Q-uunZ3r3PrrWlIaEKkMbsdU4Pyfsffn74zz3ChBnTYnV_MoEXHZP_lM5w/s1600/angleberger.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYf3C9eTjm6uCJJvcZ2bgfR5oybQK7o8nva687Ql71grric0tA0uE6PcHSVoLmh9JjF0-gRwUdcfr_0nEn8Q-uunZ3r3PrrWlIaEKkMbsdU4Pyfsffn74zz3ChBnTYnV_MoEXHZP_lM5w/s400/angleberger.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725863266399088914" /></a><br />to Newbery winners Richard Peck and Avi:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaWCCkHUsAbhvshtWJBn2XyKjj0UysJkm7wyVndD8DR5sW0HRMKfuqmveoWHsYF3smiQnO_22bEGZ4poHBETUgRd5PzP7wggcyKj2Re4u2lc64uNXNDYSm4wrS-TwN0AEfzZB4CbaJ_s/s1600/Peepy2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaWCCkHUsAbhvshtWJBn2XyKjj0UysJkm7wyVndD8DR5sW0HRMKfuqmveoWHsYF3smiQnO_22bEGZ4poHBETUgRd5PzP7wggcyKj2Re4u2lc64uNXNDYSm4wrS-TwN0AEfzZB4CbaJ_s/s400/Peepy2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725860957328184002" /></a><br />And then of course there is Peepy's BFF (Best Friend FOREVER), Judy Blume:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBZeKTWIPoMUmlHfr4wRRwaQF7gIscRPZGbf9XPlqqRq-4q5GU5GpES25BZrIWDLsfQXUz1UIQnHUzvlOSB2HR8SSmUirTDPmSEhuo_GD8OLh96FjtSBFfjPQ2LO-6F5PDyAEm98553A/s1600/Peepy3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBZeKTWIPoMUmlHfr4wRRwaQF7gIscRPZGbf9XPlqqRq-4q5GU5GpES25BZrIWDLsfQXUz1UIQnHUzvlOSB2HR8SSmUirTDPmSEhuo_GD8OLh96FjtSBFfjPQ2LO-6F5PDyAEm98553A/s400/Peepy3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725860962625232962" /></a><br />So it's with a heavy heart that we report the sad news that Peep met her maker this past week during the author's visit to Sarah Palin Grade School in Dayton, Ohio.<br /><br />"I'd been invited to the school to discuss my novels MILLICENT MIN, GIRL GENIUS and WARP SPEED," sobbed Yee, "and of course I brought Peepy with me, never realizing it might be her...her last school visit. I handed her to the students, saying, 'I'd like you to meet Peepy' and the next thing you know, Peepy was...gone!"<br /><br />"So I misunderstood her. Big deal!" said fifth-grader Tommy Dumbas. "Meet, eat...they sound a lot alike. Hey, it's Eastertime. I thought she was passing out candy!" <br /><br />"We couldn't believe it!" exclaimed Tommy's classmate Kaylee Johnston. "Mrs. Watson told us to use our best 'company manners' when Ms. Yee visited, but Tommy never listens in class, which is why he got a D in behavior last semester AND got sent to the office twice this year." <br /><br />A memorial service for Peepy was held in the school library during lunch period. Weepy Peepy owner Lisa Yee thanked Mr. Harnell's shop class for making a special bunny-sized casket for her big-earred yellow companion, whom she tearfully described as "my pal...my mascot...my, as Philip Pullman would say, daemon." <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP23PQLR-AZqICICE_v0r3inzsR6mqSSnQXjoUgRwoHthpPE_E4zobdVCpbChREwzhhVWvv024FZcENH5W029JEBpP27lTW4FT5e4Nn6xqf_w7-Vay9lLqWM1U-aUFVi2xfvFIY4H_Hsk/s1600/casket+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP23PQLR-AZqICICE_v0r3inzsR6mqSSnQXjoUgRwoHthpPE_E4zobdVCpbChREwzhhVWvv024FZcENH5W029JEBpP27lTW4FT5e4Nn6xqf_w7-Vay9lLqWM1U-aUFVi2xfvFIY4H_Hsk/s400/casket+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725860950083746898" /></a><br />However Yee cheered up considerably when the students pooled their milk money and class president Kaylee Johnston walked over to the local K-Mart during recess and purchased a new Peepy for the visiting author.<br /><br />"Big deal!" said Tommy Dumbas. "If they'd just waited till next Monday they could have gotten it for half-price when all the Easter junk goes on sale." <br /><br />In a kind gesture of forgiveness, Lisa Yee later presented Tommy Dumbas with an autographed copy of her newest book -- and said it was "most likely a mistake" that she misspelled his last name in the inscription.<br /><br /><br />FROM THE "WHO REALLY CARES?" DEPARTMENT<br /><br />Why is that every politician's wife thinks she needs to write children's books? Laura Bush...Lynne Cheney...Callista Gingrich. Now Ann Romney, wife of aspiring GOP presidential candidate joins their ranks with SEAMUS GOES ON VACATION!<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee99XPXE9qWIOaHpdTMC0UO_ZBEfkpPwK2cjfDOdeMFwW1mZBbC_gTnVTUDrdc3u-g1GAPCyVho4wEW0lQSu5Sv5y2kHZCuq7uqbGLOmSHDW8Gjl-bEN1cCMXnktaBwG816X4pIwtWl8/s1600/Romney.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee99XPXE9qWIOaHpdTMC0UO_ZBEfkpPwK2cjfDOdeMFwW1mZBbC_gTnVTUDrdc3u-g1GAPCyVho4wEW0lQSu5Sv5y2kHZCuq7uqbGLOmSHDW8Gjl-bEN1cCMXnktaBwG816X4pIwtWl8/s400/Romney.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725479341053387682" /></a><br />"The book is based on a real-life incident involving the Romneys' dog Seamus," said publisher Harvey Cooper, who recently inked the half-million deal with Ms. Romney. "It's about a dog who's a bit..put out...by the fact that he has to travel in a cage on top of a car, but eventually learns he's got 'best seat in the house' -- or, as Ann's lovely rhymes tell us:<br /><br /><em>Sitting on a rooftop is the very best place to be,<br />To view the good old USA, from sea to shining sea."</em><br /><br />Asked if the book was an attempt to rehabilitate the Romney family image after the political fallout from, you know, sticking a big dog in a little cage and then chaining the cage to the roof of a speeding car and traveling several hours until the dog gets sicks out of both ends, publisher Cooper simply said, "Pshaw." <br /><br />He added, "We could take a real loss on this book. If Mitt gets elected in November, it could be a bestseller. But if he loses...well, expect to see SEAMUS GOES ON VACATION! at a remaindered store near you for $1.98 by Thanksgiving."<br /><br /><br />AND SPEAKING OF GIVING THANKS....<br /><br />Thanks, as always, for visiting Collecting Children's Books. Hope you enjoyed the April Fool's Brunch!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-2808871985647886802012-03-25T23:59:00.010-04:002012-04-16T21:20:17.748-04:00Sunday Brunch for March 25Welcome to another Sunday Brunch at Collecting Children's Books. Today's blog talks about a book party I attended, asks some questions about the acclaimed new novel WONDER, and rounds up all the official author sites for Newbery winners.<br /><br />My love of old children's books may be informed, in part, by a sense of nostalgia...but this month all I'm feeling nostalgic about is old-time winters. Growing up in Michigan, I got used to long, cold winters. Sub-zero temperatures. Snow on Thanksgiving. Blizzards. Snowdrifts. White Christmases. Snow Days. Ice storms. And even snow sometimes on Easter. What happened to that world? I'm still in Michigan but now we have balmy winters. Warm Thanksgivings. Green Christmases. Barely any snow. And now, in March, all the trees are in blossom and mosquitoes are out. <br /><br />Yes, I know that: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrEOHBbf12vykfyFW0GJV5RwFiYfQ5lLcl0MiiX0-xkyjie_bhezZWFI6s2gJQckZVsUyYf1KJCQb1bRqW8TYmBnJ1g_BnzSAE1eWj5vx2544JQY2sRFd1s-jMYSmu0QBY46u9NC-m_g/s1600/Little.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrEOHBbf12vykfyFW0GJV5RwFiYfQ5lLcl0MiiX0-xkyjie_bhezZWFI6s2gJQckZVsUyYf1KJCQb1bRqW8TYmBnJ1g_BnzSAE1eWj5vx2544JQY2sRFd1s-jMYSmu0QBY46u9NC-m_g/s400/Little.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723875275937361234" /></a><br />but this doesn't even feel like spring. It feels more like mid-summer!<br /><br /><br />COLLECTING A LITTLE<br /><br />People often ask me what children's books they should collect.<br /><br />The answer, of course, is to collect what you love.<br /><br />Yes, if you're collecting as an "investment," you should go after award winners and famous authors...but if you're collecting for personal satisfaction, don't follow the dollar signs, follow your heart. This means seeking out the books and authors that mean the most to you personally. Of course there are also collecting perimeters within those catetgories. <br /><br />When adding a specific TITLE to your collection, the most valuable copy will be a first edition. It's even more valuable if it's signed. And of course condition may be the most important factor of all.<br /><br />When collecting a specific AUTHOR, it's always a good idea to seek out their earliest (and usually hardest-to-find) books, as well as anything unusual of unique they have published. <br /><br />The aforementioned Jean Little is a good example. This well-loved Canadian author has published a variety of books over her long career. A signed first edition of her very first novel, MINE FOR KEEPS, first published in 1962, generally sells for $200-$250. But I imagine her rarest book is actually IT’S A WONDERFUL WORLD, a small volume Jean Little published herself in 1947, when she was only fifteen years old. I have not seen a copy of this book for sale, but imagine it would be worth at least $300 or more.<br /><br />What many readers don't know is that Ms. Little continued to privately-publish small books as Christmas presents for friends and relatives throughout most of her career. Talk about "unusual or unique" volumes to add to a private collection! And the best news is that, when these books do turn up at used bookstores, they can often by found for $25 to $50 -- perhaps because they have the look of "amateur publications" and are unknown by most readers. By if you're a Jean Little fan, these rare books are pricless. <br /><br />Incidentally, in 1976 Ms. Little self-published a little volume called HEY WORLD, HERE I AM! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAldd_HhmigZyEStZrYBmF3MauKUp-gh24exqGgeZl9N9aoGVNLMpXlDcpa5s_z1PP3GKPGk8YiJJQa5xPXR8qSuD2a_s9QFf1UMg1vdk3P3yD2_gTx9ghyphenhyphenUqqB6k7q2D64W2Ws1cTk8/s1600/Hey+world1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAldd_HhmigZyEStZrYBmF3MauKUp-gh24exqGgeZl9N9aoGVNLMpXlDcpa5s_z1PP3GKPGk8YiJJQa5xPXR8qSuD2a_s9QFf1UMg1vdk3P3yD2_gTx9ghyphenhyphenUqqB6k7q2D64W2Ws1cTk8/s400/Hey+world1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723881827005657938" /></a><br />Over a decade later, HarperCollins issued this same book in a mainstream, trade edition, and it remains one of the author's best-known works:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWW-7aw6bI2bLwRiOQC0MLm1DCCVdx6gGv9f9fvzJ4IXG33hJ6NKjJnbLFL2DScPwMputBvReF_WU7USZaryxDQa-FPgN6FiK36YJRR6Les_1bJp15MhxXJ_4eQ5PYjI8vx_9KWXWb4A/s1600/hey+world+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWW-7aw6bI2bLwRiOQC0MLm1DCCVdx6gGv9f9fvzJ4IXG33hJ6NKjJnbLFL2DScPwMputBvReF_WU7USZaryxDQa-FPgN6FiK36YJRR6Les_1bJp15MhxXJ_4eQ5PYjI8vx_9KWXWb4A/s400/hey+world+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723881821598934546" /></a><br />Wouldn't it be great to have the original volume in one's own collection? And wouldn't it be fascinating to compare both editions side-by-side?<br /><br /><br />STEPPING GENTLY OUT<br /><br />Last Saturday I attended the book launch party for STEP GENTLY OUT, a beautifully written and photographed celebration of insects by poet Helen Frost and illustrator Rick Lieder. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8fKvtJEYFpJgNAyodT_b-S7TCYzZJvgtr7PXUOCe4-StoKgevEUCi0Bw7SgiFzpQGjJwljDObsPaRdTEjyf3V-YNq-udgTSwSewmzEyVpUYkF9ujxvP3iV_rjmcfhMTXlDcxZsA4DVU/s1600/step3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 363px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8fKvtJEYFpJgNAyodT_b-S7TCYzZJvgtr7PXUOCe4-StoKgevEUCi0Bw7SgiFzpQGjJwljDObsPaRdTEjyf3V-YNq-udgTSwSewmzEyVpUYkF9ujxvP3iV_rjmcfhMTXlDcxZsA4DVU/s400/step3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723876688151632706" /></a><br />If we're friends on Facebook, you've already heard about the experience. If we're not friends on Facebook, why aren't we? (Feel free to "friend" me at "Peter Sieruta.") The evening started off with me (accidentally?) misplacing my wallet and then sitting outside the bookstore getting up the nerve to go inside. I'm very shy to begin with, and it's even more difficult to have to interact with creative people you admire so much. But it turned out to be a delightful evening in Bookbeat's cozy gallery, as people admired Mr. Lieder's photographs on the walls and got their books signed by the kind and down-to-earth Helen Frost (a Printz Honor winner for KEESHA'S HOUSE) and Rick Lieder, who has a great love for antiquarian book illustrations. You may not be familiar with Mr. Lieder's name -- yet! -- but you are no doubt familiar with his work, as he has created the cover illustrations for a number of important children's books, including the paperback edition of Linda Sue Park's Newbery winner, A SINGLE SHARD. <br /><br />I was very excited to learn that Ms. Frost's next novel-in-verse, many years in the writing, has been accepted for publication. I didn't ask her permission to report on the title and subject matter here, so I'll leave you guessing on that...but it sounds fascinating.<br /><br />Here is the copy of STEP GENTLY OUT that Helen and Rick signed for me. (Notice the hand-drawn illustrations of insects that Rick added in the bottom right corner.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RMDszeV1HC7ss5DFoCm513-VYLc-5bKLdEakXR0wAp-x8Oq6zMqRDwwN0BAhE75tollfdcbZNeUFMuSKb0FMgjA_V-dQFZnBMxMgb6PrRMQ8t1JYx4UwL_AzOPOLIEeVd9nZV4dSpQs/s1600/Step1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 339px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RMDszeV1HC7ss5DFoCm513-VYLc-5bKLdEakXR0wAp-x8Oq6zMqRDwwN0BAhE75tollfdcbZNeUFMuSKb0FMgjA_V-dQFZnBMxMgb6PrRMQ8t1JYx4UwL_AzOPOLIEeVd9nZV4dSpQs/s400/Step1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723875253458749378" /></a><br />Helen also gave me an unbound advance copy of the book for my collection! Here is how they signed that one:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WmN7g5z1D1YAyGukgPJJLQl2T8ely2YfnE7b8QNRn6OnCx_ppOCo9ZvSeJyoWd-2qR5GzSQ1Xl_rkVeu66K0fKNXw5dkxxiUsKKUzT1LSTBhJL7n1FrLOFgIjIGmSWB3q2tGIHaLgE0/s1600/Step2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WmN7g5z1D1YAyGukgPJJLQl2T8ely2YfnE7b8QNRn6OnCx_ppOCo9ZvSeJyoWd-2qR5GzSQ1Xl_rkVeu66K0fKNXw5dkxxiUsKKUzT1LSTBhJL7n1FrLOFgIjIGmSWB3q2tGIHaLgE0/s400/Step2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723875256513931602" /></a><br />I had also brought along with me, the author's 2011 novel:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOWlJew6dFUfXy9zjLn686ezTaYFbtyLC3SwhOuuIs8FmC2DHGAEL2pu4qJxtwMIhqfaSpujP_gykTAVsrecbPSZw8SWp7Qb_w-kgHC0F6JYre_UNVN1WmFY9s72VPpAuXdmoicQexRI/s1600/Hidden.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 281px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOWlJew6dFUfXy9zjLn686ezTaYFbtyLC3SwhOuuIs8FmC2DHGAEL2pu4qJxtwMIhqfaSpujP_gykTAVsrecbPSZw8SWp7Qb_w-kgHC0F6JYre_UNVN1WmFY9s72VPpAuXdmoicQexRI/s400/Hidden.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723876692829499730" /></a><br />which she also kindly inscribed:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjSWjdt9MHdptrZNoqU4NU8jSuAME3q_Y4VdhA0og8V3_CYh7PGYj87tIKlYDabI9SKkrTjnjOvs-K6Bt9EbViAmAcC6PBhR9CdYNnpfQwWdsWPb6OFoCl64rvs2GHd5tRmiOoCn4KGc/s1600/Hidden.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 243px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjSWjdt9MHdptrZNoqU4NU8jSuAME3q_Y4VdhA0og8V3_CYh7PGYj87tIKlYDabI9SKkrTjnjOvs-K6Bt9EbViAmAcC6PBhR9CdYNnpfQwWdsWPb6OFoCl64rvs2GHd5tRmiOoCn4KGc/s400/Hidden.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723874739264232338" /></a> <br />Also attending the event was local author Sarah Miller, author of MISS SPITFIRE and the recent, wonderful THE LOST CROWN:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7bXuLxb93QseqFwV74ysL9knREGr29q-7Orlb2Kl2GkeWGYoFR8vwr35mfvVij79DfudGIkbzN7rJ0ETvHfpSxkJkGOYeDr-JAzmPdqywS9tz0PvK-0lCHQOonsrQBv9QkHcf_jxRkk/s1600/The+Lost+Crown+-+Sarah+Miller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7bXuLxb93QseqFwV74ysL9knREGr29q-7Orlb2Kl2GkeWGYoFR8vwr35mfvVij79DfudGIkbzN7rJ0ETvHfpSxkJkGOYeDr-JAzmPdqywS9tz0PvK-0lCHQOonsrQBv9QkHcf_jxRkk/s400/The+Lost+Crown+-+Sarah+Miller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723876698121912882" /></a><br />which she also kindly autographed:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYyDHmaYWk0fJsVXI1ciIc7al6GQEHbUQKvcu996iEP_RrK6teV9zdbOI9LVmxwjlEZrWChr67Be-lJ_sliyStKqO4_xt1C-0Yq3VIlfkwcT7o3KUSlF8nCPNvaCi2mu8a3dGSadT-WY/s1600/Lost+Crown.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYyDHmaYWk0fJsVXI1ciIc7al6GQEHbUQKvcu996iEP_RrK6teV9zdbOI9LVmxwjlEZrWChr67Be-lJ_sliyStKqO4_xt1C-0Yq3VIlfkwcT7o3KUSlF8nCPNvaCi2mu8a3dGSadT-WY/s400/Lost+Crown.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723874754135915906" /></a><br />Even though I'm sure that EVERYONE Sarah Miller meets offers a suggestion for the subject of her next novel, I couldn't resist giving her one of my own. She told me she liked it! <br /><br />The fourth person in attendance was Rick Lieder's wife, Kathe Koja. We children's book fans know her best for straydog, THE BLUE MIRROR, TALK, BUDDHA BOY, and several other insightful, offbeat novels for young adults. But Ms. Koja also write for adults. Her most recent novel, UNDER THE POPPY, falls into that category:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhvTpsVgIZqHeWlyU-TKAAKK2wlww3OVL5-RoRyaM124w9q_ATGl-TPAiZ-12jX2yYRzGvEU2CZ7ohoEELzPktJnSLuuxf2sVDDhJLR3O-IPU_hR0DwDOw-OU39MW4i-P7PtIvERroxY/s1600/kojapoppycover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhvTpsVgIZqHeWlyU-TKAAKK2wlww3OVL5-RoRyaM124w9q_ATGl-TPAiZ-12jX2yYRzGvEU2CZ7ohoEELzPktJnSLuuxf2sVDDhJLR3O-IPU_hR0DwDOw-OU39MW4i-P7PtIvERroxY/s400/kojapoppycover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723876682999638258" /></a><br />and it's most definitely for adults, as you can tell from the inscription:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLKR0MLhGTwSfi9p_ahQUWLvNh2HW7l10S6sCCVSiq7INTOFI-dCVMskWfo0EeUmSPNAXZlzifZb8Tki5xnjHLXjdjZz4ua9lyXdp91FnpmXEJupM7kR6-prAOHHKDKj-gFqmxDuyIzU/s1600/Koja.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLKR0MLhGTwSfi9p_ahQUWLvNh2HW7l10S6sCCVSiq7INTOFI-dCVMskWfo0EeUmSPNAXZlzifZb8Tki5xnjHLXjdjZz4ua9lyXdp91FnpmXEJupM7kR6-prAOHHKDKj-gFqmxDuyIzU/s400/Koja.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723874747008981650" /></a><br />Ms. Koja's next book is a sequel to UNDER THE POPPY and I asked if she planned to return to young adult fiction. She said, "I'm still in the same house...it's just that right now I'm in another room."<br /><br />Isn't that a great way of putting it?<br /><br />I could think for a year and never come up with a response that perfect. <br /><br />I was very much honored to spend St. Patrick's Day in the company of such talented creators.<br /><br /><br />BROWSING THE LIBRARY SHELVES....<br /><br />Browsing in the library this week, I came across two intriguing books.<br /><br />Have you seen this novel by Madeleine L'Engle?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKm-lohomb9sjJhj_l5oKuXMy3yLulY5FQXQBMrF5SdU1zMvdtMC9bCsknEXdwf8pQmNOKVyX1eMj_4Hrp2E0Jqz2nBcPFa3fcjzKZviRq8QfgquLggXZPvMvm9kNcgtBjP5Kuu1_UAs/s1600/Prelude.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKm-lohomb9sjJhj_l5oKuXMy3yLulY5FQXQBMrF5SdU1zMvdtMC9bCsknEXdwf8pQmNOKVyX1eMj_4Hrp2E0Jqz2nBcPFa3fcjzKZviRq8QfgquLggXZPvMvm9kNcgtBjP5Kuu1_UAs/s400/Prelude.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723875278335944706" /></a><br />Published in 1968 by Vanguard, PRELUDE is a lesser-known young adult novel in L'Engle's body of work. Unlike many of her YA books, which continue to be reprinted and read, this story of young pianist Katherine Forrester never really caught on with young readers. This may be because Katherine's story was never written for kids to begin with. The novel known as PRELUDE was originally published as the first half of L'Engle's first (adult) book, THE SMALL RAIN, which was released in 1945. <br /><br />Publishers would later do the same thing to L'Engle's 1951 adult novel CAMILLA DICKINSON, re-publishing it various young adult incarnations (all called, simply, CAMILLA) in 1965, 1981, and again in 2009.<br /><br />Despite these many efforts to find a young audience, CAMILLA, like PRELUDE, never gained the wide readership of many of L'Engle's young adult works. But the characters of Katherine Forrester and Camilla Dickinson clearly remained very important to their creator. Katherine turns up again, as an elderly woman, in L'Engle's 1982 adult novel A SEVERED WASP and Camilla pops up again in A LIVE COAL IN THE SEA, which was published in 1996. <br /><br />This week's other highlight from the bookshelves is TEENAGERS WHO MADE HISTORY, a 1961 volume that profiles a number of famous names -- including Louis Braille and Sam Colt -- who achieved success while still teenagers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aPEY5-FtbVcBF7QmfuqeeGIzK-oeTu1n7DXlOZISeioy-MEXQsEoFoDiAC1c350M5Yf0bb4VkQEN6h994A3rMGuxUfuIXXb1H2gWb3591YsZ7WtmLgmo3g8rdQbeZXPzczbCcW9jH1Y/s1600/Freedman.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aPEY5-FtbVcBF7QmfuqeeGIzK-oeTu1n7DXlOZISeioy-MEXQsEoFoDiAC1c350M5Yf0bb4VkQEN6h994A3rMGuxUfuIXXb1H2gWb3591YsZ7WtmLgmo3g8rdQbeZXPzczbCcW9jH1Y/s400/Freedman.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723875269041980034" /></a><br />This book is notable for being the first book written by Russell Freedman, who would go on to create a singular career writing nonfiction for children and young adults, and would later win the Newbery Medal for LINCOLN : A PHOTOBIOGRAPHY. TEENAGERS WHO MADE HISTORY displays many of the characteristics that made the author a literary giant. It would be interesting to have Mr. Freedman update this early book, some five decades after writing it, to include a few more notable young people who have "made history" since 1961.<br /><br /><br />NEWBERY AUTHORS IN CYBERSPACE<br /><br />Looking for info on Russell Freedman just now, I was surprised to discover that he does not have an official website of his own. Sure, there are plenty of internet sites devoted to the author and his work (some of these are publisher "author" sites) but, as far as I can tell, he is not a master of his domain.<br /><br />This got me wondering which Newbery winners have offical sites and which do not. <br /><br />NEWBERY AUTHORS WITHOUT OFFICIAL SITES : Hendrik Van Loon; Hugh Lofting; Charles Hawes; Charles Finger; Arthur Bowman Chrisman; Dhan Gopal Mukerji; Eric P. Kelly; Rachel Field; Elizabeth Coatsworth; Laura Adams Armer; Elizabeth Lewis; Cornelia Meigs; Monica Shannon; Carol Ryrie Brink; Ruth Sawyer; Kate Seredy; Elizabeth Enright; James Daugherty; Walter D. Edmonds; Elizabeth Janet Gray; Esther Forbes; Robert Lawson; Lois Lenski; Carolyn Sherwin Bailey; William Pene Du Bois; Marguerite Henry; Marguerite De Angeli; Elizabeth Yates; Eleanor Estes; Ann Nolan Clark; Joseph Krumgold; Meindert DeJong; Jean Lee Latham; Virginia Sorensen; Harold Keith; Elizabeth George Speare; Scott O'Dell; Emily Cheney Neville; Maia Wojciechowska; Elizabeth Borton De Trevino; Irene Hunt; E.L. Konigsburg; Lloyd Alexander; William Armstrong; Mildred D. Taylor; Ellen Raskin; Joan Blos; Nancy Willard; Patricia Maclachlan; Russell Freedman; Phyllis Reynolds Naylor; Cynthia Rylant; Karen Hesse; Christopher Paul Curtis; Richard Peck; Laura Amy Schlitz.<br /><br />While they may not have "official" sites, most of the above authors do have a presence on the web, either through publisher sites, fan pages, blogs, or even Facebook fan pages. Yet, to the best of my knowledge, none maintain an official site. (Hey, if you're a web designer, maybe you should contact these authors and see if they're interested in creating an official site.) <br /><br />The following Newbery winners do maintain offical sites and you can visit them by clicking the highlighted links:<br /><br />Will James has an offical <a href="http://www.willjames.org/"> site </a> thanks to the Will James Society.<br /><br />Perhaps not an "offical" site, but this <a href="http://www.ogram.org/sperry/"> Armstrong Sperry site, </a> maintained by his granddaughter is the closest thing going.<br /><br />Madeleine L'Engle appears to have an <a href="http://www.madeleinelengle.com/"> official site. </a><br /><br />Click here to check out the offical site of <a href="http://www.betsybyars.com/books.html"> Betsy Byars. </a><br /><br />Jean Craighead George has an <a href="http://www.jeancraigheadgeorge.com/"> offical site. </a><br /><br />Here is <a href="http://www.virginiahamilton.com/"> Virginia Hamilton's site. </a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thelostland.com/"> Susan Cooper </a> has an offical site.<br /> <br />Katherine Paterson's official site is called <a href="http://www.terabithia.com/about.html"> Terabithia.com. </a><br /><br />You can find Cynthia Voigt's site <a href="http://www.cynthiavoigt.com//"> here. </a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.beverlycleary.com/"> Beverly Cleary </a> has a home in cyberspace.<br /><br />As does <a href="http://www.robinmckinley.com/"> Robin McKinley. </a><br /><br />And <a href="http://sidfleischman.com/"> Sid Fleischman. </a><br /><br />As well as his son <a href="http://www.paulfleischman.net/"> Paul Fleischman. </a><br /><br />Lois Lowry has a <a href="http://www.loislowry.com/"> home </a> on the net.<br /><br />Jerry Spinelli's <a href="http://www.jerryspinelli.com/newbery_001.htm"> official site </a> looks like it hasn't been updated in a while.<br /><br />Sharon Creech has a <a href="http://www.sharoncreech.com/"> site. </a><br /><br />Click here to visit <a href="http://www.karencushman.com/"> Karen Cushman. </a><br /><br />And here to drop in on <a href="http://www.louissachar.com/"> Louis Sachar. </a><br /><br />Linda Sue Park has a <a href="http://www.lindasuepark.com/"> site. </a><br /><br />So does <a href="http://www.avi-writer.com/"> Avi. </a><br /><br />And <a href="http://www.katedicamillo.com/"> Kate DiCamillo. </a><br /><br />Cynthia Kadohata's site is named after <a href="http://www.kira-kira.us/"> her Newbery-winning novel. </a><br /><br />Lynne Rae Perkins has her own <a href="http://lynnerae.com/"> site. </a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.susanpatron.com/"> Susan Patron </a> too.<br /><br />Of course Neil Gaiman has a <a href="http://www.neilgaiman.com/"> site. </a><br /><br />You can reach Rebecca Stead <a href="http://www.rebeccasteadbooks.com/"> here. </a><br /><br />And Clare Vanderpool is <a href="http://www.clarevanderpool.com/"> here. </a><br /><br />And our latest winner, <a href="http://www.willjames.org/"> Jack Gantos </a> also has an official site.<br /><br /><br />WONDERING ABOUT WONDER<br /><br />It may be unfair, but we tend to look for prevailing themes and subjects in each year's crop of new books. <br /><br />Recent trends have included "vampires" and "dystopian."<br /><br />Based on three <em>great </em>new books I read this past week -- WONDER by R.J. Palacio, THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN by Katherine Applegate and BOY 21 by Matthew Quick -- this season's theme seems to be "empathy."<br /><br />And people seem to be LOVING these three titles. BOY 21 got a rave in the New York Times book review. THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN was starred by Kirkus and School Library Journal. And WONDER has racked up so many stars and so much buzz that it appears to be on the fast track to the Newbery. A recent <a href="http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2012/03/24/fusenews-if-henry-james-says-its-wrong-i-dont-wanna-be-right/"> news round-up </a>by my friend and co-writer Betsy Bird (aka Fuse #8), brings up some interesting background on WONDER's author. I was particularly struck (WONDERstruck?) by one particular comment Betsy made about the book:<br /><br />"It’s smart, it’s clever, and the criticisms haven’t made a dent in it (if there are any)."<br /><br />Hmm...I took that line as a challenge. Before I go on, let me again repeat that I LOVE this new novel, LOVE the character of August Pullman, LOVE his voice, LOVE the little details of family life sprinkled throughout the novel...but I'm not convinced the novel is without flaws. <br /><br />Does it still deserve the Newbery? At this point in the year, I'd slap a gold star on it myself...but who knows what books are coming out next?<br /><br />And before the Newbery committee makes any decisions, I'd like them to seriously discuss the following questions I had while reading WONDER. Warning -- SPOILERS AHEAD! -- so if you haven't read the novel yet, you might want to skip down to the next section.<br /><br />Questions I had about WONDER:<br /><br />* Did Auggie and his pals seem like fifth graders, or did they seem more like seventh graders?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxuaGQbbrSm6voP4UKizTr9QbAVKByEz83_xW5rG4WkEP-0AfbbrzFv7SHEjr6z9Bzb3j-0OIxxsyyXI0zwiPj8DcWFeLittozsor9JBxkDso7Vze56_4a8fikjUfYrp4GL6OkM4qYNw/s1600/wonder-palacio.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 202px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxuaGQbbrSm6voP4UKizTr9QbAVKByEz83_xW5rG4WkEP-0AfbbrzFv7SHEjr6z9Bzb3j-0OIxxsyyXI0zwiPj8DcWFeLittozsor9JBxkDso7Vze56_4a8fikjUfYrp4GL6OkM4qYNw/s320/wonder-palacio.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724080277618763922" /></a> <br />*Was it necessary to use the alternating first-person voices of several characters throughout the novel?<br /><br />* Considering the novel is suggested for ages eight and up, do the first-person sections in the voices of three high school students seem necessary or intrusive?<br /><br />* Do the voices of the several narrators sound sufficiently different from one another? (Yes, Justin's section is written in lowercase with no quotation marks, but beyond those cosmetic differences, does he sound very much different from the other characters?)<br /><br />* The idea that Via's school almost produced the play THE ELEPHANT MAN makes for a powerful anecdote, but is this challenging drama -- with adult themes and nudity -- a likely selection for a high school play? (Perhaps there's a "student edition" of the play that I don't know about; some shows are published in editions for high school actors.) <br /><br />* Does the scene in which Auggie switches Halloween costumes at the last minute seem believable? It's one of the most powerful sections of the book, but rather than emerging naturally from the narrative, we get Auggie switching costumes with no true motivation ("...but all of a sudden I didn't feel like wearing it. I'm not sure why...") then going to school and, again for no motivation (except to make a plot point), he doesn't go to his usual desk but "...for some reason, I don't know why, I found myself walking over to a desk near them....") My feeling is that both these moments could have been handled with far greater finesse.<br /><br />* Does the climax of the entire book -- the attack in the woods -- seem a bit anti-climactic compared to other scenes in the novel?<br /><br />* Maybe this is a New York thing, or a private school thing, but do schools generally have a fifth-grade graduation or commencement ceremony when the kids aren't even leaving their school but just moving up a grade?<br /><br />* Finally, did anyone find the scene in which the principal repeatedly gets choked up at the graduation ceremony a little maudlin and saccharine? <br /><br />Again, I really do think that WONDER is one of the year's strongest books, and bring up these questions not to undercut its acclaim, but rather to point out issues that I'd love to hear discussed. It's very possible I could be convinced to change my opinion on some of them, especially if I read the book a second time. <br /><br /><br />THIS WEEKEND<br /><br />This weekend is all about THE HUNGER GAMES. The release of the new movie, to strong reviews and large advance sales, has to be a good thing for young adult literature. On Friday a librarian friend posted on Facebook that, during her shift at the reference desk that day, she had five requests for the book...and the number of holds on the book in her library was well over a two thousand!<br /><br />To celebrate this weekend's most talked-about film, I can't help but post a picture of one of the most treasured items in my personal library -- a spiral bound "second draft" of the manuscript, personally inscribed by author Suzanne Collins:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2IAAsfbwEcoJ41eACmdG4m-W9D-x814RIThw325ATT-VGY_XxMa7AU6l8c1J4CYV5mb2yJDyA1bQPtFQ5bd6og9clHqD9E8hKRph75uHjorf0mK4ZSKyd_BpMW7KgqcN0UfvmMq9Q-U/s1600/Hunger+Games.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2IAAsfbwEcoJ41eACmdG4m-W9D-x814RIThw325ATT-VGY_XxMa7AU6l8c1J4CYV5mb2yJDyA1bQPtFQ5bd6og9clHqD9E8hKRph75uHjorf0mK4ZSKyd_BpMW7KgqcN0UfvmMq9Q-U/s400/Hunger+Games.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723874740616017826" /></a><br /><br /><br />LOOKING AHEAD<br /><br />Finally, though this blog is often concerned about children's books from the past, we also love to look ahead to see what is coming down the pike. And just yesterday I learned that this coming summer Patrice Kindl will be releasing her first novel in more than a decade:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphen4Mahe3t2Cl1BWkwAIjORxNj-zwj-BlF90sLEj6KnwlUq0tRlkj1fQmW-_SohrANb7VpnU1zbWOJuM-KQk2Im_U9mPbJfg7s8h-Zb7O-v_yb6iu1rUn-MYk8f7U_-swXQZgeUgHvNCE/s1600/Keeping+the+Castle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphen4Mahe3t2Cl1BWkwAIjORxNj-zwj-BlF90sLEj6KnwlUq0tRlkj1fQmW-_SohrANb7VpnU1zbWOJuM-KQk2Im_U9mPbJfg7s8h-Zb7O-v_yb6iu1rUn-MYk8f7U_-swXQZgeUgHvNCE/s400/Keeping+the+Castle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723882446657696002" /></a><br />That's what I love about children's books. There's also something to look back on and always something new to look forward to.<br /><br />Thanks for visiting Collecting Children's Books. Hope you'll be back soon!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-36577550609139426822012-03-11T17:27:00.003-04:002012-03-12T16:01:07.974-04:00Sunday Brunch for March 11I'm sorry I have not posted in a couple weeks. First I was involved in another round of revising the manuscript I'm writing with <a href="http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production"> Elizabeth Bird </a> and <a href="http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=1853"> Julie Walker Danielson </a> for Candlewick Press (we cut it from 570 pages to 424...falling short of our goal of cutting it to 350) and then last week my father got out of the hospital/rehab center after breaking his arm and we had to deal with visits from home health visitors over the weekend. While I've been "away," lots of book award shortlists and winners have been announced. For example:<br /><br /><br />SHORTLIST MANIA!<br /><br />The Mystery Writers of America have announced their nominees for the 2012 Edgar Allan Poe Awards.<br /><br />The nominees for "Best Juvenile" are:<br /><br />HORTON HALFPOTT by Tom Angleberger <br />IT HAPPENED ON A TRAIN by Mac Barnett <br />VANISHED by Sheela Chari <br />ICEFALL by Matthew J. Kirby <br />THE WIZARD OF DARK STREET by Shawn Thomas Odyssey<br /><br />The finalists in the "young adult" category are:<br /><br />SHELTER by Harlan Coben<br />THE NAME OF THE STAR by Maureen Johnson<br />THE SILENCE OF MURDER by Dandi Daley Mackall <br />THE GIRL IS MURDER by Kathryn Miller Haines <br />KILL YOU LAST by Todd Strasser <br /><br />The winners will be announced April 26 in New York City.<br /><br />And here is the shortlist for the 2012 Andre Norton Award, for the year's best science fiction or fantasy novel:<br /><br />AKATA WITCH by Nnedi Okorafor <br />CHIME by Franny Billingsley<br />DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor<br />EVERYBODY SEES THE ANTS by A.S. King<br />THE BOY AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Greg van Eekhout<br />THE FREEDOM MAZE by Delia Sherman<br />THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS by Rae Carson<br />ULTRAVIOLET by R.J. Anderson<br /><br />The winner will be announced in mid-May.<br /><br />The finalists for the Irma Simonton Black & James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature ("given to a book in which the text and illustrations work closely together to create a vibrant whole") are:<br /><br />YOU WILL BE MY FRIEND by Peter Brown<br />I WANT MY HAT BACK by Jon Klassen<br />WHAT ANIMALS REALLY LIKE by Fiona Robinson<br />ALL THE WAY TO AMERICA by Dan Yaccarino<br /><br />The winner will be announced April 9.<br /><br />The shortlist for the LOS ANGELES TIMES Book Prize has also been announced and this list is my very favorite! (Of course I may be prejudiced, since I was one of the judges, along with Cindy Dobrez and Angelina Benedetti.)<br /><br />The finalists are:<br /><br />BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray<br />THE BIG CRUNCH by Pete Hautman<br />A MONSTER CALLS : INSPRED BY AN IDEA FROM SIOBHAN DOWS by Patrick Ness<br />LIFE : AN EXPLODED DIAGRAM by Mal Peet<br />THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater<br /><br />The winner will be announced April 20.<br /><br /><br />WHERE HAVE YOU GONE, WILLIAM MCKINLEY?<br /><br />I've always thought that E.L. Konigsburg's first book, JENNIFER, HECATE, MACBETH, WILLIAM MCKINLEY, AND ME, ELIZABETH, was one of the most perfect middle-grade novels ever written. It was named a Newbery Honor Book the same year that Ms. Konigsburg's FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER won top prize (though I, like John Rowe Townsend, think the order probably should have been reversed.) It was also the first-ever title issued by Aladdin Books: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwiXSjQafTyDgw34JUbvq2tBOCzbcnlk4z4fCXBut1vgSe8ZNPATPeNBiNfpX-FJbNaMJynmMbzBGJ2HU2ns4p5taO8NKJ_16xo93Wu06x7mdmeg5xJWs3ICmjKKY1oOHJHxe8DX59OI/s1600/jen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwiXSjQafTyDgw34JUbvq2tBOCzbcnlk4z4fCXBut1vgSe8ZNPATPeNBiNfpX-FJbNaMJynmMbzBGJ2HU2ns4p5taO8NKJ_16xo93Wu06x7mdmeg5xJWs3ICmjKKY1oOHJHxe8DX59OI/s400/jen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718650101221388658" /></a><br />Though perfect in my eyes, the book has been slightly altered at least once. A reference to Jennifer's mother being "Negro" was later changed to "black." I've often wondered if someone will ever request they cut the line in which Jennifer fantasizes that she's smoking a cigarette. But one thing I never thought they'd change is that memorably lengthy title. And they haven't -- at least here in the USA (or, as Elizabeth would call it, "the US of A.") But I recently came across the British edition of the book and was surprised by the title:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2OK_2SPldTHaqgouBoxd7fATYe6F2otYk4zz6IBeo9H61r9VoNhQ-nZieOXHPfGB439J58l_W5_zrHviezV-sNFwtCS_uL_CbxQNF9bHj1F0JfwAxFxDp3f1x8SKtgp-hLLpjCqi8Ss/s1600/Konigsburg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2OK_2SPldTHaqgouBoxd7fATYe6F2otYk4zz6IBeo9H61r9VoNhQ-nZieOXHPfGB439J58l_W5_zrHviezV-sNFwtCS_uL_CbxQNF9bHj1F0JfwAxFxDp3f1x8SKtgp-hLLpjCqi8Ss/s400/Konigsburg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716078605237714850" /></a><br />I guess they figure English kids won't know who William McKinley was. ...Though, come to think of it, how many American kids know who he was.<br /><br />It's not uncommon for American titles to be changed when the book is pubished in England -- and vice versa. But E.L. Konigsburg seems to get her titles changed more than the average bear. <br /><br />Remember her early novel (GEORGE)?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vyHXJpMc94jONgSwpW9sA_4J3LbNv_z1h2WsxOwmMLhQlYwWjGunEnQpF58JvwNMoEg_uDW2FMcF7vj_ngDUpxN1lfXrd6ji9OxMmDzuWUKclkJJszrjfCaKxhLOFAZT6OfhtTReGW0/s1600/George+cover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 201px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vyHXJpMc94jONgSwpW9sA_4J3LbNv_z1h2WsxOwmMLhQlYwWjGunEnQpF58JvwNMoEg_uDW2FMcF7vj_ngDUpxN1lfXrd6ji9OxMmDzuWUKclkJJszrjfCaKxhLOFAZT6OfhtTReGW0/s400/George+cover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718656037692919858" /></a><br />They used the same cover in Great Britain, but changed the title to BENJAMIN DICKINSON CARR AND HIS (GEORGE):<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXy2sX8RUu5DIOp9Lhsbt_xTr9Jd30OhdBW2-LXDZzr6r3h5mv2BoA32iIlpXbRBLiVX-INS253W69GlMzN4q6VrjGNaoOErvjlW1SJzysQ3ZgCTgOp81iDUSAHuq0lT2F0-HEEnikThE/s1600/george.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXy2sX8RUu5DIOp9Lhsbt_xTr9Jd30OhdBW2-LXDZzr6r3h5mv2BoA32iIlpXbRBLiVX-INS253W69GlMzN4q6VrjGNaoOErvjlW1SJzysQ3ZgCTgOp81iDUSAHuq0lT2F0-HEEnikThE/s400/george.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716078599215679954" /></a> <br />The American JOURNEY TO AN 800 NUMBER<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBs4ByW4Ygu0GDWT4iPnN_BayReGitslmyWp1WIT0Bdsim0VWu5eZIrnedFFNmslUuj1u-jFP-YjBMcMbe-Kxd6UlVpHjyxpm57602NiOKk7z8xtHfcjbmxyD-3KsuICBuh-1mlaNxv4/s1600/Journey+to.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBs4ByW4Ygu0GDWT4iPnN_BayReGitslmyWp1WIT0Bdsim0VWu5eZIrnedFFNmslUuj1u-jFP-YjBMcMbe-Kxd6UlVpHjyxpm57602NiOKk7z8xtHfcjbmxyD-3KsuICBuh-1mlaNxv4/s400/Journey+to.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718656868349842818" /></a><br />became JOURNEY BY FIRST CLASS CAMEL in England:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbuVaDgPP_9XeWJj0Dmd-Lau6K4PaC_VptHk5Hrbri29PK1gh-DWe7F4CpIk_Kf7YXo4ueJJo_KX4tmapoL1TN5bfc2Z9a7O2za-VJXAzDA2W0Ja257hZrBn1XlM6oMao_FSF2C2tCjA/s1600/journey.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 188px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbuVaDgPP_9XeWJj0Dmd-Lau6K4PaC_VptHk5Hrbri29PK1gh-DWe7F4CpIk_Kf7YXo4ueJJo_KX4tmapoL1TN5bfc2Z9a7O2za-VJXAzDA2W0Ja257hZrBn1XlM6oMao_FSF2C2tCjA/s400/journey.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716078594369511266" /></a><br />Actually, you don't even have to cross the pond to see some Konigsburg titles changed. What used to be:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouoXzh5kD4zn7c69opUxzUkwMnrhMe6BdDMad8KDAaWkA3uWYm8vorCwaQSKMn_hjE_Hj7tnp4281OzAVMYdXj28UaJDvX5C2G-GyFfzE-svcJREoJRohuVDKVj5RBH91yYGkEODvMtQ/s1600/arcane+d.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouoXzh5kD4zn7c69opUxzUkwMnrhMe6BdDMad8KDAaWkA3uWYm8vorCwaQSKMn_hjE_Hj7tnp4281OzAVMYdXj28UaJDvX5C2G-GyFfzE-svcJREoJRohuVDKVj5RBH91yYGkEODvMtQ/s400/arcane+d.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718657752076903458" /></a><br />has now been re-released right here in the United States as MY FATHER'S DAUGHTER:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DK3vJwr1Nd4_NU4YN2a3OkYBKUExgNfYzLTcCVvrLttT7LV6EDYr5Weo4BHfZRV3-uexcL-1XVpVnvxHqvTajUixkRql3z-qkUJ2gYg_Ts1NfQF5YdM-0sa2yaZ9Td12kNH41Mh1mAs/s1600/arcane.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 163px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DK3vJwr1Nd4_NU4YN2a3OkYBKUExgNfYzLTcCVvrLttT7LV6EDYr5Weo4BHfZRV3-uexcL-1XVpVnvxHqvTajUixkRql3z-qkUJ2gYg_Ts1NfQF5YdM-0sa2yaZ9Td12kNH41Mh1mAs/s400/arcane.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716078591072996802" /></a><br />This edition's neither British nor American, but I had to include it anyway. Even though the title is written in Russian, I'm sure you'll recognize what book it is:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKwMqXv5PIgZfa9my4Oc-sntuOuEXsUWKi6-izVEfX4RcOy9Od81ZKijWf2EUVc_ato-roPG65ziQH-dbpT1BodINc65GFUfMHEAmqBaKmX2K53yrlzD6g29C3qWkxOgQ4TX3QyST1xM/s1600/russian.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 201px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKwMqXv5PIgZfa9my4Oc-sntuOuEXsUWKi6-izVEfX4RcOy9Od81ZKijWf2EUVc_ato-roPG65ziQH-dbpT1BodINc65GFUfMHEAmqBaKmX2K53yrlzD6g29C3qWkxOgQ4TX3QyST1xM/s400/russian.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716078600639255762" /></a><br />But what I love best is the translation of that title, as provided by Amazon: FROM THE ARCHIVE OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKVAYLER, MOST COMPLICATED IN THE WORLD.