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By: Kathy Temean,
on 2/12/2013
Blog:
Writing and Illustrating
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All of us have heard of th
e Newbery Awards, but there is another very prestigious award that is given out every year that you may not be as familiar with. It is The Sydney Taylor Book Award and it is presented to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. Presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries since 1968, the award encourages the publication and widespread use of quality Judaic literature.
Gold medals are presented in three categories: Younger Readers, Older Readers, and Teen Readers.
Honor Books are awarded silver medals, and Notable Books are named in each category.
Kristina Swarner illustrated ZAYDE COMES TO LIVE written by Sheri Sinykin. The book was a 2013 Sydney Taylor Honor Books for Younger Readers Award. It was published by Peachtree Publishers.
Kristina’s illustrations are often described as magical and dreamlike and she draws much of her imagery and inspiration from dreams and from memories of exploring forests, gardens, and old houses when she was a child.
Since graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design, Kristina has illustrated books, greeting cards, magazines, wine labels, CD covers, and theatre posters, and has won numerous awards. You will be hearing more about Kristina and her beautiful illustration on a future Illustrator Saturday post.
For now, I want too share with you some of the answers to questions I had for Kristina about this book and the wonderful recognition she has been awarded for this book.
How did you come involved with Zayde Comes to Live?
As I heard it, Jane Yolen recommended me to Sheri Sinykin as a possible illustrator. Luckily for me Peachtree Publishing agreed with the choice.
Tell use your thought processes when you knew you were chosen to illustrate the book. Did the ideas immediately come to you or did you play around with different ways to approach the book?
I really didn’t want to make the art too sad or pensive. The ideas evolved as I sketched, and the more I sketched, the more the tenderness and joyfulness of the story came out in the art.
How do books get considered for the Sydney Taylor Book Award?
So far it’s been a mysterious process to me, because my publishers submit the books without telling me, and then I’ll suddenly get a phone call that I’ve won.
Did you know that the book was under consideration for the award?
I suspected that it was, and Sheri confirmed it.
How did you find out that the book and your illustrations had won the award?
The call came on a grey day in early January. First I was asked how I would feel about being recognized again by the Sydney Taylor Committee. Of course I said that I would feel delighted.
What has happened since it won?
This early, it’s mostly been a lot of congratulations, and interviews. 
Congratulation Kristina! We will spend more time with you on Saturday February 23rd.
Below is the schedule for:
THE 2013 SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARD BLOG TOUR
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2013
Ann Redisch Stampler, author of The Wooden Sword Sydney Taylor Honor Award winner in the Older Readers Category At Shelf-Employed
Carol Liddiment, illustrator of The Wooden Sword Sydney Taylor Honor Award winner in the Older Readers Category At Ann Koffsky’s Blog
Doreen Rappaport, author of Beyond Courage: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust Sydney Taylor Honor Award in the Teen Readers Category At Bildungsroman
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013
Linda Glaser, author of Hannah’s Way Sydney Taylor Book Award winner in the Younger Readers Category At This Messy Life
Adam Gustavson, illustrator of Hannah’s Way Sydney Taylor Book Award winner in the Younger ReadersCategory At Here in HP
Louise Borden, author of His Name was Raoul Wallenberg Sydney Taylor Book Award winner in the Older Readers Category At Randomly Reading
Deborah Heiligman, author of Intentions Sydney Taylor Book Award winner in the Teen Readers Category At The Fourth Musketeer
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 201
Sheri Sinykin, author of Zayde Comes to Live Sydney Taylor Honor Award in the Younger Readers Category At Read, Write, Repeat
Kristina Swarner, illustrator of Zayde Comes to Live Sydney Taylor Honor Award in the Younger Readers Category At Writing & Illustrating
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013
Linda Leopold Strauss, author of The Elijah Door Sydney Taylor Honor Award in the Younger Readers Category At Pen and Pros
Alexi Natchev, illustrator of The Elijah Door Sydney Taylor Honor Award in the Younger Readers Category At Madelyn Rosenberg’s Virtual Living Room
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013
Blog Tour Wrap-Up at The Whole Megillah
Did you notice that New Jersey Adam Gustavson won the award for his illustrations in Hannah’s Way? He was featured July 2, 2011 on Illustrator Saturday.
