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1. Decatur Book Festival: The Importance of the Picture Book

By: Caroline Starr Rose, on 10/17/2012
Blog: Caroline by line (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: art, Mac Barnett, Leonard Marcus, Decatur Book Festival, Laurel Snyder, children's literature, picture books, Chris Raschka, Add a tag

In August, I attended the Decatur Book Festival. My favorite session by far celebrated the picture book and included author and children's book historian Leonard Marcus, author Laurel Snyder, author Mac Barnett, and author/illustrator Chris Raschka.

Here are some notes I took while listening in:

Last year, a front-page New York Times article talked about the picture book being on the way out, due to the digital revolution and ambitious parents interested in bypassing them all together.

Yet picture books still have an important place. They are a "gateway to a life-long appreciation of art and literature" and are "an authentic meeting place for parent and child." Author Laurel Snyder believes picture books are the "most innovative form of writing [she's] ever encountered." Mac Barnett spoke of the "sweet spot" blend of literary and commercial literature that isn't available in any other genre.

The simplicity of the picture book is deceiving. There is a tension between the text and image that is something bigger than the work the author and illustrator create. It is as if the two together equal more than the whole. Both adults and children make up the audience for these books, and the most effective satisfy both. There's the "rhythm of the page turn" to consider, as illustrator Chris Raschka says.

"Your language becomes clear and true when you take words away." - Laurel Snyder

"If I've written a picture book that works without pictures, I've failed." - Mac Barnett

5 Comments on Decatur Book Festival: The Importance of the Picture Book, last added: 10/26/2012

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Carolee Dean said, on 10/17/2012 2:43:00 PM

I was at a workshop earlier this week for speech-language pathologists and the professor, Gail Richard, Ph.D., was discussing how the brain develops in order to be ready for reading. She said that although some kids read precociously at age 3, that doesn't mean they understand what they are reading. She said the brains of most kids aren't ready until age 7, but sometimes much later (as late as age 10) and that to force kids to read before they are ready is not helpful.

So long live the picture book!

Caroline Starr Rose said, on 10/18/2012 9:44:00 AM

To forgo the rich vocabulary, the rhythms, and the work of the picture and text together in order to "advance" a child is a very sad thing.

Mia said, on 10/18/2012 3:07:00 PM

I love picture books and they are for everyone at any age. My kids -- 12, 10 and 7 -- still read picture books! The art itself is worthy of the book purchase in some picture books. It's also a complete story in 36 pages. The parents who think those repetitive chapter books are "more advanced" and "better" than picture books are completely misguided. Also, there are such great advanced picture books that have reading difficulty levels of chapter books. One Morning in Maine is one example. Mirette and any book by Patricia Polacco or Emily Arnold McCully.

Caroline Starr Rose said, on 10/18/2012 3:44:00 PM

Agreed and agreed. There are a number of picture books I used in my middle school classrooms. And when you think of it from strictly an art perspective, it's a very inexpensive purchase you can enjoy again and again.

Kimberley Griffiths Little said, on 10/21/2012 6:53:00 PM

You are so right about a picture book being an inexpensive piece of art. I've often thought that.

And Carolee's thought about kids learning to read later . . . so true. That happened with my middle child who knew the alphabet, devoured books, could sound out words, but would NOT read on his own and had no fluency. It finally kicked in when he was 9 years old - and he practically gave me heart failure with worry. But he jumped from three letter word stories to reading Jurassic Park in about 6 months. It was mind-boggling. There are a certain percentage of kids who do this and I'm so glad I was homeschooling him at the time because I fear he would have ended up in Special Ed - where I knew he didn't need to be. He's now my biggest reader of all three boys.

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By: Julie Fortenberry, on 8/3/2012
Blog: Children's Illustration (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Jacqueline Ogburn, Chris Raschka, Add a tag

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3. Fusenews: The Jack Gantos / Alfred E. Newman Connection

By: Betsy Bird, on 2/1/2012
Blog: A Fuse #8 Production (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Uncategorized, Battle of the Kids' Books, C.S. Lewis, Chris Raschka, Dewey Decimal System, Fusenews, G.K. Chesterton, Gwenda Bond, Infographics, J.R.R. Tolkien, Jack Gantos, Matilda, Maurice Sendak, Megan Whalen Turner, Neil Gaiman, Oliver Jeffers, stage adaptations, tattoos for every occasion, The Phantom Tollbooth, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, Add a tag

And then it’s February. How the heckedy heck did that happen? Looks like 2012 is already establishing itself as the Blink and You’ll Miss It year. Well, let’s get to it then.

First and foremost was the announcement of Battle of the Books 2012. Or, as I like to think of it, the place where Amelia Lost gets its bloody due (if there’s any justice in this world). We’re now in the earliest of the early days of the battle, but stuff’s on the horizon. I can smell it.