<br /><br /><br />THE CURSIVE CURSE<br /><br />For many years now I've been hearing that kids HATE cursive fonts in books. Many schools no longer teach "handwriting" at all, and thus some kids can't read it at all. Some kids won't pick up a book if the title is written in cursive on the front cover. Although I don't particularly have a problem with cursive writing, I must admit that overly fancy fonts often cause me to puzzle over a title. Here's the one that tripped me up last week:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbchCmSAB6eeYWE51ORrSxHjOwgH7jz67J_La1PXyCdQmJMJ7JQfntZUUqeQiTNJnwLr1haS2Oh6wdZzffJAdaTvPz6XxjavzfJa6lCDZytJLvytOBTgpgizJDqeSgbHZ-AmsM8U0cJU/s1600/Grim+1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbchCmSAB6eeYWE51ORrSxHjOwgH7jz67J_La1PXyCdQmJMJ7JQfntZUUqeQiTNJnwLr1haS2Oh6wdZzffJAdaTvPz6XxjavzfJa6lCDZytJLvytOBTgpgizJDqeSgbHZ-AmsM8U0cJU/s400/Grim+1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716086176856466930" /></a><br />Do you know what it says?<br /><br />PRISM?<br /><br />LUIVV?<br /><br />L'RIM?<br /><br />GUIVV?<br /><br />GRIW?<br /><br />I finally realized the title was GRIM:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hdzAiW0s4NGW20DyNWRs7K6UDsoumne-Tgc2MKGEbqsY_FxJswZDm_ivVGODiOM7T_qK5oJUYMujvgZttFPjOmOUFxvqOglbriAo9CVgvXWre64sxzIxo_ud_RV7wf6tfoYEXHzzX_Q/s1600/Grim+2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hdzAiW0s4NGW20DyNWRs7K6UDsoumne-Tgc2MKGEbqsY_FxJswZDm_ivVGODiOM7T_qK5oJUYMujvgZttFPjOmOUFxvqOglbriAo9CVgvXWre64sxzIxo_ud_RV7wf6tfoYEXHzzX_Q/s400/Grim+2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716086173195996978" /></a><br />Maybe I was just having a bad day. ...But if it took me a couple seconds to puzzle out the name, I wonder how many young readers -- many of whom never learned cursive to begin with -- will hang around look enough to figure out the title...or just reach for another book?<br /><br /><br />A WRINKLED BAG<br /><br />How neat is this?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5oSwcdS2-xEZQHuxxVcI5U5htU995THBHyaoFs_uMF6-cXXaCYgfD9Ts3KF6MLUZNfM4TcCWGUoPtIiJkDRed-jlqYyduVRynK1MrzHirNdev0OKNDqZG2nqMbsfEfk9Kupunk52Gv8/s1600/Wrinkle+bag.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 393px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5oSwcdS2-xEZQHuxxVcI5U5htU995THBHyaoFs_uMF6-cXXaCYgfD9Ts3KF6MLUZNfM4TcCWGUoPtIiJkDRed-jlqYyduVRynK1MrzHirNdev0OKNDqZG2nqMbsfEfk9Kupunk52Gv8/s400/Wrinkle+bag.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716086182377316610" /></a><br />One of the perks of owning a bookstore is that publishers often send you promotional pieces publicizing books. My bookstore buddy just received this bag celebrating the 50th anniversary of Madeleine L'Engle's A WRINKLE IN TIME, featuring the well-remembered original dustjacket illustration by Ellen Raskin. And she gave the bag to me! I was quite thrilled...except I feel it's too special to use on a regular basis. <br /><br />I think I'll just put it on display in my library instead.<br /><br /><br />REVIEW : STEP GENTLY OUT BY HELEN FROST AND RICK LIEDER<br /><br />This picture-book length poem begins:<br /><br />"Step gently out,<br />be still,<br />and watch<br />a single blade<br />of grass,"<br /><br />then continues, through Frost's lilting, limpid words and Lieder's close-up photographic images, to celebrate the insects that share our world. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRa8M64-D4AppNKjJ6Pnw_eW3AnGZsrAH_e3wqAGQi1_sWHWLcKbnj_6TWfC5M4ZHcddtGmQoeBs-DDIoP_wQLKReA5mTYSgoxxLIOAW_gPTK89tRd5Ryu9dYzPPfczPby8KoX4oZJRs/s1600/Step+Gently+Out.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRa8M64-D4AppNKjJ6Pnw_eW3AnGZsrAH_e3wqAGQi1_sWHWLcKbnj_6TWfC5M4ZHcddtGmQoeBs-DDIoP_wQLKReA5mTYSgoxxLIOAW_gPTK89tRd5Ryu9dYzPPfczPby8KoX4oZJRs/s400/Step+Gently+Out.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716086165337381106" /></a><br />The entwined art and text open the reader's eyes and bring renewed appreciation to ants, moths, fireflies and other creatures that "shine with stardust" or are "splashed with morning dew." A final spread identifies and provides information about each insect highlighted in the text. STEP GENTLY OUT has the feel of a classic and, one hopes, will lead to further collaborations between this poet and photographer. <br /><br /><br />BOOKSTORES : A MEETING PLACE<br /><br />Rick Lieder's photographic art from STEP GENTLY OUT will be on display in the gallery of Bookbeat, an independent bookstore in Oak Park, Michigan, from March 17 through April 30. The opening of the exhibition, on March 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM will be attended by both Mr. Lieder and Ms. Frost. The following day both creators will join other authors at a speaking/booksigning public event in nearby Berkley, Michigan called <a href="http://www.thebookbeat.com/backroom/2012/02/06/read-in-the-park-2012/"> Read in the Park. </a> <br /><br />As more and more bookstores close, we are losing "meeting places" where authors and readers can gather to exchange ideas. Several years ago, Bookbeat hosted an author signing for Helen Frost, Kathe Koja (BUDDHA BOY) and Sarah Miller (MISS SPITFIRE.) I believe this was where these authors first met and became friends. And I suspect that this meeting somehow led to the creation of STEP GENTLY OUT. You see, Rick Lieder is married to Kathe Koja and had provided the photographs for the dustjackets of many of her young adult novels. If it hadn't been for Bookbeat bringing these authors together, perhaps this great new book might never have been "born."<br /><br /><br />THE HUNGER WHAT?<br /><br />Did you hear about this new movie due out soon? I can't remember the title exactly...something about Hungary...or Hungry...oh yeah, it's called THE HUNGER GAMES!<br /><br />Just kidding.<br /><br />I'm not sure there's anyone alive today who hasn't heard of the movie and books by now. From what I've heard, advance ticket to the film are selling like crazy. It's shaping up to be a big hit before anyone's even seen it. <br /><br />And the books are selling like crazy! <br /><br />In addition to the trilogy of novels by Suzanne Collins, there are now "companion" books to the movie, parodies (THE YOUNGER GAMES; THE HUNGER PAINS) and even an unoffical, unendorsed cookbook! And PEOPLE magazine just put out a special issue devoted entirely to the movie. <br /><br />Although the blatant commercialism is annoying, I have to admit I'm pleased to see that a book written for young people is getting this kind of public interest.<br /><br /><br />WE'RE TOO BUSY READING TO PUT ANYBODY DOWN<br /><br />If the special edition of PEOPLE devoted to THE HUNGER GAMES is a testament to the popularity of the book and movie, then the cover of the weekly issue must say something about what's currently of interest to the magazine's regular readership. After virtually ignoring the deaths of much bigger stars over the past few years, this week PEOPLE has a cover story on the death of Davy Jones from the Monkees. That really surprised me since he had been out of the limelight for decades. But apparently those who grew up in the sixties and seventies have never quite forgotten this singer and performer.<br /><br />I wondered if The Monkees had any impact on books for kids and came across these paperbacks: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G4IDKL28auRNDdd-kdaJip4PGJAhzzCzyom69vBxTz5TpiQDJjUeXwH9BKVsA-tMA9546ORR_Mhudm0U_d_1GZIQvZpgjX9BTeq3reqlAsdZcoQ2MfCvWoDaV9NwjiMk_bA61YUYuug/s1600/monkee1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G4IDKL28auRNDdd-kdaJip4PGJAhzzCzyom69vBxTz5TpiQDJjUeXwH9BKVsA-tMA9546ORR_Mhudm0U_d_1GZIQvZpgjX9BTeq3reqlAsdZcoQ2MfCvWoDaV9NwjiMk_bA61YUYuug/s400/monkee1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718743301038853490" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmI6cti-NxlaXEcfNx2qnHD_ct_p3XwFlBCSNMmK5oO7BrPZi91CYeICicuky3aKA7Hp8XOvuPQahKtwM1l_lbFUwUyy_eJY7B4RMT_ciMVC3NcPdUqfMcR7HG_Pzg9DjnKjAkC8TFNI/s1600/monkee2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmI6cti-NxlaXEcfNx2qnHD_ct_p3XwFlBCSNMmK5oO7BrPZi91CYeICicuky3aKA7Hp8XOvuPQahKtwM1l_lbFUwUyy_eJY7B4RMT_ciMVC3NcPdUqfMcR7HG_Pzg9DjnKjAkC8TFNI/s400/monkee2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718743299245429490" /></a><br />as well as this hardcover novel from Whitman:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOMgSxq78COyVPijkDUso8Z3iP7yxDh5pc6sq8ZC_XkgihMxngLBt-pkLgdq8cVgpNAjyJbhsyRfF7C2a02pSwNfKpoboJud1nArtliUFXrSpBwnydBf1WBKeWdmAsKnlMYvcSWknFkU/s1600/monkees3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOMgSxq78COyVPijkDUso8Z3iP7yxDh5pc6sq8ZC_XkgihMxngLBt-pkLgdq8cVgpNAjyJbhsyRfF7C2a02pSwNfKpoboJud1nArtliUFXrSpBwnydBf1WBKeWdmAsKnlMYvcSWknFkU/s400/monkees3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718743290191536914" /></a><br />That last book was written by William Johnston, an author who wrote a few adult novels of his own, but was probably best known for adapting TV shows and movies into drugstore paperbacks for young readers. Among his dozens of books are adaptations of Dr. Kildare, The Munsters, Get Smart, The Flying Nun, The Brady Bunch, Room 222, The Mod Squad, Happy Days, and many more. <br /><br />Obviously Mr. Johnston never won any literary awards. I've read a few of his books over the years and they are exactly what you'd expect: facile, slight, and superficial. Yet you have to give this author credit for churning out book after book and, I strongly suspect, providing reading material to a lot of kids who probably never borrowed a book from the library in their lives. For many, a cheap adaptation of Gilligan's Island or Welcome Back, Kotter might be one of the few books they read in their lives. <br /><br />Needless to say, there is very little info out there on the author. From what I tracked down in Contemporary Authors, he was born in 1924 in Lincoln, Illinois and wrote his books while living in Massapequa, New York with his wife and five children. He may still be alive today. The only personal quote he offered Contemporary Authors was, "I am interested only in writing entertaining stories and remaining as anonymous as possible."<br /><br />Of course this makes me more interested in him than ever. I'd love to know how he fell into writing TV adaptations...if it paid well...it the job was fulfilling...and how he felt about his career on the whole. Not every writer is Hemingway or Faulkner. And there's something to be said for writing books directed at those who will appreciate them most -- that is, ardent fans and reluctant readers. In the greater scheme of things, these books may be quite ephemeral...yet they say a lot about popular culture at the time they were written.<br /><br /><br />THANKS <br /><br />Thanks for visiting Collecting Children's Books. Hope you'll be back soon!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-40965203788058847182012-02-20T02:13:00.004-05:002012-02-20T11:21:14.904-05:00Sex, Sponsie, and Other Sunday Brunch TopicsToday's Sunday Brunch features dead monkeys and dead celebrities, all accompanied by the song "Chopsticks" being played on the piano.<br /><br /><br />SEX ED, CIRCA 1874<br /><br />I recently stumbled across a set of five volumes titled SAMMY TUBBS, THE BOY DOCTOR, AND SPONSIE, THE TROUBLESOME MONKEY. Written by "E.B. Foote, M.D.," the books were part of a series called "Science in Story." <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDliEYhTOVHaLamvRBk0H_HPcmn1Cg6wyBs1FTU2c6_SfYAS9gCJ-vBOe537dIE2u2nDYpBn_zlPgQPPuJrxrPvscEesB1Ik8eGrIJrJF77nn5AKlug0i70MmxVzan-9vLQM5EMZ2NKN4/s1600/img073.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 337px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDliEYhTOVHaLamvRBk0H_HPcmn1Cg6wyBs1FTU2c6_SfYAS9gCJ-vBOe537dIE2u2nDYpBn_zlPgQPPuJrxrPvscEesB1Ik8eGrIJrJF77nn5AKlug0i70MmxVzan-9vLQM5EMZ2NKN4/s400/img073.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710150172351624114" /></a><br />It is one of the strangest series I've ever seen -- surprisingly progressive for its era, even while being old-fashioned and downright racist. <br /><br />The stories concern an African-American boy, Sammy Tubbs, who comes north after being freed from slavery. Finding work as a "door-boy" at the home of a physician, he soon begins following the career path of his employer, learning about the various parts of the human body and how to prevent and fight illness. Each volume in the series is concerned with a different system of the body -- "brain and nerves," "digestive, nutritive, respiratory, and vegetative nervous," "arteries, lymphatics, veins, lacteal, capillaries, radicles, villi," and "bones, cartilidges, and muscles." This information is presented throughout the stories, which also feature a pair of amusing monkeys, whose hijinks lighten up the narratives. Or at least they do until the monkeys -- named Sponsie No. 1 and Sponsie No. 2 -- get ahold of a pair of guns and Sponsie No. 2 shoots and kills Sponsie No. 1 as well as Sammy's beloved dog. The book includes a drawing of the dead animals laid out on a table, as the tearful Sammy decides to "lay open the skull of Sponsie" and remove the cerebro-spinal system of the dog for an upcoming scientific lecture. That evening the young scientist, so emotionally overwhelmed that he must at times "bury his face in his handkerchief," presents a medical lecture using the brain and spine of his pets as props! <br /><br />I told you these books were weird.<br /><br />The covers of all the Sammy Tubbs books are identical, except for one:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8gujU1256aBbYvIe_h8oDBPMa3pac1vPkVQ4oseS6hSr-tfuo6DzaiMXmI0stKLBE1PtgvpwvBTyvApJojOp-LZwhO9t5eR51MIRejotERrDzpwcQxDyU8q2wi3Gp7ECVflK_jUEYL8/s1600/img074.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 337px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8gujU1256aBbYvIe_h8oDBPMa3pac1vPkVQ4oseS6hSr-tfuo6DzaiMXmI0stKLBE1PtgvpwvBTyvApJojOp-LZwhO9t5eR51MIRejotERrDzpwcQxDyU8q2wi3Gp7ECVflK_jUEYL8/s400/img074.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710150153688774274" /></a><br />Let's come in closer to read that subtitle:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BqmnyrJijicjsGcfIEpgrwb43jl5HdrJ1TZHElVno3C5Mv5QRf8KNKHFOb9ejuiIykjuAtoXAgTzDdqXKd9Ctbkae9JNNMQ-uR7NAHKofXRuLqLNJDHpAmj0fNPyJBJosrmwqrIHmno/s1600/img075.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BqmnyrJijicjsGcfIEpgrwb43jl5HdrJ1TZHElVno3C5Mv5QRf8KNKHFOb9ejuiIykjuAtoXAgTzDdqXKd9Ctbkae9JNNMQ-uR7NAHKofXRuLqLNJDHpAmj0fNPyJBJosrmwqrIHmno/s400/img075.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710150425219643954" /></a><br />This, the last volume in the series, is the one that really shocked me. I always thought of the nineteenth century as being quite Puritanical and never expected that a popular series would feature a volume "for private reading" about the "elimination and reproductive system"!<br /><br />The book is rather coy in some regards. It tries to scare off some readers by stating that this volume "is dryer than any preceding volume," which of course is not true at all. However, the preface acknowledges that "this volume will, in many instances, be detached from the regular series of five consecutive volumes to which it belongs by those who mistakenly, as the publishers believe, adjudge it unsuited to children." <br /><br />The information about the reproductive organs and their functions are frankly described in this volume. The book also includes these rather graphic illustrations: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUehDIihyphenhyphenmsPgpJ0BHwcB4Z-AHcv7JR57Gv1SFbBo9fIewu7tURmbaJ0Af2Iz1WbKG3r0cMQEt5YzXO7mWeRbQRGlrDG5YOpJKvVSErSCaPXq4QtNceAAFmtiSe2QK-IhKd7RCwh89GQA/s1600/img076.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUehDIihyphenhyphenmsPgpJ0BHwcB4Z-AHcv7JR57Gv1SFbBo9fIewu7tURmbaJ0Af2Iz1WbKG3r0cMQEt5YzXO7mWeRbQRGlrDG5YOpJKvVSErSCaPXq4QtNceAAFmtiSe2QK-IhKd7RCwh89GQA/s400/img076.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710149947162668690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgUEGq5sJJW4yDOMCQv-PPaQaw_AdtA6oUEwpF_YL1r_ehq6w-dKERIeF1jI-LFTWDW4mMg8M2FzgUkyOWLlJ4qGadzvDXDzzbakZMPdTljH5D7f7fOdKzR6Fv1mXYQ25JxvGRD6YsyM/s1600/img078.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgUEGq5sJJW4yDOMCQv-PPaQaw_AdtA6oUEwpF_YL1r_ehq6w-dKERIeF1jI-LFTWDW4mMg8M2FzgUkyOWLlJ4qGadzvDXDzzbakZMPdTljH5D7f7fOdKzR6Fv1mXYQ25JxvGRD6YsyM/s400/img078.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710149929372284626" /></a><br />But if you look closely at the top of these pages, you will note their odd pagination and a special warning to parents:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nfpwDYU6AqAZ0ATxmGtwYPs_E6DQo29I0Sgz-70LTbm_8luWhMQLB5OCzfpp6GCm4UuhJK8pNLg_H1Om2UooRSgU3cW25hoBt8RDAQ4CCf0dADkSvsDqQkLW-2Ny0HFz6nwUfcK9mxs/s1600/img077.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 63px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nfpwDYU6AqAZ0ATxmGtwYPs_E6DQo29I0Sgz-70LTbm_8luWhMQLB5OCzfpp6GCm4UuhJK8pNLg_H1Om2UooRSgU3cW25hoBt8RDAQ4CCf0dADkSvsDqQkLW-2Ny0HFz6nwUfcK9mxs/s400/img077.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710149932850627154" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DtGH4nlLwqPkCygdHLKqHxoh4jfo1kuP0I1Xizn9Ka6v5s2BoZ1cu5SZQva_yUfuSvJ7QutXzFDLps_PTDtzKBenLPXeGw9Vf_CsCOS4H8xru6sncIUacIA-spL10IyHLj5T5_hibuk/s1600/img079.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 79px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DtGH4nlLwqPkCygdHLKqHxoh4jfo1kuP0I1Xizn9Ka6v5s2BoZ1cu5SZQva_yUfuSvJ7QutXzFDLps_PTDtzKBenLPXeGw9Vf_CsCOS4H8xru6sncIUacIA-spL10IyHLj5T5_hibuk/s400/img079.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710149927506220482" /></a><br />Yep, the publisher conspires with parents ("This leaf can be cut out if thought advisable") by labeling the pages 180 1/2 and 18 3/4. If a parent were to carefully remove this page from the volume, the kid would be none the wiser, since the pages before and after these are 180 and 181!<br /><br />From today's perspective, these illustrations are the least shocking part of the book. Much more controversial is the incorrect info the book provides on several fronts. For example, the concept that a child may grow up to be a murderer if his mother visits a slaughterhouse while pregnant. And speaking of slaughter, Sponsie No. 2 bites the big one in this volume, getting his tail entangled in knife-grinder and becoming "completely disemboweled." Naturally, Sammy dissects the body.<br /><br />Even if the series had not included this "book for private reading," it's still unusual for a novel from this era to feature an accomplished, intellectually curious African American protagonist. However, while Sammy Tubbs gives lectures on scientific topics and hopes to attend medical school, some of the other black characters speak in dialect and behave like knaves. For example, when Sponsie has his fatal accident, Sammy's friend Diggles cries, "Dat dere monkey am all torn to strings! He am dun gone forever! Oh mi! Oh mi!" We're later told that while he "still knows how to chew twine and crack his knuckles," Diggles never shared Sammy's interest in science. Why? "Among colored people, as well as among those of lighter complexion, under the present system of hap-hazard reprodution, some are born with and some without brains." <br /><br />Still, Sammy himself remains a trailblazer in many areas. For example, one of his girlfriends is caucasian. Surely, this must be one of the first books for young people -- if not <em>the </em>first to feature an illustration depicting an interracial kiss:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF41I9rBN9uklAdLT3bKseiLch3wXoQQ25IQAKNf14002V08XvEiK7LmXKkl9X7ELpoJxDgzvnTKqdxdjEPAGZDsmT3RWTUn1aw9FLfOwOZyifhVg5BwaTa4IsvnT3YdR6KzNLsHAQAyY/s1600/img080.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 332px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF41I9rBN9uklAdLT3bKseiLch3wXoQQ25IQAKNf14002V08XvEiK7LmXKkl9X7ELpoJxDgzvnTKqdxdjEPAGZDsmT3RWTUn1aw9FLfOwOZyifhVg5BwaTa4IsvnT3YdR6KzNLsHAQAyY/s400/img080.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710149919067486178" /></a><br />By turns progressive, dated, frank, and often ridiculously wrong in its facts, the Sammy Tubbs stories are among the strangest children's books of their era...or any era.<br /><br />SEX EDUCATION, CIRCA 1988<br /><br />The subject of the Sammy Tubbs "Book for Private Reading" reminded me of an old favorite of mine published over twenty years ago:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzPHhTgUZ5sZ3DIdmVpazMoZzkWMuqJw8qLs3oN_MotcrhY97ZHniGLPVBRjTSdd5gc1uO9TClY_06Qqp9FQq2LWUP1o23CNOdUD03fjtEiMXZYKcMJVt-ggV6oi4GzJksrO7oYTvnUQ/s1600/sex+education.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzPHhTgUZ5sZ3DIdmVpazMoZzkWMuqJw8qLs3oN_MotcrhY97ZHniGLPVBRjTSdd5gc1uO9TClY_06Qqp9FQq2LWUP1o23CNOdUD03fjtEiMXZYKcMJVt-ggV6oi4GzJksrO7oYTvnUQ/s400/sex+education.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710196128281420642" /></a><br />Does anyone else remember this novel?<br /><br />I'm sure that many readers were drawn to the book by its attention-grabbing title. Some may have been disappointed when the narrative wasn't nearly as explicit as expected. On the other hand, the book was so well-written and intriguing that most probably didn't mind. <br /><br />The story concerns classmates Livvie and David who, as part of a high school "sex ed" class are told to find someone and "care" about them. They choose a pregnant teenage girl married to a violent young man -- a choice that ends up having tragic consequences.<br /><br />Jenny Davis burst onto the young-adult field with her 1987 novel GOODBYE AND KEEP COLD. The next year she published SEX EDUCATION, with CHECKING ON THE MOON following in 1990. At the time, all three books were highly praised and their author, a teacher, was seen as an important new voice in young adult fiction.<br /><br />Unfortunately, CHECKING ON THE MOON was the last book she published. Her novels continued to be read for some years, but now they are all out of print. I keep hoping that, one of these days, she'll turn up with a great new book and that her three early novels -- still quite readable -- will return to print.<br /><br />Does anyone remember Jenny Davis or know why she disappeared so suddenly and completley from the field of young adult fiction?<br /><br /><br />HOW NOT TO SHELVE BOOKS!<br /><br />Blog friend Susan B. provided a link to the following video -- "How to Beautify Your Bookshelves" -- on her Facebook page and I was so horrified that I had to share it here: <br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RjIGDlbV258" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />As Susan commented, "Remove the dust jackets? Arrange by color? Put a container of water near hardcover books? NOOOOOO....."<br /><br />Also the woman in the video shelves at least one of the books upside down!<br /><br />It reminded me of the time I was watching TRADING SPACES and a designer looked at a room full of books and decided to take off all the dustjackets. If someone had done that to my book collection, I would probably end up in jail for causing them grievous bodily harm!<br /><br />(P.S. If you'd like to be Facebook friends with me, feel free to "friend" me at Peter D. Sieruta.)<br /><br /><br />CHOPSTICKS<br /><br />If you're interested in old and collectable books the way I am, you always try to keep an eye out for current books that are offbeat and intriguing; they are the books we'll be collecting tomorrow.<br /><br />Is CHOPSTICKS one of those books?<br /><br />I'm not sure. But it's definitely a "different" type of young-adult novel and may pave the way for an entirely new genre. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ04dN3a5Pu6Bp_Kvxsu1059iV9j_UhGRuaX9HSporWzDRKd4LtCtdhoqWkOtZsQOdIOU-G1_T_crtCMgAX35bj2L9F1fvFR3XrvqV9HEr_r8lgEy0-S_e98ctN5el1zTT1EOnlEKWze0/s1600/chopsticks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 353px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ04dN3a5Pu6Bp_Kvxsu1059iV9j_UhGRuaX9HSporWzDRKd4LtCtdhoqWkOtZsQOdIOU-G1_T_crtCMgAX35bj2L9F1fvFR3XrvqV9HEr_r8lgEy0-S_e98ctN5el1zTT1EOnlEKWze0/s400/chopsticks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710899867519618002" /></a><br />Created by writer Jessica Anthony and illustrator Rodrigo Corral, and available as both a book and app, this is a graphic novel for the computer age. A minimal text and abundant photographs, collages, video stills, and other well-designed art pieces tell the story of Glory Fleming, a piano prodigy trained by her ambitious father. Glory has performed at concert halls around the world and is known for interpolating classical music with pop songs. When Argentinian teenager Frank Mendoza moves in next door, their ensuing romantic relationship is depicted in posed photos, Instant Message texts, poetry, and samples of Frank's artwork. A European concert tour separates the teens and Glory suffers a breakdown, interrupting her performances to play the beginners' song "Chopsticks." Ultimately, she is admitted to the "Golden Hands Rest Facility, an instition for musical progedies." <em>A rest home for musical progedies? </em> Right there is your first clue that something about this entire narrative is off-base. (It may also be the only YA novel in which Lawrence Welk's ragtime piano gal, Jo Ann Castle, appears as a recurring motif.) CHOPSTICKS has been receiving a lot of attention due to the way it bridges the gap between a standard bound book and a computer app. Those who read this story in the latter format will probably have a very different experience -- clicking on links to view Youtube videos and hear music excerpts -- than those of us who simply turned the pages of the novel. Is one format better than the other? I don't know. But whatever format is chosen, readers will be disturbed and mystified by this tantalizingly inconclusive tale that demands to be be read (or played on the computer) again and again. Each subsequent reading will likely lead to different theories on what is real and what is unreal in the lives of Frank and Glory.<br /><br /><br />HOT OR NOT?<br /><br />If you work in a public or school library, I'm curious if there has been much demand for books such as these this past week: <br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTqIB7ZOhzeyb_c469QxcN5Fo2OyAR54hJADNqw22woxTp0VaYq8PTOlP0_2BJ6tfYCvJynsNfp6UOjOoiTDwL0aPnjLxhUmYRsGFSc2V6V_8Q9t4vdVxUNQeyTeE8pVv-4QkRM4S7Lg/s1600/Whitney1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTqIB7ZOhzeyb_c469QxcN5Fo2OyAR54hJADNqw22woxTp0VaYq8PTOlP0_2BJ6tfYCvJynsNfp6UOjOoiTDwL0aPnjLxhUmYRsGFSc2V6V_8Q9t4vdVxUNQeyTeE8pVv-4QkRM4S7Lg/s400/Whitney1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711023063931906562" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoJCYdCH0UCdeKYx-F8PIWWMagH4gB8q9rFgaBwEQphYGBWSpJXkW-Y_t-_0XiK0xTrY4SsTcSobMLtdiowkbt8-BcW-PXFE47yvg3PTIbZsqmm8UJyf1ckcdswUBdoeaPKwGIgr7s2w/s1600/Whitney2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoJCYdCH0UCdeKYx-F8PIWWMagH4gB8q9rFgaBwEQphYGBWSpJXkW-Y_t-_0XiK0xTrY4SsTcSobMLtdiowkbt8-BcW-PXFE47yvg3PTIbZsqmm8UJyf1ckcdswUBdoeaPKwGIgr7s2w/s400/Whitney2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711023063032150962" /></a><br />One wonders how soon she'll be immortalized in one of those quickie volumes for morbid kids like these:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BRMsVh1JdWUJTSCRxlzt7zgWDDmoOKQY97bJoNQ-BBy7e5JTEgfMopg70HAfXw2kiFfum0RH5l2A0vAhDvMzXt_KJO5OhSSfXv5vLOMykKKPINC3jhAemxU5QXCuC8_zGZL-0xawI4M/s1600/they1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BRMsVh1JdWUJTSCRxlzt7zgWDDmoOKQY97bJoNQ-BBy7e5JTEgfMopg70HAfXw2kiFfum0RH5l2A0vAhDvMzXt_KJO5OhSSfXv5vLOMykKKPINC3jhAemxU5QXCuC8_zGZL-0xawI4M/s400/they1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711102446691403602" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LtG_14tRCMQQFj5SXn3RrGvhqD2UIpaMOMVGH0UsxSrzx2L33ejjJSfN88EQc4sPcTAtC0Wgu8u8cWv9peRipHhYhHhKpIgEv77BCDLmvZh-L55Mqmj8FS1GqKi9E5BSbu4lwT7_c-o/s1600/they2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LtG_14tRCMQQFj5SXn3RrGvhqD2UIpaMOMVGH0UsxSrzx2L33ejjJSfN88EQc4sPcTAtC0Wgu8u8cWv9peRipHhYhHhKpIgEv77BCDLmvZh-L55Mqmj8FS1GqKi9E5BSbu4lwT7_c-o/s400/they2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711102447842612850" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgdzJI0pfDSver5vgoYgZdiaQzLp1RCJ7C3hpReje8HJA2smGMbgzQ9rRM-Pk9B_nTfeXrhDR9cO7YOd3BoeK6wEBUH3n7P4YWTTe14Dv4vMgGWuuQeu4Jy61IxTK2QhXR1vly2O1vok/s1600/they+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgdzJI0pfDSver5vgoYgZdiaQzLp1RCJ7C3hpReje8HJA2smGMbgzQ9rRM-Pk9B_nTfeXrhDR9cO7YOd3BoeK6wEBUH3n7P4YWTTe14Dv4vMgGWuuQeu4Jy61IxTK2QhXR1vly2O1vok/s400/they+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711102441133206290" /></a><br />One thing I've noticed about children's books is how the smaller presses fill a need for pop culture biographies. While these books don't generally hold up as "literature," and only stay in print for a couple years, they do achieve their purpose: serving as biographies that kids can use in writing book reports and papers for school. Although there is only one Tim Tebow book available for kids at the moment -- a "young reader's edition" of the athlete's autobiography THROUGH MY EYES -- I can pretty much guarantee that there will be three or four quickie children's biographies of Tebow on the shelves by the time the next football season rolls aroung. And I bet that, even as you read this, some publisher is contacting an author about writing a Jeremy Lin book STAT!<br /><br /><br />SCEGG WELL!<br /><br />Last weekend I wrote about the new "50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" of A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeleine L'Engle. This week I laid my hands on a copy and I'd recommend that all fans of the novel do the same. It's full of all kinds of treats, including photographs from Ms. L'Engle's life and a chapter from the original manuscript as edited by the author.<br /><br />Here are some of my favorite things in this new edition:<br /><br />* Last week I mentioned the newly-designed dust jacket illustration. What I didn't know at the time was that, beneath the dustjacket, the original, well-remembered cover art by Ellen Raskin is printed directly on the front panel of the book.<br /><br />* Katherine Paterson's introduction includes this fascinating tidbit:<br /><br /><em>Last March I went to see the documentary CHEKHOV FOR CHILDREN. And there on the screen was a sixth-grader named Rebecca Stead. For me it was sort of a wrinkle in time, for I was seeing the author at just about the time that Madeleine L'Engle made a magical visit to Rebecca's New York City public school. I'm guessing it was about then that young Rebecca fell in love with A WRINKLE IN TIME. Her own Newbery Award book, WHEN YOU REACH ME, is a stunning homage to the book she cherished as a child.</em><br /><br />* In an Afterword written by Madeleine's granddaughter Charlotte Jones Voiklis, we learn that there was some concern that the word "tesseract" was not in the public domain, in which case the author considered substituting "sceortweg" for "tesseract" and "scegging" for "tessering." It's hard to imagine that, isn't it? Ms. L'Engle was known for signing books, "Tesser well!" "Scegg well!" just wouldn't be the same, would it?<br /><br />* The Afterword also provides a tantalizing hint about the "unfinished first draft" of a novel called THE EYE BEGINS TO SEE in which the adult Meg "adjusts to her children's growing up and moving out." Think this book will ever be published? If WRINKLE IN TIME had remained a stand-alone volume, I think the author's literary executors might have said no -- why mess with a classic? BUT, since L'Engle herself continued to write about the Meg and the Murray/O'Keefe family in several more volumes of varying quality, I expect THE EYE BEGINS TO SEE will be considered fair game and that it will be published eventually. That's just my guess. Someday we'll SEE if I'm right.<br /><br /><br />THANKS<br /><br />Thanks for visiting Collecting Children's Books. Hope you'll return!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-19276810214651415642012-02-19T17:05:00.002-05:002012-02-19T17:05:58.514-05:00Brunch delayedAnother one of those Sundays when Brunch will be served a little late. Please check back later tonight or early tomorrow. Sorry for the delay!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-17798626428847893852012-02-13T02:28:00.002-05:002012-02-13T02:39:08.725-05:00February 12 Sunday BrunchI'm sorry this blog has been so erratic of late. <br /><br />In the words of Roseanne Roseannadanna, "It's always something!"<br /><br />Actually, I had to skip last weekend's brunch for a happy reason. I spent much of Saturday on a conference call with Cindy Dobrez and Angelina Benedetti, as we deliberated our selections for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. There were about 120 young adult books on our initial list, which we narrowed down to around 20 for serious deliberations. If was very difficult to whittle those 20 down to a shortlist of five. Every cut hurt, and it got even worse as we eliminated the final few titles. But I am THRILLED with our five finalists. I want to shout the titles from the rooftops, but must wait ten days or so before the shortlist is made public. I hope you agree that our top five titles are among 2011's very best.<br /><br />The following day was also quite busy. It was my father's birthday and he was reaching a milestone year. How old is he? Let's put it this way: I've never personally known anyone as old as he is now. For his birthday, we brought in a nice Chinese meal and a beautiful cake from a favorite bakery.<br /><br />I gave him the following four presents:<br /><br />1. some instant lottery tickets<br />2. a package of socks<br />3. three new sweatshirts<br />4. several <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Old-Fashioned-Farm-Life-Coloring-Book/dp/0486261484/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329081451&sr=8-1"> adult coloring books </a><br /><br />Now let's see how well those four gifts worked out!<br /><br />1. he didn't win a cent on any the lottery tickets<br />2. on Wednesday morning he was walking in the hall when one of his new socks snagged on the metal transition strip covering the edge of the carpet, and he tripped and fell down -- breaking his arm!<br />3. the EMS people had to CUT OFF his brand new sweatshirt in order to get to his broken arm; that only-worn-once sweathshirt is currently in the rag bag<br />4. now he can't color his art books due to the broken arm<br /><br />So much of the past few days have been spent going to and from the hospital. On Friday he was released from the hospital and sent directly to a rehabilitation facility to spend ten days getting physical therapy. Unfortunately, that night he had a medical issue and was rushed back to the hospital. I drove between the two places in a blinding blizzard, the car skidding and swerving at every stop. Thankfully the medical crisis was shortlived and he is now back at the rehab center. <br /><br />But guess what? The rehab center is less than a mile from my favorite bookstore.<br /><br />So there is a silver lining to this story!<br /><br />Now...on to children's books.<br /><br /> <br /><br />BLURRED VISION<br /><br />Last year we were all amazed that two of 2011's most-talked about books for kids, OKAY FOR NOW and DEAD END IN NORVELT, had such similar dustjacket illustrations:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUc4eZqgoXSELMHtdxIefscLHmsgjnVU3LuRxnmx1EOWygCG-Z0I2AK20fpuY0029UmKTxnpgx90igu4bL8jC9SoqVniiZQGvZXEbXipxS8sN3YyzkehSuBYMgq6CYfJdRee-p3oulQE/s1600/Dead+end.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUc4eZqgoXSELMHtdxIefscLHmsgjnVU3LuRxnmx1EOWygCG-Z0I2AK20fpuY0029UmKTxnpgx90igu4bL8jC9SoqVniiZQGvZXEbXipxS8sN3YyzkehSuBYMgq6CYfJdRee-p3oulQE/s400/Dead+end.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708278159543297090" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RSdlWCfdYOg-MjtxJCYPqcRLVFBxEwZz1jYR5ioQ85u-o42BpfQF8LUZ1lqYMWKHTr-3AsMtLvF0DqEugMezMkmvHDPg2VUl720ISPirbUQULQH0tp_wVKQ0_wNZDS5rFS2GbWFfpY8/s1600/OkayforNow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RSdlWCfdYOg-MjtxJCYPqcRLVFBxEwZz1jYR5ioQ85u-o42BpfQF8LUZ1lqYMWKHTr-3AsMtLvF0DqEugMezMkmvHDPg2VUl720ISPirbUQULQH0tp_wVKQ0_wNZDS5rFS2GbWFfpY8/s400/OkayforNow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708276115723755586" /></a><br />I haven't seen anything <em>that </em>similar among this year's dustjackets, but I did note some similarities between the covers of the following much talked-about new novels. Okay, they're not identical, and no one will get them confused...unless maybe you are looking at them across a room...and the lights are kind of dim...and you need a new prescription for eyeglasses: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2gaDyTqw3b9imDL5KHbn1wKj6Zym_0tMhxn7LnfFUfT9MSxiaviYKKz-FlpQNkhz8sS8X1mzhlcsAXib74G11eBE2RKB-tTW9CRbYxftYD0-n4qavx1uhVFV1xASLFQ2b1CTb_naiqo/s1600/fault-in-our-stars.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2gaDyTqw3b9imDL5KHbn1wKj6Zym_0tMhxn7LnfFUfT9MSxiaviYKKz-FlpQNkhz8sS8X1mzhlcsAXib74G11eBE2RKB-tTW9CRbYxftYD0-n4qavx1uhVFV1xASLFQ2b1CTb_naiqo/s400/fault-in-our-stars.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708274285266078946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM56XPO3OO1ItI9R5cIY8xI1jFfDhYQxzOrGCd5Fxg4kgXoY3RUdtTNyc8wLYa_rLc0Q1JvrcpPLPn6Uf1q9p-DP6QNqv5Piuh6VEuiRUlU3kYChVoYw8Q_CLbohdRMhrZFynttwGAIDw/s1600/wonder.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM56XPO3OO1ItI9R5cIY8xI1jFfDhYQxzOrGCd5Fxg4kgXoY3RUdtTNyc8wLYa_rLc0Q1JvrcpPLPn6Uf1q9p-DP6QNqv5Piuh6VEuiRUlU3kYChVoYw8Q_CLbohdRMhrZFynttwGAIDw/s400/wonder.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708273310284161554" /></a><br /><br /><br />MAKE-YOUR-OWN-COVERS<br /><br />Fellow children's book aficionado, fellow blogger, and fellow Michigander Travis Jonker has one of the <a href="http://100scopenotes.com/"> best book blogs </a> out there. I especially enjoy seeing his original designs for new, updated Newbery book dustjackets.<br /><br />I didn't realize until today that many people have the same hobby.<br /><br />Looking on Google for an image of the John Green cover to post above, I discovered nearly two dozen <em>different </em>versions of THE FAULT IN OUR STARS dustjacket! At first I thought they were from foreign editions of the book, but soon realized that were designed by young fans and artists. Most of them are quite good. In fact, I think many are better than the actual cover used by the publisher. I'd re-post them here, but would undoubtedly get cease-and-desist letters from some of these young artists...so instead I'll just direct you to Google. Do an image search, type in the title "The Fault in Our Stars" and scroll down. Amazing creativity.<br /><br /><br />NOT FOR SALE...YES, IT IS<br /><br />ARCs, or "advance reader copies," are highly prized in the children's book world. These softcover volumes are essentially uncorrected proofs of forthcoming books, released to reviewers, bookstores, and other members of the industry several months before the hardcover volume hits the streets. In the past, ARCs were often tall narrow volumes with nondescript covers. Even in the eighties and ninties, they were fairly utilitarian, with rough colored-paper covers. These days, however, most ARCs resemble the final book, with the dustjacket illustration printed on the front of the glossy cover and selling points ("Eight city author tour!" "200,000 first printing!") listed on the back. At one point, I suspect only the cognoscenti knew about ARCs, but with the advent of the internet, book blogging, and ardent fanships, everyone has come to know about ARCs and everyone now wants them. I suspect there are some readers today who get most of their new books in this format and rarely buy a hardcover. My bookstore friend sometimes gives me ARCs but, even though I'm poor as the proverbial churchmouse, it's a point of personal pride that I try to also buy the hardcover editions of these books if I possibly can. I feel like I have to support the children's book world. From a collecting perspective, I have always tried to obtain ARCs of the Newbery books, since they sometimes (though not always) reveal changes in book's text between manuscript and hardcover publication.<br /><br />Every ARC has the same warning on the cover: "NOT FOR SALE."<br /><br />This has led to a continuing issue in the world of bookselling. <br /><br />Because of the demand for ARCs -- whether from serious book collectors or simply fans who want to read an author's newest title STAT -- sellers often try to sell these volumes online. Every now and then this creates a tempest in a teapot, as someone complains that booksellers are taking advantage of publisher "freebies" in order to make a profit. From time to time, eBay and other online companies have tried to ban the selling of ARCs due to these complaints.<br /><br />Just recently (thanks to a tip from fellow book collector Sarah H.), I heard about an ARC of this year's surprise Newbery Honor that was listed for sale online. I ordered the book and was thrilled to receive it this week. It arrived with this sticker on the cover: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM0mEPDTtjCjAL2m-CH6hHUpDuXvR2rxOoNQkJOexDeTDZt1xQ8uY67Yc92D1rhTrI8R8SD8iZJoBZxr0z1oofzvfdi_fhLIc5ha8gK4hVinrYs5vfe-KJSxPaWKxhQuxqLEyk6EAtuM/s1600/stalin.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM0mEPDTtjCjAL2m-CH6hHUpDuXvR2rxOoNQkJOexDeTDZt1xQ8uY67Yc92D1rhTrI8R8SD8iZJoBZxr0z1oofzvfdi_fhLIc5ha8gK4hVinrYs5vfe-KJSxPaWKxhQuxqLEyk6EAtuM/s400/stalin.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708272294889543170" /></a><br />I have never seen such a sticker on an ARC before. Have you? My guess is that it did not come this way from the publisher (would a publisher cover up the title like that? would a publisher cooperate in the re-selling of a free volume?) but that the sticker was created by a bookseller to avoid controversy.<br /><br />Whatever the case, I'm not complaining. I'm just glad to add this ARC to my collection.<br /><br />...Now if I could only find one for INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN!<br /><br /><br />INSPIRED TO FLY<br /><br />Earlier this week, Dr. Janice Voss died of cancer at age 55. An astronaut, Dr. Voss was one of only six women who have traveled in space five times. <br /><br />The conclusion of her New York Times obituary really struck me:<br /><br /><em>She was just 16 and a freshman at Purdue University when she first worked for NASA, as an intern at the Johnson Space Center. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in engineering science in 1975, she returned to the center to train crews in navigation and entry guidance. She went on to earn a master’s in electrical engineering, in 1977, and a doctorate in aeronautics and astronautics, in 1987, both at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. <br /><br />It all started, her mother said, when Janice was 6 and picked up a book at the local library, “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle — a fantasy in which one of the main characters is a scientist who happens to be a woman. </em><br /><br />What a testament to the power of children's books!