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Bad News:  I have to take my little girl back to college today.  We all enjoyed having her and her friends underfoot this past month . . . she'll be sorely missed.

Good News:  Santa gave A and I both those little camera things you put on your laptop so we can "see" each other when we chat!

Bad News:  A very dear magician, who I've booked here at the campground for at least 10 years straight, has passed away.  My kids and I are going to miss Bob Nixon terribly, as will the whole magical community who loved him so.  I'm going to put a memorial type post on the campground blog tomorrow.

Good News:  I finished my revisions on George's Story and sent it out to readers. (Bob always, always asked about my writing)  I can't wait to hear what they think of it.

Bad News:  I have no idea what to work on while George's story is being read.  Some PB's that have been critiqued?  Plotting this awesome new idea I've had?  No wait . . . my agent wanted some revisions to Keeper . . .  well, I guess I know what I'll be tossing around while spending eight hours in the car today.

Good News:  On my way back from Westfield, I have a date with my darling Godson Nick!   It will give me the much needed Nick Fix I crave, plus a much needed driving break.  Eight hours in one day is brutal.

Bonus Good News:  The Patriots are going to the Super Bowl!!!  Have you seen this link yet?

You may have already seen this, but the ABA has officially announced that 115 new independent bookstores opened in 2007! Apparently, it's the third year in a row that we've seen over 100 new store openings. You can look here for the full list of new stores -- -- there may be a new indie store near you. I found 4 of them just in the five boroughs of New York -- woo hoo! I'll have to update my own ongoing list of local indies, which is currently pushing 70 -- I love to pull it out whenever anyone laments the fact that there are "no more independent bookstores" in New York, and we often use it at my bookstore to refer customers looking for something specific. Now they've got even more options.

And more folks are discovering that's the case. In the Huffington Post last week, Michelle Haimoff writes about seven great New York indie bookstores, which she calls "The Secret New York Alternative to Barnes & Noble." McNally Robinson gets a nice mention, as do some of my other favorites.

(For another fun list, check out the (very subjective) Top 10 Bookstores in the World by Sean Dodson in the Guardian. What a travel itinerary that would be!)

Also in our fair city, Book Culture (formerly Labyrinth) has a new blog. If I recall correctly from my days working there during the coursebook rush, the Seven Shopping Tips for Students will be especially helpful (not least to the harried staff!) And the store's new events and marketing manager Kelly Amabile also has her own blog, with reflections on a life in books and working in an indie bookstore.

And it looks like 2008 is going to be another good year for indies. The ABA blog led me to Justina Chen Headley's Five Ways to Support Your Local Bookstore, inspired by the closing of her local Seattle store M Coy, and picked up by a number of other bloggers. It's another indication that consumer awareness about supporting indies is on the rise.

But also check out this letter to the Seattle Times from the very succesful Seattle Mystery Bookshop, objecting to the way M Coy's closing was covered in the media (thanks to Shelf Awareness for the link). It reads in part:

The local media are quick to mark the demise of an independent bookshop and say once again how it is nearly impossible for a small independent to survive. Difficult, sure. But not impossible....

If you want to know how independent booksellers really are doing, come ask us. Reacting to the closing of one bookshop by saying it is another death-knell of an industry simply isn't fair or correct and can be counterproductive. It can also mislead customers and drive more into the hands of the corporate Big Boxes, encouraging the difficulties that small independents face. Why not do a story about how some independents are doing fine because of their customers who want to support small businesses? Isn't there a story in that?

NOTE TO SELF: ONE GENERATION PLANTS THE TREES; ANOTHER GETS THE SHADE


Seems at times that there is a plethora of negative reports and stories focusing on errant youth. It's therefore refreshing to come across a "feel good" story that gives one hope for the future of mankind. It's the kind of story that makes you smile.

Young Jack Davis, aged 11, was perturbed upon learning that Florida restos throw out food due to legal restraints should anyone eating the food become ill or develop food poisoning, since he felt it could be recycled and given to homeless people. He had visited a homeless shelter on school field trips and worried about people going hungry.

Jack's idea was to pass a law that would give restaurant owners' some protection from lawsuits. He got his dad to float the idea to some Florida legislators.

It now seems certain that Jack's idea will become a law.

"If you take away the reason restaurants will not give food -- they will," he said. "And it's kind of it's a win-win situation 'cause the restaurants get to do something good."

When Jack's bill started gaining momentum, he was suddenly big news in Miami.

"When I go to school, people were chanting my name because they saw me on the cover of the Miami Herald," Jack said. "Over the whole day, they were asking me what does the law say. And in some of my classes they clapped as I walked in. If you think there's a problem in the world," he said, "you don't wait for other people to fix it. You have to try to fix it yourself."

Amen to that!

See a photo of Jack here: http://abcnews.go.com/WN/PersonOfWeek/story?id=4123327&page=1

NOTE TO SELF: JUST WHO IS NAUGHTY AND NICE, ANYWAY?


