By: bookkm,
on 3/20/2013
By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 5/31/2012
What am I reading now? Bras & Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski
The Artist Who Painted A Blue Horse
Folks, I’ve got some exciting news! Eric Carle, the legendary picture book author, is set to publish his first new picture book in over four years. Mark your calendars because The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse is scheduled for an October 2011 release.
The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse is inspired by the expressionist painter Franz Marc and is said to tell of an artist who “paints the world as he sees it.” In a Publishers Weekly article, Carle said, “When I was in high school, in WWII Germany, I was secretly shown works by the banned Expressionist painters by my teacher Herr Krauss. This was an experience that changed my life and had a deep impact on me.”
By: Thao,
on 5/8/2011
Last summer we drove miles and miles and refilled the gas tank so we could drive miles and miles more (and this was after traveling by train and Greyhound bus) to go see The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. This museum has been on my list of things to do for years, and [...]
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It’s not everyday that you get the chance to hear an acclaimed children’s writer/illustrator speak about his craft. So, sit down, relax and let the education begin:
By: Maryann Yin,
on 10/21/2011
The National Education Association (NEA) has teamed up with the NEA Foundation to host “The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse Charity Auction.”
The proceeds derived from the Internet auction will benefit the NEA Foundation’s “Art Inspires Learning, Learning Inspires Art” initiative. This project funds arts education grants for teachers. Follow this link to check out the artwork.
Here’s more from the release: “This initiative was inspired by Eric Carle‘s picture book The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, which celebrates imagination and artistic freedom. Each donated piece of art will feature that artist’s interpretation of a horse and celebrates imagination and the many and varied ways that each artist sees the world around him/her. The auction will include three waves of art: Group 1 will take place October 17th-27th. Group 2 will take place October 31st-November 10th. Group 3 will take place November 14th-24th.”
New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.
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A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the SCBWI Houston Editor’s Day, where five editors — Simon & Schuster’s Alexandra Penfold, Beach Lane Books’ Allyn Johnston, Golden Books/Random House’s Diane Muldrow, Egmont USA’s Elizabeth Law and Sleeping Bear Press’ Amy Lennex — talked about what they look for when they’re considering a book to publish, and the theme that came out of the day was books that resonate. Everyone seems to want books that kids will want to read over and over again, even when they become adults.
So what are these books that resonate? CNN yesterday posted an article offering some excellent examples: Children’s books: Classic reading for fans. The article talks about The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat, the Madeline books and Where the Wild Things Are.
The interesting thing is, the article says that often these books weren’t shoe-ins to publication. Dr. Seuss, perhaps one of the most famous picture book writer, was rejected 25 times before his first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, was picked up. And Where the Wild Things Are, although a Caldecott Medal winner, was controversial for its artwork.
For all of you who have gotten rejections, remember, DON’T GIVE UP.
If you have a story that you love with all your heart, even if it’s a little unorthodox for the genre — within reason, of course, in the case of children’s books — don’t let rejections get you down. Keep sending it out. One day, you’ll find the right editor and/or agent who will be the book’s champion, just like these books did.
Another interesting point of the CNN article is a quote by Alida Allison of the San Diego State University, who says all these classic books describe stories that follow a pattern of “home, away, home.” hmm Here are some other classic books that follow that pattern: Peter Pan; The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (in fact all the Narnia books); and Wizard of Oz. Maybe there’s something in that.
In the CNN article, Allison says: “If you think of all those stories, there’s a loving parent … allowing a transgressive kid a leash to investigate the world and come back.” And through the child’s eyes, parents find their sense of wonder renewed, she adds.
When I was a kid — and still now, I have to admit — any book is exactly that: an opportunity to investigate the world, any world, and come back.
What are your favorite classic children’s books?
Write On!
By: Rachael Walker,
on 3/17/2009
Guest Blogger Rachael Walker is the Outreach Consultant for Reading Rockets, a national multimedia initiative which aims to inform and inspire parents, teachers, childcare providers, and others who touch the life of a child by providing comprehensive, accessible information on how to teach kids to read and help those who struggle. Rachael began her career in literacy outreach at Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), has also served as a consultant to the NEA’s Read Across America campaign, and was most recently the Executive Director of Reach Out and Read of Metro DC.
It’s Tuesday! On Tuesday, he ate through two pears, but he was still hungry. Know who “he” was? The Very Hungry Caterpillar!
If you’re hungry for a reading adventure, celebrate the 40th anniversary of the publication of Eric Carle’s classic picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar with Reading Rockets’ free Family Literacy Bag. What Happens Next? The Very Hungry Caterpillar is one of seven activity packets designed to help educators and caregivers use fiction and non-fiction titles to support reading activities at home and encourage families to go on a reading adventure together.
This Friday might be an excellent day to take such an adventure. Philomel Books, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, has named March 20—the first day of spring—The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day. They offer a very celebratory activity kit (PDF) ideal for classroom and library use.
Spring is a great time to celebrate reading and there’s no shortage of opportunities to do so in April and May. Are you ready for the following reading events?
National Poetry Month: Celebrate poetry throughout April and end the month with Poem In Your Pocket Day on Thursday, April 30.
National D.E.A.R. Day: April 12 is author Beverly Cleary’s birthday and National Drop Everything and Read Day. Send this e-card to all the readers you hold dear!
National Library Week: The annual celebration of the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians is April 12-18. Celebrate with the theme, “Worlds connect @ your library.”
El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Day of the Child/Day of the Book): This April 30 celebration borrows from the traditional Mexican holiday and expands it to include literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Hear what children’s book author Pat Mora has to say about the founding of Día.
Get Caught Reading Month: Celebrated in May, but the Association of American Publishers’ nationwide campaign to remind people of all ages how much fun it is to read is promoted throughout the year. You can order their free posters of celebrities caught reading or make your own!
By: Joan S.,
on 3/1/2010
From time to time, the programs who get books from us let us know what they need. One of the biggest requests we get is for more Spanish language or bilingual offerings.
Well, we heard you, and we’d like to share the big news about an exclusive First Book first edition of the bilingual English/Spanish board book, Eric Carle’s classic picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Beginning this month, for the low, low price of $3.25, this book is available exclusively on the First Book Marketplace to our registered groups. This book is the only English/Spanish version on the market and a wonderful resource for our youngest readers. At retail, the board book in English or Spanish retails for $10.99.
We are thrilled to offer this exclusive, beautiful book to the programs serving kids who otherwise would not have classic children’s books in their lives.
Your blog is just wonderful!
Thank you so so much for the kind comment, Kristi. It really made my night :)