<br /><br /><br />FIFTY AND WRINKLED<br /><br />Speaking of A WRINKLE IN TIME, have you seen the just-released fiftieth anniversary edition of this Madeleine L'Engle's novel? <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJHWTF0_TQL0MEQN0FkyRs0r1XWYHSz-WYPUDcKV-t82lIRpma5syXoOkdEJnVf0sGQKgdBsORTTmaHfbhHM59yKzCptjI3WrKVRaXa_HrI7gRh5O2RYqtdiLBUMvOci0j_DEVhOlfWE/s1600/wrinkle+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJHWTF0_TQL0MEQN0FkyRs0r1XWYHSz-WYPUDcKV-t82lIRpma5syXoOkdEJnVf0sGQKgdBsORTTmaHfbhHM59yKzCptjI3WrKVRaXa_HrI7gRh5O2RYqtdiLBUMvOci0j_DEVhOlfWE/s400/wrinkle+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708474891851567634" /></a><br />The cover modernizes the original dustjacket art by Ellen Raskin (herself a future Newbery winner):<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcajKXEpk9O7yRiQLQUN9lMIToqPj-AL2DI8sTOJq1yZkp94DAwbdO78NYWY__In9CLT7npYhdQ-4O3edUs7MFa9GrSXo2UR0vSrI1Hn1Crvz4KV-GRJ8o8gh397U0oYH-blfRzQYQEQ/s1600/wrinkle+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 359px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcajKXEpk9O7yRiQLQUN9lMIToqPj-AL2DI8sTOJq1yZkp94DAwbdO78NYWY__In9CLT7npYhdQ-4O3edUs7MFa9GrSXo2UR0vSrI1Hn1Crvz4KV-GRJ8o8gh397U0oYH-blfRzQYQEQ/s400/wrinkle+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708474897528928802" /></a><br />In the new illustration, the characters look a bit more "hip" and confident.<br /><br />The 50th anniversary edition also features "an introduction by Katherine Paterson, an afterword by Madeleine L’Engle’s granddaughter Charlotte Jones Voiklis that includes photographs and memorabilia, the author’s Newbery Medal acceptance speech, and other bonus materials."<br /><br /><br />HAPPY ANNIVERSARY<br /><br />A WRINKLE IN TIME joins a growing number of modern Newbery winners and Honor Books that have been re-released in anniversary or collectable editions. <br /><br />Others include:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhhdw7gnQsVJH1bGVmMyLgfAwNUKCFFjnIeG2g5oRylHj37lctNlh6MoWqharj3DQHTAir5g_9ArsJJFqJ1Y1pq2oTNXSwz7a1VXceHx7HvmgnPU4cxVLcbtzC9xisK30VIpOHS7faow/s1600/misty.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhhdw7gnQsVJH1bGVmMyLgfAwNUKCFFjnIeG2g5oRylHj37lctNlh6MoWqharj3DQHTAir5g_9ArsJJFqJ1Y1pq2oTNXSwz7a1VXceHx7HvmgnPU4cxVLcbtzC9xisK30VIpOHS7faow/s400/misty.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708492936090423282" /></a><br />A 60th annniversary edition of 1948 Newbery Honor MISTY OF CHINCOTEAGUE.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVXGlaLVdbIyG90pTVTxaDtzMwn99HK3dlC-5oKxMpJ0TRPHr-_vp36d8jgWHXW4D1GsfmzEFmZ_XYzjMoDidfVJ1ube11l1dE0jxHex9uQBRN-tW3QxFSP6j5GIf6DIEV62z_e00E-Q/s1600/MyFathersDragon_h425.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 311px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVXGlaLVdbIyG90pTVTxaDtzMwn99HK3dlC-5oKxMpJ0TRPHr-_vp36d8jgWHXW4D1GsfmzEFmZ_XYzjMoDidfVJ1ube11l1dE0jxHex9uQBRN-tW3QxFSP6j5GIf6DIEV62z_e00E-Q/s400/MyFathersDragon_h425.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708492498514032658" /></a><br />A 60th anniversary edition of 1949 Newbery Honor MY FATHER'S DRAGON.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExidlhK6x_mCY1qbzd7lh5TkkuP7uM-SH4f1Ch48J8Yge3Q-gzf1rOAbtAKbT6TQU4Uyxt6zPkNkpi5JaZovnGGu4nNSzDzjwdcfEKwIAfTgloOLf1ybrqYbKwsaRFs0F6-ef-8QhB6k/s1600/mixed+up.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExidlhK6x_mCY1qbzd7lh5TkkuP7uM-SH4f1Ch48J8Yge3Q-gzf1rOAbtAKbT6TQU4Uyxt6zPkNkpi5JaZovnGGu4nNSzDzjwdcfEKwIAfTgloOLf1ybrqYbKwsaRFs0F6-ef-8QhB6k/s400/mixed+up.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708492493227617298" /></a><br />A 35th anniversary edition of 1968 Newbery winner FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb4j3oNxuETdUgh3dS6Z4c7TrVrP420K-TqqpWC7VmC9PtMrX_RQflji23Oo11O-y2Ev0_ViqpbePr5fqM9UkmLlGy3uw9Hkesbh76LMS9ArIh1AH-VGBTrU-N9gBBGTRusv5FfyrEkA/s1600/roll+of+thunder.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb4j3oNxuETdUgh3dS6Z4c7TrVrP420K-TqqpWC7VmC9PtMrX_RQflji23Oo11O-y2Ev0_ViqpbePr5fqM9UkmLlGy3uw9Hkesbh76LMS9ArIh1AH-VGBTrU-N9gBBGTRusv5FfyrEkA/s400/roll+of+thunder.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708492499650388034" /></a><br />A 25th anniversary edition of 1977 Newbery winner ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHe4Gvxj3ZmN5iTDjB5Ls-siU9JA9X-mydPtI9-Bwz1B8YpVFLBnuXbixYf541NSsBnOKG8JPSe6vnLuN51RAx0Qm-_vx8yoEdrAxgC1pi9aIzzpWbaNWqufim72CZ8dRs684fdqeF9WA/s1600/holes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 155px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHe4Gvxj3ZmN5iTDjB5Ls-siU9JA9X-mydPtI9-Bwz1B8YpVFLBnuXbixYf541NSsBnOKG8JPSe6vnLuN51RAx0Qm-_vx8yoEdrAxgC1pi9aIzzpWbaNWqufim72CZ8dRs684fdqeF9WA/s400/holes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708492491440225410" /></a><br />A 10th anniverary edition of 1999 Newbery winner HOLES.<br /><br />Do you know of any others?<br /><br />Volumes that were created to celebrate anniversaries are always nice for the collector's shelves, but they are not necessarily rare or unusual. Issued many years after the original book has already achieved success, they often published in fairly large print runs. What makes these volumes particuarly interesting is that they often contain "bonus material," such as biographical sketches of the author, copies of their Newbery speech, or correspondence between author and editor. Not every "anniversary" edition contains this kind of ephemera though. Also, some anniversary books are issued in different editions; for example, some may offer a limited run of signed, numbered volumes. So if you see a copy of a book offered as a "special anniversary edition," it's always a good idea to check around and see which of these variables apply. Just because the book says "anniversary edition" on its cover does not mean it's worth a lot of extra money. A case in point is the aforementioned anniversary edition of A WRINKLE IN TIME. The 60th anniversary edition can be found at almost any bookstore these days and sells at $24.95. However, there is also a 25th anniversary edition out there. Limited to 500 signed number copies and presented in a slipcase, this 1987 volume sells for approximately $750 these days. <br /><br /><br />FEBRUARY RESOLUTIONS<br /><br />Last month Nancy Pearl wrote an article called "New Year's Resolutions 2012" for Publishers Weekly. In her piece, she suggested some old titles that she wished would be re-printed, wished that libraries and bookstore had larger poetry sections, and even made a plea directed at young-adult fiction: "Although there are some notable teen dystopian novels that I’m very eager to read, the sequels to Veronica Roth’s Insurgent, Marie Lu’s Legend, Ally Condie’s Matched (to name just three), I wish we could give that plot line a rest and move on to other topics for teens."<br /><br />I was particularly intrigued by one of Ms. Pearl's suggestions: <br /><br /><em>I wish that everyone who works at a library or bookstore would include in the signature line of their e-mails what they’re currently reading. It takes less than a minute to add it, and it’s a simple and effective way to highlight books both old and new. The staff at both Seattle Public and Cuyahoga County Library System have been encouraged to do exactly that, and it’s a treat to get e-mail from the employees there.</em> <br /><br />That's a great idea! Maybe we should all try that one.<br /><br />And even though we're already deep into February -- well past the time for "New Year's Resolutions," I'm still wondering what literary wishes and dreams you might have for 2012.<br /><br />Here are a few of mine:<br /><br />* It's wonderful that the children's book world gets world-wide publicity every year when the book awards are announced in January. But why should we settle with one day only? I wish we could come up with an idea that would publicize children's books in a BIG way several times a year. <br /><br />* Looking at the new books being published over the past year or so, it seems the emphasis is on creating massive bestsellers. Debut authors are receiving six-figure deals, with massive first 200,000 printings, international rights sold all over the world, etc., etc. That's great. But I wonder what ever happened to the good old days of midlist authors who write midlist books. Sometimes those are the books that mean the most to us as kids and are remembered best as adults. I hope that in our rush to lionize the next "big thing," we don't ignore (or stop publishing) those who write books that sell modestly but are still very much loved.<br /><br />* I already announced plans to keep my ramshackle, sorely-neglected "Printz Picks" blog open all year in anticipation of the 2013 awards. Now I'm deligheted to hear that Karyn Silverman and Sarah Couri plan to make their <a href="http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/printzblog/"> "Someday My Printz Will Come" blog </a> at School Library Journal an annual affair as well. Now, my wish is that Nina Lindsay and Jonathan Hunt make their SLJ Newbery blog, <a href="http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/heavymedal/"> "Heavy Medal" </a> a year-round enterprise as well. I know it's a lot of work, but keeping us updated on Newbery possibilities all year (hey, maybe once every couple weeks? even once a month?) would keep us all on our toes -- not mention, keep us all reading! -- from now through next January.<br /><br />* Speaking of School Library Journal, I wish that magazine wasn't so starstruck. Let PEOPLE MAGAZINE or ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY interview Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Regis Philbin's daughter about their children's books. SLJ has a built-in audience composed of real book people...so they should give us interviews of real book authors -- not celebs whose books would probably never have been published if they didn't have famous names.<br /><br />* I wish that children's books were more visible on TV...and in real-life. Think how much publicity a book would receive if one of the kids from MODERN FAMILY or one of the teens on GLEE was seen reading it on TV. And I bet that if Malia or Sasha Obama was photographed getting off a plane with a children's book in her hand, that title would hit Amazon's bestseller list within hours.<br /><br />* I wish that people would stop using bookstores as "show rooms." You've heard the same stories I have. These days many customers visit bookstores, get recommendations from the staff, browse through the books, sample a page here or a chapter there, and then bypass the cash register and order the (discounted) books from Amazon.com on their iPad or download the e-book onto their Kindle...sometimes while still standing in the store! Then people wonder why bookstores are closing. I was thinking about this the other day, and remembered something from my youth in the early 1970s. That was the era when "adult" books and magazines were becoming more mainstream and many bookstores didn't know what to do with this material. They couldn't put them on display with all the other magazines; even the covers contained X-rated images. And how to keep curious kids from looking at (not to mention swiping) them? The solution was to have a separate "closed" area for adults only. One local bookstore had a small, walled room in back; another had a separate aisle which could only be entered through a closed gate. However, these stores soon discovered that many customers would spend hours "browsing" but buy nothing. So both instituted a policy: you had to pay $1 or $2 just to go IN the closed area. If you bought a book or magazine from that section, the $1 or $2 was deducted from the price of your purchase. If you didn't buy anything, that was your price for "looking." It recently crossed my mind that, if the trend of bookstores becoming "book show rooms" for Kindle readers continues, the stores may have to institute a "browsing fee" just like they did in those early days of porn: $10 to enter the bookstore, which will be cheerfully deducted from your purchase if you BUY a book. Otherwise, that's the price you pay for using a bookstore as a catalog. I'd hate to see things come to that though....<br /><br />* I wish every parent would share their favorite childhood book with their child; and then I wish every child would share <em>their </em>favorite book with their parents. Imagine what that would do for children's books. Imagine what that would do for families.<br /><br />What are <em>your </em>wishes for the children's book world in 2012?<br /><br />I'd love to hear them!<br /><br /><br />ENDING WITH LAUGHTER<br /><br />Finally, I recently asked about your favorite "five hanky" book from childhood and have been fascinated to learn about the books that made you cry as a kid. Some of the titles included MAY I CROSS YOUR GOLDEN RIVER? (I loved that one too), WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS, ECHOES OF A SUMMER (I'd never heard of that one), ELLEN : A SHORT LIFE REMEMBERED, GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST, JEFFERSON'S SONS, BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY, OLD YELLER, THE VISITOR (another one new to me), MICHELLE (also new to me), CHARLOTTE'S WEB (maybe every kid's first really, really sad book), DEATH BE NOT PROUD, and THE BOOK THIEF. <br /><br />Now I have a happy question:<br /><br />What childhood book made you snicker, laugh, guffaw, or roar with laughter? As an adult, I rarely laugh out loud while reading...which doesn't mean that I don't find many books very funny. But I've noticed I don't have that same extreme physical reaction to humor these days when reading. But I certainly do remember laughing out loud reading about Henry Huggins, Ramona Quimby, and Henry Reed as a kid. And I remember reading FREAKY FRIDAY the first time while taking a bath and literally screaming with laughter -- so much that someone knocked on the bathroom door to see if I was okay.<br /><br />What kids' books made <em>you </em>laugh? And do you still find them just as funny today?<br /><br /><br />THANKS<br /><br />Thanks for visiting Collecting Children's Books. Hope you'll be back again!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-80993360712209648082012-01-29T00:50:00.011-05:002012-01-30T14:31:07.181-05:00A Brunch with Lots of LinksLast week we were wondering what would win (seven “w words” in a row!) the American Library Association’s children’s book awards. Now we know. This week’s Sunday Brunch looks back over our shoulder at DEAD END IN NORVELT and A BALL FOR DAISY and then starts looking ahead to Newbery/Caldecott Day 2013. Hey, it’s never too early! We also ask what books made you cry as a kid and what books you promise to (finally) read in this coming year.<br /><br /><br />RANDOM RANTS ABOUT THIS YEAR'S AWARDS <br /><br />I'm still excited about this week's book awards. <br /><br />The more I think about DEAD END IN NORVELT winning, the better I like it as a selection. <br /><br />If you'd like to relive the moment you can watch the Newbery announcement here:<br /><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3JxdX6hP5ss" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />And there's an interview with Norvelt's author, Jack Gantos, here: <br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/neiTB_YvTPo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Everyone loves to hear the stories of where the medalists were and what they were doing when they received The Phone Call. Thanks to Publishers Weekly, you can read those stories <a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/50381-gantos-raschka-whaley-where-they-were-when-the-award-call-came.html<br />/"> right here. </a><br /><br />And <a href="http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2012/01/24/newbery-caldecott-etc-2012-post-awards-edition/"> here </a> is a round-up of all things Newbery and Caldecott by Fuse #8 herself, Betsy Bird.<br /><br />For my fellow book collectors, had you already preemptively purchased copies of the winning books, or did you have to rush out on N/C morning, hoping to find prize winners? Did you have good luck? I'm still trying to track down first printing numbers for these books (does anyone know?) My <em>guess </em>is that, due to the popularity of illustrators Chris Raschka and Lane Smith, both Caldecott winner A BALL FOR DAISY and Honor Book GRANDPA GREEN had large first printings. I would also assume that DEAD END IN NORVELT had a respectable first printing due to the success of many of the author's previous books. The other books I'm too sure about.<br /><br />As of this week, I have seen many first printings of Newbery Honor Book BREAKING STALIN'S NOSE in the bookstore.<br /><br />However, Newbery Honor INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN is already in at least its <em>seventh </em>printing. <br /><br />A BALL FOR DAISY is now in at least its second printing, though I imagine you might still find some firsts out there.<br /><br />I believe Caldecott Honor BLACKOUT was in at least its second printing before the awards were announced.<br /><br />Does anyone have any more definitive or up-to-date info on these figures?<br /><br />This year I was lucky enough to already have all the Newbery and Printz titles except one, JASPER JONES -- which I picked up on the day of the awards. I also had several advance reading copies (ARCS) of the Newbery and Printz books. I was very intrigued by this comment about DEAD END IN NORVELT in Fuse #8's award round-up:<br /><br /><em>By the way, I know for a fact that there were a couple limited editions of this book released in proto-galley form way way back in early 2011. These editions had brown covers and photographs in the back that I always assumed would appear in the final edition (they didn’t). This book also sported an image on the spine of Jack the hero holding binoculars up to his eyes, his shirt covered in bloodstains. This image (which would have sold a lot of books) has never appeared anywhere else. So if you are one of the lucky souls who has one of these editions, good news! That puppy is going to be worth an awful lot of money someday. </em><br /><br />Indeed it will! If you work in a library or bookstore and come across such an item, don't toss it out! Try selling it on ABEbooks. Try selling it on eBay. Try selling it to me!<br /><br />Here are a couple random facts about Jack Gantos. The Newbery is the fourth major award he has received from the American Library Association. He also had a Newbery Honor for JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL in 2001, and his memoir HOLE IN MY LIFE was a 2003 Printz Honor and Sibert Honor. That novel dealt with the years that Gantos, as a young man, spent in federal prison, leading blog reader Wendy to ask if Jack Gantos is the first convict to win the Newbery. Monica Edinger beat me to the joke, pondering, "How would we find out if Ann Nolan Clark was taken in as a teen for cow tipping or something equally inappropriate?" (I was going to suggest that Lois Lenski and Eleanor Estes may have once been rum runners.) As it turns out, there is at least one more former con in the Newbery canon, as Sam E. wrote in to say that "Will James, 1927's winner, served time in Nevada for cattle rustling." At age sixty, Jack Gantos is one of our older Newbery winners too. In fact, only nine winners were older than him when they won the award: <br /><br />Irene Hunt / UP A ROAD SLOWLY / 60<br />Marguerite De Angeli / THE DOOR IN THE WALL / 61<br />Elizabeth Bordon de Trevino / I, JUAN DE PAREJA / 62<br />Avi / CRISPIN : CROSS OF LEAD / 66<br />E.L. Konigsburg / THE VIEW FROM SATURDAY / 67<br />Sid Fleischman / THE WHIPPING BOY / 67<br />Richard Peck / A YEAR DOWN YONDER / 67<br />Beverly Cleary / DEAR MR. HENSHAW / 68<br />Carolyn Sherwin Bailey / MISS HICKORY / 72<br /><br />Blog reader Esperanza wondered why I had so little to say about the Caldecotts. It's probably because I don't follow picture books that closely and don't really know how to evaluate them. If I were on the Newbery committee, I think I'd be able to compare and contrast LITERARY works of many different genres, but if I were on the Caldecott committee I think it would all just come down to personal taste. <br /><br />But I can, at least, provide a couple random facts about author/illustrator Chris Raschka. This is the third time he has been honored by the American Library Association. He received a 1994 Caldecott Honor for YO! YES! and won the 2006 Medal for THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW. As a time-two winner, he joins a select club whose only other members are Robert McCloskey, Barbara Cooney, Nonny Hogrogian, Leo and Diane Dillon, and Chris Van Allsburg. At age 52, he's just a bit older than the average age of Caldecott winners.<br /><br />Okay, now on to rants:<br /><br />A big "boo" to NBC's TODAY show for not featuring this year's Newbery and Caldecott winners on the show. Even though TODAY's annual N/C segment never lasted more than a couple minutes, it was always good to see children's book creators in the spotlight...and even that brief TV appearance helped sell books. Last year, the winners were pre-empted by a segment on Snooki, and this year they werekn't shown either. Someone did suggest that the American Library Association should have been lobbying for this appearance and perhaps they had not done so...which leads me to my next rant. <br /><br />Though I love the ALA for presenting these awards...for providing us with the live broadcast...and, well, just everything they do on behalf of libraries, I still have a few bones to pick with this organization. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Why does an organization whose primary goal is dispensing information to the public have the most arcane, most difficult to navigate website in the history of the internet? Why does an organization that fights the good fight for freedom of information block some of its website content -- such as some of the Printz acceptance speeches -- from the public, sharing this information with "members only"? Why haven't <a href=" http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecotthonors/caldecottmedal<br />/"> this page </a> and <a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyhonors/newberymedal<br />/"> this page </a> been updated yet, since they are supposed to include the Caldecott and Newbery titles "to present"? And why in the heck does <a href="http://www.ala.org/news/mediapresscenter/presskits/youthmediaawards/alayouthmediaawards<br />/"> this page </a> refer to the "lastest ALA Youth Media Awards." <br /><br /><em>Lastest?</em><br /><br />I'm assuming it's just a simple typo, but it has been there for a long time without being corrected. <br /><br />I'm glad I don't ever make any typos on this bloog.<br /><br /><br />NEXT YEAR<br /><br />Now that the 2012 awards have been announced, all eyes (well, some of us) turn toward 2013 and start to wonder what titles will be announced <em>next </em>January.<br /><br />Do you have any early predictions? Titles you've read, or maybe just heard about, that already sound promising?<br /><br />Last summer I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of THE FALSE PRINCE by Jennifer A. Nielsen and provide <a href=" http://collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/2011/06/sunday-brunch-with-little-help-from-my.html/"> a rave preview </a> on my blog. It's due out in April and I think it's going to be a critical and popular hit. Newbery-ific? We'll see. I just saw a copy of the ARC, which looks like this:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ktqOm-8Y9ucY0UjabcZ0YLReaNfjT-x98g0Tb4V0-MOWeiG9uSOQwW3TNnY6gBvQMw9o-txi-LhsTb7QNBchBDU3Fq2PKnOAimYbu597UzosAsofy89knllwzSfV2r2jCJrLB-VwU_A/s1600/false+prince.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ktqOm-8Y9ucY0UjabcZ0YLReaNfjT-x98g0Tb4V0-MOWeiG9uSOQwW3TNnY6gBvQMw9o-txi-LhsTb7QNBchBDU3Fq2PKnOAimYbu597UzosAsofy89knllwzSfV2r2jCJrLB-VwU_A/s400/false+prince.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703062734427972594" /></a><br />Apparently the dustjacket on the hardcover edition will be gussied-up with foil and embossing, but I'm still not sure what I think of it. Does it have the look of a "classic" or (as I'm fearing) is it so generic looking that it will blend in with a hundred other current books on the children's and YA shelves? What do you think?<br /><br /><br />FIVE-HANKY BOOKS<br /><br />Looking ahead, a lot of people are already predicting that John Green's new novel, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, is the frontrunner for next year's Printz Award.<br /><br />It is a strong book, but I tend to think that when books are published so early in the year and deemed future award winners from the get-go, they sometimes lose steam over the course of the next twelve months.<br /><br />"CHIME" in with your theories.<br /><br />One of the most unusual things about THE FAULT IN OUR STARS is that the first printings were signed by the author. According to a recent interview with Ilene Cooper in BOOKLIST, John Green originally had the idea of signing all the preorders of the book. There had been 1200 preorders of his previous title, PAPER TOWNS. However, his publisher said that due to warehousing issues and other problems, the only way he'd be able to sign the preorders would be to sign the entire first printing. Green's early books all had first printings of about 20,000. ...Then he learned the first printing of THE FAULT IN OUR STARS would be 150,000 copies!<br /><br />According to a <a href="http://bookpage.com/interview/a-signature-move-pays-off-for-john-green<br />/"> Book Page </a> interview, the author signed books for twelve hours a day, seven days a week, for an entire month. He told Ilene Cooper, "I signed every single one of those books. I did not cheat ever, but I didn't always sign them well. In fact, when I messed up a signature, there's a secret URL that I would write at the bottomn that takes you to a video of me apologizing for your terrible signature." <br /><br />I wonder if the books with the secret URL will be especially valued by collectors....<br /><br />According to the author, he watched television while signing the books, including PBS documentaries, "every episode of MYTHBUSTERS" and "the entire five seasons of this show called PAWN STARS that I didn't even like."<br /><br />Here's my own copy of the book:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvGxc322XXvzSRCdUFaoDHm1lGzG53sPCIAt3D653pY2O2k6ouZn7PqJxv_m44GJ25vMRkVrX3FsqE79QyWfWFJeAFj4U_Zx5Kwm_D39VV7PCBfT7E3JN3-a5TpKzuwW8ydt9u6BOOR4/s1600/stars1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvGxc322XXvzSRCdUFaoDHm1lGzG53sPCIAt3D653pY2O2k6ouZn7PqJxv_m44GJ25vMRkVrX3FsqE79QyWfWFJeAFj4U_Zx5Kwm_D39VV7PCBfT7E3JN3-a5TpKzuwW8ydt9u6BOOR4/s400/stars1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703062750380612146" /></a><br />I've heard some people don't like the sticker on the front, as it can't be removed without damaging the dustjacket. But I don't mind it. I would never remove it because the book came this way. Here is the signature inside my copy:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmy2gXu6lzNxI7ZWKWB8p-WSVhpdLpCZ87Ei0ultpoQOfzXcMaiXVcwtt9nJz2Sdu7hvaApMus7TQCt5ptu717j6Ip3RkHH19JngPLDaxnrCLYGTn7IDi-FjmB8TN-Cn6fgliBRzRkZQ/s1600/stars2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmy2gXu6lzNxI7ZWKWB8p-WSVhpdLpCZ87Ei0ultpoQOfzXcMaiXVcwtt9nJz2Sdu7hvaApMus7TQCt5ptu717j6Ip3RkHH19JngPLDaxnrCLYGTn7IDi-FjmB8TN-Cn6fgliBRzRkZQ/s400/stars2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703062747997786402" /></a><br />I've read a lot of discussion on Facebook and other internet sites about people "sobbing" over this book. What is it about human beings that we are so drawn to "tearjerkers." From my own perspective, I find stories about sick and dying people -- especially young sick and dying people -- very difficult to read, especially as I've gotten older and become more and more aware of my own mortality.<br /><br />But as a kid I loved them.<br /><br />In fact, when I was a kid there seemed to be a cottage industry in books about sick and/or dying children. KAREN by Marie Killilea was big back in the sixties and seventies. I was fond of THE STORY OF GABRIELLE by Catherine Gabrielson, a book I discovered in a Reader's Digest treasury. Cowgirl Dale Evans wrote volumes about three of her kids who died untimely deaths. Then there was DEATH BE NOT PROUD by John Gunther and ERIC by Doris Lund. <br /><br />But the book I most remember seeing other kids read was this one: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22WAi5yk-CYHXQ2CxRCg5KffZTXRfqadHJndXwguY4_pRnxVgQ3JqCnYBF6uLTo1fHVc3CJ6McxVO2IWz0HRlC0m6hnNEIXOrnyXcGowYJ_bIoy4bRpiObTgk5k7bKEqR7OM2MfmJ2AQ/s1600/sunshine.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22WAi5yk-CYHXQ2CxRCg5KffZTXRfqadHJndXwguY4_pRnxVgQ3JqCnYBF6uLTo1fHVc3CJ6McxVO2IWz0HRlC0m6hnNEIXOrnyXcGowYJ_bIoy4bRpiObTgk5k7bKEqR7OM2MfmJ2AQ/s400/sunshine.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702927430774488594" /></a><br />Based on a TV movie of the same name and adapted by YA author Norma Klein, SUNSHINE, with its black-bordered cover, was THE "tearjerker" of the seventies.<br /><br />It was followed up by two other books, which dealt with the widowed husband and daughter of SUNSHINE's ill-fated protagonist:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPx-lYJjSOIMFotKHSjqLPEr0KDp2dzjqMGW-s2PPXYV-Gf5zR0SdqK-3uUxd9kxdqGNe-AwG3RN0n3VN52HrbPJwQaLZEJYVnyRMzDqwtbqQy0xsS-B_RuxKPjdZomAyCKtBSBS-0jtc/s1600/sunshine+years.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 249px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPx-lYJjSOIMFotKHSjqLPEr0KDp2dzjqMGW-s2PPXYV-Gf5zR0SdqK-3uUxd9kxdqGNe-AwG3RN0n3VN52HrbPJwQaLZEJYVnyRMzDqwtbqQy0xsS-B_RuxKPjdZomAyCKtBSBS-0jtc/s400/sunshine+years.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702927425061090770" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iwouRZ9xpRyH7V0dfXKNH7uS5D1U0xucdTVJDrXiC-y8mw2w4RsrmjS3fzwi-44XYCHsgWuP7eRts8V_j-Hsibk1e8xJc8abMF2eZtI2Pu_MxymQ8CbHljORDWrgt-BdPZGQc-sqZWk/s1600/Sunshine+years2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iwouRZ9xpRyH7V0dfXKNH7uS5D1U0xucdTVJDrXiC-y8mw2w4RsrmjS3fzwi-44XYCHsgWuP7eRts8V_j-Hsibk1e8xJc8abMF2eZtI2Pu_MxymQ8CbHljORDWrgt-BdPZGQc-sqZWk/s400/Sunshine+years2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702927425258846162" /></a><br />These titles were much lesser-known (did Norma Klein really write them, or just lend her name to them as author the first book?) than SUNSHINE, which remained in print for many, many years.<br /><br />The 1980s brought us Lurlene McDaniel, who never wrote about a kid she couldn't kill off.<br /><br />And a couple years back there was the popular English import BEFORE I DIE by Jenny Downham.<br /><br />What were your favorite "five-hanky books" from your childhood and teenage years?<br /><br />Do they still move you today?<br /><br /><br />PUBLISHERS SAYING GOODBYE<br /><br />Since we're on the subject of death, I thought I'd highlight an interesting publishing practice. If you work in a library or bookstore and have access to literary "trade journals," you've no doubt noticed ads that pay tribute to deceased authors and illustrators. But for those who don't see magazines such as Publishers Weekly, here are a couple examples. Quite frequently, when a popular or critically-acclaimed "book person" dies, the publisher will take out ad space to say goodbye. Here are two recent tributes to the late Caldecott winner Simms Taback, both which appeared in Publishers Weekly: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EkXuEj_sFLgB1QVSbzx3gfD35C5ll9Ks8_23SMa3lz6DLt_JpHAjg_kzgM4ekufiFUjjYeC-mUgh4vnL6cMaSshUbEZxG5irpqLAa3MBYRDAF6MSY9K8k_i-xYONGWb57Nrh77VpMQ8/s1600/sims2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 392px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EkXuEj_sFLgB1QVSbzx3gfD35C5ll9Ks8_23SMa3lz6DLt_JpHAjg_kzgM4ekufiFUjjYeC-mUgh4vnL6cMaSshUbEZxG5irpqLAa3MBYRDAF6MSY9K8k_i-xYONGWb57Nrh77VpMQ8/s400/sims2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703062745864966162" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgTM3u0Mg_D7PQy6KEnCYKom1cvA1DJMpra11zGwAtIVLxCulbUhkJ9_yhFLRcreWl4R-tZKRoFIh975jS7g5ETeI9pH5AyqDw1zR_cPyRSQapeTHywVsH7KV16PnQ22Y4pUQBIy17pU/s1600/sims1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgTM3u0Mg_D7PQy6KEnCYKom1cvA1DJMpra11zGwAtIVLxCulbUhkJ9_yhFLRcreWl4R-tZKRoFIh975jS7g5ETeI9pH5AyqDw1zR_cPyRSQapeTHywVsH7KV16PnQ22Y4pUQBIy17pU/s400/sims1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703062739937939202" /></a><br /><br />A NEW TREND?<br /><br />I've been reading that a recent trend in adult books involves shortening the time between the appearance of the original hardcover and its subsequent paperback edition. I wonder if this trend is now beginnning to impact books for young people as well.<br /><br />Moira Young's BLOOD RED ROAD was published in hardcover on June 7, 2011:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHmBWmjedlkrUwo5ZWIxQZaq-2YFnEI_aMjpyHGy60V33nx_e09LMHvZ2fcwg0X3Cr3zrpQgNt6r7GXU-f22N7iB0a_7gdtrN72-KoyotV5BPkQDCbuR65kWceEqpYbSUFa09QHm2lPI/s1600/brr1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 377px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHmBWmjedlkrUwo5ZWIxQZaq-2YFnEI_aMjpyHGy60V33nx_e09LMHvZ2fcwg0X3Cr3zrpQgNt6r7GXU-f22N7iB0a_7gdtrN72-KoyotV5BPkQDCbuR65kWceEqpYbSUFa09QHm2lPI/s400/brr1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703131957503247570" /></a><br />I was surprised to see that the paperback edition is already on bookstore shelves, having been released on January 3, 2012:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivw-8I6zVrivTJJKGVDLunsEUGduu2CtcR12so-0FVqPD2AxhrrRMro58JFeugVBPY_YD84A0Z5Su2dm8DMh8nRPReKK3Rqytatu-b3rCMEVAAKpcpMfqWl3YaSU-o2omm8xKu6bUq-O4/s1600/brr2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 166px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivw-8I6zVrivTJJKGVDLunsEUGduu2CtcR12so-0FVqPD2AxhrrRMro58JFeugVBPY_YD84A0Z5Su2dm8DMh8nRPReKK3Rqytatu-b3rCMEVAAKpcpMfqWl3YaSU-o2omm8xKu6bUq-O4/s400/brr2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703131958235636642" /></a><br />Is it just a fluke or are books for young readers now also following this new trend? Stay tuned!<br /><br /><br />THE LOST GENERATION<br /><br />Yesterday I watched Woody Allen's latest movie, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, which concerns the American expatriates who lived in France during the 1920s. <br /><br />This got me wondering two questions:<br /><br />1) Have there ever been any children's books about this era, perhaps from the perspective of a child whose parents American parents were living in France during the twenties? I feel like there must be some, but I can't think of any titles? Can you?<br /><br />2) Were any children's books written <em>by </em>the famous American writers living in Paris during that era? <br /><br />To partially answer #2, I can only think of one -- THE WORLD IS ROUND by Gertrude Stein.<br /><br />However, American author Esther Averill, who moved to Paris as an assistant to a photojournalist in 1925 and stayed there until World War II, founded her own publishing company there called Domino Press. Specializing in picture books with <br />color lithograph illusrations, Ms. Averill wrote and published DANIEL BOONE, with illustrations by future Caldecott winner Feodor Rojankovsky along with several other children's books. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyW3DqTzpLQ-rdeFEEHkftFEUkAUfddYl7UCwiFVQbIZNEaspDrZRpuGbMkwZPZzGAbelLIrYW59hzNmsiat_ecOTDKUaIPUWC40jv7Cbs3f80tilRCZcEI_C-JLRJXNQn6SpsN9O-1A/s1600/daniel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyW3DqTzpLQ-rdeFEEHkftFEUkAUfddYl7UCwiFVQbIZNEaspDrZRpuGbMkwZPZzGAbelLIrYW59hzNmsiat_ecOTDKUaIPUWC40jv7Cbs3f80tilRCZcEI_C-JLRJXNQn6SpsN9O-1A/s400/daniel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703145700029553970" /></a><br />Some of these books would later be reissued by American publishers after Averill returned to the States, but the original editions from Domino Press remain the ones most valued by collectors. <br /><br /><br />NEWBERY? WHAT ABOUT OSCAR?<br /><br />MIDNIGHT IN PARIS was one of nine movies nominated for a "Best Picture" Oscar this past week. The nominations were notable in that two films based on children's books -- HUGO (based on THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET by Brian Selznick) and WAR HORSE (based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo)-- were nominated for Best Picture this year. This is the first time two children's books were represented on that list. In the past, it's been rare for any movie inspired by a children's story to be nominated. In fact, there have been only a handful, and none has won. They are:<br /><br />2012 HUGO<br />2012 WAR HORSE<br />1995 BABE<br />1991 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (based on a generic fairy tale, rather than a specific book)<br />1972 SOUNDER<br />1964 MARY POPPINS<br />1959 THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (originally published for adults, some later editions were issued specifically as children's books)<br />1953 SHANE (ditto)<br />1946 THE YEARLING (ditto)<br />1943 THE HUMAN COMEDY (ditto)<br />1939 THE WIZARD OF OZ<br />1937 CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS<br />1932 LITTLE WOMEN<br /><br />Have I missed any?<br /><br /><br />THE LASTEST ITEM IN TODAY'S BLOOG<br /><br />I am intrigued by today's <a href="http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/heavymedal/2012/01/28/shelf-of-shame/"> Heavy Medal </a> blog in which Jonathan Hunt asks, "Is there a Newbery book that you’re ashamed to admit that you haven’t read yet? Perhaps one that is considered a classic? That everyone else seems to have read but you? Don’t we all have these books on our own personal shelf of shame?"<br /><br />He reports his own experiences trying to read Virginia Hamilton this past year. He got through M.C. HIGGINS but still hasn't read THE PLANET OF JUNIOR BROWN and SWEET WHISPERS, BROTHER RUSH.<br /><br />Oh Jonathan, those are the two <em>best</em>!<br /><br />I also groaned when I learned he hadn't yet read THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND and THE BRONZE BOW by Elizabeth George Speare, two novels so magnificent that I can't decide which I like better. <br /><br />I then continued groaning when I read the reader comments. <br /><br />Someone hasn't read JOHNNY TREMAIN, acknowledged by many as the best Newbery ever?<br /><br />Someone else has only skimmed JACOB HAVE I LOVED, one of the greatest winners ever?<br /><br />Someone hasn't read Scott O'Dell?<br /><br />ARRGGH!<br /><br />...Then I remembered that I've never read Susan Cooper's five-volume DARK IS RISING series -- titles which others tell me may be the best children's novels ever written!<br /><br />Actually, I should amend that. I did turn the pages all the way through DARK IS RISING and THE GREY KING, but the stories meant nothing to me. I didn't understand them, didn't like them. <br /><br />So now is your chance to groan back at me: ARRGGH!<br /><br />I guess my goal for 2012 is to read all five of the titles in Susan Cooper's series!<br /><br />What author or book from your own "shelf of shame" are you going to read in 2012?<br /><br />Thanks for visiting Collecting Children's Books. Let's see if I can muster up enough energy to write another blog later this week. Please check back!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-54999413715781767952012-01-23T19:03:00.014-05:002012-01-24T11:35:30.463-05:00We Neeeeeeed Bookmarks!I once thought I was the only person who looked forward to the American Library Association awards as if they were Christmas. <br /><br />But over the past few years, thanks to children's book blogs, listserves, Facebook, and Twitter, I've realized that I am part of very large community of people who feel the same way. <br /><br />I also wondered what I'd do if a "Newbery Day" ever rolled around and I was unable to participate. What if I had to attend a funeral that day? What if I was in the hospital or something? (I had visions of myself sneaking out of the funeral home to read the award announcements on a laptop in my car...or ripping out an IV and running to the nearest bookstore to buy the winning books.) Such extreme events did not occur this year -- thank goodness -- but it was a bit of a bad day anyway, due to some other painful, personal events going on in my life right now. A friend who knows me well said, "I cannot think of the word Newbery, at any time during the year and not think of you, and to imagine you not almost physically buzzing with excitement is very sad."<br /><br />Yeah, it was kind of sad, but I realized today that Newbery Days come in all types: happy, sad, good, bad.... <br /><br />All are memorable in their own way.<br /><br />Last night found me sitting in front of the computer till 2:00 AM, looking for clues about the awards and trading Newbery gossip with friends.<br /><br />Then I got up at 7:30 AM and fired up the computer again. I always take Newbery Day off work, so that was not an issue. Then began The Wait until 8:45 AM. After years of getting the award info a week late...a day late...or (in recent years when a dial-up computer connection) a few minutes late, for the second year in a row I was able to watch the live webcast while sitting at my desk in my pajamas. <br /><br />As always, it was full of surprises.<br /><br />Which is another way of saying, I was completely wrong in nearly all my predictions!<br /><br />But then so was nearly everyone else and that's part of the fun of the awards. <br /><br />Just for the sake of keeping a record here, let's go over the winning books:<br /><br />The Caldecott Honors were BLACKOUT by John Rocco:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8SDIsXYWvld0O5w18WchVEL15EKQtkQVzTHTB42cM1MTde3n5ivErIt8nMIwdao3rKFyzmoUNi5V8tidtZ55i-ffJ7t9zNkohCh_Z3tLg91su4zhYkJdH1-V7F0lh-7d2SvZV53gapQ/s1600/blackout-by-john-rocco-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8SDIsXYWvld0O5w18WchVEL15EKQtkQVzTHTB42cM1MTde3n5ivErIt8nMIwdao3rKFyzmoUNi5V8tidtZ55i-ffJ7t9zNkohCh_Z3tLg91su4zhYkJdH1-V7F0lh-7d2SvZV53gapQ/s400/blackout-by-john-rocco-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700996830340821394" /></a><br />GRANDPA GREEN by Lane Smith:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpe418jlWv2nDfVyDArd8c3oZGDptqMN6LaOgJnSX7exjmK5X_rBIhxtBBb1OEF27nuX6HP3kcTcfTNre88G1m7Jo9MA8if9Ve1zIil9dGw6gyjUH2It8ITk2MGJBDDNvBToKDyyb2to/s1600/Grandpa_Green.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpe418jlWv2nDfVyDArd8c3oZGDptqMN6LaOgJnSX7exjmK5X_rBIhxtBBb1OEF27nuX6HP3kcTcfTNre88G1m7Jo9MA8if9Ve1zIil9dGw6gyjUH2It8ITk2MGJBDDNvBToKDyyb2to/s400/Grandpa_Green.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700996827138280866" /></a><br />and ME...JANE by Patrick McDonnell:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdjM4Ip5oTrVOB3MgaBy8UJYSuX6f8LNAUqB3Kdluo1ZM1b5Vk_NyF02_jMiyYBjDhv6xI4v1xXUzfrEII765hCXHrK9jPcsADAGZWrJydC5z1Ho7uB5ZGdeAxycwVw4EW56P_9r1Pyc/s1600/me-jane.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 368px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdjM4Ip5oTrVOB3MgaBy8UJYSuX6f8LNAUqB3Kdluo1ZM1b5Vk_NyF02_jMiyYBjDhv6xI4v1xXUzfrEII765hCXHrK9jPcsADAGZWrJydC5z1Ho7uB5ZGdeAxycwVw4EW56P_9r1Pyc/s400/me-jane.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700996827737794930" /></a><br />The 2012 Caldecott Medal went to A BALL FOR DAISY by Chris Raschka:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-5PhBtHi1KPQrsHiDe3zO6Q5lNd-KsPURxKpwIPQQpIY6UyvU52-lRhTtkUKj0zs5SUbhDh97Jbt8hsSPv-rlenu9bfSu8fz2J1HDQ48kz-6c0a9q3jB-zR_RA7YSk_roU8jjKIzm2Q/s1600/a-ball-for-daisy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 381px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-5PhBtHi1KPQrsHiDe3zO6Q5lNd-KsPURxKpwIPQQpIY6UyvU52-lRhTtkUKj0zs5SUbhDh97Jbt8hsSPv-rlenu9bfSu8fz2J1HDQ48kz-6c0a9q3jB-zR_RA7YSk_roU8jjKIzm2Q/s400/a-ball-for-daisy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700997718503790098" /></a><br />Think they'll place the gold medal sticker right over one of those big orange balls on the cover? This is Chris Rashka's second Caldecott, having won in 2006 for THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW.<br /><br />This year's Printz Honor Books were WHY WE BROKE UP by Daniel Handler:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJi_RJ8KvRz3G3ma1_i8jJivTPaFX_oCjKXQZZ5xV1UyFmikNKKz-XE5AvWKyRnbJA1xOrjm9huiWXRVf_8BL1mbCFfetZkW5pcBpdZKzgxVMrAGY8XgF96RKzlUoNHnx97dKA8x2X4I/s1600/why+we+broke+up.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJi_RJ8KvRz3G3ma1_i8jJivTPaFX_oCjKXQZZ5xV1UyFmikNKKz-XE5AvWKyRnbJA1xOrjm9huiWXRVf_8BL1mbCFfetZkW5pcBpdZKzgxVMrAGY8XgF96RKzlUoNHnx97dKA8x2X4I/s400/why+we+broke+up.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700999312094841266" /></a><br />THE RETURNING by Christine Hinwood:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq0NF_AyhaAR2fhR0avUlNlRXJL4ngDMBqLLD7WCR5LDgZSmHBtxEf2hFSivpMyEbegLVJhyphenhypheny9jouzSyXUx2W-KZn6L6UC2Cz8Rn31OmL1qej7I-BlrMDgDZZfkacSBOrcxHNF6x5uxw/s1600/returning.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq0NF_AyhaAR2fhR0avUlNlRXJL4ngDMBqLLD7WCR5LDgZSmHBtxEf2hFSivpMyEbegLVJhyphenhypheny9jouzSyXUx2W-KZn6L6UC2Cz8Rn31OmL1qej7I-BlrMDgDZZfkacSBOrcxHNF6x5uxw/s400/returning.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700999319942353682" /></a><br />JASPER JONES by Craig Silvey: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrLxKz9xwub0flCOC5C6lmWXIgZydphWMqsZ8C3sMpwiOss51vRrdHp1t4QjT0bgrmdaV7zb55k5wZxvJvPZbI3RTcnF3V3YVryis5KLVb0JX4l7hS3fxAL70ybV4QRCHc-owBnLLZ8s/s1600/jasper_jones.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrLxKz9xwub0flCOC5C6lmWXIgZydphWMqsZ8C3sMpwiOss51vRrdHp1t4QjT0bgrmdaV7zb55k5wZxvJvPZbI3RTcnF3V3YVryis5KLVb0JX4l7hS3fxAL70ybV4QRCHc-owBnLLZ8s/s400/jasper_jones.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700999316917915010" /></a><br />and THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuDNE11VIoN0mjdMkZBcEfSGjUQt3M5Cx0pxyFLlb2Wx_B32fGMFIKgNnSUPBB5dimRP3h9VWeTGTASF5w4fnU4rolH-ZeU02vJYBOdih_PR6vzqMghDa23Rb1nJUymSZ1r-41dhToA4/s1600/The_Scorpio_Races.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuDNE11VIoN0mjdMkZBcEfSGjUQt3M5Cx0pxyFLlb2Wx_B32fGMFIKgNnSUPBB5dimRP3h9VWeTGTASF5w4fnU4rolH-ZeU02vJYBOdih_PR6vzqMghDa23Rb1nJUymSZ1r-41dhToA4/s400/The_Scorpio_Races.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700999314424045746" /></a><br />The 2012 Printz Award went to WHERE THINGS COME BACK by John Corey Whaley:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCtm6Aw3cxqx0kiq0jY32refKArVZa_rDuCrLjJny1Jiyndp3QZNZF2N42AIMSWUtKYkUivQAFNQM95XrwVotgzRXzdkUi3i0BgG94_5C4TLA7U0ffycQP1jvzwsycrX-WAr4H5RUOGU/s1600/where-things-come-back.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCtm6Aw3cxqx0kiq0jY32refKArVZa_rDuCrLjJny1Jiyndp3QZNZF2N42AIMSWUtKYkUivQAFNQM95XrwVotgzRXzdkUi3i0BgG94_5C4TLA7U0ffycQP1jvzwsycrX-WAr4H5RUOGU/s400/where-things-come-back.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700999308535571474" /></a><br />I have mixed feelings about this list. I didn't like WHERE THINGS COME BACK at all (should I read it again to see what I missed?) and thought WHY WE BROKE UP was interesting, but too long by a third. I enjoyed THE SCORPIO RACES, but haven't quite finished either THE RETURNING or JASPER JONES yet.<br /><br />This year's Newbery Honor Books were INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN by Thanhha Lai:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg580GUP7abXMPKF18wuKoMrbKkN-9b_w2ifeVrnAUOONqDtGaqplgH_o7NHiztbgV1M9uBI-jnZikqFU8mVJtA5HJ6HbXCjmVySSjGttHvWRzxtaBAphXHvL47x98n3L8-bEaU5W179RQ/s1600/inside+out.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg580GUP7abXMPKF18wuKoMrbKkN-9b_w2ifeVrnAUOONqDtGaqplgH_o7NHiztbgV1M9uBI-jnZikqFU8mVJtA5HJ6HbXCjmVySSjGttHvWRzxtaBAphXHvL47x98n3L8-bEaU5W179RQ/s400/inside+out.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701002208338071202" /></a><br />and BREAKING STALIN'S NOSE by Eugene Yelchin:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnh_fyFnbjBtKJzLvgJSPjPKxFNHNlPcU6ZGlA8pXxCOjOEE4-5vnxQiqbhFAcNREBj3DeXUEpr6EpzGrJwfPJtuyGZHAQxxy-Y0-eojuDTUrUnjnEV2H4W_WYwVnblSNlmu3MFdqzaA/s1600/breaking-stalins-nose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 285px; height: 376px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnh_fyFnbjBtKJzLvgJSPjPKxFNHNlPcU6ZGlA8pXxCOjOEE4-5vnxQiqbhFAcNREBj3DeXUEpr6EpzGrJwfPJtuyGZHAQxxy-Y0-eojuDTUrUnjnEV2H4W_WYwVnblSNlmu3MFdqzaA/s400/breaking-stalins-nose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701002207492900898" /></a><br />The 2012 Newbery Medal went to DEAD END IN NORVELT by Jack Gantos:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJcWcwIMw3lIR4xwxv0R2lVqOMqwU9_tCYuR8bp6UpVfF2_PxxEfHIUeZ6Kj-D4LC8c0u6boL6dhlnbOhLkEW9L3iHwuwnnu3ERdBHW0SGRRMyFgbbQlyo4_rVzKLJtHlSgL4Eqr5oCM/s1600/dead+end.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJcWcwIMw3lIR4xwxv0R2lVqOMqwU9_tCYuR8bp6UpVfF2_PxxEfHIUeZ6Kj-D4LC8c0u6boL6dhlnbOhLkEW9L3iHwuwnnu3ERdBHW0SGRRMyFgbbQlyo4_rVzKLJtHlSgL4Eqr5oCM/s400/dead+end.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701002205936626866" /></a><br />I have not read BREAKING STALIN'S NOSE yet, but have to admit that I wasn't a big fan of INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN. People often criticize novels in verse for being less poetry than prose stories chopped up into artistic lines. In the case of INSIDE OUT, I sometimes found myself agreeing with that criticism. On the other hand, I now believe that DEAD END IN NORVELT may be a stronger selection that I first thought. When I first read the book, I had a few criticisms, but also realized that it was the kind of novel I would have loved when I was a kid. I think this offbeat, quirky book is going to please a lot of readers and will probably go down in history as one of the better choices. Of course only time will tell....<br /><br />This morning, as soon as the webcast ended, I took stock of which titles I had in my collection. I try to have an ARC (advance reading copy) and a first edition of every Newbery and Printz winner. <br /><br />This year I had an ARC and first edition of:<br /><br />DEAD END IN NORVELT<br />WHY WE BROKE UP<br />THE SCORPIO RACES<br /><br />I had first editions, but no ARCS of:<br /><br />INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN<br />BREAKING STALIN'S NOSE<br />THE RETURNING<br />WHERE THINGS COME BACK<br /><br />And I had an ARC, but no first edition of:<br /><br />JASPER JONES<br /><br />Fortunately, my independent bookstore had a hardcover copy in stock, so I rushed over there to pick it up. Now I have all the books in first editions and just need a few ARCS, which I hope will turn up over time.<br /><br />In years past, Newbery Day has seen me rushing to other bookstores trying to pick up extra copies of these books in hopes of reselling them for a profit at a later time. This year I did not do that. Part of the reason is that I used to make a quick run to all the local Border's stores (four within six miles of where I live) but now they are gone. The other reason is that there was always so much competition for the books. I felt bad when someone grabbed the last remaining copy just as I was reaching for it. And felt even worse when <em>I </em>grabbed the last copy when <em>someone else </em>was reaching for it.<br /><br />This year I decided to leave them all for other collectors.<br /><br />Good news for them.<br /><br />Good karma (I hope) for me.<br /><br />So that was one thing that made Newbery Day different this year.<br /><br />Another thing was the weather. Some years Newbery Day is bright and cold. Some years it's gray and chilly. One year we had a blizzard. This year was warm and rainy.<br /><br />Normally I go to lunch at Ponderosa on Newbery afternoon, but my Ponderosa closed last summer, so this year I just went to a take-out Chinese place.<br /><br />Something else different: normally I take one of this year's winners to read at lunch. This year I took a brand-new book from 2012 to read. Who knows -- maybe it will be next year's Printz winner. Newbery Day is always a day for looking back and looking forward. Looking back at the books we read and loved the previous year, and already thinking about the books we'll be reading in the forthcoming year.<br /><br />Today I found myself thinking about the many children's and young adult books that have changed my life...the people in this field that I met, either in person or via the computer...and the libraries and bookstores where I have spent so much time.<br /><br />Way back in the early 1980s, I used to shop at a mall bookstore called The Children's Bookmark. That was where I got my first Cynthia Voigt book, HOMECOMING. M.E. Kerr's LITTLE LITTLE. Robert Cormier's EIGHT PLUS ONE. Katherine Paterson's Newbery winner JACOB HAVE I LOVED. I have many fond memories of that little store. I also remember one incident I witnessed outside the store. A mother and father were heading for the mall exit, when a little girl, maybe six or seven years old, drawn by the word "children" on the sign, started begging to go in the store. In a hurry to leave, her parents dragged her away from the Children's Bookmark, while she kicked and whined, "But I NEEEEEEED bookmarks!"<br /><br />That girl is probably now pushing forty, perhaps with little kids of her own. But I still think of her plea for "bookmarks" after all these years. For me, each Newbery Day is slightly different -- a happy day, a sad day; a day when I like the winning books, a day when I don't; a snowy day, a warm day; a day when I eat at Ponderosa or end up with Chinese take-out; a day when I look back at last year's books and look forward to next year's books. <br /><br />I celebrate every "Newbery Day" and I remember each one of them, going back years and years.<br /><br />They are bookmarks marking the pages of my life.Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-73622115333184036962012-01-22T15:51:00.005-05:002012-01-22T23:44:52.370-05:00A Day Before Newbery BrunchIt’s the Night Before Newbery.<br /><br />Caldecott Eve.<br /><br />Will you be getting up early tomorrow to watch the award announcements on your computer via the <a href="http://www.webcastinc.com/client/ala-webcast/"> live webcast </a> at 7:45 AM Central Standard Time?<br /><br />Or will you already be at work, sneaking a peek at the ALA website to watch the proceedings?<br /><br />At 6:30 AM on January 22, 2007, Susan Patron was up fixing a chicken sandwich to take to work that day. She was a librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library and planned to head in early to watch the live webcast of the book awards with her colleagues. That’s when she got the call informing her that she’d won the Newbery for THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY. After a few moments of disbelief, the new medalist ran up the stairs to tell her husband, then showed up at work to watch the webcast, not telling her fellow librarians that she had won the prize. One can only imagine how they reacted when the winner was announced and they learned the latest Newbery winner was sitting amongst them!<br /><br />Stories of “The Call” – arriving in the middle of the night or in the early hours of the morning, are now part of the Newbery/Caldecott legend, yet there was once a time when the news arrived via a regular letter in the mail. And at one time the author learned of the award in midwinter, but had to keep it secret until the public announcement in the spring. <br /> <br />Long-time readers of this blog have already heard my stories of trying to find out the winners every year as a kid. At first it was simply a matter of asking the librarian at the local library a few days after the announcements where made. But then it reached a point where I wanted to know right away. In fact, I wanted to know <em>first</em>. So I’d take a pocketful of change from my piggybank and call the American Library Association in Chicago from a payphone. Sometimes I’d get the information there. Other times they’d give me the number to the “press room” of the convention and I’d call some far-off city, asking for the press room and pretending to be a reporter. (I’m sure I fooled no one.) <br /><br />Next I had to find the books. When I was a kid, that meant borrowing them from the library -- often waiting for the library to order and receive them. When I got older and began collecting books, it meant visiting bookstores. If the books weren’t in stock, I had to order them and wait some more. It wasn’t until the late eighties/early nineties that I noticed any kind of frenzy associated with the awards. Then it became a matter of RACING – once during a blizzard – with a scrawled list of the winning books. In the bookstore, I’d often encounter other people already seeking the same titles, while the phone would ring repeatedly and I’d hear the clerk saying, “WALK TWO MOONS? Let me check our computer. …And what are the other titles? CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY and THE EYE, THE EAR, AND THE ARM? Let me see….”<br /><br />I’ve never known for sure if all the people who rush to bookstores or drive the winners to the top of the Amazon.com sales charts on Newbery Day are collectors, like me, or simply people who want to read the winning books right away. 2012 may be the year we figure that out. If sales for the e-editions of these books go crazy, we’ll know that many people are seeking the experience of READING the winning titles; if hard copies of these books sell big, we can assume that many of the buyers are collectors.<br /><br /><br />SO WHAT’S GOING TO WIN?<br /><br />I don’t know.<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/heavymedal/2012/01/17/winners-3/"> Heavy Medal </a>, the School Library Journal blog, voted for AMELIA LOST by Candace Fleming as the winner, with A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness and I BROKE MY TRUNK by Mo Willems as Honor Books.<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2012/01/17/a-fuse-8-predicition-newbery-caldecott-2012/"> Elizabeth Bird from Fuse #8 </a> is also predicting AMELIA LOST for the winner, with Gary D. Schmidt’s OKAY FOR NOW as an Honor Book, along with THE TROUBLE WITH MAY AMELIA by Jennifer L. Holm and JEFFERSON’S SONS by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.<br /><br />School Library Journal’s <a href="httphttp://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/printzblog/2012/01/19/decisions-decisions/"> Someday My Printz Will Come blog </a>, gave its Mock Honors to CHIME by Franny Billingsley, with a MONSTER CALLS and Mal Peet’s LIFE : AN EXPLODED DIAGRAM as Honors.<br /><br />Over at the Horn Book, the <a href="httphttphttp://www.hbook.com/2012/01/blogs/calling-caldecott/me-jane-wins-calling-caldecott-vote/"> Calling Caldecott blog </a> gave their top prize to ME…JANE by Patrick McDonnell, with Honors going to BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY : THE TRUE STORY OF THE PUPPETEER OF MACY’S PARADE by Melissa Sweet; BLACKOUT by John Rocco; GRANDPA GREEN by Lane Smith, and I WANT MY HAT BACK by Jon Klassen. <br /> <br />As for my selections…?<br /><br />I still don’t know.<br /><br />When I imagine this year's Newbery list, I sort of see a big hole up there at the top, with no particular book rising to the very highest level. Earlier in the year, SPARROW ROAD by Sheila O’Connor struck me as a strong possibility, acknowledging even then that its plot and themes were so reminiscent of past Newberys(including last year’s winner!) that I really couldn’t see it being chosen. Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about DEAD END IN NORVELT by Jack Gantos, a book that seems somewhat flawed to me as an adult…yet a novel I know I would have loved as a kid. Although I don’t know what will win, I do think the following titles have a good shot as Newbery Honors this year: A MONSTER CALLS, AMELIA LOST, THE TROUBLE WITH MAY AMELIA (Jennifer Holm’s fourth Newbery Honor?), BLUE FISH (Pat Schmatz), THE FRIENDSHIP DOLL (Kirby Larson) and BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY by Ruta Sepetys. And is there room for the graphic novel/big old picture book WONDERSTRUCK by Brian Selznick on the list, or will it be recognized by the Caldecott committee? <br /><br />I’m not any better at selecting Printz winners. Earlier this year I started my own Mock Printz blog but, due to time restraints and serious family issues, it never really got off the ground, reviewing no more than a dozen Printz possibilities. I’m going to fix that this year, renaming the blog “Printz Picks 2013” and adding titles to it all year so that it’s more helpful to readers. As for Printz 2012, I have a feeling that BLINK & CAUTION by Tim Wynne-Jones may win the gold. Unlike the Newbery and Caldecott, the Printz award places a limit on its Honor Books. Only four may be chosen. I think those four will be drawn from this pool of six: CHIME, PAPER COVERS ROCK (Jenny Hubbard), A MONSTER CALLS, THE WATCH THAT ENDS THE NIGHT (Allan Wolf), LIFE : AN EXPLODED DIAGRAM, JASPER JONES (Craig Silvey), and IMAGINARY GIRLS.<br /><br />If I was voting, the following books would be Printz contenders: QUEEN OF HEARTS by Martha Brooks, RECOVERY ROAD by Blake Nelson, FIVE 4THS OF JULY by Pat Raccio Hughes, MY NAME IS MINA by David Almond (a bit young, I guess, but its companion, SKELLIG was an Honor, so why not?) and – probably my favorite – THE BIG CRUNCH by Pete Hautman. But these books have gotten so little “buzz” that I doubt we’ll see a single one on the list.<br /><br />On the other hand, a few YA books that have received lots of buzz – EVERYONE SEES THE ANTS by A.S. King, WHERE THINGS COME BACK by John Corley Whaley, and THE PIPER’S SON by Melina Marchetta – are all strong contenders, though I myself was a not a fan of them.<br /><br />All these predictions…prognostications…guesses…hopes…and still…you never know!<br />Last year’s Newbery winner seemed to come out of NOWHERE. I’m not sure if it appeared on any Mock Newbery lists. I did see the title bandied around a tiny bit, but it never seemed to have much buzz or support.<br /><br />But here’s something funny….<br /><br />A year ago today, as I wrote my night-before-the-Newbery post for 2012’s winners, the very first person who left a comment mentioned MOON OVER MANIFEST as their selection.<br /><br />And then it won!<br /><br />So today I’m extra curious what you all are thinking.<br /><br />What books will be honored tomorrow?<br /><br />Please leave your comments! The worst that can happen is that we’ll all be wrong.<br />The best that can happen is that you’ll be the sole person to pick an out-of-left-field winner and you'll have your prescient comment memorialized online, just like Kristen did last year! <br /> <br /><br />NEWBERY THEORIES<br /><br />I got a kick out of Betsy Bird’s theory that Newbery books follow patterns. According to Betsy, here’s how the pattern works: "The Year of Breaking Barriers followed by The Year of Playing It Safe followed by The Year of the Givens followed by The Year of the Wild Cards.”<br /><br />I’m not sure it’s that cut-and-dried, but it is interesting to consider. <br />And it got me wondering if other Newbery “years” or even decades could be titled. <br />Here’s what I came up with:<br /><br /><br />1920s<br /><br />THE DECADE OF MEN, since all the winners were male.<br /><br />THE DECADE OF FIRSTS, since the winners were mostly firsts of their kind. That is, first nonfiction winner (THE STORY OF MANKIND), first western (SMOKY), etc. However, even within that truncated decade (the award wasn’t given in 1920 or 1921), there is a little repetition in the awards. For example, the 1925 winner, TALES FROM SILVER LANDS, is the first collection of short stories…but then, strangely, the 1926 winner, SHEN OF THE SEA, was also a collection of short stories. That’s especially strange since there have been no prize story collections since.<br /> <br />1930s<br /><br />THE DECADE OF WOMEN, since all the winners were female.<br /><br />THE DECADE OF LOOKING BACK AND LOOKING BEYOND. This decade was about looking “back” at America’s history (HITTY : HER FIRST HUNDRED YEARS, INVINCIBLE LOUISA, CADDIE WOODLAWN, ROLLER SKATES) and exploring lesser-known cultures within our country (WATERLESS MOUNTAIN) or beyond our shores (Japan, China, Bulgaria, and Hungary.) The only book with a contemporary, “typically” American feel was the last winner for that decade, THIMBLE SUMMER.)<br /><br />1940-1946<br /><br />THE YEARS OF WAR, PEACE, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE, touching on themes of conflict, courage, war, and peace, the winners DANIEL BOONE, CALL IT COURAGE, THE MATCHLOCK GUN, JOHNNY TREMAIN and even RABBIT HILL (with its message “There is enough for all”) reflect the ongoing war years. STRAWBERRY GIRL looks at a social issue within this country. The only exception is the 1943 winner, ADAM OF THE ROAD, which seems to be mostly a “past due” prize for multiple honor winner Elizabeth Janet Gray. Interestingly, she would later play a small postward role in uniting former enemies Japan and the USA when she served as the private tutor to the Crown Prince of Japan.<br /><br />1947-1949<br /><br />THE YEARS OF READING FOR ENJOYMENT. Now that the war was over, books such as MISS HICKORY, THE TWENTY-ONE BALLOONS, and KING OF THE WIND took the top prizes – solid, entertaining novels for the post-war era.<br /><br />1950<br /><br />THE YEAR OF HISTORY, with winner THE DOOR IN THE WALL and four of the five Honor Books set in historical times.<br /><br />1951<br /><br />THE YEAR OF BIOGRAPHY, with winner AMOS FORTUNE, FREE MAN and three of the four Honor Books being biographical. This never happened before or since.<br /><br />1952<br /><br />THE YEAR OF MAKING UP, with Eleanor Estes winning for GINGER PYE, a good book which many consider somewhat inferior to her early Honor Books about The Moffat family and THE HUNDRED DRESSES.<br /><br />1953<br /><br />THE YEAR OF HUH? People are still scratching their heads over SECRETS OF THE ANDES winning over CHARLOTTE’S WEB.<br /><br />1954-1955<br /><br />THE YEARS OF DEJONG. With two Honors in 1954 (HURRY HOME, CANDY and SHADRACH…the first and only time an author has scored two Honors in the same year) and THE WHEEL ON THE SCHOOL winning in 1955, the fifties were dominated by this Dutch-born writer, who also received Honors in 1957 and 1959. Strangely, his later work never achieved the same critical acclaim or popularity as the books he wrote during his golden decade.<br /><br />1956-1958<br /><br />THE YEARS OF SURPRISES. Many authors win the Newbery after having written several popular or acclaimed books…or having previous Newbery Honors. During these years, three solid authors, Jean Lee Latham, Virginia Sorensen, and Harold Keith, came out of nowhere to receive the top prize. None would ever write anything this highly acclaimed or popular again.<br /><br />1959<br /><br />THE YEAR OF UNANIMITY. For the first and only time that we know of, a Newbery winner, THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND, won with a rare unanimous vote.<br /><br />1960<br /><br />THE YEAR OF SECOND HELPINGS. For the first time, an author (1954 winner Joseph Krumgold) returned for a second Newbery. Strangely, his second winner is not considered one of the better Newbery choices. In fact, two of that year’s Honor Books, MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN and THE GAMMAGE CUP have gone on to become classics. <br /> <br />1961<br /><br />THE YEAR OF WHERE DID HE COME FROM? At 62 years or age, Scott O’Dell published his first children’s book and immediately won the Big N. No flash in the pan, he went on to write three more Newbery Honors in the 1960s.<br /><br />1962<br /><br />THE SECOND YEAR OF SECOND HELPINGS. Elizabeth George Speare won her second Newbery for THE BRONZE BOW, a rare historical novel set during the era of the Bible. <br /><br />1963-1966<br /><br />To quote Betsy Bird, these are THE YEARS OF BREAKING BARRIERS. The winners include a science fiction classic (A WRINKLE IN TIME), a very contemporary NYC kid story (IT’S LIKE THIS, CAT), a stark, polarizing novel about bullfighting (SHADOW OF A BULL), and an unusual novel featuring a black protagonist who is an adult for most of the book (I, JUAN DE PAREJA.)<br /><br />1967<br /><br />THE YEAR OF PLAYING IT SAFE. Irene Hunt’s UP A ROAD SLOWLY is an old-fashioned novel that harkens back to an earlier era.<br /><br />1968<br /><br />THE YEAR OF MODERN VOICES. E.L. Konigsburg scored with both the year’s winner (FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES…) and an Honor Book (JENNIFER, HECATE, MACBETH…) – the first time an author received both prizes in a single year. These two titles, plus Honor Book THE EGYPT GAME by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, seemed to speak to a more modern generation than most previous winners.<br /><br />1969<br /><br />THE YEAR OF FANTASY. THE HIGH KING ushered in an era of fantasy fiction winners and Honor Books.<br /><br />1970-1971<br /> <br />More YEARS OF BREAKING BARRIERS, with a novels featuring an African-American family (SOUNDER) and concerning a mentally-retarded boy (THE SUMMER OF THE SWANS.)<br /><br />1972<br /><br />THE YEAR OF CHANGE. Though the winner was an old-fashioned animal story (MRS. FRISBY AND THE RATS OF NIMH) that quickly became a modern classic, the other books on the slate included an adult novel (INCIDENT AT HAWK’S HILL), a picture book (ANNIE AND THE OLD ONE), a high-end fantasy (THE TOMBS OF ATUAN), a mystery (THE HEADLESS CUPID) and a sophisticated urban tale (THE PLANET OF JUNIOR BROWN.) For the first time, these books were called Honor Books (from 1922-1971 they’d been “runners-ups”) and were now given their own silver seals for the front cover. This retroactive change ushered in a new era of appreciation for Honor Books.<br /><br />1973<br /><br />I’m not sure what to call the year that JULIE OF THE WOLVES won. A year for ecology? A year of rewarding favorite authors (in addition to Jean Craighead George, Arnold Lobel and multi-Newbery-Honor author Zilpha Keatley Snyder were honored.)<br /><br />1974-1976<br /><br />THE LITERARY YEARS. They may not appeal to every young reader, but there is no doubt that THE SLAVE DANCER, M.C. HIGGINS THE GREAT and THE GREY KING are written with a touch of literary brilliance.<br /><br />1977-1978<br /><br />THE YEARS OF CLASSROOM FAVORITES. With ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY and BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA, the Newbery crowned two books that would be used in classrooms for decades to come.<br /><br />1979<br /><br />A WILD CARD YEAR. Not just a mystery, but a comic-mystery, THE WESTING GAME is unlike any other Newbery winner…and coincidentally happens to be many readers’ choice for all-time favorite Newbery.<br /><br />1980<br /><br />THE SERIOUS YEAR. Perhaps as a response to the previous year’s comic romp, A GATHERING OF DAYS was a slow, sober historical novel – and an out-of-left-field winner.<br /><br />1981<br /><br />Again, I’m stumped on how to describe this year. JACOB HAVE I LOVED was certainly a worthy winner, neither expected nor totally unexpected. Perhaps this is a year for “older readers” since the protagonist of JACOB is a teenager (and later adult) in the final chapters of the book, and one of the Honors, A RING OF ENDLESS LIGHT also focuses on a teenager character.<br /><br />1982<br /><br />THE YEAR OF BREAKING BARRIERS, with the first poetry winner, A VISIT TO WILLIAM BLAKE’S INN.<br /><br />1983-1986<br /><br />THE YEARS OF GIVENS, with the award expectedly going to sequels DICEY’S SONG and THE HERO AND THE CROWN, and belatedly given to the great Beverly Cleary. 1986 seems like a given as well, with instant-classic SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL getting acclaim from the moment of publication.<br /><br />1987<br /><br />THE MAKE-UP YEAR. I can’t get excited about any of the books on the 1987 slate. It was either a bad year for books or a bad committee. But it was nice that Sid Fleischman finally got the prize after many years of excellent books.<br /><br />1988-1989<br /><br />MORE YEARS OF BREAKING BARRIERS with poetry and nonfiction taking the top prizes.<br /><br />1990<br /><br />ANOTHER MAKE-UP YEAR. I can’t get enthusiastic about this year’s selections either, with NUMBER THE STARS feeling like a rather humdrum “classroom” book, perhaps given to Lois Lowry in recognition of earlier, better books. However, if they’d only waited a couple years they could have given it to Lowry's THE GIVER, one of the best-ever novels to win the Newbery.<br /><br />1991-1992<br /><br />THE YEARS OF STEPPING INTO THE SPOTLIGHT. After a long apprenticeship, Jerry Spinelli went from a solid, reliable writer to a brilliant author with winner MANIAC MAGEE. Avi did the same with that year’s Honor Book THE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE. The following year, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, who had already written dozens of books, wrote the novel that changed the course of her career, SHILOH.<br /><br />1993<br /><br />ANOTHER YEAR OF THE GIVEN. MISSING MAY received strong reviews upon publication, plus it won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. Its selection for the Newbery was expected…but now seems a bland, unexciting choice.<br /><br />1994<br /><br />AN EXPECTED YEAR. From the moment THE GIVER was published, it seemed to be the de facto Newbery winner. Expected, but still a highlight among winners.<br /> <br />1995<br /><br />AN UNEXPECTED YEAR. A little known book from a new author, WALK TWO MOONS, stunned Newbery watchers.<br /><br />1996<br /><br />ANOTHER EXPECTED YEAR. Karen Cushman got a Newbery Honor for CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY, and this year the committee gave her the whole enchilada for THE MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE.<br /><br />1997<br /><br />A YEAR OF RETURNS. E.L. Konigsburg returned for her second Newbery, while Nancy Farmer and Eloise McGraw were back for more silver. (It had been 35 years since McGraw’s last Newbery Honor and 43 years since her first. This was a new record.)<br /><br />1998<br /><br />A YEAR OF BREAKING BARRIERS with OUT OF THE DUST the first novel-in-verse to win the Newbery.<br /><br />1999<br /><br />THE YEAR OF BREAK THROUGHS. Like 1991 and 1992, this was a year for previously unrecognized authors to step into the spotlight. Louis Sachar had mostly written undistinguished fiction before suddenly spinning literary gold with HOLES. Richard Peck had written many wonderful books, but most seemed more “young adult” than children’s volumes. With A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO, he finally received Newbery recognition.<br /><br />2000-2001<br /><br />YEARS OF GIVENS. After writing an instant-classic (and Newbery Honor) with THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM – 1963, it seemed an obvious choice for Christopher Paul Curtis’s second, well-received novel, BUD, NOT BUDDY, to win. Richard Peck’s 2001 win for A YEAR DOWN YONDER didn’t seem obvious in the days leading up to the Newbery ceremony, but as soon as most people heard the sequel to A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO won, they thought, “Oh, of course.”<br /><br />2002<br /><br />ANOTHER SURPRISING YEAR. Linda Sue Park’s A SINGLE SHARD had been out for nearly a year before it won the Newbery. When the award was announced, surprised collectors scrambled for the few remaining first editions.<br /><br />2003<br /><br />ANOTHER MAKE-UP YEAR. With five solid Honor Books, it wasn’t as if 2003 lacked in good children’s books, yet somehow the award went to CRISPIN : CROSS OF LEAD by Avi, an author who has written many, many better books (including this year’s CITY OF ORPHANS.) Was it a “career” award for his entire body of work?<br /><br />2004<br /><br />A BORING YEAR. Everyone expected THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX to win.<br /> <br />2005<br /><br />A SURPRISING YEAR. No one expected KIRA-KIRA to win.<br /><br />2006<br /><br />A STRETCHING YEAR. Everything about this year’s selections points to expansion and opening up. The winning book, CRISS CROSS, featured multiple points of view and the Honor Books encompassed a wide range of genres – nonfiction, picture book, fantasy.<br /><br />2007<br /><br />THE YEAR FROM LEFT FIELD<br /><br />None of the books on the slate had received much talk before the Newbery announcement.<br /><br />2008<br /><br />A YEAR OF SURPRISES. A book of medieval monologues winning the Newbery? It can happen.<br /><br />2009-2010<br /><br />THE YEARS OF THE GIVENS. Both winners, WHEN YOU REACH ME and THE GRAVEYARD BOOK were touted for so long and by so many that a riot might have broken out at ALA if they hadn’t won.<br /><br />2011<br /><br />THE YEAR OF SURPRISES. There was a gasp when the winning title was announced.<br /><br />2012<br /><br />????? We’ll know tomorrow morning….<br /><br /><br />SOME QUESTIONS<br /><br />This week someone sent an interesting comment to this blog:<br /><br /><em>My advisor in library school…was on the Newbery Committee in 1974 and was often quite candid about what it was like. During her year, the committee was completely divided over which of two books should win the gold: The Slave Dancer or The Dark is Rising. It was a tie, and the argument got so heated that all other books simply fell into the background. Finally, at 5:00 a.m. the committee chair stood up and said something to the effect of, "That's enough! I say Slave Dancer wins, and Dark is Rising will be the only honor book." The rest was history.<br /><br />[The advisor’s] theory is that whenever you have a year with just one Newbery Honor book, a similar argument took place in the committee meeting. Heh.</em><br /><br />Needless to say, I found this fascinating! Personally, I have often wondered at the super-secrecy of the award committees. Is it truly necessary? Would it hinder debate/selection if the discussions held in the jury room were made public? What if they were held secret for a specified time (say five years) and then made known? Would that hurt the process? Just in the interest of literary history (not to mention personal nosiness) I’d love to know what titles were discussed each year…why some were eventually dismissed…why others rose to the top. And if negotitations were made so that a so-so book ended up winning over two or three brilliant but divisive titles. <br /><br />How do you feel about this?<br /><br />I also wonder how you feel about the number of Honor Books every year. In the early days of the Newbery, it was not unusual to have six Honor Books. One year there were even eight! Do a large number of Honors dilute the distinction of the award? Personally, I love it when there are multiple Honors and hate when there’s just a single Honor title. <br /><br />Finally, want to hazard a guess on how many Honors we’ll see for this year’s Newbery, Caldecott, and Printz? The Printz is limited to four, but the other actually have no limit that I know of. There have been four Newbery Honors for the past three years. There were five in 2003, but only one in 1999. What’s your guess for tomorrow?<br /><br />And, again, what are your guesses for the winning and Honor Books? Please leave your thoughts in the comments section. I’d love to hear them!<br /><br />Thanks for visiting Collecting Children’s Books! See you tomorrow!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-62804235107633555172012-01-16T17:57:00.004-05:002012-01-16T20:14:49.081-05:00Hope is the Thing with FeathersToday's post isn't about children's books, per se.<br /><br />But it is about young people and it is about books.<br /><br />Close enough.<br /><br />The other day I was fooling around on the internet and came across some information about a soon-to-be released book called DIVATIEL: REFLECTIONS OF A BIRD'S COMPANION. Described as "the true tale of a diva cockatiel and her loving owner," I immediately ordered a copy. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCS3HWoIxMkWjmN8Hj5knBaqiu0sEv0djtjWfI_w5IWllzWgUKrGh7bXeb4hdIxO-PPSKDw18pX05B_EPOIuyQl57C7uhr5-q2qnGpxXKO2Wb9WkFEei9LNN06O2rCSiyaxES64H4o4XU/s1600/Divatiel.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCS3HWoIxMkWjmN8Hj5knBaqiu0sEv0djtjWfI_w5IWllzWgUKrGh7bXeb4hdIxO-PPSKDw18pX05B_EPOIuyQl57C7uhr5-q2qnGpxXKO2Wb9WkFEei9LNN06O2rCSiyaxES64H4o4XU/s400/Divatiel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698368039898886194" /></a><br />Why did I order this book?<br /><br />I don't usually read self-published books.<br /><br />And while I like birds, I'm not a huge bird lover.<br /><br />The main reason I ordered the book is because of the author, Cindi R. Maciolek.<br /><br />You're probably saying, "Who is she? Is she famous?"<br /><br />Not to you, perhaps. But she is to me.<br /><br />Many, many years ago, Cindi and I attended the same high school in Detroit. I remember her from journalism class, held in Room C309, the "Cody Star" office. We both wrote for the school paper. Cindi was known for making all her own clothes, wearing a necklace with a "Ms." charm (hey, it was the seventies), and for being a real go-getter. She was the kind of person who was going to do Big Things with her life...you could tell it even back then. From what I've read about her on the internet, she really has lived an impressive life -- hosting a cable news show, working in fashion design, and writing for various publications.<br /><br />And now this book!<br /><br />The day after I ordered DIVATIEL, I got an e-mail from Cindi:<br /><br /><em>Hi Peter!<br /><br />Thanks for purchasing Divatiel. Printed copies should be here by the end of the month, so I’ll get one in the mail as soon as they arrive.<br /><br />Thanks again!<br /><br />Cindi</em><br /><br />Sounds like a form letter, doesn't it?<br /><br />She doesn't remember me, does she?<br /><br />But I remember her. She sat at a table a couple rows back, just over my right shoulder. I remember most everyone from Room C309 -- probably because journalism was my favorite class. I thought that a lot of us would end up as famous writers. So it makes me feel good that someone from that class has now published a book.<br /><br />Incidentally, Cindi R. Maciolek (and, yes, she included the middle initial in her name back then. So did I. It's a writer thing.) is not the only young person I knew who went on to write a book. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7UTrSk9hRfgV1ACdQHB2IoX1kn_rqW0wgwpWkzZJNXJnFxT6skXdbQp4OqG942G_9ge9eh49xAeqTbw3lQZeMY3H-dPpF7ryw9e0xru8O0PdrhEDCEn7MVvyjJaMFdZFwNMHknB0_e4/s1600/Sosnowski.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7UTrSk9hRfgV1ACdQHB2IoX1kn_rqW0wgwpWkzZJNXJnFxT6skXdbQp4OqG942G_9ge9eh49xAeqTbw3lQZeMY3H-dPpF7ryw9e0xru8O0PdrhEDCEn7MVvyjJaMFdZFwNMHknB0_e4/s400/Sosnowski.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698367962239727042" /></a> When I was in college, I took a couple creative writing courses with a guy named David Sosnowski. He was the star of the class and it was never a question of IF he'd publish a book...but WHEN. I was so certain of his eventual success that I always made sure to check the "S" section at the bookstore, and when I later had access to the OCLC database at work, I'd frequently check his name to see if he had a forthcoming book listed. And one day he did! It was called RAPTURE, and turned out to be quite an amazing novel.<br /><br />I am excited about what happened to my old classmates -- even if they don't remember me. Thinking back on my school years, I didn't like every class I took and I didn't like every teacher, but one thing I always loved is that school was the place where so many dreams were born and fostered. Not just the hopes and dreams of aspiring authors in journalism and writing classes, but dreams of aspiring athletes in the gym, dreams of aspiring scientists in the lab, on and on. And dreams are never stronger or bigger than when you are young. Some dreams die, but sometimes they do come to fruition...even if it takes ten...twenty...or thirtyplus years. <br /><br />I'm assuming that most readers of this blog have met or even become friends with an author or two as adults...but how many of you knew young people who eventually grew up to write books?<br /><br />I'd love to hear about them! Please share your stories!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-14180616103698003432012-01-08T10:02:00.012-05:002012-01-11T13:49:05.971-05:00First Sunday Brunch of 2012Welcome to the first Collecting Children's Books Sunday Brunch of 2012.<br /><br />Obviously we're running a bit late, since it's now January 8.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the year got off to a bad start for my family...but I'm hoping that the "in like a lion, out like a lamb" description of March also holds true for entire years. That is, if 2012 starts badly, it's bound to end well. Let's hope that's true -- for everyone!<br /><br /><br />HOLIDAY BOOKS<br /><br />Thanks to everyone who wrote in with suggestions for books to read on Christmas Eve.<br /><br />One title that came up several times was THE COTTAGE HOLIDAY by Jo Mendel, a book in the Whitman "Tuckers" series.<br /><br />Books about the Tucker Family were one of my childhood guilty pleasures. They sold for a dollar in the toy section of my local Woolworth's and, though I only bought two, I read them over and over as a kid. As an adult I've purchased a couple more, but never realized THE COTTAGE HOLIDAY was a Christmas favorite until a couple weeks ago when blog reader Linda said, "Peter, you must find a copy!"<br /><br />Well, guess what?<br /><br />I did!<br /><br />In fact, I found it online for only $3.98!<br /><br />It just arrived in the mail this week, and though my copy is a bit grubby and there are a couple torn pages, it's perfectly readable and now sitting beside my own desk, just waiting to be read!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6cYZhkfthnlKCQnHDRycbGJecbMF1yH2G3GUwVWgwIMJ7uj_V77JW8X-ltqHavumPDb1iIgrmJZm359tZWWJeQIL_UWXq8IpA4tBKL0Pm-HBblmh_FntwOovnDqPgYawMa_AaudJ460/s1600/cottage+cover.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 289px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6cYZhkfthnlKCQnHDRycbGJecbMF1yH2G3GUwVWgwIMJ7uj_V77JW8X-ltqHavumPDb1iIgrmJZm359tZWWJeQIL_UWXq8IpA4tBKL0Pm-HBblmh_FntwOovnDqPgYawMa_AaudJ460/s400/cottage+cover.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695316075266450674" /></a><br />I'm not waiting till next Christmas to read it either. I'll probably get to it in the next couple weeks -- which is fitting because, considering how unproductive I can, the Christmas tree and wall decorations will probably still be up for two more weeks!<br /><br />Incidentally, the back of every Tucker book was, I believe, always pretty much the same. The background color varied from book to book but the illusrations of the Tuckers remained the same, as did the boxed "It's Tucker Time!" description of the series:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_6uo2nSTpbxsrnlFJQqgAnMRE52Spylpl8PO3CBqlplaX6vOjzNqa6p_WoBsWMDAFF78hK6Q_cFF_ijJ8tRHayvpI_iBLiX4eWrZBXqdRFbuPaYZpcUq0vWrGrTGrgGdn4GNn5J0RCM/s1600/tucker+time.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_6uo2nSTpbxsrnlFJQqgAnMRE52Spylpl8PO3CBqlplaX6vOjzNqa6p_WoBsWMDAFF78hK6Q_cFF_ijJ8tRHayvpI_iBLiX4eWrZBXqdRFbuPaYZpcUq0vWrGrTGrgGdn4GNn5J0RCM/s400/tucker+time.