In other news there was an SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) meeting here in New York this past weekend. I didn’t attend because, apparently, if it’s way too convenient I’m absent. After checking out the recap on this blog, however, I clearly need to change my priorities. Though I had to miss the cocktail party on Friday I did attend Kidlit Drink Night which was PACKED, dudes. Packed to the gills!

I like me some Megan Whalen Turner, which is pretty much just another way of saying that I am human and I can read. In any case, the woman knows how to make words work. Case in point, this guest post she penned a little while ago which might as well be called The Evolution of Not-Telling Or, how my policy of not answering questions about my books began as self-serving and over time became something even more self-serving. Mm. Worth it. Thanks to Beth Fama for the link.

In her post Ms. Turner mentions the Mythopoeic Society. By complete coincidence I stumbled over yet another link involving that society in question. Neil Gaiman reprints an old speech he gave to the society in 2004 on C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, and Chesterton. A great look at how good fantasy can influence kids. Also a good look at how bad television programs lead kids to books. I believe it.

Well The Today Show may have passed up the chance to talk to the Newbery and Caldecott winners but leave it to NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me to speak to Jack Gantos for their Not My Job game. Someone must have tipped them off to the fact that the man is the world’s greatest interview. Love the Judy Blume reference. And though I thought I knew his Hole in My Life story, clearly I missed some details. Thanks to Susan Miles for the link.

Of course Jack and Chris Raschka were interviewed by SLJ about their respective wins. That’s good news about a Dead End in Norvelt companion novel. Ditto the idea of Raschka working on a Robie H. Harris title.

This 5 Comments on Fusenews: The Jack Gantos / Alfred E. Newman Connection, last added: 2/3/2012

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4. Re-Seussification Project: The Results

By: Betsy Bird, on 2/29/2012
Blog: A Fuse #8 Production (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Uncategorized, Aaron Zenz, Annie Beth Ericsson, Arnold Lobel, Bernadette Mount, Bernard Waber, Casey Girard, Chris Raschka, Dan Santat, Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, H.A. Rey, Helen Hill, Jarrett Krosoczka, Jim Larson, Jon Klassen, Laurent de Brunhoff, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Mike Boldt, Shel Silverstein, Todd Parr, Tomie dePaola, William Steig, Add a tag

It was kind of a kooky idea, I admit it. I’ve seen plenty of sites where artists will reinterpret someone like Maurice Sendak in their own styles. What I wanted was something a little different. I wanted to see what would happen if great children’s book illustrators illustrated one another. If a Lobel illustrated a Bemelmans. If a Carle illustrated a Silverstein. Trouble is, famous folk have a way of not bothering to illustrate one another (to say nothing of the fact that a bunch of them are dead as doornails). The solution? To offer a silly fun challenge. And so the Re-Seussification Project was offered: To re-illustrate any Dr. Seuss book in the style of another illustrator.

Now there was some question at first about revealing the identities of the people making the mash-ups. Some folks thought this fun contest was unfortunate because I wasn’t celebrating the great talents of up-and-coming artists. So as a compromise, I’ll present the art first and then the names of the artists at the bottom of the page. Makes it a little more streamlined anyway.

And now . . . the moment you’ve all been waiting for . . . in the order of the faux artists, here’s the lot!

So, we’re all friends here, right? Right off the bat I’m going to make a confession. In offering this contest all I really wanted was for someone somewhere to do an Eric Carle. It was a lot to ask since we’re talking about an artist dealing in the medium of cut paper. It looked like it wasn’t going to happen. Then, last night, the final submission was sent in and it was . . .

1. GREEN EGGS AND HAM IN AN ERIC CARLE STYLE

A brilliant way to start us off!

Next up, I’ve fond memories of this book. As a child of Kalamazoo I was slightly obsessed with any and every mention of my hometown, no matter where it might be. Dr. Seuss was one of the few authors to understand the true glory of my hometown’s name and for that I shall forever be grateful. It lifts my heart a little then to see him memorialized in the form of . . .

2. HORTON HATCHES THE EGG IN A LAURENT DE BRUNHOFF STYLE

I particularly like how worried Babar appears. One thing’s for certain. That elephant bird is gonna be one snappy dresser.

This next image didn’t go the easy route, no sir. Some illustrators have styles that are easier to imitate than others. For this next one I was incredibly impressed by the sheer details at work. From the border to the font to the colors to the fact that this looks like an honest-to-gosh watercolor. Hold onto your hats folks, for you are now in the presence of . . .

3. GREEN EGGS AND HAM IN A TOMIE DEPAOLA STYLE

The best part is that his name is signed with dePaola’s customary little heart. THAT is the attention to detail I crave.