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
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I feel so much better. Do you know why????
Battle of the Books Brackets have been chosen. I knew there was a good reason to return to the land of ice and wind and Internet access. i just knew it.
Here they are:
Once again, I have read some, but not all, of the books. I have direction! I have purpose! I have a goal. I love Battle of the Books.
Now, the brackets are chosen BEFORE the American Library Association announces their
Book Award Choices - which ALA did last Monday right before I re-learned body surfing on a Caribbean beach.
For the complete ALA approved list of
Newbery Award winners, here you are. Caldecott Winners, click here.To check on all the other awards - for best children's non-fiction, or YA book, or social justice book, concept book, go to the
ALA Book Awards page and click on the individual links. There are just too many great books written for young people.
If you go to
BoB's current post, you will see how well the Brackets match the ALA Award winners. As always, judge's comments and the Peanut Gallery responses will be some of the best blog-reading of the year.
Oh, I wonder when we get to vote for the Undead. Or, gasp, has that vote been cast? And who will be this year's awesome author/judges? So many questions! So many books! So little time! Excuse me, I have to put books on hold at the various libraries of which I am a member.
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By: Mary Ann Scheuer,
on 1/28/2013
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Today was a certainly a day for Librarians Gone Wild! Across the nation, librarians gathered to watch the live announcements of the Newbery, Caldecott, Corretta Scott King Awards and more. Their were shouts of joy as favorites were honored, and sighs as others were not selected. But it is a happy day for all, as our profession celebrates the most distinguished and outstanding books for children.
I'll do a quick roundup today, and feature these outstanding books over the next several weeks.
Caldecott Award
As our Emerson 2nd graders know, this award honors the illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book. One book receives the gold medal, and today four books also received the silver honor awards.
This Is Not My Hat
illustrated and written by Jon Klassen
Candlewick Press, 2012
2013 Caldecott Medal winner
available at your local library and on Amazon
This darkly humorous tale will take kids by surprise as they wonder about the little fish who steals the enormous fish's hat and thinks he can get away with it. I can't wait to have kids act out this book, telling it from different points of view.
Five Caldecott Honor Books also were named. I am so happy that such a wide range of books have been honored. Some, like Creepy Carrots, amp up the fun, while others, like Green, mesmerize you with their beauty.
Creepy Carrots! illustrated by Peter Brown
written by Aaron Reynolds
Simon & Schuster, 2012
2013 Caldecott honor award
my reviewavailable at
your local library and on
AmazonExtra Yarnillustrated by Jon Klassen
written by Mac Barnett
Balzer + Bray / HarperCollins, 2012
2013 Caldecott honor award
our Mock Caldecott discussionavailable at
your local library and on
Amazon
Greenillustrated and written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Neal Porter Books / Roaring Brook Press, 2012
2013 Caldecott honor award
One Cool Friendillustrated by David Small
written by Toni Buzzeo
Dial Books / Penguin, 2012
2013 Caldecott honor award
Sleep Like a Tigerillustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
written by Mary Logue
Houghton Mifflin, 2012
2013 Caldecott honor award
This award honors the writer of the most distinguished American book for children. It can be a picture book, but much more often it is a full length book. It can be either fiction or nonfiction, although most commonly it's fiction. One book receives the gold medal, and today three books also received the silver honor awards.
I have been giving
The One and Only Ivan to kids all summer and fall - as birthday presents, pressing into their hands in the library, carrying it to classrooms as soon as it's returned. This is a book that will touch your heart, make you think deeply about the way we treat animals. Even more than that, it will lead to conversations about friendship, humanity and respect. What a joy that this wonderful book received the Newbery Medal.
Three Newbery Honor Books also were named. They also show us the splendid range of children's books. I adored each and every one, from the enchanting historical fantasy of Spendors and Glooms to the fast-paced nonfiction of Bomb, to the mystery that kept me laughing of Three Times Lucky.