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695316066477239586" /></a><br />It's a masterpiece of marketing ("Time for fun! Time for excitement!" Time for picnics, parties, vacation trips, adventures -- even mysteries!") that practially begs the reader to pick up the book. <br /><br />All those exclamation points!<br /><br />I love it!<br /><br />Of course nowadays it would never be presented in cursive writing, as so many kids can't read cursive anymore....<br /><br /><br />ONE MORE CHRISTMAS BOOK...AND AN INTERESTING AUTHOR<br /><br />Another holiday book I'm trying to track down is STAR MOTHER'S YOUNGEST CHILD by Louise Moeri. I became interested in this title when I saw a Facebook posting by poet Helen Frost (author of last year's HIDDEN and this year's STEP GENTLY OUT) in which she described her cures for "Christmas nostalgia," which included reading the Moeri book for the thirtieth Christmas in a row. If Helen Frost is that devoted to this book, I need to read it!<br /><br />This also got me thinking of Louise Moeri and her books. I've only read a couple, but maybe I'll try to read them all this coming year. Just looking at the titles and subject matter proves what a broad range she has as a writer. There are fantasies (THE UNICORN AND THE PLOW), frontier stories (SAVE QUEEN OF SHEBA), YA problem novels (FIRST THE EGG) and books about social issues, such as DOWNWIND, which concerns a nuclear meltdown. I remember being highly impressed by her novel THE FORTY-THIRD WAR, about a boy fighting in Central America's conflicts -- an unusually timely (in 1989) and challenging book for an American writer to attempt. <br /><br />There is not much info available on the author, but I did find this quote about her writing career in Contemporary Authors: "The thing that kept me going is a picture I have in my mind. I see myself as a very old lady in a rest home with a blanket over my knees with a choice of two statements to make: `I tried very hard to write-- gave it everything I had' and `how I wish I had tried harder'."<br /><br />Apparently she's still giving it everything she has. Though 87 years old and apparently ailing (on her Facebook page she lists her main activity as "chemotherapy"), she has published two adult novels in recent years -- one in paper, and one only in a digital edition!<br /><br /><br />FROM CHRISTMAS EVE TO NEW YEAR'S EVE<br /><br />Thinking about Christmas Eve books got me wondering about New Year's Eve reads.<br /><br />Do you know any good ones?<br /><br />And can you think of any titles geared to <em>specific</em> years? <br /><br />My first thought was perhaps Tomie de Paola's "26 Fairmount Avenue" books, but I'm not sure that each volume represents a different year.<br /><br />One intriguing title comes to mind -- a title that also shows the downside of highlighting a specific year in fiction.<br /><br />That title is CINDERELLA 2000, a young adult romance by Mavis Jukes.<br /><br />Published in the fall of 1999 to commemorate the new millenium, the book was released in a rather inexpensive format (small trim size, no dustjacket, glossy illustration printed on its cardboardy cover, low price) which made it clear that this was probably an ephemeral offering not destined for years of success. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTY7TUYhXb_8DH5lWg19ZyOlMv9vlvWPceQ3WxGt-Fqe6rR6JUXzXnZ6LA_lS2js3uFh1JwmPGWqbINx3px8YB98RSJA1Y6MNP4wkxQ61V3xddNJq9QvvoMr3rhPtPKfwjqfUBHDFtd-o/s1600/jukes+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 157px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTY7TUYhXb_8DH5lWg19ZyOlMv9vlvWPceQ3WxGt-Fqe6rR6JUXzXnZ6LA_lS2js3uFh1JwmPGWqbINx3px8YB98RSJA1Y6MNP4wkxQ61V3xddNJq9QvvoMr3rhPtPKfwjqfUBHDFtd-o/s400/jukes+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695334510538643730" /></a><br />The following year it was released in paperback, with the title captioned "Looking Back..."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjm7JhiyluWerlo8aWLwmNHQV1lU_hV4uBymbGK2YJfAe75o6M8xxWXm_-UtCIm73nIZG8KuCbYspf481gQ8CIIHoWbuNQEj6R5rsfjh5LSmeb-NgDnOpvJa6HD0j92k2au_70bdFucM/s1600/Jukes+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjm7JhiyluWerlo8aWLwmNHQV1lU_hV4uBymbGK2YJfAe75o6M8xxWXm_-UtCIm73nIZG8KuCbYspf481gQ8CIIHoWbuNQEj6R5rsfjh5LSmeb-NgDnOpvJa6HD0j92k2au_70bdFucM/s400/Jukes+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695334503153300146" /></a><br />In other words, what seemed so dazzling and "new" in the fall of 1999 was already history by 2001. <br /><br />Thinking back, though, this might be a nice book to add to an historical children's book collection -- the only (?) example of how YA fiction celebrated, however briefly, the new millenium.<br /><br /><br />COMING TUESDAY : THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE<br /><br />A new novel by Christopher Paul Curtis is always an occasion. His first book, THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM – 1963, received a Newbery Honor and is acknowledged as a modern classic. His next effort, BUD, NOT BUDDY, won the Newbery, and he received yet another Newbery Honor for ELIJAH OF BUXTON in 2008. And there will special interest in his newest novel, THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE -- due out this Tuesday – because the protagonist will be familiar to readers of BUD, NOT BUDDY. <br /><br />Called the “The Mighty Miss Malone” by her alliteration-loving father, Deza is a smart, happy twelve-year-old girl. Although the Depression has hit the Malones hard -- Father can’t find work and there’s no money to get Deza’s rotting teeth fixed -- the protagonist is growing up secure in the love of her stable family, which includes her fifteen-year-old brother, Jimmie, who has a rare talent for music. Like ELIJAH OF BUXTON, this novel also begins as a series of vignettes -- Deza’s teacher offers an unexpected gift; Jimmie steals a pie from a neighbor; Father is involved in a boating accident; the world awaits the 1936 Joe Louis-Max Schmeling boxing match (also highlighted in Andrea Pinkney’s recent novel BIRD IN A BOX) -- before settling into a more conventional plot-driven narrative <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiaGogBizAdeO8pJyAYdCZ2bR5J4hfM7J6etIR-FLlT-sfRlmMKGjGFG2gc93lU7wuEXQSoZwT_-koBH5n-x2J28l_kKJqe2Sh3H3x0cCLEZwB3hosAc4M_e7PBnNfikgqFJ2ogTQZgE/s1600/malone.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiaGogBizAdeO8pJyAYdCZ2bR5J4hfM7J6etIR-FLlT-sfRlmMKGjGFG2gc93lU7wuEXQSoZwT_-koBH5n-x2J28l_kKJqe2Sh3H3x0cCLEZwB3hosAc4M_e7PBnNfikgqFJ2ogTQZgE/s400/malone.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695276803719500242" /></a> when Father leaves home to find work and, uncharacteristically, breaks contact with the family. Eventually, the Malones leave Gary, Indiana in order to find Father, ending up in a Flint, Michigan "Hooverville." <br /><br />Anyone who writes about children's books should probably have a hotkey on their computer for the words "the plucky protagonist." While the phrase is clearly overused, it's almost always applicable. It certainly is here, as "the plucky protagonist" makes the best of life in the shantytown, then embarks on a daring solo trip to Detroit, hoping to bring together her now-broken family. Christopher Paul Curtis has written another big-hearted historical novel full of memorable characters and events. Though it contains a few flaws (Jimmie's lack of height is presented as a major issue in the first half of the book, but disappears in the second; Deza's repeated misuse of the word "geologically" seems patronizing to this otherwise intelligent narrator), THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE deserves its place on the shelf with the author's previous books -- all classics in the making. <br /><br /><br />READERS OF THE "LOST ARC"<br /><br />Although the hardcover of THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE will not be released till Tuesday, I was lucky enough to get an ARC (advance reading copy) of the novel last week from my bookstore buddy. <br /><br />So often when I read an ARC, I'm saddened by the fact that it contains fascinating background information that will not appear in the hardcover edition of the book. I always wish this info was available to every reader. I felt that way again when I saw the "Dear Reader" letter at the front of THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE ARC which explains how Mr. Curtis came to write the book. <br /><br />I thought I'd share a bit of it here, for those who are interested:<br /><br /><em>The foundation for this book was the question that kept popping up during many "author visits" I made to schools and communities. This question was always asked by a girl, and she would preface it by saying, "Mr. Curtis, I like your books, but...."<br /><br />The inevitable "but."<br /><br />I'd developed a set answer for these girls. It ran along the lines of, "There are so many wonderful women authors doing books about girls, and if you </em>really<em> want a story about a girl, who is more qualified to do it, me or you?"<br /><br />Not the best answer in the world; and it bothered me. I felt like I wasn't being completely honest. But when I thought about the question later, I couldn't come up with a better reply. However, mulling over question set in place the foundation for this book.<br /><br />The first bricks in Deza's story were laid by a reporter for the DETROIT FREE PRESS, Cassandra Spratling. Ms. Spratling invited me to speak at an African American mother-daughter book club in Detroit. She told me the club had read BUD, NOT BUDDY and would love to have me address the group. I said I'd be happy to.<br /><br />Big mistake.<br /><br />Before I was introduced, several of the moms pulled me aside and said in rather threatening tones, "We really like your stories, but..."<br /><br />To quote Bud, "Here we go again."<br /><br />"...what we'd </em>really<em> like to know is what business that little girl in the Hooverville had kissing a stranger like Bud Caldwell the way she did."<br /><br />We've all heard about the two reactions humans have when confronted unexpectedly by a threatening situation: fight or flight. I discovered there's a third response: heavy rationalization. I replied, "Oh, you're just getting his side of the story, </em>she<em> has a completely different take on what happened."<br /><br />I saw that wasn't enough and added, "Besides, you know how boys just love to lie about these things."</em><br /><br />Rationalization or not, I found this a fascinating response and only wish it were available in the hardcover edition so that readers of BUD, NOT BUDDY will understand the discrepancy between the "kissing scene" that is presented in both books. <br /><br />Some readers may be disappointed that the Deza and Bud story (trumpeted with the dustjacket tagline: "Deza Malone from BUD, NOT BUDDY is back!") has such a small role in THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE, but placing too much of an emphasis on their brief encounter might have tilted the focus of the book. The succinct, two page scene presented here strikes me as particularly well-played.<br /><br /><br />IT WAS A GOOD YEAR<br /><br />The lesson I have to keep learning over and over is that no one -- and that includes intelligent, informed people of good will -- is ever in 100% agreement on the merits of any single book.<br /><br />Oh sure, there are titles that nearly everyone loves -- such as CHARLOTTE'S WEB, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, and many more. But I guarantee that if we got a big group of children's book fans together, we'd discover that at least a few of them are ambivalent about...cool toward...or even downright <em>hate</em> CHARLOTTE'S WEB and WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. <br /><br />I was reminded of that last week when reading School Library Journal's Heavy Medal blog on <a href="http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/heavymedal/2011/12/23/the-ones-that-got-away/<br />"> "the ones that got away"</a> -- titles that readers believe should have won the Newbery but didn't.<br /><br />The comment that made me rear back in my seat came from that extraordinary writer Nancy Werlin -- and I mean that both literally (she wrote a novel called EXTRAORDINARY) and descriptively (she's a great writer.) However, I was shocked when she mentioned 1964 as a bad Newbery year, calling the winning title, IT'S LIKE THIS, CAT "that piece of mindless drivel" and adding, "The honor books don’t shine in memory for that year, either (RASCAL by Sterling North and THE LONER by Ester Wier). A bad committee. It happens."<br /><br />Ouch!<br /><br />I love IT'S LIKE THIS, CAT!<br /><br />Maybe it's a boy-thing. Or maybe it's because I'm such a huge fan of New York City, the book's setting. Or maybe it's because I'm a lot older than Ms. Werlin and remember the sixties, the book's time period, so well. But whatever the case, I really like this book. And while even I might agree that it's not in the top 10% of all Newbery winners, I think it's a fine choice.<br /><br />I also don't agree about those Honor Books. RASCAL is pretty much a classic, and I regard THE LONER as one of the great unknown Honor Books of all time.<br /><br />As I said: even intelligent, informed people of good will are going to disagree on books!<br /><br />But the line that really got me thinking was this: "A bad committee. It happens."<br /><br />It got me wondering if there were any Newbery years in which the committee made across-the-board excellent picks or, conversely, choose nothing but stinkers? <br /><br />We've already acknowledged that not everyone is going to agree on anything, but just speaking in GENERAL terms, are there years where MOST readers would GENERALLY AGREE the committee did a bang-up job?<br /><br />And years where MOST readers would shrug and say, "Bad committee. It happens."<br /><br />Take a look at <a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyhonors/newberymedal"> this complete list of winners and Honor Books </a> to refresh your memmory.<br /><br />Granted, there are a lot of factors involved in any year's selections -- starting with the pool of eligible books. It's possible that some years have an abundance of riches while other years are so weak that the committee must pick the best of a bad lot.<br /><br />Looking at the list myself, I don't see any single year where I think every title is amazing...except a couple times when only one Honor Book was chosen (for instance, 1991 when MANIAC MAGEE won and THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE honored, and 1999 with its duo of HOLES and A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO.) <br /><br />Otherwise, I think 1975 may be my favorite year, with the medal going to M.C. HIGGINS THE GREAT and Honors won by FIGGS & PHANTOMS, MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD, THE PERILOUS GARD, and PHILIP HALL LIKES ME, I RECKON MAYBE. In this case, I love all the Honor Books and admire (but am not emotionally connected to) the winning title.<br /><br />I used to think that 1967 was a stellar year as well, with FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER winning and JENNIFER, HECATE, MACBETH, WILLIAM MCKINLEY, AND ME, ELIZABETH and THE EGYPT GAME honoring...but the remaining honors, THE BLACK PEARL (not Scott O'Dell's finest) and THE FEARSOME INN, seem a step down in quality from the other three titles.<br /><br />It's even harder to pick across-the-board weak years. While there are a few middling years (2007 comes to mind), it seems that nearly every year contains at least one good, surprising, or inspired choice. It may not be in the gold medal position, but at least it received recognition. <br /><br />Perhaps it's silly to expect any single slate to appeal to any one person. The honored books cross a wide range of genres and are written in many styles -- so somewhere out there, for sure, there is someone who loves every title I hate, and hates every title I love.<br /><br />But still, I'm curious: what do YOU think were the Newbery's best and worst years?<br /><br /><br />MR. AMBASSADOR<br /><br />By now you have probably read that Walter Dean Myers has been named <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/03/books/walter-dean-myers-ambassador-for-young-peoples-literature.html?_r=1"> the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.</a><br /><br />You've also probably heard about the backlash, if "backlash" means <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/pageviews/2012/01/against-walter-dean-myers-and-the-dumbing-down-of-literature-those-kids-can-read-h"> one inflammatory article </a> that talks about how kids should be reading Homer and Virgil instead of contemporary YA books. Whatever. I'm still perplexed by the article's timeline (the author says he taught at a Flatbush middle school some years ago, yet mentions Myers's 2010 novel LOCKDOWN as among his students' favorites.)<br /><br />All I know is that the influence of Walter Dean Myers's books, and the importance of his work as ambassador, will be remembered long after that article in the newspaper is used to wrap fish or line a birdcage. <br /><br /><br />NEVER SAY NEVER<br /><br />Well, I've been saying for years that I don't want an e-reader.<br /><br />Now I've learned that my favorite author will be publishing her next novel only in the e-book format.<br /><br />What's a reader to do?<br /><br />Stay tuned to see what happens next!<br /><br /><br />THANKS <br /><br />And I hope you "stay tuned" to Collecting Children's Books throughout 2012. There's lots to look forward to in the coming months, including the Newbery, Caldecott, and Printz announcements in just a couple weeks.<br /><br />Thanks for visiting -- and Happy New Year!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-46462529867349529992011-12-22T20:36:00.008-05:002011-12-23T02:48:57.452-05:00A Season for SharingThis past weekend, I asked readers to share what books they planned to read on Christmas Eve.<br /><br />Laura C. said that she likes to share "Twas the Night Before Christmas" with her son every year.<br /><br />Wendy said her favorite is "CHRISTMAS ALL YEAR 'ROUND (1952), edited by Marjorie Vetter, which contains 25 Christmas stories from American Girl magazine--it used to be the official magazine of the Girl Scouts, but was similar to YM or Seventeen, and published excellent fiction. Most of the authors aren't anyone people have heard of anymore unless you're me; the most famous is probably Lenora Mattingly Weber, who wrote the cult-favorite Beany Malone books." <br /><br />I want to read this book too, but it's almost impossible to find these days. And our library's copy is missing!<br /><br />Linda revealed, "I usually don't have any time on Christmas Eve to read anything, but four books I must re-read before Christmas are THE TUCKERS: THE COTTAGE HOLIDAY, Kathryn Lasky's CHRISTMAS AFTER ALL, and Frances Frost's SLEIGH BELLS FOR WINDY FOOT, as well as A CHRISTMAS CAROL. If I can, I do like to read the last FEW chapters of Kate Seredy's THE OPEN GATE (starting with the Pearl Harbor chapter.)<br /><br />Well, that got me excited. I'm a fan of the Tuckers books too, but have not read THE COTTAGE HOLIDAY and, in fact, did not even know it was a holiday story. Now it's going on my "find and read" list, along with the other books Linda suggested!<br /><br />Brer is a fantasy fan: "I like to read "A Christmas Carol" of course, but also THE BOX OF DELIGHTS by John Masefield, THE DARK IS RISING by Susan Cooper, HOGFATHER by Terry Pratchett, and THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE by C. S. Lewis."<br /><br />An anonymous reader contributed this: "I found my all time favorite Christmas read on a sale table in the front entry way at Schulers bookstore in Grand Rapids, Michigan years ago. The FOUR MIDWESTERN SISTERS CHRISTMAS BOOK is a treat to read especially for those of us who were born in the 50's. It is a wonderful collection of recipes, holiday craft projects, stories, and traditions."<br /><br />I've got the same book, Anonymous! And I found mine on the sale table at Borders in Ann Arbor, Michigan, one New Year's Eve many years ago. I love it too!<br /><br />And bookseller P.J. Grath said, "I'm happily all set with reading, as a friend has sent me two children's stories she's written. She's written others but is starting me with these two. What a gift! Now I feel like a kid with a big, mysterious, exciting wrapped box under the tree!"<br /><br />P.J.'s comments actually have a connection with a note I got from blog-friend Mary. She wasn't able to post in the comments section, but she wrote me to say, "I will be reading two books of short stories by Katherine Paterson, one story each day, throughout the month of December. They are titled ANGELS AND OTHER STRANGERS : FAMILY CHRISTMAS STORIES and A MIDNIGHT CLEAR."<br /><br />A few weeks ago this blog posed a question about Christmas books: since they are presumably read only for a month or so each year, are they "money makers" for publishers? Do they sell enough copies in November and December to justify remaining in print all year long? I guess they must, as Ms. Paterson's two collections have been in print continuously since they were published in 1979 and 1995. In some ways, these volumes are quite different from the author's usual books. Instead of concerning children, the stories frequently focus on old men, married women, fathers and mothers. Though Christianity has quietly informed much of Paterson's work, it is most evident in these Christmas collections. Though enjoyable to read (and read aloud) the tales sometimes seem a bit purposeful and lack the nuance of the author's very best work. <br /><br />ANGELS AND OTHER STRANGERS was released just after Katherine Paterson's career skyrocketed with a National Book Award (THE MASTER PUPPETEER) followed by a Newbery Medal (BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA) and another NBA win (THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS.) By the time A MIDNIGHT CLEAR was published, she'd won a second Newbery (JACOB HAVE I LOVED) and was acknowledged as one of the world's most important writers for children. Yet it's possible that none of those award-winning novels would have been written if it hadn't been for the humble Christmas stories collected in ANGELS AND OTHER STRANGERS.... <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIe72WEL_Xjs9MkG4-2SuYkIWgdtCpYAyhKmXQ9CEDEsmX8kn8Qdi_-IVhM6J7qkA1UjjOyFvu4OwUvgBuk_h9XHVbiqb7Hoe09NIXEW4aSNaU3-8SAfYAStm28ZzVHJCCWyIC5ZMpOOo/s1600/paterson1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 342px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIe72WEL_Xjs9MkG4-2SuYkIWgdtCpYAyhKmXQ9CEDEsmX8kn8Qdi_-IVhM6J7qkA1UjjOyFvu4OwUvgBuk_h9XHVbiqb7Hoe09NIXEW4aSNaU3-8SAfYAStm28ZzVHJCCWyIC5ZMpOOo/s400/paterson1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689131897169819794" /></a><br />It all began in 1967, years before Katherine Paterson had ever published a word of fiction. In fact, she'd only written two short stories in her life. Neither had been published. But that year, the author's minister husband decided that, rather than deliver a sermon at his church's Christmas Eve service, he wanted to read a short story. Katherine went to the library in search of yuletide stories, found none that pleased her ("I can do better than this!" she remembers thinking) and decided to write one of her own.<br /><br />That Christmas Eve her story was read at the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, beginning an annual tradition of original Katherine Paterson stories being shared every December twenty-fourth -- first in Maryland, and later in Virginia and Vermont, as the family moved to different church assignments.<br /><br />The author said, "In those early years, propelled perhaps by my loving congregations' responses to my Christmas stories, I began to write fiction seriously."<br /><br />In other words, if Katherine Paterson had not shared that first story forty-four Christmases ago, we might not have Jess and Leslie, Sarah Louise and Caroline Bradshaw, Gilly, Lyddie, Jip, Jimmy Jo, and so many others...so many stories.<br /><br />Katherine's husband, John, is now retired from the ministry. Today he occasionally collaborates with his wife in writing children's books -- most recently THE FLINT HEART. I don't know if Ms. Paterson still writes a new Christmas story each year, but I do know that the stories from ANGELS AND OTHER STRANGERS and A MIDNIGHT CLEAR continue to be shared from other pulpits in other churches each and every Christmas. And of course they are always waiting for any of us to read within the covers of ANGELS AND OTHER STRANGERS, that offbeat children's book, so different from most of the author's work yet containing heartfelt stories -- some written during the apprentice phase of her career -- that continue to delight and inspire readers. <br /><br />...And speaking of apprentice writers, wouldn't it be fun to sit around P.J. Grath's Christmas tree this weekend, hearing those two brand-new Christmas stories written by her friend? Who knows -- Perhaps that friend will go on to have the kind of success Katherine Paterson has had. <br /> <br />Whether you're reading aloud a tale from one of Paterson's Christmas books...or an unpublished story written by a friend...or maybe even a holiday tale you've written yourself, what better way to celebrate the season than sharing a story with someone this Christmas Eve?Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-73896709189055537402011-12-19T02:10:00.003-05:002011-12-19T15:50:58.748-05:00December 18 Sunday BrunchChristmas shopping finished? Mostly.<br /><br />Christmas tree and house decorated? Barely.<br /><br />Christmas cards sent? No.<br /><br />Christmas gifts wrapped? No.<br /><br />In other words, with Christmas a week away, I am WAAAY behind and probably shouldn't be blogging, but I did have a few items to share today, so thought I'd write a quick blog now and wrap gifts later.<br /><br /><br />CHRISTMAS EVE READING<br /><br />Seems like every year my bookstore buddy calls and asks what I'm reading on Christmas Eve. <br /><br />Do you have any old books that you read every year on December 24? Or do you save up a special new book to read that evening? If you don't celebrate Christmas, do you read a book that is specific to your own beliefs or do you choose a secular book>? Or maybe you find yourself drawn to Christmas tales as well? I know several non-Christians who love to read Dickens' Christmas stories at this time of year.<br /><br />In my case, I sometimes save up a new book to read, but often find myself drawn to specific "holiday chapters" of favorite old books -- for example, the Christmas chapters in Beverly Cleary's books about Henry Huggins and Ramona Quimby. And every Christmas I have to read "Let Nothing You Dismay," a wonderful/spooky/weird holiday story from Betty McDonald's adult book, ANYBODY CAN DO ANYTHING. <br /><br />I just ordered a book which, if it arrives by next weekend, might be the perfect Christmas story. <br /><br />But you couldn't tell it from the illustrations: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc11Z22ihVh9ZgNuuX9agGAuK_4d2nNJNP9xdU-zFZtt745OyA4k8XAbW48dS7AHmBMhglF4pND_UCkn6NqBmQA8BB7FhTpiSnE37GxBbA90vcv8-32tH5ULbKSsxp3eNzCcmGfFi97FM/s1600/nw2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 351px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc11Z22ihVh9ZgNuuX9agGAuK_4d2nNJNP9xdU-zFZtt745OyA4k8XAbW48dS7AHmBMhglF4pND_UCkn6NqBmQA8BB7FhTpiSnE37GxBbA90vcv8-32tH5ULbKSsxp3eNzCcmGfFi97FM/s400/nw2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687520412131121042" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQRPIRoPTpNvpQwhOCZQ5A_uwEwd5-Jk4EIAJa2JofE2hz4yfdfQIXbXBOc-gfnbQkzjd8MDPUJhjUmHoOxUXzrp62mZxZZKkNI6wA3becLVE1mJLQGtoCEPNNeaJ-JfIQf3IXgtLwsU/s1600/nw3.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQRPIRoPTpNvpQwhOCZQ5A_uwEwd5-Jk4EIAJa2JofE2hz4yfdfQIXbXBOc-gfnbQkzjd8MDPUJhjUmHoOxUXzrp62mZxZZKkNI6wA3becLVE1mJLQGtoCEPNNeaJ-JfIQf3IXgtLwsU/s400/nw3.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687520406621559282" /></a><br /><br />Even the title sounds more like Halloween story than a Christmas tale:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2EGRbg2wnB03qStrfn8USSXD01GQU_KqVFuPjvNrHUeVZzrtNhlgnT_5H67UfXsUt4EDWPzfFAZL4s6V86SP9_saLfR6Mc0pUXELb1BFR4SEFoVaxjt3U9YjdgaCkgsQBlsvHFVHHqk/s1600/nw1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2EGRbg2wnB03qStrfn8USSXD01GQU_KqVFuPjvNrHUeVZzrtNhlgnT_5H67UfXsUt4EDWPzfFAZL4s6V86SP9_saLfR6Mc0pUXELb1BFR4SEFoVaxjt3U9YjdgaCkgsQBlsvHFVHHqk/s400/nw1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687520873567485762" /></a>But from what I understand, NATHANIEL'S WITCH, written by Katherine Gibson, illustrated by Vera Bock, and published in 1941, is a Christmas story set in 1700s Salem. Actualy, there does seem to be a tradition of scary ghost and witch tales associated with the holiday. Henry James' THE TURN OF THE SCREW is set at Christmas (at least the framing device around the tale is) and perhaps the most well-known ghost story of all time is also set in this season, Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL. <br /><br />Speaking of THE TURN OF THE SCREW, has anyone read the recent YA novel TIGHTER by Adele Griffin? I've read that it's a modern-day companion to the Henry James' novella. Maybe I'll read them both this coming holiday season.<br /><br /><br />SOMETHING SWEET FOR THE HOLIDAYS<br /><br />Yesterday on Facebook (and if you haven't "friended" me there, please feel free!) I was recalling an incident that happened to me as a kid:<br /><br /><em>Back when I was in first grade, I volunteered to bring cookies to the class Christmas party. My mother was happy to make them, but felt bad that we didn't have any Christmas cookie cutters. Strangely, we did have a set of Thanksgiving cookie cutters. The morning of the party, my mother handed me a box of the most beautiful Santa Claus cookies you've ever seen. How did she do it? She'd used the cornucopia cutter</em> <br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysmAJgf0giSlBakTjhyapkozmPvT0sVbowRGKsJmywaIWawQ7yXMiFZOE0GOJiax6z6DSbXhwo8IQGv2gjKl31XbGghrjZxj1a0WFAQ4SPpcEfiQ7S26SJbdzAaFqxI4FVe3p6lhQCIo/s1600/cornucopia.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysmAJgf0giSlBakTjhyapkozmPvT0sVbowRGKsJmywaIWawQ7yXMiFZOE0GOJiax6z6DSbXhwo8IQGv2gjKl31XbGghrjZxj1a0WFAQ4SPpcEfiQ7S26SJbdzAaFqxI4FVe3p6lhQCIo/s400/cornucopia.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687520409365442514" /></a><br /><em>and then turned the cookies at a 90 degree angle. The "horn" of the cornucopoia was now Santa's hat, frosted with red icing. The round "opening" was Santa's face, decorated with chocolate chip eyes and a white frosting beard. </em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-UIau-1ViGt_QLkAHaWfvLXkttutlyGc_A0qaYqxrEHKiz0cZCX2uIRjWG8Cm8mt5rfSI_KRZsYZa3fisXUOvgFXa2l1hDoW7jHgjeBOz5O5lEVM8OYcEqDEwONlF7-bW8_vyxdfe1I/s1600/cornucopia2.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-UIau-1ViGt_QLkAHaWfvLXkttutlyGc_A0qaYqxrEHKiz0cZCX2uIRjWG8Cm8mt5rfSI_KRZsYZa3fisXUOvgFXa2l1hDoW7jHgjeBOz5O5lEVM8OYcEqDEwONlF7-bW8_vyxdfe1I/s400/cornucopia2.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687520410111423170" /></a><br /><em>Over the years some people have praised my brother and me for our "creativity, " but it's really a trait we inherited from our parents, who have been quietly creative all of their lives -- often out of necessity. Now I know why they say "Necessity is the MOTHER of Invention."</em><br /><br />Anyway, this got me wondering about which children's books contain recipes for Christmas cookies. I found a few:<br /><br />THE BAKER'S DOZEN : A SAINT NICHOLAS TALE, written by Aaron Shepard and illustrated by Wendy Edelson <br />CHRISTMAS COOKIES : BITE-SIZED HOLIDAY LESSONS, written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and and illustrated by Jane Dyer<br />CHRISTMAS COOKIES! : A HOLIDAY COOKBOOK, written by Susan Devins and illustrated by Barbara Lehman<br />GINGERBREAD FRIENDS, written and illustrated by Jan Brett<br /><br />Do you know any others?<br /><br />I can't remember...does Robert Sabuda's COOKIE COUNT contain recipes...or does it just make you <em>wish</em> recipes were included?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPs_hm75OJVdxkFA-8cax-GSjVi3tLzsaIQ0BHk_njYmKDpXq7tsZ9lCJYz5EYaLPbgO5cgyqFMMK2ITPDTwYks8jxHNSaFZUjeCC6MXJSmjWubHiEbGudmNPRHbpnwmSltMn_tFlO0vQ/s1600/cookie+count.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPs_hm75OJVdxkFA-8cax-GSjVi3tLzsaIQ0BHk_njYmKDpXq7tsZ9lCJYz5EYaLPbgO5cgyqFMMK2ITPDTwYks8jxHNSaFZUjeCC6MXJSmjWubHiEbGudmNPRHbpnwmSltMn_tFlO0vQ/s400/cookie+count.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687568946606981122" /></a><br /><br />Incidentally, here are my favorite cookies, which my mother has made for me every Christmas since I was very young:<br /><br />Chinese Noodle Cookies<br /><br />1. Melt in saucepan or double boiler over low heat one package of chocolate chips and one package of butterscotch chips. <br /><br />2. Stir in one can Chinese noodles and one can of either peanuts or cashews. We prefer cashews. (Edited to add: a couple people have written in to ask me what kind of noodles we use. We use the following, available in the "ethnic foods" aisle of almost every grocery store:)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgex0jcAjWCrFCDT7Oq33XCSfgIhnu8oXMT0dlOR_tRpWsTbJYZC4V4TZHxykbvwKVsbdWPkdGiZGwRUqhouf0IUOa8_nlz9qIeDuxtLS-m3sNO3d5pl-xuInOoFANSfzVOXXdSPSXoNrM/s1600/La+Choy.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 209px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgex0jcAjWCrFCDT7Oq33XCSfgIhnu8oXMT0dlOR_tRpWsTbJYZC4V4TZHxykbvwKVsbdWPkdGiZGwRUqhouf0IUOa8_nlz9qIeDuxtLS-m3sNO3d5pl-xuInOoFANSfzVOXXdSPSXoNrM/s400/La+Choy.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687851910957121778" /></a><br />3. Mix all together well and drop by teaspoon onto cookie sheet. Cool. <br /><br />I don't know why we associate these cookies with Christmas, but I do remember once going to someone's house in the summer and being very shocked when they served this cookie at lunch. Being offered a Chinese Noodle Cookie in the summer felt as strange as if they'd invited me to help decorate their Christmas tree in the middle of July!<br /><br />Which Christmas cookie is your favorite?<br /><br /><br />WILL E-READERS CHANGE YOUR READING HABITS?<br /><br />I assume everyone here reads "A Chair, a Fireplace, and a Tea Cozy," Elizabeth Burns' entertaining and insightful blog about young adult literature over at <a href="http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/teacozy/"> School Library Journal.</a><br /><br />Today, though, I had to give her a virtual noogie when I read this comment she posted on Facebook:<br /><br /><em>Read a few articles that said more sales of ereaders means opportunities for selfpub authors. Sorry, reading ebooks won't change what I read.</em><br /><br />I responded:<br /><br /><em>Liz, I think you should print this off, hang it over your desk, and see if you're still as adamant on the topic a year from now....</em><br /><br />Because even though I have completely resisted getting an e-reader thus far -- and plan to hold the Kindle at bay for as long as I can -- I assume it's probably going to be inevitable at some point and I can't help but believe that ebooks WILL change what we read. <br /><br />Case in point:<br /><br />I just learned that one of my favorite writers, Edward Bloor, has written MEMORY LANE, a young adult novel that's ONLY available <a href="http://www.edwardbloor.net/b_memorylane.aspx"> as an e-book. </a><br /><br />Bloor's website describes the book like this:<br /><br /><em>Memory Lane, America’s most popular new theme park, promises to provide its guests with “golden memories.” Choose any week—from 1950 to the present—and Memory Lane will recreate it for you in amazing detail: the foods, the clothes, the TV shows, even the schools. You will soon forget about the present and start living in the past.<br /> <br />But is that a good idea?<br /> <br />Alice hopes Memory Lane will provide a week of personal healing and of family bonding. Instead, Alice and her cousins Patrick and TJ find themselves struggling with a pair of psychotic bullies, and with the pain of young love, and with a shocking family secret that was, perhaps, better left buried in the past.<br /><br />Smart, funny, and frightening, Memory Lane is Edward Bloor’s most powerful and insightful novel to date.</em><br /><br />Of course I'm curious why this novel is available only as an e-book. Does it mean that his usual publishers turned it down? Or is this an experiment on the author's part. Ultimately, it may not matter -- at least for me. Edward Bloor is one of my favorites and I want to read what he writes.<br /><br />And I suspect this is a sign of the future. As more and more publishers look for the "next big thing" -- the big concept three-volume vampire/zombie/dystopian novel -- I suspect more authors will resort to self-publishing "smaller" or more personal novels as e-books. <br /><br />So I know that for me (and I suspect for anyone else who loves literature...maybe even Elizabeth Burns) we may eventually seek out at least some self-published books. So they will change the way we read. After all, they may be the types of books that end up winning the Newber e-award.<br /><br /><br />HERE'S SOMETHING IRONIC THOUGH...<br /><br />While it seems as though more mainstream authors may be self-publishing e-books in the future, it appears that self-published authors -- even wealthy ones -- would still prefer to be published in PAPER. <br /><br />Most of us have heard the story of Amanda Hocking, the young writer who, after being rejected by all the mainstream publishers, opted to self-publish her novels as e-books. Within a year, she had reportedly earned over a million dollars for her efforts. <br /><br />Of course that's when the mainstream publishers started to take an interest in her work....<br /><br />Did she send them on their way?<br /><br />Nope.<br /><br />Starting on January 24, St. Martin's Griffin will begin publishing Hocking's "Trylle Trilogy" in paperback with a 250,000 first printing for the first book, SWITCHED.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInPvXO89JwF9jkiY6ktX827nWZHzQkmQ3MjW6GxfTGGaPGniTYZCG4LNUNp0qF1PZjnRyH8HcNwODF3frUTBs0N7BMYc6bQsjSnqxZLS7aHb4_haZM0ycbr8SOFe3YfRhcz9QQUfQ8lE/s1600/Hocking.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInPvXO89JwF9jkiY6ktX827nWZHzQkmQ3MjW6GxfTGGaPGniTYZCG4LNUNp0qF1PZjnRyH8HcNwODF3frUTBs0N7BMYc6bQsjSnqxZLS7aHb4_haZM0ycbr8SOFe3YfRhcz9QQUfQ8lE/s400/Hocking.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687569560208699746" /></a><br />Already optioned for the movies, the book will be advertised on TV, on the internet, and in major magazines.<br /><br />In the author's note, Ms. Hocking states, "People often ask me if I feel bitterness or resentment toward all the agents who passed on my work before, and to that I say a resounding no. It wasn't the right time or the right place, and I needed all those no's to get to the right agent and the right publisher."<br /><br />She's a better person than I.<br /><br />If that were me, I'd say (in the spirit of this holiday season): "People often ask me if I feel bitterness or resentment toward all the agents who passed on my work before, and to that I say a RESOUNDING YES. In fact, I've been making a list of their names and I'm checking it twice."<br /><br />Anyway, it will be fascinating to see if the author's phenomenal e-book success can translate into hardcopy sales.<br /><br /><br />EMBARGOED!<br /><br />Exactly a month ago, I read Roger Sutton's blog about <a href="http://www.hbook.com/2011/11/blogs/read-roger/in-which-i-promise-not-to-tell-anyone-about-your-terrific-new-book/"> nondisclosure forms and embargoed books. </a> <br /><br />At the time, it never dawned on me that I might somehow lay my hands on an embargoed book.<br /><br />But the very next day, one landed right in my lap.<br /><br />Well, not literally, but you know what I mean....<br /><br />Suddenly I was holding a tape-bound manuscript copy (unjustified right margin!) of THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, the new novel by John Green. <br /><br />Just under the title information, in big black letters, were the words:<br /><br />EMBARGOED TITLE<br /><br />Just beneath that, it said, "Thank you for submitting your signed affidvat. Any breach of this contract will result in your forfeiting delivery of this title at on-sale."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4KwVaHqFAhmylaAXx71C0cWnyEns_u4Sk9QiYSX_VTO8Vsq8n4wyic6GRU6DiI6o1faz6q8ZBPnE92-m4qQbszMN1FLhi_l8wcU7LkA72eXhY5FE6MFkhuqp7qJNyJdjPyDkvT9K9l8/s1600/green1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4KwVaHqFAhmylaAXx71C0cWnyEns_u4Sk9QiYSX_VTO8Vsq8n4wyic6GRU6DiI6o1faz6q8ZBPnE92-m4qQbszMN1FLhi_l8wcU7LkA72eXhY5FE6MFkhuqp7qJNyJdjPyDkvT9K9l8/s400/green1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687520868639152754" /></a><br />Ordinarily this book might have ended up in my "to be read" pile, but I was so tickled to read an "embargoed" book (you know what they say about forbidden fruit) that I read the whole thing the next day.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I don't know what to do with this knowledge now.<br /><br />I certainly didn't sign any affidavit, so I'm not legally bound by any sanctions placed on this manuscript.<br /><br />On the other hand, I don't want to get the person who gave me this book in trouble.<br /><br />So for now -- at least until the book is published on January 10, 2012 -- I'll only say a couple things:<br /><br />For those who have complained that John Green keeps writing the same novel, this one is quite different and stretches his talent in new and unexpected ways.<br /><br />For those who say there hasn't been a good dyingpeen tearjerker since the era of DEATH BE NOT PROUD, ERIC, and SUNSHINE, this one fills the bill.<br /><br />Is it perfect? No.<br /><br />Is it going to be a big hit? Yep.<br /><br />It's probably the first "gotta read it" YA novel of 2012.<br /><br />I hope the Literature Police don't come pounding on my door for revealing this much.<br /><br /><br /><br />HOORAY FOR HAZEL<br /><br />Okay, one more thing about THE FAULT IN OUR STARS: the narrator's name is Hazel.<br /><br />Yes, the protagonist is a girl.<br /><br />But what really intrigues me is that the name "Hazel," which I always associated with elderly woman (and TV maids) seems to be making a comeback in kids' books this year. I've been seeing it everywhere, not only in titles (the eponymous novel Julie Hearn) but also spotting here and there in other books. And the protagonist of another of this season's high profile titles, BREADCRUMBS by Anne Ursu is also named Hazel.<br /><br />Must be something in the air.<br /><br /><br />SIZE MATTERS?<br /><br />The other day at work I happened to glance up at our collection of Caldecott winners, all shelved in chronological order, and something popped out at me.<br /><br />They're BIG.<br /><br />That is, with very few exceptions, all the winning books seem to be -- within reasonable parameters -- "standard picture book" size. <br /><br />A few are even bigger.<br /><br />The largest Caldecott on the shelf is 1977's winner, ASHANTI TO ZULU. <br /><br />That book is 31 centimeters tall. (I'm using centimeters rather than inches because that's how we measure books in cataloging -- and it's somewhat more exact than inches.)