10 Comments on Re-Seussification Project: The Results, last added: 3/1/2012

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5. Librarian Preview: Candlewick Press (Fall 2012)

By: Betsy Bird, on 4/24/2012
Blog: A Fuse #8 Production (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Uncategorized, Candlewick, Chris Raschka, David Ezra Stein, David Nytra, Doreen Rappaport, E.M. Kokie, Fall 2012 previews, Frank Viva, Gary Ross, Gigi Amateau, James Howe, Jon Klassen, Laura Amy Schlitz, Leslea Newman, librarian previews, Peter H. Reynolds, Rutu Modan, Scott Nash, Sean Beaudoin, TOON Books, Add a tag

You’ve got your big-time fancy pants New York publishers on the one hand, and then you have your big-time fancy pants Boston publishers on the other. A perusal of Minders of Make-Believe by Leonard Marcus provides a pretty good explanation for why Boston is, in its way, a small children’s book enclave of its own. Within its borders you have publishers like Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Candlewick holding court. The only time I have ever been to Boston was when ALA last had a convention there. It was nice, though cold and there are duckling statues.

So it was that the good people of Candlewick came to New York to show off some of their finest Fall 2012 wares. Now the last time they came here they were hosted by SLJ. This time they secured space in the Bank Street College of Education. Better location, less good food (no cookies, but then I have the nutritional demands of a five-year-old child). We were given little signs on which to write our names. I took an extra long time on mine for what I can only assume was an attempt to “win” the write-your-name part of the day. After that, we were off!

First up, it’s our old friend and Caldecott Honor winner (I bet that never gets old for him) David Ezra Stein. The fellow’s been toiling away with his paints n’ such for years, so it’s little wonder he wanted to ratchet up his style a notch with something different. And “something different” is a pretty good explanation of what you’ll find with Because Amelia Smiled. This is sort of a take on the old nursery rhyme that talks about “For Want of a Nail”, except with a happy pay-it-forward kind of spin. Because a little girl smiles a woman remembers to send a care package. Because the care package is received someone else does something good. You get the picture. Stein actually wrote this book as a Senior in art school but has only gotten to writing it officially now. It’s sort of the literary opposite of Russell Hoban’s A Sorely Trying Day or Barbara Bottner’s An Annoying ABC. As for the art itself, the author/illustrator has created a whole new form which he’s named Stein-lining. To create it you must apply crayons to wax paper and then turn it over. I don’t quite get the logistics but I’ll be interested in seeing the results. Finally, the book continues the massive trend of naming girls in works of children’s fiction “Amelia”. Between Amelia Bedelia, Amelia’s Notebook, and Amelia Rules I think the children’s literary populace is well-stocked in Amelias ah-plenty.

Next up, a title that may well earn the moniker of Most Anticipated Picture Book of the Fall 2012 Season. This Is Not My Hat isn’t a sequel to 4 Comments on Librarian Preview: Candlewick Press (Fall 2012), last added: 4/25/2012

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Karen said, on 4/25/2012 9:02:00 AM
I just cannot get over how amazing these covers are. Candlewick’s art and design team consistently knock it out of the park. I’m a total sucker for a graphic cover, and this is an entry of such eye candy.
Susie said, on 4/25/2012 12:23:00 PM
I have been a proud follower of Candlewick since their inception. What I wouldn’t give for a tour of their facility and a preview of their lineup. What a lucky reader you are!
Nathan Hale said, on 4/25/2012 1:10:00 PM
I agree with Karen–I especially can’t wait to see those Toon Books. Wowza!
Brenda Kahn said, on 4/25/2012 7:30:00 PM
Thanks for the preview. Lots to note here. I must say that I am always impressed by Candlewick Lists.

And, by some fortuitous alignment of the stars, I received an arc of Personal Effects. I haven’t blogged about it yet, but was blown away by this debut. One to note for sure.

brenda
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6. Splash into Summer with These Titles from Random House Children’s Books!

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By: TCBR, on 6/29/2012
Blog: The Children's Book Review (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Ages 0-3, Ages 4-8, Ages 9-12, Book Lists, Teens: Young Adults, Beth Ann Bauman, Candace Fleming, Carl Hiaasen, Chris Raschka, Jeanne Birdsall, Jillian Larkin, John Stephens, Julie Schumacher, Lauren Henderson, Lauren Kate, Maggie Kneen, Michael D. Beil, Michael Scott, Mini Grey, R.J. Palacio, Rose Cooper, Sarah Mlynowski, Summer reading, Tad Hills, Add a tag

By Mary Van Akin of Random House Children’s Books
Published: June 29, 2012

Two long-awaited conclusions to bestselling series!