Splendors and Gloomsby Laura Amy Schlitz
Candlewick Press, 2012
2013 Newbery honor award
available at
your local library and on
AmazonBomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous WeaponSteve Sheinkin
Flash Point / Roaring Brook Press, 2012
2013 Newbery honor award
Three Times Luckyby Sheila Turnage
Dial Books / Penguin, 2012
2013 Newbery honor award
available at
your local library and on
AmazonI know I'm not able to say much about these books right now, but if you're willing to take a gamble, try one of them out. Each one of them is truly outstanding. That doesn't mean it will work for every kid, but rather that for the right audience they are exceptionally compelling, engrossing and memorable.
Well, I'm off to bed to rest after a wonderful weekend full of "Librarians Gone Wild". I feel truly lucky to be able to connect with amazing authors, inspiring professionals and enthusiastic publishers. But most of all, I feel incredibly lucky to be able to share these books with children, thinking of just the right book for each different kid.
If you make a purchase using the Amazon links on this site, a small portion goes to Great Kid Books (at no cost to you!). Thank you for your support.
©2013 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books
A little late but still got it out before the end of October and the imminent arrival of Frankenstorm. I spent a goodly part of yesterday preparing for the hurricane by baking pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Now you know where my priorities lie.
The year has passed like a blur and there’s an interesting consistency to the books being discussed for Newberys and Caldecotts. Newberys anyway. This may be an entirely Wild Card Caldecott year as far as I can tell. There are no sure fire winners. Only worthy contestants. Let’s begin!
Newbery 2013
The Unfortunate Son by Constance Leeds – I stand by this one. It was weird when I put it on my last prediction list and weirder still that I’ve not removed it. But the fact of the matter is that when we think of the word “distinguished” and apply it to writing, Leeds’ book stands up time and time again. If you haven’t read it yet, I think you’ll have to grab yourself a copy and take a gander. Shield thine eyes against the brown-ness of the book jacket and enjoy the stellar writing. Yes, it’s a wild card, but such a lovely fun one.
Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin – In spite of having one of the more difficult names to remember, I think this is my current front runner. Yep. I think we’ve got a gold medal winner on our hands. It isn’t just the fact that it’s better than its predecessor (which won an Honor back in the day). It’s the fact that Lin seamlessly weaves her folktales into the narrative in such a way that you half suspect she made them up (she didn’t). It’s the fact that the writing is cyclical, referring back to itself and to the characters both telling and listening to the story. It’s the fact that it’s masterful. Nuff said.
Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Obed – My pet beloved, and STILL it is not out yet. Is there any way to curse a book more than to release it in November? Talk is minimal about it, though it has gotten starred reviews already and Travis Jonker gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up over at 100 Scope Notes. Consider this one the stealth contestant. Nobody will see it coming . . .
Wonder by R.J. Palacio – Normally when a book breaks as early as this one did in the year it is either forgotten or less discussed by the year’s end. Not the case with Wonder. This is a case of a book coming out in the right place at the right time. It managed to simultaneously touch people on an emotional level, wow them on a literary one, and (most important of all?) it falls under the sway of the current Anti-Bullying craze sweeping the nation. Whole schools are adopting it as their One Book reads. I had a discussion with someone the other day about how many award winners win simply because of timing. Could Smoky Night by David Diaz or The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordecai Gerstein (or even Johnny Tremain for that matter) have done so well if they hadn’t be published precisely when they were? By the same token, Wonder at least has a VERY good chance at a Newbery honor. Note that it didn’t make it onto the National Book Award finalists, though. That may be why I’m not so sure of its gold chances.
Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker – If the book is sunk by anything at this point it may be the ending. Not the happiness found there, mind. I was a-okay with all of that. Rather, the lack of attention the press takes in the story and the mildest of mild slaps on the wrist to the characters. Still, in terms of character development this is maybe the strongest children’s novel of the year.
Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz – Shaking off the rather ridiculous notion that the book is boring (how much more blood would it take to be exciting exactly?) what has surprised me time and time again about this book is the reaction from patrons and librarians. I expected to be the one lonely voice howling in the wind about its loveliness. Instead I find myself just an average alto in a very large chorus. Nina at Heavy Medals thinks it’s a love it or hate it title, but I have been surprised at how few folks I’ve run across dislike it or think it’s anything less than fantastic. I recently did a Wolves of Willoughby Chase event and when asked who is akin to Joan Aiken, Ms. Schlitz’s name popped immediately to mind. For writing alone, this should win something.
Bomb by Steve Sheinkin – Just as folks like Jonathan Hunt have their own tendencies when they talk about potential winners (he pushes YA, nonfiction, and easy/picture books) my personal bugaboo is the YA novel that wins a Newbery. The award goes until the age of 14 so, technically, many is the book that could win. However, I’ve always disliked it when a book meant for an older audience wins the day. We have the Printz and though it does not receive the same press as the Newbery, I feel it covers the tween crowd quite nicely. There are always exceptions, which is why I’m not exactly sitting down to rewrite the Newbery criteria. Case in point, Bomb. What I love about this is that while it does have an older audience in mind, the content is the kind of thing I’ve had many many 10, 11 and 12-year-olds asking me for over the years. They want bomb info. This book delivers and, amazing as it is to say, Jonathan actually agrees with me on this one. Wowzer!
Crow by Barbara Wright – I have a co-worker with a near supernatural sense of ALA Award winners. A year ago she kept harkening back to A Ball for Daisy. Kept saying how worthy it was and how the wordless sequences really put it over the top. This year she’s been getting the same feeling about Crow. I will admit to you that it took a long time for me to pick this Reconstruction-era tale up but when I finished I was glad that I did. It is worthy? No question. What may sink it is the question of kid-friendly reading. Technically this is not a serious consideration on the part of the Newbery committee, but it’s still something they take into account. Then again, my co-worker is so rarely wrong . . .
Not Mentioned (and why!):
- The One and Only Ivan by Katharine Applegate – I was very fond of this one but I’m not sure if I’m ready to stick my flag into it and declare it a whole new world. It does some great things and like Wonder is very timely (the real Ivan died this year). Trouble is, it relies on a plot point that I’ve heard contested in more than one circle, so I’m not sure if it will get all that far.
- The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine – I was actually a big fan of this one. Really well done. Just didn’t quite have that little extra something to make it a Newbery.
- No Crystal Stair by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson – Too YA. Though if we consider the sheer lack of multiculturalism this year I’d be more than happy to have it seriously considered.
- Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead – Love the book but I’m not sure of its long term staying power. A good one to be aware of in any case.
- Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage – I adore it but this has turned out to be a hugely divisive book. Please, oh please, dear sweet committee, prove me wrong!
Caldecott
(this kind of thing is so much easier to do when the New York Times Best Illustrated List has already come out)
And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead – In a year that could conceivably be considered Stead vs. Stead vs. Stead (this, Phil’s A Home for Bird, and the duo’s Bear Has a Story to Tell) of all the Steadifying of 2012 this book remains my favorite. It’s not just Fogliano’s delightful but careful and subdued writing. It’s how Ms. Stead has chosen to portray the sheer swaths of time left waiting for something to grow in the spring. This is a book about restraint (a notion foreign to most small children). Let us hope the committee is not the least bit restrained and gives is a glorious little award.
Step Gently Out by Helen Frost, photographs by Rick Lieder – As a woman who spent her young adult life certain that she would become a professional photographer (ah, crazed youth) my heart is still firmly in the court of photography. There is, naturally, the question of whether or not a book complemented by photographs constitutes “illustration”. In the fine art world photography has always been pooh-poohed as a lesser art, and some of that prejudice slips down even to the world of children’s literature. Indeed, no work of pure photography has ever won a Caldecott (the only near exception being Knuffle Bunny’s mix of photos and images). Certainly I always thought that if any photographer got such an award it would have to be Nic Bishop. If it happened to go to Rick Lieder instead, however, I would not mind a jot.