<br /><br />After that book, there are seven winners that are 29.5 cm. tall. They are MEI LI (1939), ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1940), MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS (1942), MADELINE'S RESCUE (1954), TIME OF WONDER (1958), BLACK AND WHITE (1991), and RAPUNZEL (1998.)<br /><br />Though the remaining winners are smaller, they are -- as previously stated -- all within standard size for picture books.<br /><br />Only two small books have ever won the Caldecott.<br /><br />The 1966 winner, ALWAYS ROOM FOR ONE MORE is only 18 cm. tall and 22 cm. wide.<br /><br />And the smallest of all is 1961's BABOUSKA AND THE THREE KINGS, palm sized at 18x19 cm.<br /><br />This all leads me to a theory about the Caldecott: little books -- despite the fact that they may be "small gems" -- are far, far less likely to win than larger-sized volumes. <br /><br />This is probably even more true today than at any other time in industry, when, it seems, fewer picture books are being published with small trim sizes. <br /><br />Such books seem to be lost in the shuffle at libraries and bookstores (they always seem to slide to the back of the picture book shelves) and they seem to be forgotten when it comes to choosing Caldecott winners....<br /><br /><br />THE GIVERS<br /><br />What will you be doing on April 23, 2012?<br /><br />Will you be participating in <a href="http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/"> World Book Night?</a><br /><br />According to the organization's website, <br /><br /><em>World Book Night is an annual celebration designed to spread a love of reading and books. To be held in the U.S. as well as the U.K. and Ireland on April 23, 2012. It will see tens of thousands of people go out into their communities to spread the joy and love of reading by giving out free World Book Night paperbacks.</em><br /><br />Thirty titles have been selected for giving in the United States. They are:<br /><br />The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)<br /><br />Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson <br />I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou <br />Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger <br />Kindred by Octavia E. Butler <br />Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card <br />Little Bee by Chris Cleave <br />The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins <br />Blood Work by Michael Connelly <br />The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz<br />Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo <br />Zeitoun by Dave Eggers <br />Peace Like a River by Leif Enger <br />A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick <br />Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton <br />The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini <br />A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving <br />The Stand by Stephen King <br />The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver <br />The History of Love by Nicole Krauss <br />The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri<br />The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien <br />Bel Canto by Ann Patchett <br />My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult <br />Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson <br />The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold<br />The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot <br />Just Kids by Patti Smith <br />The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls <br />The Book Thief by Markus Zusak <br /><br />I was excited to see that quite a few books for young readers are going to be distributed.<br /><br />I must admit, my first thought was that, as good as they are, do authors such as Maya Angelou and books such as THE HUNGER GAMES, really need to be promoted this way when there are so many wonderful, lesser-known works that could also benefit from this type of publicity?<br /><br />But then I read that one of the goals of this project is to give books to those who aren't frequent readers...so what better way to hook someone than with titles that have proven track records of pleasing a very broad range of readers?<br /><br />It sounds like an interesting and fun night!<br /><br /><br />COLLECTING CHILDREN'S BOOKS, CIRCA 2061<br /><br />Blog reader Lin left an interesting comment on this blog last week:<br /><br /><em>Collectability: how much does it have to do with sentimental attachment to a title? You see the very high prices for original publications of "Snip, Snap and Snurr" or the "Betsy-Tacy" books; things that were well-regarded, but not necessarily considered 'award-worthy,' but evidently very fondly remembered. In fifty years, will a first printing of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" in excellent condition fetch big bucks? </em><br /><br />This is question I have also pondered a lot over the years. Can we ever truly know which of today's books will become highly collectable in the years ahead?<br /><br />Of course it goes without saying that award winners will always be collectable. But do books that are popular today always become collector's items tomorrow? Will, as Lin suggests, a first printing of WIMPY KID, be worth a bundle a few decades from now? I could be wrong, but my guess is "probably not." I'm basing this only on "recent popular trends" such as R.L. Stine's "Goosebumps" and "Fear Street" series or Ann Martin's "Babysitters Club." Enough time has passed for the "nostalgia bug" to have bitten the former child-readers of those books...and while I imagine that many of them still remember them fondly, I am not seeing a run on these titles -- or skyrocketing prices for the original volumes. At least not yet. And I wonder if there ever can be much "collectability" associated with books that were mass-produced in such huge quantities. (I believe there are, for example, something like thirty million "Wimpy Kid" books currently in print.) <br /><br />I tend to think that collectability hinges on having a strong sentimental fondness for titles with an almost "cult following" -- and which ere not published in huge quantities to begin with. Of course I mean no disrespect by the words "cult following." I guess what I really mean is that collectable books are usually those that are loved by a small, but very fervent group of fans. The kinds of books that makes their fans feel as if they are members of a special club. <br /><br />As I said, it's very hard to predict what titles will achieve this status.<br /><br />The answer only comes with time.<br /><br />And sometimes they are among the last books you'd predict!<br /><br /><br />THANKS<br /><br />Thanks, Lin, for your note -- and for all those who send notes and leave comments on this blog. And thanks to everyone who reads Collecting Children's Books. Hope you stop back soon.Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-81309950724622533952011-12-18T18:26:00.001-05:002011-12-18T18:27:46.677-05:00Coming soon!Running a little late today, but will be posting a new blog late tonight (Sunday) or early tomorrow morning. Thanks for you patience.Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-52501824266181596012011-12-10T00:16:00.010-05:002011-12-12T14:41:05.046-05:00December 12 Sunday Brunch -- with Hog Calling and SardinesSorry for my recent silence. Things got busy over Thanksgiving weekend, and then last weekend I had unexpected company. <br /><br />I intended to catch up with a couple weekday blogs, but fans of A WRINKLE IN TIME will remember what Charles Wallace told Meg Murray about "good intentions." <br /><br />In my own defense, I should add that part of the problem involved a broken key on my keyboard. For about a week, the “B” key was stuck, so I pried it off to clean the keys and ended up breaking part of the mechanism. <br /><br />How can you log about ooks without the letter B?<br /><br />Thankfully, I discovered you can order replacement keys for almost any laptop for only $5 each from a company called <a href="laptopkey.com"> Laptopkey. </a> My key arrived yesterday and I am <strong>B</strong>ack in <strong>B</strong>usiness!<br /><br /><br />THAT TIME OF YEAR<br /><br />As the calendar year comes to a close, most of the book review magazines are publishing their lists of 2011’s best. Since today’s “best books” are tomorrow’s award winners and collectable volumes, it’s probably a good idea to link to each of these lists in case you haven’t seen them already. You can find School Library Journal’s list <a href="http://www.slj.com/slj/home/892764-312/sljs_best_books_2011.html.csp"> here </a>. Then there is Kirkus’s list of 2011’s <a href=" http://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2011/teen/ "> Best Teen Books,</a> as well as Publisher’s Weekly’s round-up of <a href=" http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2011#book/book-1"> best books </a> in every genre. The Horn Book has also published its <a href= “http://www.hbook.com/2011/12/choosing-books/recommended-books/horn-book-fanfare-2011/"> 2011 Fanfare list. </a> <br /><br /><br />THAT TIME OF YEAR, PART TWO<br /><br />This is also the time of year that award juries start publishing their shortlists.<br /><br />Personally, I live for the day that the Newbery and Printz either publish a shortlist or a LOOOONG list of all their nominees. (Hey, the Newbery did it before, they can do it again.)<br /><br />Till then, we’ll have to make due with the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults and the William Morris<br /><br />Choosing among titles published between November 1, 2010 an October 31, 2011, the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults selected the following five titles for it shortlist:<br /><br />SUGAR CHANGED THE WORLD : A STORY OF MAGIC, SPICE, SLAVERY, FREEDOM, AND SCIENCE by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos<br /> <br />BOOTLEG : MURDER, MOONSHINE, AND THE LAWLESS YEARS OF PROHIBTION by Karen Blumenthal <br /><br />WHEELS OF CHANGE : HOW WOMEN RODE THE BICYCLE TO FREEDOM (WITH A FEW FLAT TIRES ALONG THE WAY by Sue Macy <br /><br />MUSIC WAS IT : YOUNG LEONARD BERNSTEIN by Susan Goldman Rubin<br /><br />THE NOTORIOUS” BENEDICT ARNOLD : A TRUE STORY OF ADVENTURE, HEROISM, & TREACHERY by Steve Sheinkin <br /><br />The winner will be announced January 23.<br /><br />The five finalists for the William C. Morris YA Debut Award honoring a “debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens” have also been announced. They are:<br /><br />THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS by Rae Carson <br /><br />PAPER COVERS ROCK by Jenny Hubbard<br /><br />UNDER THE MESQUITE by Guadalupe Garcia McCall<br /><br />BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY by Ruta Sepetys<br /><br />WHERE THINGS COME BACK by John Corey Whaley <br /><br />True to form, the Morris Award continues to favor fiction (no nonfiction title has ever been included) written by female authors (John Corey Whaley is only the second male ever nominated for this prize.)<br /><br /><br />CHILDREN’S BOOK CHARACTERS “DEFYING GRAVITY”<br /><br />Well, if I had gotten around to writing a blog on Thanksgiving weekend, this would have been the headline story:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tXG7tOfFUBuQQ9k1s24lZaXUt6hJJUrOZL0lmVVLV3g9Lb3gZeV7iYQFLEPoHvhoDJnzFq3jJo70EuFruwc9booGC8xWOV-HvUNe92HzJ1OP-3f9CopFD0BvudcXOmuuTo8Yg2fd7-k/s1600/wimpy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tXG7tOfFUBuQQ9k1s24lZaXUt6hJJUrOZL0lmVVLV3g9Lb3gZeV7iYQFLEPoHvhoDJnzFq3jJo70EuFruwc9booGC8xWOV-HvUNe92HzJ1OP-3f9CopFD0BvudcXOmuuTo8Yg2fd7-k/s400/wimpy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684952737173672850" /></a><br />I was excited to recently learn that Greg Hefley -- the “Wimpy Kid” himself – appeared in the 2010 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. I guess I slept in on Thanksgiving morning last year, as I did not get a chance to see it.<br /><br />But it got me wondering if he was the first children’s book character to float above that famous parade as a giant balloon.<br /><br />Far from it.<br /><br />Doing a little research, I discovered that many children’s book characters have floated over Broadway during the past few decades. The Wimpy Kid’s predecessor’s include: Raggedy Ann (1984), Humpty Dumpty (1986), Clifford the Big Red Dog (1990), Babar (1991), The Cat in the Hat (1994), Peter Rabbit (1996), Arthur (1997), Babe the Pig (1998), Wild Thing (1998), Shrek (2007), and Horton (2008.)<br />Granted, most of these figures didn’t appear until they achieved success in the movies or TV…but they started in children’s books, so we still hold a claim on them.<br /><br /><br /><br />ANOTHER FUN APPEARANCE<br /><br />Some weeks back I blogged about author Marc Tyler Nobelman tracking down and interviewing Edward Ormondroyd, author of Marc’s favorite childhood book, DAVID AND THE PHOENIX.<br /><br />In the interview, Mr. Ormondroyd revealed that, during his writing career, he never spoke at schools.<br /><br />Here is a great <a href=" http://noblemania.blogspot.com/2011/12/edward-is-phoenix-surprise-for-author.html"> story and video </a> about Marc Nobelman surprising the now 86-year-old Ormondroyd with his very first “school appearance.”<br /><br /><br /><br />AND YET ANOTHER FUN SIGHTING<br /><br />Who caught Google’s tribute to Tom Sawyer a couple weeks ago on Mark Twain’s birthday:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRbfSbHmnbhML181CQcceNYXuseC34PW33lJPEFaMxjy7TlPNJj3aIR3Ks9vOJMu2Xu7uOabv7PkAk_Nrs55w5bbg4jvkyNo0I8NcYHIv7HACJ6BRSq4q_5TTQVUeapoTjVW535TOGFQ/s1600/twain.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 78px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRbfSbHmnbhML181CQcceNYXuseC34PW33lJPEFaMxjy7TlPNJj3aIR3Ks9vOJMu2Xu7uOabv7PkAk_Nrs55w5bbg4jvkyNo0I8NcYHIv7HACJ6BRSq4q_5TTQVUeapoTjVW535TOGFQ/s400/twain.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684961291100909010" /></a> <br /><br /><br />WEEDING WORTH READING<br /><br />I just spent the last couple weeks withdrawing many damaged books from our library’s collection. As usual, I was quite fascinated to get a look at titles which were apparently quite popular “back in the day.” <br /> <br />First I found a series of opera books geared toward children. Published in the late 1930s/early 1940s, these were billed as “authorized editions” by the Metropolitan Opera. They contained color artwork, retellings of the opera’s narrative, and occasional bars of music:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3hyBUoPaDg5rjwLYODhF1uKuDztXCx-gUrh-zYb1_i9oaFaaSOu8bNWmUGoMG8FSBXzL90moU0-8Dn3dPo2O1IipJm3e3260IoxyQdyW45LF2GiRSbW_D9xJasvfPJcfwyj8Wzw7pAk/s1600/Opera2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3hyBUoPaDg5rjwLYODhF1uKuDztXCx-gUrh-zYb1_i9oaFaaSOu8bNWmUGoMG8FSBXzL90moU0-8Dn3dPo2O1IipJm3e3260IoxyQdyW45LF2GiRSbW_D9xJasvfPJcfwyj8Wzw7pAk/s400/Opera2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684364472272125826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaizSrD5b3dOss9DFy5aUqJTT1pPZAZoGM881Jy5SDsAIPOWpJxSSS7Y7JqC36WVXDI5wUHWNMuJdulH7KuGiCRJ1DVEZuncydYKiRompJl_KI9qdgsJxlDkTzcnoIoAuhnyTUNiLAQc/s1600/Opera3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaizSrD5b3dOss9DFy5aUqJTT1pPZAZoGM881Jy5SDsAIPOWpJxSSS7Y7JqC36WVXDI5wUHWNMuJdulH7KuGiCRJ1DVEZuncydYKiRompJl_KI9qdgsJxlDkTzcnoIoAuhnyTUNiLAQc/s400/Opera3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684364471285724802" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixhAeloX20cBMC2Lm_Rf6UbhBIMvznXYC9RcsCDTYyPI5Pp0PEOV_GfammP_0Q-7BVpQddQ0Bzp3MuSmkp5HyWTIQQO_bV0xorHIpZV2ZFlrsvL1u6St4SXN_pSy5g7zwkzlXHM50GL0/s1600/Opera1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixhAeloX20cBMC2Lm_Rf6UbhBIMvznXYC9RcsCDTYyPI5Pp0PEOV_GfammP_0Q-7BVpQddQ0Bzp3MuSmkp5HyWTIQQO_bV0xorHIpZV2ZFlrsvL1u6St4SXN_pSy5g7zwkzlXHM50GL0/s400/Opera1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684364478788486146" /></a><br />I questioned how honest these children’s books would be in presenting the more mature aspects of these operas but, as you can see, they do a pretty accurate job, right up to killing off Carmen on the final page of her book:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpIF3nyUbLNUss_PGF4Xs5YVYUBKCFnFSb2g1RFEWzQClDXW2Avc21kq-rgvA7KpFvx74WujHdt2EHAPueLRHXUOdJOYkFLtYn0MqnQGo8JmvmSvBiGyvrfJ45hyjTkOQw3CXmzDTbyM/s1600/Opera4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpIF3nyUbLNUss_PGF4Xs5YVYUBKCFnFSb2g1RFEWzQClDXW2Avc21kq-rgvA7KpFvx74WujHdt2EHAPueLRHXUOdJOYkFLtYn0MqnQGo8JmvmSvBiGyvrfJ45hyjTkOQw3CXmzDTbyM/s400/Opera4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684364464419296850" /></a><br />I wonder if any publishing company would find it profitable to release an opera-related title for kids today. I know Leontyne Price wrote one a few years ago, but would it have been published if her name wasn’t Leontyne Price? According to the cards in the pockets of these library books, they circulated pretty well throughout the forties, but hadn’t been checked out since 1948! <br /><br />I was also drawn to THE HANDBOOK OF CO-ED ACTIVITIES by Edythe and David DeMarche, if only because of this dorky title page illustration:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxi_-AwyQ1CFLK55U-xzXEuyIZCi0sIzW3Q_k63Plyt6b67G9CoztZyJwyVp13ZSn4RSOJHnyGEgq7zfsgj-n-yecV8Qexw2K4fjZgnxW7nwzimMwwCSQSlJrMuA1lUtULRnou3Zys6Y/s1600/Coed.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 371px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxi_-AwyQ1CFLK55U-xzXEuyIZCi0sIzW3Q_k63Plyt6b67G9CoztZyJwyVp13ZSn4RSOJHnyGEgq7zfsgj-n-yecV8Qexw2K4fjZgnxW7nwzimMwwCSQSlJrMuA1lUtULRnou3Zys6Y/s400/Coed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684900539100200018" /></a><br />Published through the YMCA in 1958, this 640 page book is filled with overwritten descriptions of boy-girl activities, including parties, games, dances, hobbies (including cooking, with a selection of recipes including recent teen favorite…pizza), putting on plays, listening to music, and volunteerism. It’s the kind of book that refers to its subjects as “teeners” and, in describing a game called “broom ball,” advises that it “can be too rough for girl players, so divide the boys…into two teams” and “each boy may choose a girl to ‘root’ for his team.”<br /> <br />Games in the book include: “Hog Calling” Contests, “Sardines” (not mentioned in the book, but here is today’s bit of trivia: did you know that actor David Niven’s first wife met her accidental death while playing “Sardines” at a Hollywood party?), “Fam-blies are Coming” (what the?), “We Won’t Go Home Until Morning” and “Tax Deductions.” (I’ve noticed that teens who don’t go home until morning frequently do end up with little tax deductions.)<br /><br />The book also has this dessert suggestion for a New Year’s Eve party: Take a large fruitcake and secrete in it a thimble (for industry), a coin (for wealth), a ring (for love), and a toothpick (for dining well…another “what the?” moment.) Those who discover the objects in the cake will learn their fate for their new year. (All I’m picturing are lawsuits for broken teeth and choking deaths.)<br /><br />The section on music describes some of the jargon associated with this hobby: “Tunes are torrid jumpers,’ ‘rhythm romancers’; records are ‘disks’ and ‘biscuits’’; styles are ‘rock and roll,’ ‘easygoing shuffle’ or ‘velvet delivery.’”<br /><br />Finally, I was tickled by the section on manners which says that, when introducing others, “the use of ‘shake hands with’ or ‘make you acquainted with’ or ‘get to know’…should be avoided, as well as such trite responses as ‘Charmed, I’m sure.’”<br />When I read a book like this, I wonder if it accurately reflects 1950s “teener” culture or if it seemed anachronistic to young people even then?<br /><br />Finally, I came across this book:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6HOtnqWLTARXmgCiST77J2ecs0_BAViJJFgLKJjtVlY5Nl3TATYh-DaW1rRks8CpAyGzaH2wGGYzHDL-MS5wmjeduL6uy_fx48qXdi7VEc6w9JQV-2ytTduvCJC-4U540jhoQjrN3Jg/s1600/divorce.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 335px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6HOtnqWLTARXmgCiST77J2ecs0_BAViJJFgLKJjtVlY5Nl3TATYh-DaW1rRks8CpAyGzaH2wGGYzHDL-MS5wmjeduL6uy_fx48qXdi7VEc6w9JQV-2ytTduvCJC-4U540jhoQjrN3Jg/s400/divorce.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684900541854459730" /></a><br />I wonder if this early children’s book on divorce (published 1977) strikes fear into the hearts of many kids from that era. Although the message is supportive and sympathetic:<br /> <br /><em>Sometimes my Mom said bad things about my Dad.<br />And my Dad said bad things about my Mom.<br />My mom said my Dad was a liar.<br />My Dad said my Mom was stupid.<br /> <br />I couldn't stand listening to either one.<br /> <br />I didn't want to hear them say bad things<br />about each other.<br />I loved them both.</em><br /><br />the documentary photographs are dark and rather cold. I just wonder how many kids were handed this book when they heard their parents were divorcing. And if you were one of them, did the book make you feel a little better, or does it just take you back to a sad, bad time in your life?<br /><br />Though the book is dated, our library copy had been checked out several times in this new millennium. The only reason we’re getting rid of it is because it’s worn out….<br /><br /><br />HER NAME IS MINA<br /><br />I wonder if anyone has ever done a survey or research on sequels. <br /><br />Do they mostly disappoint and make the reader wish they’d never been written, or are readers usually glad to have ANY additional story about a favorite character.<br /><br />I’m not talking about books in a series which, in most cases (HARRY POTTER, etc.) were conceived as series, but rather a follow-up to a famous book – often appearing many years later. A case in point would be SMALL STEPS – Louis Sachar’s sequel to the classic HOLES. Is there anyone out there who finds SMALL STEPS a superior book? Is there anyone out there who feels this book was ultimately necessary?<br /><br />I must say that I approached David Almond’s latest, MY NAME IS MINA, with a great deal of trepidation. A sequel to the near-perfect SKELLIG, I wondered if this book could possibly emerge from its predecessor’s shadow.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLluBwBddB9zJLYLkN4dt1bkEH2sIXLV_8Nna4STvW2Y3_C7oR0etGWmUOtv6acsHuZU-yTXN4zMLtVC-YF-uX-FdXvQb2eRk-HuVuAX97A90M-mV_l8iESObgRn87sPY_CQXlNx2bdQ/s1600/Mina.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLluBwBddB9zJLYLkN4dt1bkEH2sIXLV_8Nna4STvW2Y3_C7oR0etGWmUOtv6acsHuZU-yTXN4zMLtVC-YF-uX-FdXvQb2eRk-HuVuAX97A90M-mV_l8iESObgRn87sPY_CQXlNx2bdQ/s400/Mina.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684900548483214546" /></a><br />To my surprise, I found this unique and powerful book to be quite amazing.<br /><br />Perhaps Almond beats the “sequel curse” by making this book a “prequel” to SKELLIG and by focusing on a completely different character than the first novel. In SKELLIG, Mina was the neighbor of protagonist Michael, but she comes front and center in this volume, telling her own story of the months leading up to Michael’s arrival in the neighborhood. Written in the form of a journal (the font resembles a child’s printing), Mina muses about leaving school to be taught at home, her sorrow at her father’s death, and her interest in words and writing and nature. Less a plot-driven narrative than a character study, this luminous book may not appeal to every reader, but special readers will be amazed at how brilliantly the author captures the essence of the imaginative, misunderstood, almost mystical title character in a book that can truly take its place on the same shelf as SKELLIG.<br /><br /><br /><br />SAME BOOK, DIFFERENT SIZE<br /><br />I recently needed to purchase a book for a one-year-old baby. My bookstore buddy recommended THE HOUSE IN THE NIGHT by Susan Marie Swanson; Beth Krommes won the Caldecott for illustrating the book. I immediately said, “No, I don’t think so—“ as the book was not a particular favorite of mine.<br /><br />Then my friend handed me the new “board book” edition of THE HOUSE IN THE NIGHT. I didn’t really want to look at it, as I’ve always thought that “board book” versions of traditional picture books are kind of a rip-off –- just another way to make more money off a known commodity. But then I began to look at the board book version…and found myself really liking it.<br /><br />In fact, I liked it much better in that format than I did the original version!<br /><br />My bookstore buddy agreed. She said that she'd had a hard time selling the larger hardcover edition of this book, but “can’t keep the board book in the store – everyone loves it!” <br /><br />It’s as if the story was meant to be a board book all along….<br /><br />Have you seen this particular board book? Do you agree with us or do you find the board book version inferior to the original?<br /><br /><br /><br />BEHIND THE COVER<br /><br />Have you seen THE FUTURE OF US, the new novel by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5S9N7TUif36xsMecKlB7bn-_d3lCOJvUM7n7rQ3rdFOQz11qm_5m77gnl5rd5Mo0LGeT-w7GmYBpvfJbgz64a8SvCoQvmEuYrSoL9Cno8y4mWkAI-Q8RCHYrvcXlpibbiFWHnUqvXg0E/s1600/TheFutureOfUs-cover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5S9N7TUif36xsMecKlB7bn-_d3lCOJvUM7n7rQ3rdFOQz11qm_5m77gnl5rd5Mo0LGeT-w7GmYBpvfJbgz64a8SvCoQvmEuYrSoL9Cno8y4mWkAI-Q8RCHYrvcXlpibbiFWHnUqvXg0E/s400/TheFutureOfUs-cover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685004586852144850" /></a><br />Obviously this is a book destined for big things. Jay Asher’s first novel, 13 REASONS WHY, was a monster hit and here he’s paired with the popular and acclaimed Carolyn Mackler (THE EARTH, MY BUTT, AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS.) As we’ve all noticed in recent years, it’s suddenly hot to pair young adult authors as collaborators – something you rarely saw even a decade ago.<br /><br />No money was spared on the dustjacket design either. Some months back I commented on the verso of the dustjacket for ACROSS THE UNIVERSE by Beth Revis featuring a blueprint of the novel’s spaceship and wondered why more publishers don’t take advantage of this blank space. One blog reader wrote back to say, “The back of the dust jacket is usually blank (or white) because it costs money--generally LOTS of money--to print on the reverse side (also known as 4 over 4--4 color over 4 color). It's not really wasted space so much as extremely pricey.” So the fact that the publishers used that space -- and spent that money –- on Asher and Mackler’s novel shows that this is a “quality publication”:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8s6zuvdgIjD5MRSW2Ytw7FTtj3DbXWyIgfzTitKw2xzdt383FxqbOE5DcRH6a77LnxPkCncGi1mcWJZdjc4iOaSFfBGupB8RVphS-ALIBZjNg2g7ejW3FD7tj4CipSd0HHAURgcTBiw8/s1600/future+cover.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8s6zuvdgIjD5MRSW2Ytw7FTtj3DbXWyIgfzTitKw2xzdt383FxqbOE5DcRH6a77LnxPkCncGi1mcWJZdjc4iOaSFfBGupB8RVphS-ALIBZjNg2g7ejW3FD7tj4CipSd0HHAURgcTBiw8/s400/future+cover.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685004116243539634" /></a><br />They also charged $18.99 for this book –- a bit on the high side for a current YA novel.<br /><br />Is it worth all the care they put into the novel?<br /><br />Yes and no.<br /><br />Set in 1996, the story is told in alternating chapters by teenagers Josh and Emma. Trying out a new America Online disk, Emma stumbles on a website called “Facebook” (yes, THE Facebook…which didn’t even exist in 1996) and is able to see profiles of herself, Josh, and many of their friends from the year 2011. It’s a fascinating premise. Through Facebook, Josh discovers he’s going to marry the most popular girl in school…while Emma is stuck in an unsatisfactory marriage. Or can change that, fifteen years in advance, by just altering the college she plans to attend? One of the most intriguing concepts in the story is realizing that a minor incident in 1996 can change, for instance, the number of children Josh and his wife will have fifteen years later. THE FUTURE OF US is a real page-turner -– a breezy, light novel that never delves too deeply or seriously into the topic. And the ending feels a little rushed. This is a book a lot of kids are going to read, and love, though it ultimately may not have the “staying power” of many of its contemporaries. Five years from now Facebook may no longer be the phenomenon it is today. Will kids be interested in reading the novel then? So this is a book that may date very quickly. But if you want to read a fast, fun, and timely book TODAY, then THE FUTURE OF US is a great choice.<br /><br /><br /><br />COLLECTABILITY?<br /><br />People often ask which contemporary books are mostly likely to be collectable in the future. In the case of THE FUTURE OF US, I would say that the publicity push for this novel and its large first printing will assure that copies are always out there for purchase.<br /><br />On the other hand, the fact that this book speaks so clearly to TODAY’S ERA, it may not be a book that will remain in print for years and years. It may be one of your best choices if you want a title that clearly defines YA publishing in 2011 –- the fancy dustjacket (I doubt later editions will contain illustrated versos), the two-author team, the very contemporary subject matter. Ultimately, I can’t think of a more timely book to represent the current era for any book collection.<br /><br /><br />O CHRISTMAS TREE!<br /><br />No, this isn’t my Christmas tree:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDlIS7T6C4d_feTMORiNwgwZ09B-DpY2r84wUMPrGj2gCksTR6r1SFMeFoZkeHu1CpjC4K1AmcvneaSwhU9TfZTo6vUuUAyu6n_TeL2KIodjXHg21pWK63WBOjo7_Jcjx6TXAmEhGsIE/s1600/Book+tree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDlIS7T6C4d_feTMORiNwgwZ09B-DpY2r84wUMPrGj2gCksTR6r1SFMeFoZkeHu1CpjC4K1AmcvneaSwhU9TfZTo6vUuUAyu6n_TeL2KIodjXHg21pWK63WBOjo7_Jcjx6TXAmEhGsIE/s400/Book+tree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685040302036584498" /></a><br />but I saw it on Facebook today and I’d sure like to have one.<br /><br />If you’re the type of person who’d also like a tree like this, feel free to friend me on Facebook.<br /><br />Thanks for visiting Collecting Children’s Books. I will try to post more frequently in the coming weeks, so stop back often!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-58689338873470903262011-11-20T14:35:00.002-05:002011-11-20T15:51:20.823-05:00A Blog with Lots of QuestionsDo seasonal books sell and circulate all year round? Which Caldecott title contains the fewest illustrations? Which "Little House" artist is your favorite? Does a female powerlifting champion with a crew cut know she's being used to sell a new YA novel? These are some of the questions we ask in today's Sunday Brunch blog.<br /><br /><br />LAST WEEK<br /><br />Everyone has already heard this news, but I might as well include it here for the sake of future internet researchers: this past week Thannha Lai won the National Book Award in the category of Young People's Literature. The author's first book, INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN, is a verse-novel about a young Vietnamese girl whose family immigrates to the United States. .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuj6CA99x7a1qKKxtwPHL8mmqc3MibbE-6HIIEtPnpS4ZagGE1ijeySGIgTJEWvJ_NISD4IYHHKc8_DikrF6up07pEorUjiXyI2YJvZbhJ0sorScM90iKfzLemJjrLSODshhf3RkPQ0M/s1600/Inside+out.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuj6CA99x7a1qKKxtwPHL8mmqc3MibbE-6HIIEtPnpS4ZagGE1ijeySGIgTJEWvJ_NISD4IYHHKc8_DikrF6up07pEorUjiXyI2YJvZbhJ0sorScM90iKfzLemJjrLSODshhf3RkPQ0M/s200/Inside+out.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676974522516669234" /></a>One of the charges commonly leveled against verse-novels is that they are less "poetry" than broken lines of text arranged artfully across a page. Although INSIDE OUT has been well-received by most critics, I must admit that I'm in the "broken lines of text arranged artfully" school with this particular book. The story itself is interesting, but I simply wasn't too impressed with the writing style. Every year, when the NBA nominees are announced, people assume these titles could go on to be recognized by the Newbery committee. However, only two books have won both the Newbery and the National Book Award: M.C. HIGGINS THE GREAT by Virginia Hamilton and HOLES by Louis Sachar. So it now seems unlikely that INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN will win the 2012 Newbery. (Whew!)<br /><br /><br />LAST NIGHT<br /><br />I didn't get a chance to see the animated feature film UP when it was released in 2009, so I made a point of recording it off TV last night. I really enjoyed it -- especially the moving first half hour. I wasn't as fond of the talking dogs but, hey, what's a kids' movie without animals that talk? <br /><br />Every time a movie gets made from a children's book -- or any book, really -- the usual response is, "The movie wasn't as good as the book." <br /><br />The same rule of thumb applies to original movies that get adapted into children's books. They're never, ever as good as the movie. And there are <em>so many </em>of them! I counted at least ten children's books based on UP -- and that's not including coloring books, sticker books, and activity books: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jrHQLCCJDI_1T1dRfqjW3XOFKuLqmw25rOw1LLAV_DTO8zSFHi_d4UoNI_BwHwAxB_c_EarSooY0nbg2vVXVCmHOLHgk7EfEugiYayinps5MH24lB3RZ8o2omdyk12lpdtB1BIxRqFs/s1600/up8.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 322px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jrHQLCCJDI_1T1dRfqjW3XOFKuLqmw25rOw1LLAV_DTO8zSFHi_d4UoNI_BwHwAxB_c_EarSooY0nbg2vVXVCmHOLHgk7EfEugiYayinps5MH24lB3RZ8o2omdyk12lpdtB1BIxRqFs/s400/up8.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676974040854628562" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMIITiyn2XyqhbgliOz9-knXOF4iE2knJ_4NogrUC8IGSc6BPt_vngiYGZmCOmreBhyphenhyphensjiCbkMLUydluzvvzRZLLC5YnWI8e8HgM9WN2d1dFfzHwdO0gsI-RYcJOmoLrJnwyAMEd_X7I/s1600/up7.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMIITiyn2XyqhbgliOz9-knXOF4iE2knJ_4NogrUC8IGSc6BPt_vngiYGZmCOmreBhyphenhyphensjiCbkMLUydluzvvzRZLLC5YnWI8e8HgM9WN2d1dFfzHwdO0gsI-RYcJOmoLrJnwyAMEd_X7I/s400/up7.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676974035003362690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZp7ONEusEShAa5MfJvhf9uB6KaUmzlSblLbY2gzHkMU82lN4cg3qogQhhPQFAC-0SFDqMlr9fuACzCi6b377acr7jCbtrBIBftUjXe-8WekOi68rIzejlz24O2kyt9AVEaOY2cvmUmvw/s1600/up6.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 331px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZp7ONEusEShAa5MfJvhf9uB6KaUmzlSblLbY2gzHkMU82lN4cg3qogQhhPQFAC-0SFDqMlr9fuACzCi6b377acr7jCbtrBIBftUjXe-8WekOi68rIzejlz24O2kyt9AVEaOY2cvmUmvw/s400/up6.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676974034010237106" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYl1B3QGStcYWW_w8QfYnSTPrKvau9hwHz10S-X4DPPsK2ns_pgpPxdunrIFbxQKJGoPXzt90ygh6EN-sngL2OtOMLzc62E0dEXn5ecyJvWyRZpSZWktnbADRZ3mHA3qsiQudm9ON4wVY/s1600/up5.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYl1B3QGStcYWW_w8QfYnSTPrKvau9hwHz10S-X4DPPsK2ns_pgpPxdunrIFbxQKJGoPXzt90ygh6EN-sngL2OtOMLzc62E0dEXn5ecyJvWyRZpSZWktnbADRZ3mHA3qsiQudm9ON4wVY/s400/up5.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676974030453609698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUW9fZmRl_lCo67UwFX9oBXtugDjradJKTEEfReE1lLpPVSLhrCWUf2oOhEfV3IMZGuOHha-3M1LRB87A__FneXsuammV62QL0pxethiAa5EKA_pM9xugqppqvbuU3ox-waKzcuT4IeB4/s1600/up4.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUW9fZmRl_lCo67UwFX9oBXtugDjradJKTEEfReE1lLpPVSLhrCWUf2oOhEfV3IMZGuOHha-3M1LRB87A__FneXsuammV62QL0pxethiAa5EKA_pM9xugqppqvbuU3ox-waKzcuT4IeB4/s400/up4.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676974028542051730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85MEXfCYUPfRo3vsex0IdEv8dS4a2Wult64oAa_-f2ioiTXccwPOlQ8911XT86ukaG_OWoypVFz7Jexo7ru0hDma7CgnLltXJdeGLghkD0BWtZJXjPBd6B2oCQSObQcd7PXYJLPZWo9s/s1600/Up3.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85MEXfCYUPfRo3vsex0IdEv8dS4a2Wult64oAa_-f2ioiTXccwPOlQ8911XT86ukaG_OWoypVFz7Jexo7ru0hDma7CgnLltXJdeGLghkD0BWtZJXjPBd6B2oCQSObQcd7PXYJLPZWo9s/s400/Up3.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676973540561501522" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVLYGLoZTAjgUAQ_AEBBvRI6NDEQMoACOQ1zhOE7YqZajd4-9W0IRAf261FbURbkdorC_dVHtoWmrCDzGeER1AZPINYlCJl5ineqm4T9F-crbdy880k4yGD75dT_NqBELss6MjhUg-nU/s1600/up9.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 152px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVLYGLoZTAjgUAQ_AEBBvRI6NDEQMoACOQ1zhOE7YqZajd4-9W0IRAf261FbURbkdorC_dVHtoWmrCDzGeER1AZPINYlCJl5ineqm4T9F-crbdy880k4yGD75dT_NqBELss6MjhUg-nU/s400/up9.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676973538477954514" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5SL44DfBQqZWuwTnBfOZK5zB9J2wrtb8ln266KdtnK78YW6qtTrNiP0bd_Q0sHm4Nbxg3zxJkpicXogYGgG7gCGT8GYs4lAFwM1YX0Pv97TouqgSiXrceRTew5gclyjBYK7j5TL2qiE/s1600/up2.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5SL44DfBQqZWuwTnBfOZK5zB9J2wrtb8ln266KdtnK78YW6qtTrNiP0bd_Q0sHm4Nbxg3zxJkpicXogYGgG7gCGT8GYs4lAFwM1YX0Pv97TouqgSiXrceRTew5gclyjBYK7j5TL2qiE/s400/up2.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676973536210943666" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cAM8IFL7b8esrrYTuHuqJXx0aP_mg3p3PYy_AuS_zuBA0t0NULhTU_pU1iZ47NFuQdIWTlARgoT0dvGVKzlJjCs60vsJjgGrv5H5Cp9oxACgYCnSmQ2pAKtCUqyBoM8wM1DP73u3Dko/s1600/up10.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 162px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cAM8IFL7b8esrrYTuHuqJXx0aP_mg3p3PYy_AuS_zuBA0t0NULhTU_pU1iZ47NFuQdIWTlARgoT0dvGVKzlJjCs60vsJjgGrv5H5Cp9oxACgYCnSmQ2pAKtCUqyBoM8wM1DP73u3Dko/s400/up10.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676973535434915602" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzk9_BhtyhpJtA2af7GwAeDNUrvnGPgObDv9ZK3bBaR86w43SMfOtc-rRLJEO84FG_jqZOl-urCh3g8mbIPWDvBugDAXUqoFT_MWVb3YOIETTb1cnx-7D88Lh7rzB8n1UH378Cb1Ht1s/s1600/up1.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzk9_BhtyhpJtA2af7GwAeDNUrvnGPgObDv9ZK3bBaR86w43SMfOtc-rRLJEO84FG_jqZOl-urCh3g8mbIPWDvBugDAXUqoFT_MWVb3YOIETTb1cnx-7D88Lh7rzB8n1UH378Cb1Ht1s/s400/up1.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676973530713477682" /></a><br />Can you imagine one nice, short, entertaining movie spawning <em>this </em>many books? I can imagine many contemporary kids growing up and remembering UP as one of their favorite childhood movies. I can't imagine ANY kids growing up and remembering any of these books as childhood favorites. Decades from now, people may still be enjoying the movie, but the only place you'll be able to find most of these movies is in landfills everywhere.<br /><br /><br /><br />NEXT WEEK<br /><br />With Thanksgiving just three days away, I recently took a look at the only Thanksgiving book ever recognized by the Caldecott committee. It's the 1955 Honor Book, THE THANKSGIVING STORY, written by Alice Dalgliesh and illustrated by Helen Sewell.<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIAbcLSR3R902VAD1M-uqzTtUJ7HtkymvJAa2soJjLw-Ls6dRsoXN0cY85y5ESSP28AEAhQwwnbEhYDaFA0sg4MYLDxe0VSVkhFSdeECiH3Jwoq_q8QgKRTkOYMIavzBOYJtoZMDoiUI/s1600/img059.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 324px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676430670198044578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIAbcLSR3R902VAD1M-uqzTtUJ7HtkymvJAa2soJjLw-Ls6dRsoXN0cY85y5ESSP28AEAhQwwnbEhYDaFA0sg4MYLDxe0VSVkhFSdeECiH3Jwoq_q8QgKRTkOYMIavzBOYJtoZMDoiUI/s400/img059.jpg" /></a><br />This got me thinking about the various holiday books that have been recognized by the Caldecott committee over the years. <br /><br />The Dalgliesh is the only Thanksgiving book, isn't it?<br /><br />There's one Hanukkah book -- the 1990 Honor HERSHEL AND THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS, written by Eric Kimmel an illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman.<br /><br />There's one Easter book -- the 1950 winner THE EGG TREE by Katherine Milhous.<br /><br />Christmas fares much better, with three winning titles (Marie Hall Ets' NINE DAYS TO CHRISTMAS, 1960, Nicolas Sidjakov's BABOUSHKA AND THE THREE KINGS, 1961, and Chris Van Allsburg's THE POLAR EXPRESS, 1986) as well as at least one Honor (THE CHRISTMAS ANNA ANGEL, 1945.) <br /><br />This led me to wonder about the readership of seasonal books during the course of the year. I've been in many children's libraries in my lifetime and have noticed the varied way they handle seasonal and holiday books. Some leave all holiday books on the shelves all year round. Others keep them in a special section, but only emphasize the current holiday. Still others store them "behind the scenes," only bringing out the Christmas books, for instance, after Thanksgiving.<br /><br />My question to you is this: If you work in a library or bookstore, do you notice that holiday books only circulate/sell during a very small window of time surrounding that particular day? If you publish holiday-themed books, do these titles generally earn less money than generic books not associated with holidays...or do Christmas books sell so well during the holiday season that they essentially make as much money in six weeks as other books make in fifty-two weeks?<br /><br />I also wonder if "seasonal" books are somewhat limited in sales and circulation. For example, there are three Caldecott winners about snow (WHITE SNOW, BRIGHT SNOW, 1948; THE BIG SNOW, 1949; THE SNOWY DAY, 1963.) Are these books bought or borrowed as much in July and August as they are in December and January? Granted, one of the joys of reading is being transported to another place and time...yet I can't imagine myself picking out a "snow" book in summer. On the other hand, spring and summer seem to be the "default" setting for most picture books so somehow it wouldn't seem strange to read such a book in the dead of winter.<br /><br />So what do you think? Are such books limited to their season or not?<br /><br /><br />BUT BACK TO THE THANKSGIVING STORY <br /><br />One of the things that most surprised me about this book was how <em>few </em>illustrations it includes. There is the cover illustration, as well as a double title-page tableau. Beyond that, there five single-page illustrations, two half-page illustrations, and a final double-page spread featuring Thanksgiving dinner. A few pages have brown silhouettes around the edge of the page (birds, animals, grapes) and there are two additional illustrations -- one showing the interior of the Mayflower and map -- done by a completely different artist, Rafael Palacios. <br /><br />So here is my question for Caldecott trivia masters. Seeing how few illustrations there are in this book has made me curious: what Caldecott winner or Honor Book has the fewest number of illustrations of all?<br /><br />I have no idea what the answer is, but I'm curious if anyone else knows. <br /><br /><em>Are</em> there are Caldecott books with fewer illustrations than THE THANKSGIVING STORY?<br /><br /><br />SEWELL'S GREATEST GIG?<br /><br />Although THE THANKSGIVING STORY was the only time Helen Sewell was honored by the Caldecott committee, she had a long and distinguished career in book illustration. She entered the field in 1928 with MENAGERIE : POEMS FOR CHILDREN by May Britton Miller, but also provided illustrations for new editions of classic works (PRIDE AND PREJUDICE; Emily Dickinson's POEMS) and wrote a few children's books of her own, most notably BLUE BARNS.