Oh yeah, you read that right. Not only am I going to try to tackle my stack of librarian previews just waiting to be typed up, but I’m beginning with a company that had its very first preview for the New York librarian set here last week. School Library Journal was kind enough to lend the Boston-based publisher use of one of their brand new conference rooms, so up traipsed a whole host of Candlewickians to present their some of their list. Not everything can always be covered, of course, but thanks to the combined efforts of Sharon Hancock, Sarah Ketchersid, Joan Powers, and Jenny Choy we got a glimpse of some of the best of the upcoming goodies.
Trev Jones of SLJ began the introductions, welcoming us to SLJ’s new offices. Having moved in as recently as June, I’d not had a chance to experience the glimpse of Varick Street and beyond before. Trev welcomed Candlewick, but also mentioned that there is a new blog on SLJ. Called Adult Books 4 Teens it’s run by Angela Carstensen and covers exactly that. In turn, that aspect of the print edition of SLJ will no longer be happening. Instead, these reviews will appear on the blog and will then be collected on the web with the other SLJ reviews. FYI, folks!
Now the fun stuff. Candlewick chose to eschew the notion of PowerPoints, opting instead for yummy food and the actual physical books themselves. Attendees were handed little pamphlets, just the right size for taking notes.
First up, a Charlie and Lola book. I should probably say, a real Charlie and Lola book since I’m sure some of you have libraries that have been inundated with the television-based picture books that look like they’re from the pen of Lauren Child and, in fact, are not. This one really and truly is. Called Slightly Invisible (possible quote from Child: “I am more than just a super cute title”), it was inspired by a child fan of the books. The kid once asked Ms. Child if she ever felt even slightly inclined to write a book where Charlie gets annoyed with Lola. Those of you familiar with the series may feel horrified at the very suggestion, as Charlie is, at times, near angelic in his patient, very British way of handling his younger sis. However, in this particular book Charlie and his friend Marv are attempting to pretend an array of different situations, only to find Lola carelessly waltzing through said situations guilelessly. Their attempts to escape her do not meet with much success. Fans of Lola’s invisible friend Soren Lorensen will be pleased to hear that he makes an appearance (so to speak) in the book. And, of course, there is an invisibility potion that goes awry.
I spotted the cover of Mitchell’s License by Hallie Durand across a crowded room long before Sharon Hancock got around to presenting it. This is because I’ve been on a
9 Comments on Librarian Preview: Candlewick (Spring-Summer 2011), last added: 11/8/2010
Tony Fucile = Few-Chili
Tony Fucile’s last name is pronounced “foo-CHILL-lee.”
By the way, Tony was an animation supervisor and character designer for The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, among other animated features. He’s a giant in character design, as far as I’m concerned.
So clearly the debate is on. Is it foo-CHILL-lee or few-Chili? A cookie lies in the balance.
It’s an Italian name and in Italy it would be pronounced foo-CHEE-lay. I don’t know how HE pronounces it, though.
Cookie?
It means rifle, by the way.
I’m about to show just how geeky I am: on the Iron Giant DVD director commentary, Tony pronounces it as “foo-chili”, not “foo-CHEE-lay.” As for the cookie, no worries for me – the first comment wasn’t up when I made mine!
Let’s just split the cookie evenly between Sergio and Ward. That’ll make things simple for everyone. I love the Iron Giant evidence, though. Now THERE is a trivia question!
Looking forward to Pick-up Game… I can NEVER have too many basketball books! thanks Betsy!