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen – The last time I mentioned my predictions I failed to include this little gem. The response from the artists out there was a universal cry of support. Mr. Klassen is very big amongst his fellows. That being said, there is some concern that the heroine of this book does not hold her knitting needles correctly. I can’t seem to find my copy but if true then this could potentially disqualify the book. FYI.
Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger – I refer you now to Lolly Robinson’s discussion at Calling Caldecott where she waxes rhapsodic about the various traits worth celebrating in the title. To my horror, however, she pointed out a small mistake. It sounds like a mild design issue and hopefully not a dealbreaker. Just the same, it could well reduce what I once thought of as the Caldecott frontrunner to an Honor. Or maybe not! I’m still counting on getting a green Newbery/Caldecott dress out of this.
Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff – A smart mix of tribute and original storytelling/art. One of the younger Caldecott contenders seen here, and I think that’s important. It is restrained in its text, but to just the right degree. Hopefully the committee will see it for the smart little book that it is.
Not Mentioned (and why!):
- Z is for Moose by Kelly A. Bingham, ill. Paul O. Zelinsky – Hugely popular it is. Lots of fun as well. I’m just not certain it outshines the other potential candidates this year, that’s all. Still a stellar piece of work, no matter how you slice it.
- This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen – No, I’m afraid his work on Extra Yarn has a better chance. This one is a visual stunner, but not quite there on the writing side.
- Oh No! by Candace Ransom, ill. Eric Rohmann – Great book but alas someone showed me a perspective problem near the end that may sink it for the committee. Doggone it.
And your thoughts?
Some exciting new books for kids are premiering tomorrow, October 2nd.
Madeline L'Engle's 1962 Newbery Award winning, A WRINKLE IN TIME, is being revisited as a graphic novel.
SON by Lois Lowry is the fourth book in her futuristic world that began with THE GIVER, another Newbery winner, and continued with GATHERING BLUE and MESSENGER.
Both these new stories are fantasies. I told you last week about just having finished ADVENT by James Treadwell. That fantasy reminded me of a classic fantasy series by Susan Cooper, THE DARK IS RISING. You should check it out.
All of the above reads have been for YA readers, but another fun fantasy series is THE CHRONICLES OF PRYDAIN by Lloyd Alexander. It's not new, but middle grade readers should enjoy it. Lots of adventure, plus some laughs.
Today is the perfect day to start exploring a new world. Why not open a book and begin your adventure--if you dare!
A student recently told me he liked reading historical fiction that made him think about things in a new way. Some tweens really enjoy reading books that take them to new places, but this student was looking for more. He not only wanted to visit a new place, he wanted a book that would expand his thinking in a deeper way. If your tween is looking for a book to stretch their thinking, try Heart of a Samurai
, winner of a Newbery Honor Award this winter. It's a fascinating look at Japan and America in the mid-19th century.
Heart of a Samurai
by Margi Preus
NY: Amulet, 2010
ages 11 - 14
available on Amazon and at your local library
2011 Newbery Honor Award
2010 Asian/Pacific American Award for Childen's Literature
Inspired by the real life adventures of Manjiro Nakahama, Margi Preus has written a riveting historical fiction, filled with action, suspense and conflicting cultures. At the age of 14, Manjiro was a young teen living in a small Japanese village when he went to work on a fishing boat. On January night in 1841, his boat was caught in a terrible storm and the crew washed up onto a tiny remote island. After barely surviving on this rocky outcrop, Manjiro and his shipmates were rescued by an American whaling ship passing by. The American captain, John Howland, treats them with respect, but life aboard the whaler is not easy. Manjiro must learn English, try to understand the ways of the Americans, and earn the respect of both his Japanese crew and the American crew.
I was fascinated by the tensions between the isolationist Japanese culture and the expansionist, nationalist American culture. Manjiro decided to stay with Captain Howland, effectively becoming his son and returning to Massachusetts with him. Preus helps readers think abo
I'm away for a long weekend at the American Library Association, known in my household as "Librarians Gone Wild," the annual meeting where librarians from around the country (and world) gather to talk, share and trade. It's hard to put into words how wonderful this experience is so far, but I think the greatest part of it has been making connections with people whose work I've read - authors, bloggers, friends on GoodReads, librarians on list-serves, reviewers.