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbzjC20oIGs84z_TtJnDplDBzW6ovH9upIp1_nxHJs6PMEWKauOfPeOrYrsfWhev8aoQBeCBYgd-jWehhV7PRRBPrwtWUOpzxhNAwukOreta9ebsVYgYNn15F3S6Zv79agx2oJhNz66c/s1600/sewell1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 345px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbzjC20oIGs84z_TtJnDplDBzW6ovH9upIp1_nxHJs6PMEWKauOfPeOrYrsfWhev8aoQBeCBYgd-jWehhV7PRRBPrwtWUOpzxhNAwukOreta9ebsVYgYNn15F3S6Zv79agx2oJhNz66c/s400/sewell1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676641984489591730" /></a><br />And in honor of the Thanksgiving season, here's a picture of a turkey from BLUE BARNS: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmUCWtiFv88MPaxaHc1vJDaGTWpWasD-FTmw8R6nVOOMnA4spQkabRYfeZdYHe8PNfMU-2GZlw7IxdQXnkJz0tY5hO0qiiwIG7H9tX8WVXZhvfjH2LbdQZeeWAfQrgyQs6Ta9eiGPAQA/s1600/sewell2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 364px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmUCWtiFv88MPaxaHc1vJDaGTWpWasD-FTmw8R6nVOOMnA4spQkabRYfeZdYHe8PNfMU-2GZlw7IxdQXnkJz0tY5hO0qiiwIG7H9tX8WVXZhvfjH2LbdQZeeWAfQrgyQs6Ta9eiGPAQA/s400/sewell2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676641982288377074" /></a><br />But to many readers, Ms. Sewell is best-known for providing the illustrations to Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House" series. After illustrating LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS, FARMER BOY, and LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRE on her own, she collaborated with Mildred Boyle for the remaining books in the series.<br /><br />The reasons for this remain a bit murky. According to a letter from Laura Ingalls Wilder's publisher, Ms. Sewell was in a bad car acccient and required help with her work. She would continue doing the jackets and frontispieces,but suggested that Mildred Boyle collaborate on the rest of the illustrations. Some question the car accident story and just think that Sewell was overworked, with contracts to illustrate a number of books. Whatever the case, Mildred Boyle, whose only previous children's book was NANCY ALDEN by Eliza Orne White (1936), joined Sewell in illustrating the remaining five volumes in the series. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCXNmVRL7lJoTEI8WfaATyL721PXseYZmjjDvYwJJcJOsf_hPnw0gIj8Dnkz4FRu-qJYXsmqzxNfwRrBEQcyu8Kg9MY8_dxwS4no-04fh9KzeZiVsCt9ig-DEK7_Mb9nITddGgegeooY/s1600/boyle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCXNmVRL7lJoTEI8WfaATyL721PXseYZmjjDvYwJJcJOsf_hPnw0gIj8Dnkz4FRu-qJYXsmqzxNfwRrBEQcyu8Kg9MY8_dxwS4no-04fh9KzeZiVsCt9ig-DEK7_Mb9nITddGgegeooY/s400/boyle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676641990618306674" /></a><br />Though she illustrated three or four other children's books in the forties and fifties, there is not much information out there regarding Mildred Boyle. But for a couple generations, readers of the "Little House" books knew only the work of Sewell and Boyle. This all changed in 1953 when Harper editor Ursula Nordstrom decided to reissue the series in a new uniform edition. Before then, the books were published in different sizes and with different fonts (the original LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS was square and blocky with large print, while the last volume, THESE HAPPY GOLDEN YEARS resembled a young adult book in size and typeface.) Nordstorm commissioned Garth Williams to illustrate the entire eight-volume series and, to readers from the second half of the twentieth century on, it's hard to imagine the books ever looking any different.<br /><br /><br />COMPARISONS<br /><br />Although the dustjackets of all the Laura Ingalls Wilder books are available for viewing all over the internet (not to mention in every library and bookstore!) I don't think I've ever seen the Sewell and Williams covers displayed together, volume by volume. To remedy that situation, I'm sharing them here -- together for the first (?) time:<br /><br />LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS / Sewell, 1932<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ16lgmdt1iz8Ylz55EYiQOHeoL-0L8OvAt5-_yt8ghzBBtoauy_TSAlyNaM53OXYjnkhJu3Id89SoiqtpOYrUg50O9pzTJjR1qMVZeo-wEoTLWLUk6J1fMUZ5iFm7tS3S93Q4XoLYiWE/s1600/Wilder1.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 376px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ16lgmdt1iz8Ylz55EYiQOHeoL-0L8OvAt5-_yt8ghzBBtoauy_TSAlyNaM53OXYjnkhJu3Id89SoiqtpOYrUg50O9pzTJjR1qMVZeo-wEoTLWLUk6J1fMUZ5iFm7tS3S93Q4XoLYiWE/s400/Wilder1.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676647520697029890" /></a><br />LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS / Williams, 1953<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6j6nf9Inw-tOchHzufIdxr6rE5g_6wmuNi5VCKrWaFRrKt5j582TL0llIHce8gRS4K5fm13_Jsp9wx89rMPzn880J1UA2xIZNEGMz-St48yh3X_h7Y_g8MbBwW6A3q5hGC1yz-s-_M6I/s1600/Williams9.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6j6nf9Inw-tOchHzufIdxr6rE5g_6wmuNi5VCKrWaFRrKt5j582TL0llIHce8gRS4K5fm13_Jsp9wx89rMPzn880J1UA2xIZNEGMz-St48yh3X_h7Y_g8MbBwW6A3q5hGC1yz-s-_M6I/s400/Williams9.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676998870217836338" /></a><br />FARMER BOY / Sewell, 1933<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6Dz8hQc0CjiLvfnMf01NYPA_5eyA5juT0hpi_qlFEhZHMHAKEQoXIdb3qbFJeHi63v-7Pte73WhDGJ-b7ML-YzrDFCtol9soh7iwww3eiHcwBIAhyphenhyphenl1Dx_IwD3tvQpHyTjf7_9aTrss/s1600/wilder2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 277px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6Dz8hQc0CjiLvfnMf01NYPA_5eyA5juT0hpi_qlFEhZHMHAKEQoXIdb3qbFJeHi63v-7Pte73WhDGJ-b7ML-YzrDFCtol9soh7iwww3eiHcwBIAhyphenhyphenl1Dx_IwD3tvQpHyTjf7_9aTrss/s400/wilder2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676647520219424082" /></a><br />FARMER BOY / Williams, 1953<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hFSKB2qYnaCLho9v1Z8scI4avPbKLRAsg8nVR3wJXt54ZIoG4KZJEv_LIMGbNwhJcWoaPAdgLmHy-eYuJheq83O7eNH_QowrkwhdJcMnzOhU6jb0bqaHBQWJg3EWipivR_44gZXuTgM/s1600/Williams8.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hFSKB2qYnaCLho9v1Z8scI4avPbKLRAsg8nVR3wJXt54ZIoG4KZJEv_LIMGbNwhJcWoaPAdgLmHy-eYuJheq83O7eNH_QowrkwhdJcMnzOhU6jb0bqaHBQWJg3EWipivR_44gZXuTgM/s400/Williams8.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676998866912278306" /></a><br />LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE / Sewell, 1935<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgc7RSoFV3OkuwLTWXyh48tFtY35XpW8PmtcLdEtTS9WZBf2uFCckNOCn-KP7G3WP9mA91ilbwU5v6S_2pggsEHfH-BSJWO-GM2JMZmILMORXuJOFr3oK55-R2ZQM7Qq7kOfbpRFPNMs/s1600/wilder3.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 369px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgc7RSoFV3OkuwLTWXyh48tFtY35XpW8PmtcLdEtTS9WZBf2uFCckNOCn-KP7G3WP9mA91ilbwU5v6S_2pggsEHfH-BSJWO-GM2JMZmILMORXuJOFr3oK55-R2ZQM7Qq7kOfbpRFPNMs/s400/wilder3.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676647516950184178" /></a><br />LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE / Williams, 1953<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGINpmzv2_yffvWUy-uXE8W2M1Ri8Lfy3vzHz1ZAJJ8l3797pXf3lH2L5yjbC5xd7u_ahjQnCy_BqIpvEbyqOL2Lh_YCzqdH7UoKnc5tC2KR8oARDk_S8jYq8ughDpEnEWIndzEkcGKvY/s1600/williamsprairie.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGINpmzv2_yffvWUy-uXE8W2M1Ri8Lfy3vzHz1ZAJJ8l3797pXf3lH2L5yjbC5xd7u_ahjQnCy_BqIpvEbyqOL2Lh_YCzqdH7UoKnc5tC2KR8oARDk_S8jYq8ughDpEnEWIndzEkcGKvY/s400/williamsprairie.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677076458326227026" /></a><br />ON THE BANKS OF PLUM CREEK / Sewell, 1937<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUG70bYtaBCM0lIOZqKZWc9UR55zGHkBAdg9ooBLT0-sYCulS5ymeypQeClAUEY2wQG8wO9KbYVIdXlme6bBdJcS8Ap9gwmjLSCmhGNWLvrnaeMiWFv0WVPYMOVJ0J4iX2-_QsrBgof0/s1600/wilder4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUG70bYtaBCM0lIOZqKZWc9UR55zGHkBAdg9ooBLT0-sYCulS5ymeypQeClAUEY2wQG8wO9KbYVIdXlme6bBdJcS8Ap9gwmjLSCmhGNWLvrnaeMiWFv0WVPYMOVJ0J4iX2-_QsrBgof0/s400/wilder4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676647266916799522" /></a><br />ON THE BANKS OF PLUM CREEK / Williams, 1953<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYIK2CI5OBujJFghTDpmhU2bTlCiCSnZFO4VaZijiEh_iWK1fjlEkt-FPp6qoua6oEuqsgmz4TcxLBOIkbjzPAsSRG6z_Xgkc7xCb-RuzD2fx47eDnx5RjrV2c1jG765-k5emSVyYsLA/s1600/williamsplum.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYIK2CI5OBujJFghTDpmhU2bTlCiCSnZFO4VaZijiEh_iWK1fjlEkt-FPp6qoua6oEuqsgmz4TcxLBOIkbjzPAsSRG6z_Xgkc7xCb-RuzD2fx47eDnx5RjrV2c1jG765-k5emSVyYsLA/s400/williamsplum.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677076459317088786" /></a><br />BY THE SHORES OF SILVER LAKE / Sewell, 1937<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CO0uKaGWq1F8Wno5KeVNr6e_hB-JDw1Jefrn7xtKN3kfFqDYIIlU7J5K3MDAZn7R1TERnweHKsRyyq2pMBdhE5n9N705PRSK_bhyphenhyphen17Zjma4GnRM6jwR8xI4n5jTUl2TcyxgBe6evAGk/s1600/Wilder+4.5.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CO0uKaGWq1F8Wno5KeVNr6e_hB-JDw1Jefrn7xtKN3kfFqDYIIlU7J5K3MDAZn7R1TERnweHKsRyyq2pMBdhE5n9N705PRSK_bhyphenhyphen17Zjma4GnRM6jwR8xI4n5jTUl2TcyxgBe6evAGk/s400/Wilder+4.5.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676647261759995554" /></a><br />BY THE SHORES OF SILVER LAKE / Williams, 1953<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF2y4gwtvx-K94tcjVoasTxMcKxtAdpbTFZlYUKLY0zz2-K81_4gCv2IRlgqvtOTQMjGO0LA6e99YHddLXOA2DydyOjgCa9jW-HqP0zKTh7H8ny8U_Zl28ZMboYQxzDJSSMe9crwMBKc/s1600/williamssilver.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 245px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF2y4gwtvx-K94tcjVoasTxMcKxtAdpbTFZlYUKLY0zz2-K81_4gCv2IRlgqvtOTQMjGO0LA6e99YHddLXOA2DydyOjgCa9jW-HqP0zKTh7H8ny8U_Zl28ZMboYQxzDJSSMe9crwMBKc/s400/williamssilver.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677076451066257362" /></a><br />THE LONG WINTER / Sewell, 1940<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEBZ7snGU_kMOE3sx15DTeM0soddijuAO-Zu7yxRS5lvdpCTWq-jIcFtCnnpiz9hAffSdxSzjXBXIgudRJnNh5974YmB2Lcuty8bfdzxFmuetQIwn4pv09VQf36t6AUGAWb6gZLuR9kM/s1600/Wilder5.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEBZ7snGU_kMOE3sx15DTeM0soddijuAO-Zu7yxRS5lvdpCTWq-jIcFtCnnpiz9hAffSdxSzjXBXIgudRJnNh5974YmB2Lcuty8bfdzxFmuetQIwn4pv09VQf36t6AUGAWb6gZLuR9kM/s400/Wilder5.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677077971904047554" /></a><br />THE LONG WINTER / Williams, 1940<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaAG7sMEi-1-Cc5xMUjxdO96HH8KGekwftbnHTjdG-Gv-Mv2oE9sEpOkE-2Y0vkIBTfZ3acYUsqzO23yzLgyAKT9hJyOjI2PftGFp32jNIEm-czDMenvCum66SLj1iyWm4OzlRyieUUY/s1600/williamswinter.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaAG7sMEi-1-Cc5xMUjxdO96HH8KGekwftbnHTjdG-Gv-Mv2oE9sEpOkE-2Y0vkIBTfZ3acYUsqzO23yzLgyAKT9hJyOjI2PftGFp32jNIEm-czDMenvCum66SLj1iyWm4OzlRyieUUY/s400/williamswinter.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677076451986599666" /></a><br />LITTLE TOWN ON THE PRAIRIE / Sewell, 1941<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6E-jBvEec4HhLHBAi1txBp-ATaTD5F6Inixuf9xoSBEQV35oJztcbXchyphenhyphenUS8N_ahXDHm4X6HQPkltQVSXb2em_KHu9ZP4Ch3OMlChNx51HJwSYyEYY9wdBCk7vQPTs34nZhBha_iWs6I/s1600/wilder6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6E-jBvEec4HhLHBAi1txBp-ATaTD5F6Inixuf9xoSBEQV35oJztcbXchyphenhyphenUS8N_ahXDHm4X6HQPkltQVSXb2em_KHu9ZP4Ch3OMlChNx51HJwSYyEYY9wdBCk7vQPTs34nZhBha_iWs6I/s400/wilder6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676647253470957810" /></a><br />LITTLE TOWN ON THE PRAIRIE / Williams, 1941<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVhBUsYovcQPzuApgSAcyGaP5tm7V8VttWguZKOFWbFTiBGQeqJW190vfXLObKnMjYJD24D1OI6JXBatTDrqSCrPnLdknCcJFoENZ0OeezJ16IWKCOru__f9iS-sRLs91lekJu7dJGog/s1600/williams3.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVhBUsYovcQPzuApgSAcyGaP5tm7V8VttWguZKOFWbFTiBGQeqJW190vfXLObKnMjYJD24D1OI6JXBatTDrqSCrPnLdknCcJFoENZ0OeezJ16IWKCOru__f9iS-sRLs91lekJu7dJGog/s400/williams3.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676998877109442530" /></a><br />THESE HAPPY GOLDEN YEARS / Sewell, 1943<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprML7NEB3dncKXlGFJJju6Aous5AituiuVuhOHFX1yGGGAeKKP3NvqwjKTAye4JYPmYPz_gLqlIfFtif28iiDF-KyUiqX0M7gF1fJYTwI1SIdoOrfPzAlZLSE4j6o2j4EP2gJIm1_Z30/s1600/wilder7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprML7NEB3dncKXlGFJJju6Aous5AituiuVuhOHFX1yGGGAeKKP3NvqwjKTAye4JYPmYPz_gLqlIfFtif28iiDF-KyUiqX0M7gF1fJYTwI1SIdoOrfPzAlZLSE4j6o2j4EP2gJIm1_Z30/s400/wilder7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676647249772065826" /></a><br />THESE HAPPY GOLDEN YEARS / Williams, 1943<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDgr8CCo8-BR0vayk_X141k3cgA5c0AMyl1NF8aomnXqwiP7Dxs8LY-KLNTsFJeIbhyphenhyphenoaeq_IoEq4egjtMLVfy4A4P10r8txja2Hdimq5su6oevL4KkCnhfFQ-Xel1_8Z3wyG1LUUmoU/s1600/williamsgolden.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDgr8CCo8-BR0vayk_X141k3cgA5c0AMyl1NF8aomnXqwiP7Dxs8LY-KLNTsFJeIbhyphenhyphenoaeq_IoEq4egjtMLVfy4A4P10r8txja2Hdimq5su6oevL4KkCnhfFQ-Xel1_8Z3wyG1LUUmoU/s400/williamsgolden.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677076462827110930" /></a><br />THE FIRST FOUR YEARS / Williams, 1971<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrx0ZCZ9ogMjKsZ_s-b4qZVQqOmm6v8NjbB5Z4tqXYOZSaawqmQWa3BoC1Kyvma1f6GobqTuC5Y4S16s8Ps-aE7burXwlfQ195rDnKH4qBx2Ia_EhEvj1fxfOzkTknRA6bXeUNaeRVZY/s1600/Williams1.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrx0ZCZ9ogMjKsZ_s-b4qZVQqOmm6v8NjbB5Z4tqXYOZSaawqmQWa3BoC1Kyvma1f6GobqTuC5Y4S16s8Ps-aE7burXwlfQ195rDnKH4qBx2Ia_EhEvj1fxfOzkTknRA6bXeUNaeRVZY/s400/Williams1.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676998881988734498" /></a><br />This was the only "Little House" book that Sewell did not illustrate, as it was not published till 1971.<br /><br /><br />ALICE DALGLIESH, CALDECOTT HONOR AND NEWBERY HONOR AUTHOR<br /><br />As mentioned, THE THANKSGIVING STORY was the only time the Caldecott committee called on Helen Sewell. It was also the only time one of Alice Dalgliesh's books wore a Caldecott seal. She was much more used to being a Newbery Honor author. <br /><br />Children's book editor at Scribner's from 1934 to 1960, Alice Dalgliesh was also a prolific writer. Three of her titles -- THE SILVER PENCIL, THE BEARS ON HEMLOCK MOUNTAIN and THE COURAGE OF SARAH NOBLE - were named Newbery Honors. The latter two remain in print in both hardcover and paperback today -- a rather extraordinary feat considering they were first published in 1952 an 1954 respectively. <br /><br />Published in 1944, THE SILVER PENCIL is much lesser known, but should be of interest to anyone interested in children's books and writers. It's a highly autobiographical novel in which aspiring writer Janet Laidlaw (read "Alice Dalgliesh") moves from her birthplace in Trinidad to her family's home country of England, and finally settles in the United States, where she teaches kindergarten and achieves her dream of publishing a book. It's a fascinating glimpse into Dalgliesh's own life and career. <br /><br />A few years later, Ms. Dalgliesh published a sequel, BEYOND JANET'S ROAD, which traces the protagonist's later career as a children's book editor. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhFO4hp2h5zC1gvZD4U8VRkMOmPMBkK85flAKL-_qMuLpi8yN6_cISEb_pDgpM1V7PCc1rURIfUnZdh-P-c6M7bjnxmEegrfYKmQJClhzg6lrEASg8LQvIxMm8T5_L7k8aVRKvt2iSdA/s1600/dalgliesh1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhFO4hp2h5zC1gvZD4U8VRkMOmPMBkK85flAKL-_qMuLpi8yN6_cISEb_pDgpM1V7PCc1rURIfUnZdh-P-c6M7bjnxmEegrfYKmQJClhzg6lrEASg8LQvIxMm8T5_L7k8aVRKvt2iSdA/s400/dalgliesh1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676944069255679250" /></a><br />This book never caught on with young readers for several reasons. For one thing, it didn't have the globe-trotting locations of the original novel, plus Janet is already well in her twenties when this book begins. And while many aspiring young writers might be drawn to THE SILVER PENCIL to see Janet struggle with becoming a writer, how many kids dream about becoming children's book <em>editors</em>? Darn few, I imagine. Still, those of us with an interest in the history of children's books often love this novel for its insights into the publishing world. Plus it's fun to speculate on who the characters represent "in real life." I'm pretty sure that one is Rachel Field, while another is likely Ernest Heminigway. <br /><br />Incidentally, my copy of THE SILVER PENCIL is inscribed by Alice Dalgliesh to the book's editor, Virginia Fowler: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-6QvcnYO7NWXdBxUh7XiLa2fGsUNVKvHkngBSzNvJ9MbGnMQe52l6qq5DVCTktoU7_E697oMP0Qyb-Y4ZDf3pC54UUa5EKiMTe8BE7D1BmN5xD8xQTLASvWyZvuvQVf1JchkH0g4JAs/s1600/dalgliesh2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-6QvcnYO7NWXdBxUh7XiLa2fGsUNVKvHkngBSzNvJ9MbGnMQe52l6qq5DVCTktoU7_E697oMP0Qyb-Y4ZDf3pC54UUa5EKiMTe8BE7D1BmN5xD8xQTLASvWyZvuvQVf1JchkH0g4JAs/s400/dalgliesh2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676944070370220818" /></a><br />At the time I bought this, there was also a copy of ALONG JANET'S ROAD available, inscribed by both Dalgliesh and the book's illustrator, Katherine Milhous, to the same editor. I could not afford both books. So somewhere out there there's another reader/collector/fan who has a copy of ALONG JANET'S ROAD inscribed to the editor and wishes they also owned THE SILVER PENCIL. Meanwhile, I have a copy of THE SILVER PENCIL inscribed to the editor and wish I also owned ALONG JANET'S ROAD. We have a lot in common. I think we'd be friends. <br /><br /><br />RED LETTER DAYS<br /><br />When I was looking at Dalgliesh's THANKSGIVING STORY it dawned on me that that book received its Caldecott Honor the same year that THE COURAGE OF SARAH NOBLE got the Newbery Honor.<br /><br />Has any other author ever published a Newbery and Caldecott Honor in the same year? <br /><br />As I pondered that subject, I thought, "It must have been a real red letter day for Dalgliesh, having two of her books cited on the same day."<br /><br />No more than an hour later, this book happened across my desk:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQOaTOw87lRTV3ZNnKclyFJnH8USpuVHGX6s_XpTr6BrC7fyC77dOJDFEXZa7h39LIhG7oNAfvOrlwJVsEDOINbsku3REk8dNg2mtAlR9kVpGxgRz09wYPOqChe72wGSTpSv4Kc1ocBA/s1600/red+letter.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676382851295587698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQOaTOw87lRTV3ZNnKclyFJnH8USpuVHGX6s_XpTr6BrC7fyC77dOJDFEXZa7h39LIhG7oNAfvOrlwJVsEDOINbsku3REk8dNg2mtAlR9kVpGxgRz09wYPOqChe72wGSTpSv4Kc1ocBA/s400/red+letter.jpg" /></a><br />Does anyone else remember Elizabeth Hough Sechrist's POEMS FOR RED LETTER DAYS, the go-to anthology for holiday poems in the 1950s and 1960s?<br /><br />Originally published in 1951, the book went through many printings and was found in nearly every library collection back in the day. Arranged in chronological order, the volume takes us through one calendar year, with a poem for each new month followed by verses for all of the special occasions within that month, from the biggies (New Year's, Valentine's, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas) to some that are far more obscure (Robert E. Lee's Birthday, I Am An American Day, Forefather's Day.) The last section of the book covers some floating holidays (states' days, with a poem for each of them; Boy Scout Week; birthdays, Fire Prevention Week.)<br /><br />From what I understand, the term "red letter day" originated with old church calendars, so it's perhaps not surprising that this volume celebrates mostly Christian holidays (Epiphany, Saint's Stephen's Day) while ignoring all other cultures. Granted, multiculturalism wasn't a big deal in fifties America, but even then, most children's holiday books would at least toss in a few reference to Jewish holidays such as Hanukkah or Passover...but none are represented here.<br /><br />I was intrigued to discover that POEMS FOR RED LETTERS is once again available to modern readers, as a $32.75 print-on-demand volume. It would be interesting to know how many libraries will purchase it as an example of a children's classic, or whether they'll decide to spend their money on modern books which has a more mutlicultural focus.<br /><br /><br />ANOTHER BOOK AWARD<br /><br />A blog reader recently asked me to recognize the Child Study Association Award. In recent years the name has been changed to the "Josette Frank Award" to honor the Association's former executive director. Given since 1943, "this award for fiction honors a book or books of outstanding literary merit in which children or young people deal in a positive and realistic way with difficulties in their world and grow emotionally and morally."<br /><br />I'm a bit confused by that description, since at least one book on the list is clearly nonfiction (1950's PARTNERS : THE UNITED NATIONS AND YOUTH.) Looking at the list of winners is fascinating, though, since the authors range from extraordinarily popular (Betsy Byars, Paula Fox, Lois Lowry) to some I don't know at all. (Am I showing my ignorance when I say I've never even heard of Maria Gleit, Vadim Frolov, and a couple others?) <br /><br />1943 / KEYSTONE KIDS / John R. Tunis<br />1944 / THE HOUSE / Margerie Hill Allee<br />1945 / THE MOVED-OUTERS / Florence Cranell Means<br />1946 / HEART OF DANGER / Howard Pease<br />1947 / JUDY'S JOURNEY / Lois Lenski <br />1948 / THE BIG WAVE / Pearl Buck<br />1949 / PAUL TIBER : FORESTER / Maria Gleit<br />1950 / PARTNERS : THE UNITED NATIONS AND YOUTH / Eleanor Roosevelt & Helen Ferris<br />1951 / No Award<br />1952 / JAREB / Miriam Powell<br />TWENTY AND TEN / Claire Huchet Bishop<br />1953 / IN A MIRROR / Mary Stolz <br />1954 / THE ORDEAL OF THE YOUNG HUNTER / Jonreed Lauritzen<br />HIGH ROAD HOME / William Corbin<br />1955 / PLAIN GIRL / Virginia Sorenson<br />CROW BOY / Taro Yasima<br />1956 / THE HOUSE OF SIXTY FATHERS / Meindert DeJong<br />1957 / SHADOW ACROSS THE CAMPUS / Helen R. Sattler<br />1958 / SOUTH TOWN / Lorenz Graham<br />1959 / JENNIER / Zoa Sherbourne<br />1960 / JANINE / Robin McKown<br />1961 / THE ROAD TO AGRA / Aimee Sommerfelt <br />THE GIRL FROM PUERTO RICO / Hila Colman<br />1962 / THE TROUBLE WITH TERRY / Joan Lexau<br />1963 / THE PEACEABLE REVOLUTION / Betty Schecter<br />THE ROCK AND THE WILLOW / Mildred Lee<br />1964 / THE HIGH PASTURE / Ruth Harnden<br />1965 / THE EMPTY SCHOOLHOUSE / Natalie Savage Carlson<br />1966 / QUEENIE PEAVY / Robert Burch<br />1967 / THE CONTENDER / Robert Lipsyte<br />1968 / WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT / Vadim Frolov<br />1969 / THE EMPTY MOAT / Margaretha Shemin<br />1970 / ROCK STAR / James Lincoln Collier<br />MIGRANT GIRL / Carli Laklin<br />1971 / JOHN HENRY MCCOY / Lillie D. Chafin<br />1972 / THE SOUND OF CHARIOTS / Mollie Hunter<br />1973 / A TASTE OF BLACKBERRIES / Doris Buchanan Smith<br />1974 / LUKE WAS THERE / Eleanor Clymer<br />1975 / THE GARDEN IS DOING FINE / Carol Farley<br />1976 / SOMEBODY ELSE'S CHILD / Roberta Silman<br />1977 / THE PINBALLS / Betsy Byars<br />1978 / THE DEVIL IN VIENNA / Doris Orgel<br />1979 / THE WHIPMAN IS WATCHING / T.A. Dyer<br />1980 / A BOAT TO NOWHERE / Maureen Wartski<br />1981 / A SPIRIT TO RIDE THE WHIRLWIND / Athena Lord<br />1982 / HOMESICK : MY OWN STORY / Jean Fritz<br />1983 / THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER / Elizabeth George Speare<br />THE SOLOMON SYSTEM / Phyllis Reynolds Naylor<br />1984 / ONE-EYED CAT / Paula Fox<br />1985 / WITH WESTIE AND TIN MAN / C.S. Adler<br />1986 / JOURNEY TO JO'BURG / Beverley Naidoo<br />1987 / RABBLE STARKEY / Lois Lowry<br />1988 / THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN THE WORLD / Ann Cameron<br />DECEMBER STILLNESS / Mary Downing Hahn<br />1989 / SHADES OF GRAY / Carolyn Reeder<br />1990 / SECRET CITY, USA / Felice Holman<br />1991 / SHADOW BOY / Susan E. Kirby<br />1992 / BLUE SKIN OF THE SEA / Graham Salisbury<br />1993 / MAKE LEMONADE / Virginia Euwer Wolff<br />1994 / EARTHSHINE / Theresa Nelson<br />1995 / MUSIC FROM A PLACE CALLED HALF MOON / Jerrie Oughton<br />1996 / THE CUCKOO'S CHILD / Suzanne Freeman<br />1997 / NO TURNING BACK : A NOVEL OF SOUTH AFRICA / Beverley Naidoo<br />1998 / MY LOUSIANA SKY / Kimberly Willis Holt<br />1999 / No Award?<br />2000 / FIGURING OUT FRANCES / Gina Willner-Pardo<br />2001 / BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE / Kate DiCamillo<br />2002 / AMBER WAS BRAVE, ESSIE WAS SMART / Vera B. Williams<br />2003 / GODDESS OF YESTERDAY / Caroline B. Cooney<br />JERICHO WALLS / Kristi Collier<br />2004 / THE GOOSE GIRL / Shannon Hale<br />2005 / IDA B AND HER PLANS TO MAXIMIZE FUN, AVOID DISASTER, AND (POSSIBLY) SAVE THE WORLD / Katherine Hannigan<br />2006 / EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS / Deborah Wiles<br />2007 / CLEMENTINE / Sara Pennypacker<br />THE MANNY FILES / Christian Burch<br />2008 / HOME OF THE BRAVE / Katherine Applegate<br />2009 / AFTER TUPAC AND D FOSTER / Jacqueline Woodson<br />2010 / THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE / Jacqueline Kelly<br />WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON / Grace Lin<br />2011 / OUT OF MY MIND / Sharon Draper<br /><br />Did you notice something else about this list, guys?<br /><br />And I'm not using "guys" in the vernacular, but actually addressing the gentlemen, dudes, and misters in this audience.<br /><br />There sure doesn't seem to be a place for <em>us </em>on this list, does there?<br /><br />Okay, there was a male winner in 2007...but you have to go all the way back to 1992 to see another man's name. Then you have to go back to 1979 before that....<br /><br />It's a solid list of some very good books...but it clearly seemed slanted for female writers.<br /><br /><br />BEYOND THE BEYOND<br /><br />Last weekend I discussed the reissue of Palmer Brown's novel BEYOND THE PAW PAW TREES.<br /><br />Helen Schinske wrote in with a link to this entry from a children's book listserve in 2001:<br /><br /><em>I corresponded with Palmer Brown a few months ago, I **really** wanted to <br />reprint Beyond the Paw Paw Trees. <br /><br />He very nicely responded that he had talked it over with Anna Lavinia and <br />they decided that she belongs to another time and does not want to be <br />resurrected. <br /><br />I love the story and felt like there was a death in the family when I got <br />his response, I wanted to revive her so badly. <br /><br /><br />Jill Morgan <br />Publisher <br />Purple House Press </em><br /><br />So it sounds like there has long been interest in reviving Mr. Brown's work. Obviously it sounds as though Anna Lavinia changed her mind about being resurrected because a few months ago, ten years after turning down Purple House Press, the author allowed his book to be reissued by the New York Review of Books. <br /><br /><br />21, RUSH, AND A "HULKING BEARER OF THE ACADEMIC FLAME"<br /><br />I often wish I had my own review journal. Or maybe my own bookstore.<br /><br />If so, I'd get my hands on advance reading copies of books, all kinds of promotional materials, publicity packets, and other related ephemera. <br /><br />As it is, I have a regular daily job, blog on the side, and only get a freebie ARC or publicity packet about once a month. <br /><br />Of course I'm grateful for everything I get (I do a happy beagle dance every time a box or large envelope arrives) but just wish such things arrived on a daily basis. Especially when I receive something as fascinating as I did this past week.<br /><br />It was an ARC of a forthcoming book called RUSH by Jeremy Iversen. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxmcbiU3VNrJ3w9ekn33DU7BNy6zSSftLlzlzq2gXYw5j_UgeQdcj0VKWPPlTYMNHnCaicdd6rk1M1RSeIlb_3-DgaQZtifaCYD-1ek-3ANcte3Pr9oHZxltwZtDZ4mwG7BwE5hQgy1k/s1600/rush1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxmcbiU3VNrJ3w9ekn33DU7BNy6zSSftLlzlzq2gXYw5j_UgeQdcj0VKWPPlTYMNHnCaicdd6rk1M1RSeIlb_3-DgaQZtifaCYD-1ek-3ANcte3Pr9oHZxltwZtDZ4mwG7BwE5hQgy1k/s400/rush1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676943832775100402" /></a><br />The name rang a bell and I remembered that I had read his nonfiction book HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL a few years back. <br /><br />I also remembered that he had written a novel called 21, which I had not read:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1rQeYLpaHij_C_oEJ6Uu5Jc086D6SQ2ZAZvtbagVP8dj8VUt_7Rv-bDQVQXNx9hLKRyL-yE2YKUN_9VOh8z0QxBbAwQ9be7eCsDWJYkW_-AyV2bE8P9tQfuqmN4M5zKzRw6yu8PGPWw/s1600/rush4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 182px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1rQeYLpaHij_C_oEJ6Uu5Jc086D6SQ2ZAZvtbagVP8dj8VUt_7Rv-bDQVQXNx9hLKRyL-yE2YKUN_9VOh8z0QxBbAwQ9be7eCsDWJYkW_-AyV2bE8P9tQfuqmN4M5zKzRw6yu8PGPWw/s400/rush4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676943821644045570" /></a><br />It turns out that 21 was the "preliminary edition" of this forthcoming novel RUSH.<br /><br />Have you ever heard of a book's first edition being called its "preliminary" edition? Or having a newly-revised edition of the same novel released less than six years after its original publication?<br /><br />Obviously I'm going to have to get my hands on a copy of 21 and compare the two books side-by-side. Sounds like my kind of assignment!<br /><br />This new edition is being released with quite a bit of fanfare. <br /><br />Accompanying the ARC was a twelve page packet of info about how the book came to be written and how it was received by critics. There's a lengthy summary of the novel and a big write up on each character. I was surprised they didn't include the author's phone number.<br /><br />Oh, they <em>did</em>!<br /><br />Really!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcatKN14ys6SknXpzlG43MBCOAYjkP5vW7bO7imUG2nQquLlQzx21tXKVJjIp3J7h8cQd9nCJPSM8ymek5shp8A7iuD-Vi33PUubkPwmKDsGtGvJ0Snedc28C12KMaoSOyJ5zNvDSjqQ/s1600/rush2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcatKN14ys6SknXpzlG43MBCOAYjkP5vW7bO7imUG2nQquLlQzx21tXKVJjIp3J7h8cQd9nCJPSM8ymek5shp8A7iuD-Vi33PUubkPwmKDsGtGvJ0Snedc28C12KMaoSOyJ5zNvDSjqQ/s400/rush2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676943824770808322" /></a><br />But the most irresistable part of the packet was the description of the book's origins:<br /><br /><em>Eighteen-year-old Jeremy Iversen had just gotten an assignment in his required freshman writing class at Stanford University. The teaching assistant, a very large woman with a crew cut and a chain wallet, had recently emerged victorious in a world powerlifting competition, and now ordered her charges to keep a detailed journal of their daily lives.<br /><br />Jeremey raised a hand and asked if perhaps he might instead pen a short story. "No," she snorted. Eventually this hulking bearer of the academic flame confessed, "Oh, do whatever you like. I'm not going to read it anyway."</em><br /><br />The packet goes on to describe the story he wrote and how, when "he mentioned the concept in class...the T.A. laughed at him."<br /><br />We then learn that when the "preliminary edition" of the book was published, the author went on a nationwide promotional tour by bus and "true to her word, the T.A. still never read it."<br /><br />I must admit I'm fascinated by all this. The promotional packet even includes a color photo of the "Giver of the Assignment," obviously taken at a sporting event. She's not identified by name. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOmn8GDoCJvJgcX27YT_Ek2XF4jtunLpJK6DR2iu-Ff8Erl5Y7mKCCtQ1BSqQcyuupiqDAi9TsaQn4SgjUnzmLD6HBrAj_F1-DdiojDkcTcJ-tjakj9VePXKXBAIR1izMcjNUQcQYC1w/s1600/rush3.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOmn8GDoCJvJgcX27YT_Ek2XF4jtunLpJK6DR2iu-Ff8Erl5Y7mKCCtQ1BSqQcyuupiqDAi9TsaQn4SgjUnzmLD6HBrAj_F1-DdiojDkcTcJ-tjakj9VePXKXBAIR1izMcjNUQcQYC1w/s400/rush3.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676943825219273778" /></a><br />I'm just dying to know if she's playing along with all this or whether the writer is using this opportunity to get even with her for laughing at him and <em>still not reading his book.</em><br /><br />If she's playing along with it: well, good for her, laughing along with the whole thing...even being called "hulking."<br /><br />If he's getting even with her: well, good for him, laughing back at a teacher who never took his work seriously and still refuses to read it.<br /><br />Either way, I'm fascinated by the book's backstory and now can't wait to read it.<br /><br /><br />THANKS<br /><br />With Thanksgiving on the horizon, let me say again how thankful I am to everyone who stops by this blog. Maybe there will be time for another blog entry this week. If not and this is the last time we meet this week, I hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-5547653803027990382011-11-12T12:56:00.013-05:002011-11-13T16:13:54.502-05:00November 13 Sunday BrunchThis morning is gray and cold. The wind is whistling down the chimney. I just went out on the deck and watched four honking geese come in for a splash-landing in the pond. Meanwhile, a squirrel was chasing up and down the limbs of a bare tree, as if trying to find his way out of a maze. It's a "coming of winter" morning, as Truman Capote would say -- which is the reason I'm starting off today's blog with Capote's "A Christmas Story." I know, it's a little early in the season, but I didn't want to start with my Joe Paterno entry. That comes later -- along with other random stuff about children's books old and new.<br /><br /><br /><br />IT'S FRUITCAKE WEATHER<br /><br /><em>Imagine a morning in late November. A coming of winter morning more than twenty years ago. Consider the kitchen of a spreading old house in a country town. A great black stove is its main feature; but there is also a big round table and a fireplace with two rocking chairs placed in front of it. Just today the fireplace commenced its seasonal roar.<br /><br />A woman with shorn white hair is standing at the kitchen window. She is wearing tennis shoes and a shapeless gray sweater over a summery calico dress. She is small and sprightly, like a bantam hen; but, due to a long youthful illness, her shoulders are pitifully hunched. Her face is remarkable—not unlike Lincoln’s, craggy like that, and tinted by sun and wind; but it is delicate too, finely boned, and her eyes are sherry-colored and timid. “Oh my,” she exclaims, her breath smoking the windowpane, “it’s fruitcake weather!”</em><br /><br />Yeah, I know Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory" isn't technically a work for children. In fact, its mix of nostalgia and poignancy is probably best appreciated by adults. But it does feature a child protagonist, and every kid in the United States probably reads it in a school textbook before they're twelve-years-old. And, in 2006, fifty years after its original publication in an adult magazine, the story made its debut as a children's book:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEUYH4tZhl3pxzlJ4Y5RrHgAc27dkKcLwRHFuecJSrx616QZSOkDqt_P1d8f7omxmhOWa3yb-5qZpQzYajZXLY1MQnLEyHDXTsidWShY0hFvmWk_d4jyWKvwD60eGNuVNwpZPur3RP80/s1600/christmas.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEUYH4tZhl3pxzlJ4Y5RrHgAc27dkKcLwRHFuecJSrx616QZSOkDqt_P1d8f7omxmhOWa3yb-5qZpQzYajZXLY1MQnLEyHDXTsidWShY0hFvmWk_d4jyWKvwD60eGNuVNwpZPur3RP80/s400/christmas.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674493182515336754" /></a><br />It's one of my all-time favorites and if the above passage made you want to read it again or (where have you been?) read it for the first time, you can even read it on the internet, <a href="http://www.nexuslearning.net/books/holt_elementsoflit-3/Collection%204/Collection%202/A%20Christmas%20Memory%20p1.htm"> here </a> or <a href="http://www.wepsite.de/Capote,%20A_Christmas_Memory.htm"> here.</a> I'm not sure who posted the story and I'm sure it's all kinds of illegal, but it's out there so you might as well read. <br /><br />If you're around my age, you may remember the wonderful (and wonderfully faithful) 1960s TV special made from this story. Geraldine Page won an Emmy for her performance. If you want to revisit the movie, or see it for the first time, it's available in six parts on Youtube:<br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/G0vjTfVyZco?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />I must admit I was a bit put off by one of the first viewer comments is from a kid who says, "im watching this cause my homework nd i dont like 2 read."<br /><br />If you think it's still too early for Christmas memories, you might prefer Capote's other holiday classic, "A Thanksgiving Visitor." This story was also originally published for adults, but was co-opted for kids with this 1996 illustrated edition:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHS-k59jHqBujhrsAvJwhyphenhyphen1YcZDriwEgE5vTmTPza6pvn-3h5qeWiQqDF8hygC9Dbao4reD1xMuCHEPw-y9rGdUrWa-taqKXC9R69bgLT4Eo16nXTxZlqA1JEis2BpydCnZ4xb406yZAE/s1600/Thanksgiving.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHS-k59jHqBujhrsAvJwhyphenhyphen1YcZDriwEgE5vTmTPza6pvn-3h5qeWiQqDF8hygC9Dbao4reD1xMuCHEPw-y9rGdUrWa-taqKXC9R69bgLT4Eo16nXTxZlqA1JEis2BpydCnZ4xb406yZAE/s400/Thanksgiving.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674493190637886354" /></a><br />It was also made into a TV movie, for which Geraldine Page won her second Emmy. And it's also available on Youtube in five parts, starting here:<br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gfkYVO9RgdU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><br />FROM THE SUBLIME TO THE RIDICULOUS<br /><br />If you've been following the shocking and shameful events at Penn State this past week, you may have had an experience similar to mine.<br /><br />Reading Joe Paterno's biography on the Wikipedia, I noticed the different "categories" were Paterno's name is included:<br /><br />Penn State Nittany Lions football coaches<br />1926 births<br />people of Italian descent<br />American children's book writers<br /><br />Children's book writers? <br /><br />Though it's undoubtedly strange to see him listed there between Dillwyn Parrish and Katherine Paterson, he made the list by virtue of this 2007 children's book he wrote with his wife Sue:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOzMYq3TzkIEqKVUbYRXRW5Vi0m8P_7sZFmzHp9N7M1m0XMynJJKsWcLGE2TadbQ8Lz85M0hd7UxhZx4sJ6aNKklWa9HQiQVQXZQw7Ap0tXen3bFP5EAnitWarROxSWcPUpIO5L2GF2Q/s1600/Penn.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOzMYq3TzkIEqKVUbYRXRW5Vi0m8P_7sZFmzHp9N7M1m0XMynJJKsWcLGE2TadbQ8Lz85M0hd7UxhZx4sJ6aNKklWa9HQiQVQXZQw7Ap0tXen3bFP5EAnitWarROxSWcPUpIO5L2GF2Q/s400/Penn.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674501072213835842" /></a><br />He was also the subject of a 1974 children's book SIX DAYS TO SATURDAY by Jack Newcombe:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXYvTzgQgpmaEzun4tQL6VctwlkJ7avoJ8Jg5B8wxL3vTzRc3cxb5ioFkGZtE3zrAq97eMhVqdN8E6MYUaJmDt-3nR-VYYf4R6fVNTjEA-4UCFtf_V3Y_jNwu6AIVw8tPf35KEHfHhnw/s1600/Saturday.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXYvTzgQgpmaEzun4tQL6VctwlkJ7avoJ8Jg5B8wxL3vTzRc3cxb5ioFkGZtE3zrAq97eMhVqdN8E6MYUaJmDt-3nR-VYYf4R6fVNTjEA-4UCFtf_V3Y_jNwu6AIVw8tPf35KEHfHhnw/s400/Saturday.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674501072902958402" /></a><br />Jerry Sandusky, the criminal at the center of this case (oh, I shouldn't say that because he's "innocent until found guilty"? Sue me for slander) also wrote a book, although thankfully it's not a children's book.<br /><br />The title?<br /><br />TOUCHED.<br /><br />Talk about flaunting it.<br /><br />Talk about hiding in plain sight.<br /><br />When I first looked this book up on Amazon.com last weekend there were only a couple customer reviews.<br /><br />Now there are over one hundred.<br /><br />Few, if any, of those reviews are from people who have actually read the book. Most are just using the space to comment on the Penn State case. I find this fascinating. I've bemoaned the fact that when bookstores close, folks can't find a place to share their thoughts and opinions with like-minded people -- "book people." It looks like they have found a way now...by visiting <em>online bookstores.</em> <br /><br /><br />BIL KEANE<br /><br />I was sorry to hear about the death of Family Circus creator earlier this week. Although he never illustrated a children's book, his newspaper comic usually provided either laughs or smiles of recognition in its depictions of how kids think and feel. (Though he did run to those "Ida Know" and "Not Me" into the ground, didn't he?)<br /><br />He also produced some cartoons that advocated literacy. My co-writer <a href="http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/"> Julie Walker Danielson </a> shared this one with me: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr72DsRrxeOOJXffUjdKUzJH_3BNBh4eddSVKcHMu0Y-OF6A1D3is2FTHQ4zd_Di5GO35kPVV0sru6YmJAqRBKKhMvR5EjN6iyyEzLABKZtkmmncsTq7pV5R5ioxoEdqRJA7TItbR6cL8/s1600/Family+circus1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr72DsRrxeOOJXffUjdKUzJH_3BNBh4eddSVKcHMu0Y-OF6A1D3is2FTHQ4zd_Di5GO35kPVV0sru6YmJAqRBKKhMvR5EjN6iyyEzLABKZtkmmncsTq7pV5R5ioxoEdqRJA7TItbR6cL8/s400/Family+circus1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674169866351992194" /></a><br />and now here is one I'm sharing with Julie -- and you:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU1CpJavzXDN5dde9OLXPBATyDM-CzS38RwIuCrAXTUWqhwKhoHzBxc1CyTrBLvqFPK579L4zVSMEPkoiekEDnRLR_gIo7j20FZqdDK3gplgqfgZWCgSDDRNSvJ-U0jFGmjGHGOegznE/s1600/family+circus2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU1CpJavzXDN5dde9OLXPBATyDM-CzS38RwIuCrAXTUWqhwKhoHzBxc1CyTrBLvqFPK579L4zVSMEPkoiekEDnRLR_gIo7j20FZqdDK3gplgqfgZWCgSDDRNSvJ-U0jFGmjGHGOegznE/s400/family+circus2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674169864530451682" /></a><br />R.I.P., Mr. Keane.<br /><br /><br />HEAVY MEDAL SHORTLIST<br /><br />Over at the <a href="http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/heavymedal/"> Heavy Medal blog </a>, Jonathan Hunt and Nina Lindsay have announced their Newbery shortlist. The titles are:<br /><br />THE ADVENTURES OF SIR GAWAIN THE TRUE by Gerald Morris<br /><br />AMELIA LOST by Candice Fleming<br /><br />HEART & SOUL by Kadir Nelson<br /><br />I BROKE MY TRUNK by Mo Willems<br /><br />THE MONEY WE’LL SAVE by Brock Cole<br /><br />A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness<br /><br />OKAY FOR NOW by Gary Schmidt<br /><br />PENDERWICKS AT POINT MOUETTE by Jeanne Birdsall<br /><br />THE TROUBLE WITH MAY AMELIA by Jennifer Holm <br /><br />WONDERSTRUCK by Brian Selznick<br /><br />I'm 7/10. <br /><br />How'd you do?<br /><br />I was tickled to read Jonathan's later comments about three titles that almost made the cut:<br /><br />PIE by Sarah Weeks<br /><br />MO WREN, LOST AND FOUND by Tricia Springstubb<br /><br />NEVER FORGOTTEN by Patricia McKissack<br /><br />It was like hearing rumors about which titles almost, but not quite, become Honor Books for the Newbery.<br /><br /><br /><br />SEUSS BY WHO?<br /><br />Last night on ANTIQUES ROADSHOW an original drawing by Dr. Seuess was valued at $6000. The appraiser went on to mention that there are a number of fakes on the market. Checking the ROADSHOW's website, I found <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/fts/junkinthetrunk_201006T09.html"> this article </a> which states that as many as 80% of the "Seuss" drawings in circulation are fakes. The article gives some tips on separating the real stuff from the phony. <br /><br /><br />CULT CLASSICS<br /><br />Blog reader and bookseller Pamela Grath from Dog Ear Books in Northport, Michigan recently wrote a <a href="http://booksinnorthport.blogspot.com/2011/11/wonderful-surprise-and-surpassing.html"> blog entry </a> about two of her favorite childhood books, BEYOND THE PAWPAW TREES and its sequel, THE SILVER NUTMEG, both written and illustrated by Palmer Brown.