RAPTURE

By Lauren Kate

The long-awaited, astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series is here! To stop Lucifer from erasing the past Luce and Daniel must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this–live only to lose Luce again and again. Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen. For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her–and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters. In the fight for Luce, who will win?

Random House Children’s Books | 978-0-385-73918-4 | June 12, 2012 | $17.99 | Ages 12-17 | 464 pages

Check out Fallen Books on Facebook!

THE ENCHANTRESS

By Michael Scott

The sixth and final book in the New York Times bestselling Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series. This internationally known series introduces readers to legendary historical and mythological figures—weaving history, myth, folklore, and magic together seamlessly. The twins of prophecy have been split. Nicholas Flamel is near death. John Dee has the swords of power. And Danu Talis has yet to fall. The future of the human race lies in the balance–how will the legend end?

Delacortes Press | 978-0-385-73535-3 | May 22, 2012 | $18.99 | Ages 12 and up | 528 pages

Check out The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series on Facebook!

Read the book that everyone is buzzing about!

WONDER

By R.J. Palacio

An emotional and beautiful novel about being the new kid. August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school–until now. He’s about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you’ve ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances? R.J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is ac

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7. Fusenews: Laika Chow!

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By: Betsy Bird, on 1/18/2011
Blog: A Fuse #8 Production (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Uncategorized, A. Bitterman, agents, Aimee Ferris, book jacket nattering, Chris Raschka, critical reviews, dead dogs, Fusenews, James Preller, John Hodgman, Louise Fitzhugh, Meghan McCarthy, metaphorical pudding, Mr. Peabody, New Blog Alert, potential tattoos, proms, Sandra Scoppettone, Suzuki Beane, Sydney Taylor, Triumvirate of Mediocrity, Ward Jenkins, Add a tag

Marketing yourself. Yeah, forget the hokey-pokey. We know what it’s really all about in this game. You poor authors and illustrators. Isn’t it enough that you sweat and strain to create the highest quality literature for the generation that will inherit the earth after we are dead and gone . . . and now you’ve gotta go and publicize your own book yourself?!? Who’s the yahoo who made THAT rule up? I feel your pain, and so in an effort to help you I shall direct you, today anyway, to someone who shows that the best way to bring attention to yourself is to be creative, low-key, and involve a lot of other folks. The author of Will Work for Prom Dress, Aimee Ferris (she of many names) has for the past few weeks been “posting daily photos of ‘mystery YA authors’ in their angsty teen best (showcasing a range of tragic teen fashion choices), as well as a few truly surly anti-prom shots on http://willworkforpromdress.com/ in anticipation of my upcoming book release on Feb 8.” She’s calling it the “Promapalooza” and promises that in the future weeks there will be serious cases of “Man Perm” an “Agent Week” and much much more. What she has up already is pretty impressive though. I’m not giving away who the cute gal in this photo I lifted from her site is, but I will say that she has a picture book out this year (and she’s definitely not me).

New Blog Alert: One of my favorite children’s book illustrators is now penning one of my favorite children’s book blogs. Meghan McCarthy participates from time to time on the Blue Rose Girls blog, but I always secretly hoped she’d strike out on her own someday. She has one of the more distinctive personalities, and her penchant for what kids like gels with what I like. So it is that she has begun Children’s Books: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly and it does not disappoint. Between talking about the mounted heads of Dr. Seuss to comparative studies between YouTube videos utilizing Post-It Notes (I am SO stealing one of those for Video Sunday) Meghan is constantly interesting and never dull. Just like her books.

Speaking of Blue Rose Girls, we’ve all heard of authors and illustrators talking about getting “the call” that told them they’d won a Caldecott or a Newbery. But an agent talking about getting “the call”? I’ve never heard of that one before.

Well, geez. I was all set to tell you about Ward Jenkins and his crazy contest to convince enough people to “Like” his Facebook profile page for the upcoming picture book Chicks Run Wild. He said that if 300 people “liked” it he’d wear a chicken suit. The happy ending? It hit 333 as of this post. Didn’t need my help. Chicken suit-up, Ward my man.

All sorts of folks have been sending in images of dads reading to their kids to James Preller’s 11 Comments on Fusenews: Laika Chow!, last added: 1/19/2011
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rams said, on 1/19/2011 4:15:00 AM
More than just a dog that dies — a dog you have to shoot yourself. Even better!
david e said, on 1/19/2011 4:55:00 AM
ew, what next, SOUNDER kibbles?

when, oh please, when will they stop destroying jay ward cartoons? who watches those things? my kids loved the originals when i showed them the DVDs and had no desire to see any of the movies that were made because the “looked dumb.”

and while i agree about john hodgman, i think he’s more deserving an original creation for voice work. something in the pixar family, i believe.