On the first day, I walked into the exhibit hall's graphic novel artist's lane because I knew my students adore graphic novels. I'm quite a shy person, not very good at asserting myself into conversations, so I was waiting patiently to say hi to
Raina Telgemeier
, the author of our most popular graphic novel
Smile, when she saw me and shouted, "Mary Ann! Hello!!!" and gave me a huge hug. I've never met Raina or her husband
Dave Roman
before, but I've shared my enthusiasm for their stories on my blog and on Twitter. My support (and truly, the support of my students) has meant a lot to them, and Raina recognized me immediately from my blog - I was stunned!
I'm just thrilled to connect with the people who create these stories that mean so much to our children. That's really the heart of it. These stories enrich our children's lives, help them make meaning out of the confusing times, bring them hope and joy when they may be sinking low, and keep them company when they may feel alone. And I want to be able to share that appreciation with the artists who make huge efforts and take tremendous risks to share these stories.
I also have loved meeting and connecting with other librarians, bloggers and book lovers at the conference. Today I met three bloggers and librarians I really admire:
Brenda Kahn of
1 Comments on Whirling, spinning, with books in hand at #ALA11, last added: 6/28/2011
If you’ve read my blog in the last year you may have heard me mention a little something called the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival. Said aloud it sounds like The 92nd Newbery Film Festival (which is not too far off since 2012 will be the 90th Newbery Award). However the entire premise was this: Kids from around the world (yes world) filmed 90-second or so versions of various Newbery Award and Honor books. They sent these books to YA author James Kennedy (of The Order of Odd-Fish) and he collected, curated, organized, tightened, and generally got them into working order. Now James received more than 100 entries, so those were culled down to a select few that he is showing in three theatrical showings. Here in New York our film festival this past Saturday was the first and played in the main branch of the library system. Subsequent showings will be held in Chicago and Portland, Oregon.
For this performance, James had a difficult job ahead of him. Essentially he had to take the best aspects of what you get at your average school play and avoid the pitfalls such performances normally contain. He also had to wrangle some special guests and actors because a festival of just films might be fine, but it wouldn’t be kickin’.
So it was that co-master of ceremonies Jon Scieszka, Newbery Award winner Rebecca Stead, author Ayun Halliday, her hugely talented children India and Milo, and the kids of Writopia Labs all gathered together to put on what I can only call a helluva show.
My job in all of this was simple: Bring water to performers. Keep the calm. Don’t panic. Don’t let the auditorium fill to above capacity.
Well, three out of four ain’t bad, right? Turns out that while I excelled in the calm/no panic/water area, I had a hard time coming down on the auditorium rule. How could I help it? James’s show was clearly a hit. Here’s what it looked like before the latecomers started sneaking in:
I would have been displeased if I hadn’t been so thrilled.
The show started off with a bang. Scieszka and Kennedy brought to mind the old vaudeville acts of old. In their pseudo-tuxes the two managed on the spot to create two characters out of thin air. Jon, the gleeful worldly New Yorker with a gleam in his eye. James, the hardworking up-and-comer form Chicago with a chip on his shoulder in the face of Jon’s smugness.
The show began with James’s version of A Wrinkle in Time, that magnificent video that went viral (90,400 views of it on Vimeo alone). After it ended James reminded everyone that this is going to be an annual film festival. “So if you’re inclined, start thinking about what 90-second Newbery films you might want to do for next year’s film festival. You’ll be thinking, ‘I can do that, but a million times better.’ DO! You don’t have to have a dance party at the end.”
5 Comments on The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival: New York Style, last added: 11/7/2011
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by Jennifer L. Holm.
series, as well as wonderful historical fiction, including 
Turtle in Paradise
, and - oh, how this book spoke to me, made me laugh and cry and feel and connect. I absolutely loved it.
The Wednesday Wars
narrated by Joel Johnstone
Erin Stead lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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Congrats, Kristina! How wonderful
Kristina’s illustrations are perfect for this touching book.