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-dDYxV9JYLx_GFETd_gzBSJGYTKKQSASncIb6I1AANbchegiQKL4KoMnoeUEP2wDWpkJ9HhyphenhyphenNqe5FRVlk09S1KEit6y6sHu9E_Leowxq9yTglr3Al1DVt9ZXyKNBfVtXnZuddnRfRU8/s1600/pawpaw.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-dDYxV9JYLx_GFETd_gzBSJGYTKKQSASncIb6I1AANbchegiQKL4KoMnoeUEP2wDWpkJ9HhyphenhyphenNqe5FRVlk09S1KEit6y6sHu9E_Leowxq9yTglr3Al1DVt9ZXyKNBfVtXnZuddnRfRU8/s400/pawpaw.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674528882120538322" /></a><br />After reading her enthusiastic comments, I wanted to get my hands on these books myself. Fortunately, my library had both titles in stock.<br /><br />Published in 1954, BEYOND THE PAWPAW TREES is the story of Anna Lavinia, a young girl with a wandering father and a mother who stays home all cooking pawpaws. Torn between her mother's motto, "Never believe what you see," and her father's rule, "Only believe what you see," Anna Lavinia lives a strange claustrophic life, never attending school, never even leaving her family's property. Then comes the strange "lavender blue" day when Anna's mother sends her daughter off to visit an aunt in a remote location. The girl's adventures traveling on a train and through a desert by camel are nonsense of the first order. I must admit that I am not a fan of nonsense fiction at all. I'm far too literal minded. In fact, reading the book, I wondered if a brief reference to Anna Lavinia being locked in a broom closet by her mother as a punishment was the key to the story; could her fanciful adventures be nothing but the dreams of a captive child? Whatever the case, BEYOND THE PAW PAW <br />TREES is nonetheless distingusihed by its lyrical language, songs and poems (the book is full of them) and precise line drawings. If you do a search around the internet, you will see that many, many people love this book. First editions cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Its 1956 sequel, THE SILVER NUTMEG, also has a cult following. This one is more a fantasy than a nonsense story, as Anna Lavinia discovers another world on the other side of the Dew Pond, where she makes a new friend and solves a romantic mystery. Once again, the language shines, as in this passage describing the tingling feeling of life on the other side of the water: <br /><br /><em>It was something like the touch of clean cool sheets after a bath on a hot susmmer night, or the smell of the first burning leaves in atuumn. It was like the taste of the first wild strawberry in springtime, or the sound of a train's whistle far off at midnight in winter. It was a little, too, like the tickle before a sneeze, or the thrill that comes when the knot in the ribbon of a gift just begins to loosen. It was like all these things rolled together, ony it was even better.</em><br /><br />If you have a taste for whimsical stories, filled with beautiful imagery (a hedgehog floating into a yard on a windy day) and precise, exquisite drawings, these books are for you. The good news is that you don't even need to track them down in unweeded library collections or spend hundreds for a used copy. The New York Review of Books recently reissued PAWPAWS and NUTMEG will be re-released next spring.<br /><br /><br />PALMER BROWN<br /><br />Since reading the two Anna Lavinia books, I have been trying to track down information about author-illustrator Palmer Brown. <br /><br />Strangely, there is almost nothing out there.<br /><br />So far I've learned that he was born in 1919, educated at Swarthmore College and got a Master's from the University of Pennsylvania, and served four years in the military during WWII. No word about a family, hobbies, avocations.<br /><br />One source said that he didn't begin drawing until he wrote PAWPAWS and decided to illustrate the book. Another source included this quote about his first book, "“If it has any moral at all, it is hoped that it will always be a deep secret between the author and those of his readers who still know that believing is seeing.” <br /><br />Although his Contemporary Authors bio lists his career as "Illustrator and author of children's books," and adds that he contributed to WOMAN'S DAY and GOURMET magazines, is it really possible to make a lifetime living from just five middle-selling books (in addition to the two above, he also wrote three stories about mice: CHEERFUL (1957), SOMETHING FOR CHRISTMAS (1958) and HICKORY (1978.) What to make of the twenty year gap between the last two books? Why didn't he ever illustrate books for other authors? How come he never published a collection of poetry and verse since his novels contain so much of it? <br /><br />These are some of the questions I'd love to ask this now-92 year-old author.<br /><br /><br />THANKS<br /><br />Thanks for visiting Collecting Children's Books. Hope you'll be back soon!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-81902009598405021572011-11-06T13:45:00.006-05:002011-11-06T19:17:06.659-05:00A Sunday Brunch with Geese and GoopsAmong other topics, today's Sunday Brunch introduces Mother Goose's family, reveals the sad fate of a famous book dedicatee, and asks if anyone has ever called you a "goop." (They <em>have???</em>) <br /><br /><br />IF IT HADN'T BEEN HALLOWEEN<br /><br />Working with children's books, I probably cross paths with Mother Goose several times a week. This past Monday I was moving some volumes around at work and came across this one: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAM7AXX6OPdLT17ocv6lbX-9i-lwV9uqjB-QzESQkfvl5aa9XibGvWzdMg9ek6PkPwCDyjqMK0WlWLk7B-TQfgyDm20VgJBndIewGflkIIoNlPQ5RfvI7eoMYmfV7SjkLC2jdGU-2TNgo/s1600/img036.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAM7AXX6OPdLT17ocv6lbX-9i-lwV9uqjB-QzESQkfvl5aa9XibGvWzdMg9ek6PkPwCDyjqMK0WlWLk7B-TQfgyDm20VgJBndIewGflkIIoNlPQ5RfvI7eoMYmfV7SjkLC2jdGU-2TNgo/s400/img036.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671228741342844146" /></a><br />If it hadn't been Halloween that day, I probably wouldn't have thought a thing about it...but it WAS Halloween. And my immediate thought was: "You know, Mother Goose sure looks like a witch!"<br /><br />I then pulled a few more Ma Goose books from the shelf and they also supported my theory. Hey, substitute a broomstick for that goose she's flying and you could be looking at a Halloween decoration:<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nTS20DE3t9Wz31n6GPAn8q51hBWFK800Q38kotSOkvVxCa5zi7tCBN2U2TQlz0sfDJe0UPDZE2CK9E36LHnQJzTw8uqVkkBdHkbMP1GEAbeShe2DynPIdcZQ5XXr16FaVqYGwmiZ8tQ/s1600/img037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 362px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nTS20DE3t9Wz31n6GPAn8q51hBWFK800Q38kotSOkvVxCa5zi7tCBN2U2TQlz0sfDJe0UPDZE2CK9E36LHnQJzTw8uqVkkBdHkbMP1GEAbeShe2DynPIdcZQ5XXr16FaVqYGwmiZ8tQ/s400/img037.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671228740064745570" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToaYEBVr9h2gYP3MnI4y5gG_lP9zOXU-Nsjmbbs27RpnBO6BU8iN0z8ADOmokK7CBsTMANzp4r1k43uBna3EYF134nNEWq3OL0ArZ0CbM-6RHJwc014Eu6O80Eb-W_ivPg8pf5eNlcmQ/s1600/img038.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToaYEBVr9h2gYP3MnI4y5gG_lP9zOXU-Nsjmbbs27RpnBO6BU8iN0z8ADOmokK7CBsTMANzp4r1k43uBna3EYF134nNEWq3OL0ArZ0CbM-6RHJwc014Eu6O80Eb-W_ivPg8pf5eNlcmQ/s400/img038.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671228731989135074" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRGAZzNvsUld7nnbGIvPLH4MJt6NblUjBFoW93mupaFottcjHH4BOAh6QqxCijGs7OtwHDUI78JCDX0XmOZ9Pi7JR1hyt0I8y63my5RPNHrvPBlRm2hlJr4EDj70jIFN7LptUOcg8nEM/s1600/mg4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRGAZzNvsUld7nnbGIvPLH4MJt6NblUjBFoW93mupaFottcjHH4BOAh6QqxCijGs7OtwHDUI78JCDX0XmOZ9Pi7JR1hyt0I8y63my5RPNHrvPBlRm2hlJr4EDj70jIFN7LptUOcg8nEM/s400/mg4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671228724969260066" /></a><br />This got me wondering about the real identity of Ms. Goose -- and why she's often pictured as an old crone with black peaked hat and billowing shawl. From a little bit of internet research, it appears that the origins of this character are shrouded in mystery. Some trace her back to the first millennium as "Bertha the goose-footed," the wife of King Robert II of France, who was said to enthrall children with her stories. Others say she was a seventeenth-century Bostonian, though that legend has been dismissed by most experts. We probably never will know the truth.<br /><br />But back to her appearance.<br /><br />Can anyone explain why this character, meant to represent a kindly children's storyteller, looks like a witch?<br /><br />I'm assuming that her image was developed over the years by a number of different illustrators until it finally settled into the general "look" it has today. But was the intent to make her look like a witch (right down to those striped "Wicked Witch of the East Socks" in the last picture?) or were the illustrators merely utilizing the then-current "little old lady" fashions of their own historical era?<br /><br />Anyone know?<br /><br /><br /><br />AS FAR AS THAT GOES....<br /><br />We call her "Mother" Goose, but what ever happened to her kids? And where was her husband?<br /><br />Actually, some of those answers can be found in children's books.<br /><br />Though I doubt it was the first-ever reference to "Father Goose" in the panetheon of literature, the best-known character by this name was created by L. Frank Baum, who also originated the Wizard of Oz.<br /><br />Baum was forty-one years old when he published his first book. MOTHER GOOSE IN PROSE (1897) contained short stories based on a number of familiar nursery rhymes, including "Old King Cole," "Humpty Dumpty" and "Little Miss Muffett." It was also the first book illustrated by Maxfield Parrish.<br /><br />The following year, Mr. Baum published BY THE CANDELABRA'S GLARE, a biography of Liberace. Just kidding. BY THE CANDELABRA'S GLARE was actually a collection of poetry, with the last section of the book devoted to children's verse. <br /><br />A year later, Baum released FATHER GOOSE : HIS BOOK, a volume containing nothing but nonsense verse for kids. The introduction states:<br /><br /><em>There is a fascination in the combination of jingling verse and bright pictures that always appeals strongly to children. The ancient “Mother Goose Book” had these qualities, and for nearly two centuries the cadences of its rhymes have lingered in the memories of men and women who learned them in childhood. The author and illustrator of “Father Goose” have had no intent to imitate or parody the famous verse and pictures of “Mother Goose.” They own to having followed, in modern fashion, the plan of the book that pleased children ages ago—and still pleases them. These are newer jingles and pictures for children of to-day, and intended solely to supplement the nursery rhymes of our ancestors.</em><br /><br />and is followed by this explanatory poem:<br /><br /><em>Old Mother Goose became quite new,<br />And joined a Women's Club,<br />She left poor Father Goose at home<br />To care for Sis and Bub.<br />They called for stories by the score,<br />And laughed and cried to hear<br />All of the queer and merry songs<br />That in this book appear.<br />When Mother Goose at last returned <br />For her there was no use; <br />The goslings much preferred to hear <br />The tales of FATHER GOOSE. </em> <br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5e2Qi7IOtO876ENVUHbZAgrfb5ifONjCjFqAKeNkbNFKPCY-Kn0cywU-O6j2shlJFdjsC7bHPyJ7xabzFLqs4WCmNqYbwP1HdhcEns3LqRhyphenhyphenzp5SMypoJW1C5-bfBpO_vHTNeHQoD9XQ/s1600/father+g.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5e2Qi7IOtO876ENVUHbZAgrfb5ifONjCjFqAKeNkbNFKPCY-Kn0cywU-O6j2shlJFdjsC7bHPyJ7xabzFLqs4WCmNqYbwP1HdhcEns3LqRhyphenhyphenzp5SMypoJW1C5-bfBpO_vHTNeHQoD9XQ/s400/father+g.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671794980122072562" /></a><br />FATHER GOOSE : HIS BOOK became the top-selling children's book of 1899, selling over 75,000 copies. Some credit much of this success to the illustrations of W.W. Denslow. <br /><br />In 1900, Baum and Denslow published THE SONGS OF FATHER GOOSE, which set some of the previous volume's verses to music. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVaNomsmQcyUgelp-LtV_ue0ux37HuiFjoDcoyu3nAR8BlEdjNdYnJA1rNtfZqdi3ac8BE2X4ovBONdCSYhuzfk__6MdVG2kaHNrThyphenhyphenqU2zmbPJ04JnqdR0RlKWahSa_4hfnNijXLxiw/s1600/songs.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVaNomsmQcyUgelp-LtV_ue0ux37HuiFjoDcoyu3nAR8BlEdjNdYnJA1rNtfZqdi3ac8BE2X4ovBONdCSYhuzfk__6MdVG2kaHNrThyphenhyphenqU2zmbPJ04JnqdR0RlKWahSa_4hfnNijXLxiw/s400/songs.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671875475664167522" /></a><br />1900 was also the year that THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ was published. Baum and Denslow spent many more years writing the "Oz" series, only revisiting Father Goose once -- with a book of nonsense poetry for adults (FATHER GOOSE'S YEAR BOOK : QUAINT QUACKS AND FEATHERED SHAFTS FOR MATURE CHILDREN) in 1907.<br /><br /><br /><br />DID MOTHER AND FATHER GOOSE HAVE ANY GOSLINGS?<br /><br />According to Leonard Weisgard they did.<br /><br />Three years after winning the 1948 Caldecott Medal for illustrating Margaret Wise Brown's THE LITTLE ISLAND, Harper published THE FAMILY MOTHER GOOSE, a collection of three small volumes (MOTHER GOOSE, FATHER GOOSE, and LITTLE GOOSE) that presents Mother Goose in her second most-famous visual incarnation. Instead of being being shown as an old woman; she's depicted as an actual goose in a dustcap. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbjupyn_XGmuvQ6a8Kqtu6ZBeEOvQWTAc0xeacik2EKgX14iyuwRlIhQr45DXLtRauz-g2RYbpH_zN9dSYZwXHGvGdqMxhutDkPOHPvXJbj5hYdkXn5IAB_clAnWQKnjyORmpcCBvEUc/s1600/img046.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 371px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbjupyn_XGmuvQ6a8Kqtu6ZBeEOvQWTAc0xeacik2EKgX14iyuwRlIhQr45DXLtRauz-g2RYbpH_zN9dSYZwXHGvGdqMxhutDkPOHPvXJbj5hYdkXn5IAB_clAnWQKnjyORmpcCBvEUc/s400/img046.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671230639129524130" /></a><br />Weisgard's three volumes were presented in a boxed set. A die-cut hole allowed one of the family members (here "Little Goose") to be seen, based on which book was first in the box. <br /><br />The FATHER GOOSE volume (notice the fifties' style dad-hat on Father G) contains rhymes mostly featuring males, such as "Jack Sprat," "Three Men in a Tub,", "Old King Cole," and "Solomon Grundy."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-6C7HfpC-UmCFWRgpKcpKMy9rok7Vei8uiYGEjzHeXTMaDkgr_UetbSSJ3lw2RxqREIHE_csQ2QGpo2PBK0qd2gvev2M0XFU8tWS49uzaDPi6qW9WPZBqs31eBW9mJi9zPAVkL4QssA/s1600/img048.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-6C7HfpC-UmCFWRgpKcpKMy9rok7Vei8uiYGEjzHeXTMaDkgr_UetbSSJ3lw2RxqREIHE_csQ2QGpo2PBK0qd2gvev2M0XFU8tWS49uzaDPi6qW9WPZBqs31eBW9mJi9zPAVkL4QssA/s400/img048.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671230628814658210" /></a><br />LITTLE GOOSE features "Little Tommy Tucker," "Mary Had a Little Lamb," "Jack and Jill" and other kid-centric rhymes, while MOTHER GOOSE offers "Old Mother Hubbard," "Ladybug, Ladybug," and others.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqo60p-L0gO1fUbq2Jm99-kDmguFSoDF7zDDyj3JKWjPUcNywWY2LnMYOrdWMoo4G6isFqYGRYxaiKBu3QdZNtrYS1eGdHE1sIsB0ce3lJRcLa57-qRnsHPlEZwKtMs1NpD-3FgmW16s/s1600/family+goose.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqo60p-L0gO1fUbq2Jm99-kDmguFSoDF7zDDyj3JKWjPUcNywWY2LnMYOrdWMoo4G6isFqYGRYxaiKBu3QdZNtrYS1eGdHE1sIsB0ce3lJRcLa57-qRnsHPlEZwKtMs1NpD-3FgmW16s/s400/family+goose.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671294289476314034" /></a><br />Although the three volumes of THE FAMILY MOTHER GOOSE are easy enough to find individually in used bookstores, it's near impossible to find them together in their original fragile cardboard box.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-DZHkCAA0lTuAe6NA8B9vuxtRlKpsGRxES9LcuG83nd07p2hMOw78WbBg1ZKNW1FtIj0UI4g5icy7c8KocXSGR_O9rjhcoYtZUblxO-cqFRddp8V-_Y7D44MinHSEOsbO2S2SBRp92g/s1600/img047.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 66px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-DZHkCAA0lTuAe6NA8B9vuxtRlKpsGRxES9LcuG83nd07p2hMOw78WbBg1ZKNW1FtIj0UI4g5icy7c8KocXSGR_O9rjhcoYtZUblxO-cqFRddp8V-_Y7D44MinHSEOsbO2S2SBRp92g/s400/img047.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671230637522764178" /></a><br />...And so, like so many modern real-life families, the members of this book "family" have become separated over the years and are rarely seen together.<br /><br /><br /><br />FROM GOOSE TO GOOPS<br /><br />So you want to find information on Mother Goose in the online catalog, make a little typo, and what do you end up with?<br /><br />Goops!<br /><br />I have to admit I was unfamiliar with the books GOOPS AND HOW TO BE THEM and MORE GOOPS AND HOW NOT TO BE THEM until I stumbled across them in our catalog.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Xu6eAWglFhMPJC_mPPQZxMEXe0O8x2w20wzTylRQizAHPjO9DCG1Z6R4JMvbZOcvy_cBJCN7k1-JSUPoPqip1dGpvdzTZ_cBiNb81wtD4bBfVbBIQExZpn1hiRbwrT9h4shWAvTCT2s/s1600/img050.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Xu6eAWglFhMPJC_mPPQZxMEXe0O8x2w20wzTylRQizAHPjO9DCG1Z6R4JMvbZOcvy_cBJCN7k1-JSUPoPqip1dGpvdzTZ_cBiNb81wtD4bBfVbBIQExZpn1hiRbwrT9h4shWAvTCT2s/s400/img050.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671244230719079682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpw7CpRR4KWny_-FjZ2nMTAff1DhITtyfqRvXEp6Em1zQTjK9hF6NGePLIw4Th_9dwd93fWEQ9gCsi_7SQpkhlsDaRrHj-trfN7K8AUZBxA1NW0VeMwsYwENFkVaI7A0BSP3krmBV6hHU/s1600/img051.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpw7CpRR4KWny_-FjZ2nMTAff1DhITtyfqRvXEp6Em1zQTjK9hF6NGePLIw4Th_9dwd93fWEQ9gCsi_7SQpkhlsDaRrHj-trfN7K8AUZBxA1NW0VeMwsYwENFkVaI7A0BSP3krmBV6hHU/s400/img051.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671244235311814738" /></a><br />Goops, whose heads can be drawn by anyone with a compass and protractor, were the creation of Gelett Burgess. The introduction to the first book, explains what they are:<br /><br /><em>Let me introduce a Race<br />Void of Beauty and of Grace,<br />Extraordinary Creatures<br />With a Pauciety of Features. <br />Though their Forms are fashioned ill,<br />They have Manners stranger still,<br />For in Rudeness, they're Precocious,<br />They're Atrocious, they're Ferocious!<br />Yet you'll learn, if you are Bright,<br />Politeness from the Impolite.<br />When you've finished with the Book,<br />At your Conduct take a Look;<br />Ask yourself, upon the Spot,<br />Are you Goop, or are you Not?<br />For, although it's Fun to See them<br />It is TERRIBLE to be them!</em><br /><br />Subtitled "A Manual of Manners for Polite Infants Inculcating many Juvenile Virtues Both by Precept and Example with Ninety Drawings," GOOPS AND HOW TO BE THEM is filled with rhymes (some of which appeared in St. Nicholas Magazine) about misbehaving kids. <br /><br />Here's one about table manners:<br /><br /><em>The Goops they lick their fingers,<br />And the Goops they like their knives;<br />They spill their broth on the tablecloth--<br />Oh, they lead disgusting lives!<br />The Goops they talk while eating.<br />And loud and fast they chew;<br />And that is why I'm glad that I<br />Am not a Goop -- are you?</em><br /><br />and another titled "Picking and Stealing":<br /><br /><em>When you are fetching bread, I trust<br />You never nibble at the crust.<br /><br />When in the kitchen, do you linger<br />And pinch with your finger?<br /><br />Or do you peck the frosted cake?<br />Don't do it, please, for Mother's sake!</em><br /><br />Originally published in 1900 and 1903, these volumes taught etiquette by letting kids laugh at (and probably recognize in themselves) exaggerated bad behavior. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWTsl850RSOixjBx928mKVnS9wQujAaXDBScbFS5qFatLtWRGyMLwQHNbHMZQMPz-HKpYjmHqLpUlfoqAZwu9GXNYBJy2CgD-3K0kqmJX63ivn-9ZuU1-407-HTL2IjwSNdFO6xRHg8w/s1600/img057.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWTsl850RSOixjBx928mKVnS9wQujAaXDBScbFS5qFatLtWRGyMLwQHNbHMZQMPz-HKpYjmHqLpUlfoqAZwu9GXNYBJy2CgD-3K0kqmJX63ivn-9ZuU1-407-HTL2IjwSNdFO6xRHg8w/s400/img057.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671247243140904498" /></a><br />So popular were THE GOOPS that by the time the first volume was republished in 1928, the dustjacket informed us:<br /><br /><em>"Don't be a goop," children still cry to one another, though the book first came out so long ago its first readers are long since grown up.</em> <br /><br />So that's where that word came from.<br /><br />I was also surprised to learn that the original Goops books are still in print today.<br /><br />There is also a small company called <a href="http://www.thegoops.com/"> Goops Unlimited </a> which sells modern Goops books and merchandise. It was created by a seventy-year-old grandmother and atwenty-year-old young man and has been in business for a decade. <br /><br /> <br />RACHEL, RACHEL<br /><br />Last Sunday I wrote a blog entry about Rachel Field, best known in children's book circles for writing HITTY : HER FIRST HUNDRED YEARS. I ended my piece with this: <br /><br /><em>And I am still left wondering if we've ever had another creator with such wide-ranging talent: plays, poetry, children's fiction, adult novels, a Newbery, a Newbery Honor, a Caldecott text, two Pulitzer contenders -- plus she illustrated many of her own books!<br /><br />I'm also wondering if anyone can answer three questions I have about this author:<br /><br />Does anyone know where the original Hitty doll is? Is she owned by a library or museum?<br /><br />Does anyone know what happened to her daughter Hannah?<br /><br />Finally, I've read that Ms. Field was well-loved by her friends for designing personalized Christmas cards, and for giving them copies of her own books which, originally printed in black-and-white, she had hand illustrated with oolor paints. Has any collector ever come across any of these cards or books? Wouldn't it be a coup to find one?</em> <br /><br />I'm happy to say that I now have answers to these questions. <br /><br />Blog reader Wendy informed me that Hitty now resides in the Stockbridge Library in Massachusetts. This sent me to the internet to find a picture of the real doll. If you Google "Hitty" with "Stockbridge," you will find quite a few...but they are all protected by so many copyright notices and warnings not to reproduce, that I dared not poach one for my blog today. However, I can provide links for you to see the original Hitty doll <a href="http://hittypreble.com/originalhitty.html"> here </a> and <a href="http://www.julieoldcrow.com/museum/souv/stockbridge2011/2011stockbridge.html"> here. </a><br /><br />I also did a little internet research and came across a <a href="http://bangordailynews.com/2011/08/04/living/conversations-with-maine-lifestyle/rachel-field-%E2%80%94-poet-writer-daughter-of-maine/"> wonderful article </a> that Robin Clifford Wood wrote for the Bangor Daily News. <br /><br />Get this: Robin Woods <em>lives in </em>Rachel Field's old house on Maine's Sutton Island.<br /><br />Even better than that, Ms. Wood says in her article, "Relics and papers from her time in the house remained on shelves, in drawers and stored away in the attic."<br /><br />Can you think of anything better than moving into a home once owned by a favorite writer -- and finding bits of their work still in residence?<br /><br />Although usually too shy to contact writers, I sent Ms. Wood an e-mail. It turns out she is the midst of writing a book about Rachel Field, and has done a lot of research on the author's life. <br /><br />I'll be first in line to buy that book!<br /><br />Meanwhile, Robin was able to answer some of the questions I had. <br /><br />I was very curious to learn how Rachel Field's relics and writings could be left in her Maine home for so many decades.<br /><br />Robin explained, "The reason why Rachel's island house was so unchanged is twofold: First, there are no roads, and the house is a mile walk from the town pier, so when people move out they tend to leave things behind - especially furnishings, kitchenware, etc. Many of the contents actually pre-date Rachel. The second reason is that people generally go for only a few weeks a year, and the last decade or so before we bought it, it was virtually unused. No one was ever there long enough to care about cleaning out the attic!"<br /><br />She also discussed the greeting cards and hand-illustrated books I asked about: "There are still in existence many original hand-painted cards, notes, and books made by Rachel for friends. Most of them, at this point, are no longer in private collections. Several college and university collections have Rachel Field stuff, plus many smaller institutions and libraries. I've been to archives all over the country - including in Hollywood. It's amazing what you find once you begin to dig, and I've been working on this for several years. She was a wonderfully talented woman, with an amazing spirit."<br /><br />During my research this week, I had come across an obituary for Hannah Pederson, the adopted daughter of Rachel Field and her husband Arthur Pederson. According to findagrave.com, "Hannah married Gerald L. Tildsely on 30 January 1960" when she was barely twenty. They were divorced long before she died on the Fourth of July 1965. She was only twenty-five at the time.<br /><br />I asked Robin Wood what happened. <br /><br />It's a sad story.<br /><br /><br /><br />WHAT HAPPENED TO HANNAH<br /><br />It's one of the more indelible images in picture books.<br /><br />The dedication page from PRAYER FOR A CHILD, written by Rachel Field and illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones, reprints the book's cover illustration of a little blonde girl kneeling in prayer and simply says, "For Hannah."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMx2lN1s4PaOjOlOYDv4FOxRrVH2m8tz26oB2diSmSPkwUO5pEdvqk6S_Stzg8uzOkXNj9Ft7DN-SdyGcQ_jBZGgwgOaOIpvqtWw_GbMRY_Ad4bBcgHPLHStTRhskYzOONDP2RGCsPpc/s1600/img043.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMx2lN1s4PaOjOlOYDv4FOxRrVH2m8tz26oB2diSmSPkwUO5pEdvqk6S_Stzg8uzOkXNj9Ft7DN-SdyGcQ_jBZGgwgOaOIpvqtWw_GbMRY_Ad4bBcgHPLHStTRhskYzOONDP2RGCsPpc/s400/img043.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671228250246305874" /></a><br />Rachel Field wrote the poem "Prayer for a Child" for Hannah in 1941, just a year before her own death from cancer surgery complications. <br /><br />At the time, Hannah was only two years old.<br /><br />The poem, which begins, <br /><br /><em>Bless this milk and bless this bread. <br />Bless this soft and waiting bed <br />Where I presently shall be <br />Wrapped in sweet security....</em><br /><br />is a comforting list of items for which a young child would be grateful: her toys, her shoes, her "little painted chair."<br /> <br />The poem was published as a picture book in 1944, beautifully illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones. It would go on to win the Caldecott Award and remains in print nearly seventy years later.<br /><br />One wonders if young Hannah read this book as she was growing up. Did it bring back happy memories for her <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjw-7n8BENLSsfkzbf1WJCT7VP1B6bWKw84-4YRPK0yZAGdXZ5W9kyLF2VP5ekcJzmdKK9nm5NC1rXSMwY3QvUt9ZzKq55cIYOH5ulOBsmHFZNMNxBvi-1Zq4pQeKTGnoEVmUAR4v6j9E/s1600/prayer+one.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjw-7n8BENLSsfkzbf1WJCT7VP1B6bWKw84-4YRPK0yZAGdXZ5W9kyLF2VP5ekcJzmdKK9nm5NC1rXSMwY3QvUt9ZzKq55cIYOH5ulOBsmHFZNMNxBvi-1Zq4pQeKTGnoEVmUAR4v6j9E/s400/prayer+one.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671294289984548754" /></a><br />or did some rhymes -- such "Bless my Father and my Mother / And keep us close to one another" -- seem cruel in light of her mother's early death? <br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXJjVXfIovt3-sv6ou-u5PpAQP5_5qjzKfNbdeNouWOqSuF81zKjuaiL8YD4oFpJJo-RTmRER-xpDBuBbTAExZWxRaJeaJpZXti7CLSh1ki8JVB-OHd-I3jS8AzlnGspr3hjmUExhefg/s1600/prayer+two.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXJjVXfIovt3-sv6ou-u5PpAQP5_5qjzKfNbdeNouWOqSuF81zKjuaiL8YD4oFpJJo-RTmRER-xpDBuBbTAExZWxRaJeaJpZXti7CLSh1ki8JVB-OHd-I3jS8AzlnGspr3hjmUExhefg/s400/prayer+two.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671294290733250050" /></a><br />In answer to my question about Hannah's own early death, Robin Wood replied, "Although Rachel's husband, Arthur, tried to do his best for their daughter, he struggled with some depression himself. Hannah was cared for, but not tended to with any kind of rigorous direction. She married young, received an enormous inheritance, and went a bit wild. Her marriage ended after a year and she died of alcohol poisoning. Very sad."<br /><br />Very sad indeed. <br /><br />Rightly or wrongly, now whenever I look at the dedication page of PRAYER FOR A CHILD, I won't see the back of a girl snug in her pajamas and kneeling in gratitude but, instead, a sad young girl already turning away, turning away from life....<br /><br /><br /><br />HOW TO IDENTIFY A FIRST EDITION OF PRAYER FOR A CHILD<br /><br />If you are a picture book or Caldecott collector, you may be curious about how to identify a first edition of PRAYER FOR A CHILD.<br /><br />Here is the front of the dustjacket. It may or may not have a Caldecott seal on the front. The presence of this sticker does not necessarily mean your copy is not a first edition; it may be a first edition that was still in the warehouse at the time the award was received and the sticker was added before shipping to stores. However, the price on the front flap of the dustjacket <em>must </em>be $1.50, as that was the original price of the book.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2nH2jlCCihzPwqoDbNYodfIEHQ5PzZYEX-r1dqXwd7uMJdjlX4V3JtQZ_criCE8JlUElBXE-hOuuhGkyk9KPAeVaYhyphenhyphenXCRjQa5S40TRbAwU-3ZxlZUJcDvJrncbHdRsaKQk4GDwypf0/s1600/img039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 332px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2nH2jlCCihzPwqoDbNYodfIEHQ5PzZYEX-r1dqXwd7uMJdjlX4V3JtQZ_criCE8JlUElBXE-hOuuhGkyk9KPAeVaYhyphenhyphenXCRjQa5S40TRbAwU-3ZxlZUJcDvJrncbHdRsaKQk4GDwypf0/s400/img039.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671227881421753042" /></a><br />Removing the jacket, the binding must be beige with blue-inked illustrations that look exactly like this:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29G_egqtUKQXIUsUBD5JxSiSIfdit5LhcJkSyGMPjP36WsAyaf6rPMU-lTI-C973v5XHYFtp8rVoUgjEMk3UwcRwcY0ZmIM9PR3NmSBn7_wFJBRD0rLSBnEJMYfsHEw4aL03iQMJt134/s1600/img040.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 323px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29G_egqtUKQXIUsUBD5JxSiSIfdit5LhcJkSyGMPjP36WsAyaf6rPMU-lTI-C973v5XHYFtp8rVoUgjEMk3UwcRwcY0ZmIM9PR3NmSBn7_wFJBRD0rLSBnEJMYfsHEw4aL03iQMJt134/s400/img040.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671227865539224290" /></a><br />The front and back endpapers must also be blue. <br /><br />The title page must look exactly like this, with "1944" in the lower right-hand corner. If the date is missing or changed, it is not a first edition.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlG-QuQus8uWm1fOSxgwvGQhowX92PKxI1AnkF_YDGCHRpUm_5rCYlaOYOf_FvsIXlDJrj-32SRZqblrKxXEP-b1o3i9tF9WZQUQkpsDCrJ7RVAGNd_Rs3bxhPsTybo0LtECPpMLvIaCY/s1600/img041.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlG-QuQus8uWm1fOSxgwvGQhowX92PKxI1AnkF_YDGCHRpUm_5rCYlaOYOf_FvsIXlDJrj-32SRZqblrKxXEP-b1o3i9tF9WZQUQkpsDCrJ7RVAGNd_Rs3bxhPsTybo0LtECPpMLvIaCY/s400/img041.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671227860656593106" /></a><br />Finally, the copyright page must match this image. Do not worry about the "1941" copyright date; that refers to the date the poem itself was written and copyrighted. The top date of "1944" is the important one here And there must be no other dates (months or years) or printings listed on this page. If there are, this is not a first edition. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-l8IFWb3CuWPzabKHI4quS1jzF4a2zXHckpIbKdAC-nhNPnMUy4rJXtky71wC2NEJtv-0NrjTpwqpBXDxSm1FRdNGsbuBSrrW-gs7BPhHySqWUG6BNNYHZwMpE-yV1vH_BEbjxQRADvA/s1600/img042.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-l8IFWb3CuWPzabKHI4quS1jzF4a2zXHckpIbKdAC-nhNPnMUy4rJXtky71wC2NEJtv-0NrjTpwqpBXDxSm1FRdNGsbuBSrrW-gs7BPhHySqWUG6BNNYHZwMpE-yV1vH_BEbjxQRADvA/s400/img042.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671227856917133426" /></a><br />If your book matches all the above qualifications it may be worth $250-$300. If the dustjacket is missing, yet the book itself remains in very good condition, it should be somewhere between $50-$100. Add on $50-$100 if it's signed by illustrator Elizabeth Orton Jones. Walk away if it's signed by Rachel Field, as that would mean the book is a phony. Remember, she died in 1942, over two years before this book was published.<br /><br />I wonder if there are any copies out there signed by Hannah Pederson herself....<br /><br /><br /><br />FYI : TK<br /><br />Speaking of book collecting, if there's one thing we book collectors like it's ARCs!<br /><br />ARCs are paperbound "advance reading copies" (AKA uncorrected proofs, galleys, pre-pubs) of books sent out to reviewers, bookstore owners, and others in the months before the actual book is published. <br /><br />Sometimes these volumes are identical to the eventual published books.<br /><br />Other times they are fairly different, and may include typos, printing errors, and even changes in the text.<br /><br />Sometimes they are incomplete. <br /><br />Often the dedication is not filled in yet: <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnIwtiPVF_k27FfPnF8Wz1EPdWlcAR9_vwDQBO-w3Lkhyphenhyphen2yhI__GsSmx4GR_kD6wRDSiQNvTbY9u9OT0ZpLXfVsg4hkPCDtlKq9Y1asjdfco3mgxE3eu0Cj9iqu9jryBA9Jbmkj8c68k/s1600/tk1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnIwtiPVF_k27FfPnF8Wz1EPdWlcAR9_vwDQBO-w3Lkhyphenhyphen2yhI__GsSmx4GR_kD6wRDSiQNvTbY9u9OT0ZpLXfVsg4hkPCDtlKq9Y1asjdfco3mgxE3eu0Cj9iqu9jryBA9Jbmkj8c68k/s400/tk1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671933261937533506" /></a><br />Sometimes not all of the art is finished:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HjUeHwjlFtjAOjfVaSNgWAuhjXEOSuIDbPCc4vRUoo8R5AoIOIALbPShQdwFzfczFAdVkPuynqSiLoSkOHIkPjBne60mZDNGH7nMBAK6MKT-WIbt-mZYmfw1PddgCcnVsHl5vMTjd9s/s1600/TK2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HjUeHwjlFtjAOjfVaSNgWAuhjXEOSuIDbPCc4vRUoo8R5AoIOIALbPShQdwFzfczFAdVkPuynqSiLoSkOHIkPjBne60mZDNGH7nMBAK6MKT-WIbt-mZYmfw1PddgCcnVsHl5vMTjd9s/s400/TK2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671933259087228850" /></a><br />Someone recently asked me why the initials "TK" are used on these occasions. It seems fairly obvious that "TK" means "to come," yet we never see "TC" in such situations.<br /><br />I did a little searching on the subject this week and learned the following from Wikipedia:<br /><br /><em>To Come is a printing and journalism reference abbreviated "TK." It is used to signify that additional material will be added at a later date.<br /><br />TK is a combination of letters designed to catch the eye (it is also likely to be caught by computer spell-check programs, though the use of TK long predates the use of computers.) It may originally have come into use because very few words feature the letter combination of "t" followed by "k". The phrase "to come," by contrast, could very easily be mistaken as a deliberate part of the text, especially if read by an overworked editor late at night while on deadline.</em><br /><br />So now we know the answer to TK, OK?<br /><br /><br /><br />NEW YORK TIMES BEST ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN'S BOOKS, 2011<br /><br />Earlier this week the New York Times released its list of the "Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2011."<br /><br />The honored titles:<br /><br />ALONG A LONG ROAD / Frank Viva<br />A BALL FOR DAISY / Chris Raschka<br />BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON : SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI'S CANTICLE OF THE CREATURES / illustrated by Pamela Dalton ; text by Katherine Paterson<br />GRANDPA GREEN / Lane Smith<br />ICE / Arthur Geisert<br />I WANT MY HAT BACK / Jon Klassen<br />ME...JANE / Patrick McDonnell<br />MIGRANT / illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault ; text by Maxine Trottier<br />A NATION'S HOPE : THE STORY OF BOXING LEGEND JOE LOUIS / illustrated by Kadir Nelson ; text by Matt de le Pena<br />A NEW YEAR'S REUNION / illustrated by Zhu Cheng-Liang ; text by Yu Li-Qiong.<br /><br />What do you think? Any major books missing (the new Sendak? Kadir Nelson's <em>other </em>book, HEART AND SOUL)? Any books that really shouldn't be there?<br /><br /><br /><br />NYT VS. CALDECOTT<br /><br />I imagine there are a few illustrators out there thinking, "My book didn't make the New York Times list...so I guess I'm not going to win the Caldecott either!"<br /><br />Fear not!<br /><br />The NYT has been publishing their list for fifty-nine years now...yet only TWENTY of the titles on their lists have gone on to win the Caldecott Award.<br /><br />That's pretty amazing when you consider that the TIMES usually honors ten illustrated books per year (some of the early years listed fewer than ten.) <br /><br />Yet TWO THIRDS of the time, the Caldecott winner did not even find a place on the NYT's list of TEN BOOKS. <br /><br />This either says a lot about the differences in criticism and evaluation between separate award committees or proves what a bounty of wonderful picture books are released each year.<br /><br />In case you are wondering, these are the twenty Caldecott winners cited as NYT Best Illustrated Children's Books: <br /><br />1954 / MADELINE’S RESCUSE / Ludwig Bemelmans<br />1961 / BABOUSHKA AND THE THREE KINGS / illustrated by Nicolas Sidjakov; text by Ruth Robbins<br />1962 / ONCE A MOUSE... / Marcia Brown<br />1964 / WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE / Maurice Sendak<br />1977 ASHANTI TO ZULU: AFRICAN TRADITIONS / illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon ; text by Margaret Musgrove<br />1978 / NOAH'S ARK / Peter Spier<br />1980 / OX-CART MAN illustrated by Barbara Cooney ; text by Donald Hall<br />1982 / JUMANJI by Chris Van Allsburg<br />1985 / SAINT GEORGE AND THE DRAGON / illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman; text by Margaret Hodges<br />1986 / THE POLAR EXPRESS / Chris Van Allsburg<br />1993 / MIRETTE ON THE HIGH WIRE / Emily Arnold McCully<br />1994 / GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY / Allen Say<br />1997 / GOLEM / David Wisniewski<br />2004 / THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS / Mordicai Gerstein<br />2005 / KITTEN’S FIRST FULL MOON / Kevin Henkes<br />2006 / THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW / illustrated by Chris Raschka; text by Norton Juster<br />2007 / FLOTSAM / David Wiesner <br />2008 / THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET / Brian Selznick <br />2010 / THE LION & THE MOUSE / Jerry Pinkney<br />2011 A SICK DAY FOR AMOS McGEE / illustrated by Erin E. Stead; text by Philip C. Stead<br /><br />Just a few of the titles that the NYT didn't cite:<br /><br />TIME OF WONDER by Robert McCloskey<br />THE SNOWY DAY by Ezra Jack Keats<br />SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE by William Steig<br />...and David Wiesner's first two Caldecott winners<br /><br />It's interesting to note, however, that in recent years they seem to have included the future Caldecott winner every year except for THE HOUSE IN THE NIGHT by Beth Krommes, the 2009 awardee.<br /><br /><br /><br />ALMOST LOST THIS ONE<br /><br />They've been weeding children's books again at work and one of my jobs involves withdrawing the records from our online catalog. <br /><br />One book that crossed my desk was an early Andre Norton title, SWORDS ARE DRAWN. Published in 1944, it's a World War II action story that pre-dates Norton's reign as Queen of Science Fiction. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAwJmkGlxcpuh693CbOSFFWvWuJNry004BUCiMv-ljX_o-X9olMqKHNTkwsOmEGxPRN3r7FoTj9K78uuaJxS-5cSRvIA6LreeTX9dlTciNMmzjcTb0A6wZChLeyGIBFDeAsd4lQ1UT3o/s1600/swordc.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAwJmkGlxcpuh693CbOSFFWvWuJNry004BUCiMv-ljX_o-X9olMqKHNTkwsOmEGxPRN3r7FoTj9K78uuaJxS-5cSRvIA6LreeTX9dlTciNMmzjcTb0A6wZChLeyGIBFDeAsd4lQ1UT3o/s400/swordc.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671793128584683122" /></a><br />Opening up the book, I discovered that it was a first edition. It was also our only copy of this title. So I snagged it for our library's collection of rare and notable children's titles.<br /><br />SWORDS ARE DRAWN was the first of three books Ms. Norton wrote about Lorens Van Norreys. It was followed by SWORD IN SHEATH (1949) and AT SWORDS' POINTS (1954.) I know these books are highly-valued by collectors, and fairly hard to find. And expensive.<br /><br />But looking at this first book, I was struck by two things. <br /><br />The introduction talks about the Cleveland Press World Friends Club, a penpal organization sponsored by that newspaper which was, during the time SWORDS ARE DRAWN was published, on hiatus because of World War II. The introduction states that Andre Norton first came to know the novel's Dutch protagonist, Lorens Van Norreys, because he was a member of the Cleveland Press World Friends Club. <br /><br />I find this odd. The book does not state that "she based her fictional character Lorens on a real boy" but specifically seems to say that the protagonist of her book, Lorens Van Norreys, is a <em>real person</em>. Yet I've seen no other documentation that supports this. <br /><br />Does anyone know?<br /><br />Secondly, I was somewhat surprised by the book's adult, rather risque illustrations by an artist named Duncan Coburn. This one seemed like something you'd see in a "physique magazine" they might sell "under the counter" back in the forties:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHc_aFyyDMTN2m9xLuplBRe8cJmabpe2ZyFp60wiDZD7-pPoDceMC6WG81Mfb3wY0JW_TU3lFLPFlzVN0xum4B0wRvPS1KPEJ8EzxCGLGjLVlmPBsAZTp0Oqzf_vLsM8wmcE0Ju596wlo/s1600/img053.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHc_aFyyDMTN2m9xLuplBRe8cJmabpe2ZyFp60wiDZD7-pPoDceMC6WG81Mfb3wY0JW_TU3lFLPFlzVN0xum4B0wRvPS1KPEJ8EzxCGLGjLVlmPBsAZTp0Oqzf_vLsM8wmcE0Ju596wlo/s400/img053.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671244251316356322" /></a><br />Does anyone know anything about this artist? The only thing I could find was that he illustrated one other children's book -- COME, JACK : THE STORY OF A DOG by Robert W. McCulloch -- around the same time. After that, I see no references to him. Was he a casualty of the war? Did he move into another career? Did he start anonymously illustrating 1950s porn?<br /><br />It's amazing what you find in books almost lost in weeding projects.<br /><br />Like I always say, "It's better to read 'em than weed 'em."<br /><br /><br />THANKS<br /><br />Thanks for visiting Collecting Children's Books. More TK so I hope you'll be back -- even if you are a Goop! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UFADwwXr6CriqiykqkNk1_-gQBMhLWUeL89oexqv01JQpcVruJM75bZPHCYEuTkuRpj8uaohyphenhyphen8_F5BddZEGWi4HuC0zkEwU_BagUX768FQ7S1kt8KhH95wWy3sBjHvBnw8JruZQnN4k/s1600/img056.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 366px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UFADwwXr6CriqiykqkNk1_-gQBMhLWUeL89oexqv01JQpcVruJM75bZPHCYEuTkuRpj8uaohyphenhyphen8_F5BddZEGWi4HuC0zkEwU_BagUX768FQ7S1kt8KhH95wWy3sBjHvBnw8JruZQnN4k/s400/img056.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671247236856888514" /></a><br />I know I am!Peter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.com8