finally, i’ve had my eye on picking up a copy of suzuki bean ever since i found out about it a year ago. i’ve read the scribd copy but its become a sort of fetish desire object for me. i cannot explain why.
Elizabeth Dulemba said, on 1/19/2011 5:40:00 AM
They named the dog food after a dog that GOES MAD, then dies. Hm. Nutrition at it’s best. Wacky.
Ward said, on 1/19/2011 6:01:00 AM
You know, I would’ve suited up and worn that chicken suit in public even if I *didn’t* hit that magic number 300. It’s crazy the things we have to do to get our books noticed!
Jennifer Schultz said, on 1/19/2011 7:10:00 AM
I loved All of a Kind Family, and I was a Catholic kid growing up in the New Orleans area. I also loved Miriam Chaikin’s books, although hers were more subdued and serious (from what I remember…it’s been a while, but I think one of the siblings was chronically ill?).
Elizabeth Bird said, on 1/19/2011 7:45:00 AM
Hodgman did do the voice of the dad in Coraline. And I too am horrified by the notion of a Peabody movie but . . . . GAH! Not to have Hodgman, if you’re going to make the film anyway, seems the greatest crime of all. Downey Jr. can be Sherman, if he wants.
marjorie said, on 1/19/2011 8:43:00 AM
Why stop at rabid dead dog food? How about Velveteen Rabbit Food (plush and inedible and maybe tinged with scarlet fever, but LOOKS Real) or Wanda Gag Cat Chow (dosed with fertility drugs)?

And thanks for the All-of-a-Kind shout-out, Betsy!
Emily Calkins Charyk said, on 1/19/2011 9:50:00 AM
rams, that sounds like a great/horrible tagline for the bag “Old Yeller Dog Chow – for the dog you have to shoot yourself!”

I too loved All-of-a-Kind Family. Thanks for the heads up on that lovely article!
Dawn Mundy said, on 1/19/2011 11:12:00 AM
I live in KC, but haven’t been to the Reading Reptile in a while. I might have to scoot over there and see what’s what with the DNA collection…
James Preller said, on 1/19/2011 1:22:00 PM
Thanks for the shout out, Elizabeth. Much appreciated,

James Preller (Fathersread.com)
Genevieve said, on 1/19/2011 1:29:00 PM
Enjoyed the All-of-a-Kind Family article so much!! (There are five of the books, but I only knew about four of them till I was a parent, when I found the fifth.)
Also, there’s a great article linked in the All-of-a-Kind Family comments – links to a post about fictional characters reading about other fictional characters (as Henny in All-of-a-Kind Family waits early for the sequel to Anne of Green Gables, a plot point I had forgotten).
http://eveninaustraliakidlit.blogspot.com/2011/01/to-get-all-meta-on-you-books-about.html
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8. Review of the Day: Fortune Cookies by A. Bitterman

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By: Betsy Bird, on 1/27/2011
Blog: A Fuse #8 Production (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: picture book reviews, novelty book reviews, Chris Raschka, A. Bitterman, 2011 reviews, 2011 picture books, Uncategorized, Add a tag

Fortune Cookies
By A. Bitterman
Illustrated by Chris Raschka
Beach Lane Books (a division of Simon & Schuster)
$14.99
ISBN: 978- 1416968146
Ages 3-8
On shelves now

In the old days, children’s librarians were viewed as the gatekeepers of quality books for youth. That meant that they had to divide the wheat from the chaff. The good from the bad. The sterling from the meh. We still do that to a degree, though standards, like the times we are in, change. You see, there was a moment in history when one of the worst things you could call a children’s book was “novelty”. “Novelty” meant that a book was half a sneeze away from being a mere toy. “Novelty” meant that a book was going to appeal to a kid with fancy doodads and whizbangs, rather than with a good and coherent story. So Pat the Bunny was labeled a novelty and pop-up books were deemed novelties. You rarely saw them on library shelves. Time passed and the good side of novelty books, of those titles you can feel or beep or play with in some manner, has won out in the end. Though you’ll still find some of the weakest picture books soaked in glitter in an effort to appeal to the sparkle-eyed child consumer, when it comes to interactive books a lot of publishers have found a way to combine strong stories with great art. Fortune Cookies might be a good example of this. It has a pull-tab premise, but if you printed it as a regular picture book without a tab in sight it will still stand as a strong title on its own. If it is a novelty then that is only because it is novel in its own right.

One day a small girl received a box full of seven fortune cookies. Dutifully she opens one each day for a week. At first the fortunes are fairly straightforward. Readers can pull the little tabs containing the fortunes out of the cookies, like the first one “You will lose something you don’t need”. The next day the girl loses a tooth. When the next fortune reads “Money is like the wind” she uses her tooth fairy money to buy a kite. Fortunes and real life continue to weave back and forth with the girl losing her kite, finding a cat, losing the cat, making a wish, and ending up at the end with seven little kittens. She names each one after a day of the week, making this not only a book about fortunes and the ups and downs of an average child’s week, but also a handy tool for teaching the concept of Monday through Sunday.

A. (or Albert) Bitterman is the nom de plume of one Pete Cowdin, proprietor of the much lauded, much imitated, never excelled (or so I hear) Reading Reptile bookstore of Kansas City, Missouri. Now I’m a weird reviewer of children’s books. I like to read way more into them than was the author’s intent. And yes, I admit it, when I picked up this book one of my first thoughts aside from “I could really go for a cookie right now” (do you know they make flavored fortune cookies these days?) was “Oh good! A book about free will!” So let’s see how the text stands up to this gleeful reinterpretation. Here we have a girl sent a mysterious box of fortune cookies from “Uncle Albert” (a sly reference to Albert Bitterman himself). When she reads the fortunes they have a tendency to either come true or allude to a true situation that will occur. Rather than try to

3 Comments on Review of the Day: Fortune Cookies by A. Bitterman, last added: 1/31/2011
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Shelf-employed said, on 1/28/2011 8:35:00 AM
Funny – I chose the same book to review this morning – and I also thought that the white background was a plus. I enjoy Chris Raschka’s work (I loved Little Black Crow!) but I found that this was more accessible than his Caldecott winner, The Hello Goodbye Window. Altogether a fun book! I reviewed it with The Runaway Wok, also good fun.
Bridget Heos said, on 1/30/2011 7:33:00 AM
Love Fortune Cookies and Reading Reptile!
lisha cauthen said, on 1/30/2011 9:44:00 PM
I got to read Pete’s copy in the store. The illustrations are warm, the text is wise. I’ve been counting the days until I can buy my own copy.
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9. Storytime Corner: DOGS

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By: Laura, on 8/24/2011
Blog: the pageturn (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Lindsay Barrett George, Ree Drummond, Authors, Blogs and bloggers, Books, Illustrators, Libraries, Picture Books, Storytime, Alma Flor Ada, Anne Davis, Balzer+Bray, Chris Raschka, Diane deGroat, dogs, F. Isabel Campoy, Felicia Bond, Gene Zion, Greenwillow, HarperCollins, ideas for storytime, Laura Numeroff, library storytime, Vladimir Radunsky, Storytime Katie, puppies, Ned Young, Seymour Simon, Add a tag

Having done a Storytime Corner on cats, it only makes sense that we’d have to do one on dogs, right? I’m a cat person myself, but these dog stories are completely irresistible. And to keep all your parents and kids happy, you could even consider mixing up the dog and cat stories to make an integrated “Pets” program!

STORIES:

IF YOU GIVE A DOG A DONUT by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond (On-sale 10.4.11)

THAT PUP! by Lindsay Barrett George

NO DOGS ALLOWED! by Anne Davis

TEN LITTLE PUPPIES/Diez perritos by Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy, illustrated by Ulises Wensell

Usually when I do storytimes, I like to make some books available for checkout that follow the theme. Here are a few ideas of books you can display for checkout post-program:

CHARLIE THE RANCH DOG by Ree Drummond, illustrated by Diane deGroat
DOGS by Seymour Simon
HARRY THE DIRTY DOG by Gene Zion, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham
HIP HOP DOG by Chris Raschka, illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky
I AM THE DOG by Daniel Pinkwater, illustrated by Jack E. Davis
MAGGIE’S BALL by Lindsay Barrett George
ZOOMER by Ned Young

I started compiling song, rhyme, and craft ideas…and then I realized that Storytime Katie had most likely already put together something fabulous for a dog-themed storytime. And she had. Check out her
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10. 2012 ALA Youth Media Awards Winners Announced!

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By: Aline Pereira, on 1/23/2012
Blog: PaperTigers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans, Inside Out and Back Again, Kadir Nelson, Monica Brown, Rafael Lopez, Shane Evans, Thanhha Lai, Under the Mesquite, Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom, Eventful World, 2012 ALA Youth Media Awards results, A Ball for Daisy, ALA Youth Media Awards, Ashley Bryan, Breaking Stalin's Nose, Chris Raschka, Diego Rivera, Eugene Yelchin, Add a tag

Earlier this morning the American Library Association (ALA) announced the 2012 youth media awards winners. A full list of the winners can be found here.

Highlights from the list include:

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature: Dead End in Norvelt, written by Jack Gantos.

Two Newbery Honor Books also were named: Inside Out and Back Again, written by Thanhha Lai; and Breaking Stalin’s Nose, written and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin.

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children: A Ball for Daisy, illustrated and written by Chris Raschka.

Three Caldecott Honor Books also were named: Blackout, illustrated and written by John Rocco; Grandpa Green, illustrated and written by Lane Smith; and Me … Jane, illustrated and written by Patrick McDonnell.

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults: Kadir Nelson, author and illustrator of Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans.

Two King Author Honor Book recipients were selected: Eloise Greenfield, author of The Great Migration: Journey to the North, illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist; and Patricia C. McKissack, author of Never Forgotten, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon.

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award: Shane W. Evans, illustrator and author of Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom.

One King Illustrator Honor Book recipient was selected: Kadir Nelson, illustrator and author of Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans.

Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement: Ashley Bryan.

Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award honoring a Latino writer and illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience: Diego Rivera: His World and Ours, written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh.

Two Belpré Illustrator Honor Books were selected: The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred illustrated by Rafael López, written by Samantha R. Vamos; and Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match /Marisol McDonald no combina, illustrated by Sara Palacios, written by Monica Brown.

Pura Belpré (Author) Award: Under the Mesquite written by Guadalupe Garcia McCall.

Two Belpré Author Honor Books were named: Hurricane Dancers: The First Caribbean Pirate Shipwreck written by Margarita Engle; and Maximilian and the Mystery of the Guardian Angel: A Bilingual Lucha Libre Thriller, written by Xavier Garza.

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11. Jack Gantos Wins the Newbery Medal

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By: Jason Boog, on 1/23/2012
Blog: Galley Cat (Mediabistro) (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Awards, Chris Raschka, Jack Gantos, John Corey Whaley, Kadir Nelson, Add a tag

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos has won the prestigious John Newbery Medal at the American Library Association’s annual youth media awards.

A Ball for Daisy illustrated and written by Chris Raschka won the Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children. In addition, the Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults went to Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley.

Finally the Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults: went to Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans, written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. The rest of the ALA winners follow below…

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

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12. Tale by Jack Gantos Wins Newbery Medal

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By: By JULIE BOSMAN, on 1/23/2012
Blog: Schiel & Denver Book Publishers Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Books, Chris Raschka, Jack Gantos, Newberry Medal, Randolph Caldecott Medal, Add a tag

The Newbery Medal is considered the most prestigious in children's literature. The Caldecott Medal goes to the most distinguished picture book.

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13. Jack Gantos Wins the Newbery Medal

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By: Jason Boog, on 1/23/2012
Blog: Schiel & Denver Book Publishers Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Kadir Nelson, awards, Chris Raschka, Jack Gantos, John Corey Whaley, Add a tag

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos has won the prestigious John Newbery Medal at the American Library Association’s annual youth media awards.

A Ball for Daisy illustrated and written by Chris Raschka won the Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children. In addition, the Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults went to Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley.

Finally the Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults: went to Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans, written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. The rest of the ALA winners follow below…

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

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14. Caldecott Medal, 2012

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By: Bianca Schulze, on 1/23/2012
Blog: The Children's Book Review (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Ages 0-3, Ages 4-8, Award Winners, Book Lists, Picture Books, Caldecott, Chris Raschka, featured, John Rocco, Lane Smith, Patrick McDonnell, Add a tag

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 23, 2012

Medal Winner

Honor Book

Honor Book

Honor Book

“The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.” ~ALSC

©2012 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.
.

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15. Friday Fun: Chris Raschka

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By: Jennifer Thermes, on 7/3/2009
Blog: Art, Words, Life (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: chris raschka, once upon a book, center for the book, video, Add a tag

4 Comments on Friday Fun: Chris Raschka, last added: 7/5/2009
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bulioni said, on 7/3/2009 12:26:00 PM
Hi Jennifer,

I'm so happy I just happened across your blog and this video of Chris R.!
Thanks so much for posting it. I love your exuberant prints!!
Hope you're doing well.
Leslie Bulion
Jennifer said, on 7/3/2009 1:26:00 PM
Hey Leslie! Funny how the internet works that way. I'm well, thanks. Hope you are too! :-)
tlc illustration said, on 7/5/2009 12:21:00 AM
What a lovely bunch of mini dummies! Mmmmmmm...
Shabsblog said, on 7/5/2009 5:31:00 AM
Hi,
I liked your blog, its cool!
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16. Soccer Books That Heal World Cup Fever!

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By: Bianca Schulze, on 6/11/2010
Blog: The Children's Book Review (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Ages Four to Eight: Books for pre-school to second grade, Ages Nine to Twelve: Books for third through sixth grade, Book Lists: Specialty picks, Sports, Teens: Books for young adults, Chris Raschka, Jack, James E. Ransom, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Maria Padian, Mia Hamm, Mike Lupica, Patricia J. Murphy, Rich Wallace, Soccer, Tina Ferraro, World Cup, Add a tag

No matter which team you go for, here is a team of books to whet the appetite of any young soccer enthusiast.

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17. Booksignings of Wonder!

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By: Anika Denise, on 12/10/2010
Blog: Anika Denise - Children's Book Author (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Bella And Stella Come Home, Maira Kalman, Laurie Keller, Chris Raschka, Bob Shea, General News Updates and Events, Author Events, Jane Dyer, Tad Hills, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Books of Wonder, Add a tag

Bob Shea is leading the kids through some truly stellar dinosaur "roars" during a read-aloud of his new book "Dinosaur vs. Potty," a hilarious play-by-play of one little dinosaur's battle to resist going you-know-what, in the you-know-where. The story bounces along with Bob Shea using his best boxing ring announcer's voice to repeat the refrain, "Dinosaur wins!" at the end of each spread. Kids roar, and giggle, then roar some more - and the book concludes.

That's when Chris Raschka, Caldecott medalist and all around cool dude, leans over to me and whispers, "So, who wins? I couldn't see the pictures, is it the dinosaur or the potty?"
"I think the Dinosaur went in the potty... so I guess they both win," I say.
"I should save my questions till the end," says Chris with a wry grin.
"Yeah, we should probably stop all this potty talk," I say.

Left to right: Chris Denise; Anika Denise; Chris Raschka
This is why I love doing group signings. Picture book authors tend to be down to earth, funny, frequently irreverent folks, content with the good fortune of being able to do what they love for a living. This past weekend Chris and I signed at Books of Wonder in NY, alongside Jane Dyer (A Train To Dreamland) Tad Hills (How Rocket Learned To Read), Maira Kalman (The Pursuit of Happiness), Laurie Keller (Birdy's Smile Book), Chris Raschka (Little Black Crow), and Bob Shea (Dinosaur vs. Potty).

What struck me (besides the fact that all these authors are amazing, talented folks and I was honored to be counted among them) was the palpable appreciation for one another's work. The authors were clearly having just as much fun as the audience during the read-alouds.

Equally cool was hearing all the behind-the-scenes chatter about everyone's book projects, how they developed, where they are doing signings, what other artists they admire, how they promote their titles, etc. For me, an author relatively new to the industry, it was a fascinating and fabulous experience.

Next signing stop: Tomorrow! Saturday Dec. 11th: Where The Sidewalks Ends in Chatham, MA (on Cape Cod) 10a - 12p. Big Stella will be joining us (and rumor has it the mouse from "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" will be in the house too); they'll be a holiday stroll going on, hot chocolate, a cozy fireplace, and of course: books, books, books. Come see us!

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18. 35. Where Do You Go?

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By: Jenny Miller, on 12/10/2010
Blog: Where The Best Books Are! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Chris Raschka, Little Black Crow, Christmas books, 2010, books of wonder, Add a tag

Little Black Crow, written and illustrated by Chris Raschka, Atheneum, $16.99, ages 4-7, 40 pages. A boy in a trapper hat looks up into the winter sky and wonders where the wind will take a little crow, as soft strokes of watercolor paint sweep the story from one page to the next. Caldecott Medalist Raschka's spare, yet exuberant, style is beguiling: it fills us with the same feelings of awe that we hear in the boy's words, as he watches the crow from off of the page. "Little black crow, where will you go?" he asks from the seat we see only at the end, atop a wood rail fence. The black bird sits in a leaf-bare tree, his beak bigger than his head and his ink-drawn body as expressive as a character in calligraphy.
On the next two pages, the bird hops down to the snowy ground, where now only a few brown weeds poke through. "Where do you go in the cold white snow?" the boy continues on, adding with growing curiosity. "Where do you go?" As the crow takes off in a glide, up into brown puffs of clouds, the boy further inquires, "�Where do you fly in a stormy sky?" Like a crescendo, our voices rise as the boy's anticipation for the answers grow. Next, the crow touches down in the rain by a rabbit and the boy asks the crow whom he will meet in a long wet street. The boy now wonders if the crow feels as he would in the cold. "Do you ever complain / in the wind / and the rain?" he wistfully asks. "�Is it enough / to have feathers / in all kinds of weathers? …Are you a boy like me?" The boy seems almost breathless, as he continues on and asks the crow if he ever worries and if he's ever afraid of the mistakes he's made? Whom does he love?, the boys adds. Does the crow wonder about the same things he does? About lighting or thunder? Other creatures he meets? About stars? Maybe even, the boy's words conclude, "someone…like me?" Only at the end do we see the boy, perhaps because only then are we looking toward him rather than through his eyes. It's extraordinary how breathtaking something so simple can be: with spare words and brush strokes, Raschka captures the intangible: the swelling sense of wonder that occurs in a child's mind when he gets fascinated by something -- when his head fills with so many questions at once that they spill out before any can be answered.

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