Every year Canada Post gets into the holiday spirit by acting as an intermediary between children and the North Pole in its annual "Write to Santa." To this end kids are encouraged to mail their letters to Santa at "SANTA CLAUS, NORTH POLE, HOH OHO, CANADA" The service in both English and French, has been offered going on 26 years and is overseen by 11,000 Canada Post employees known affectionately as Postal Elves. More than a million children send letters to the jolly, old, elf and receive a reply but some received an unexpected response. Make that shocked response.

Seems that somebody - likely not "the" Santa - has been dropping letters in the mail box over the last couple of days to kids living in Ottawa, Ontario, but not the nice kind. In fact some of them contained filthy messages, much to the consternation of parents'. For its part Canada Post is understandably shocked and along with the Ottawa police, have been attempting to trace down the baaaaaad Santa.

One young recipient aged 2 years received a P.S. to her letter that read: "This letter is too long, you dumb shit." Definitely not Santa-like content. Her 10 year old brother, meanwhile, had the add-on message: "Your mom is s****d**** and your dad is gay."

Lucky their mother read the letter before she handed it to her children.

Meanwhile, yesterday Canada Post shut down its Write to Santa program across the city in a joint effort with the police to track down Santa's un-helper.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071214.wsantletters1214/BNStory/National/home

Here's a bit of good news, from PW via GalleyCat:

"Bookstore sales increased for the fourth consecutive month in October, rising 8.0%, to $1.10 billion. The increase was the second largest this year, trailing only the 9.3% gain posted in August.

Despite the string of increases, sales through the first 10 months of the year were still virtually flat with sales up 0.3%, to $13.47 billion, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. For the entire retail segment, sales were up 6.2% in October and 4.0% for the first 10 months."

Mark has always loved jungles all his life.He loves the game Jungle King that is a computer game and he loves it so much he plays it every single day.He came up with this jungle word Kah-lee-ah,he says it every time he does something good in Jungle King like not falling into quick sand or not being eaten by a crocodile or trampled by some rhinos.In the came you collect these little shrunken heads and each one you get is a point.His little sister Jessica plays but she always goes into the quick sand because she likes the noise.But then one day someone came and her name was Carolyn Hawlings and she was holding a shrunken head, a real one.Then she said it was from his Aunt Benna and she sent it for him.She stayed over that night and then the next morning she told him the new she said he and her was going to the jungle.And that's when it all started...

What I don't like about the book is the word Kah-lee-ah it's the silliest word I have ever heard in my entire life.I is like someone just made the word up and put it in a story.I mean it just bothers me and makes me want to scream!What I do like about the book is the adventure in a jungle.I loooove adventure in books.This would be a lot like a different book where someone gets lost in a jungle and they have superpowers if you have ever read one with that but if you haven't that's what this is about.This book is just a creepy jungle story that is really weird.So if you like weird creepy jungle story's this is the perfect one.

It's Saturday, but for this month's carnival, we invite you to the relaxed feel of browsing the Sunday newspaper with a big cup of coffee. Enjoy!







Chris Barton shares his good news in Whoopee ti yi yo, get along little pseudonym posted at Bartography. Yipee!










Alyssa F. has some good news for all of you Carnival-goers at Contest, Contest, Contest! posted at The Shady Glade.









Becky Laney reviews Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller posted at Becky's Book Reviews.

Susan T. reminds us of an old favorite collection of folktales from around the world with Chicken Spaghetti: "Silly & Sillier," by Judy Sierra posted at Chicken Spaghetti.

Sonja Cole takes us to the beaches of Maui for a video blog of Mermaid Booktalks posted at Bookwink.

Sheila Ruth picked up a huge stack of promising new books at BEA. Check it out at Wands and Worlds: BEA: Books and other cool stuff posted at Wands and Worlds.

Royce Wells reviews Summerland posted at A Stack Of Books. Great timing!

:: Suzanne :: shares two family favorites -- Runaway Bunny and Handy-Dandy Helpful Hal: A Book about Helpfulness posted at :: adventures in daily living ::.

Niki Anders has found a new repeat read aloud: The-A-TEAM » A Seed Is Sleepy posted at The-A-TEAM.

Sandy D. read an adult book and a children's book that were both about the 1893 Worlds Fair in Chicago. Check it out to see which she liked best at Fair Weather and The Devil in the White City: Book Review posted at the imponderabilia of actual life.

Maureen O'Brien declares, "Another new book by Roland Smith is a winner!" Read Trinity Prep School - Peak Experience of the Week posted at Trinity Prep School to find out more.



Author Cynthia Leitich Smith presents Author Interview: April Lurie on Brothers, Boyfriends, and Other Criminal Minds posted at cynsations.

Author Liz Garton Scanlon throws down the gauntlet in Liz In Ink - C'mon and Tri posted at Liz In Ink.

Writer Kelly Fineman shares writing tips in kellyrfineman: Useful bits and photos, mmm mmm good posted at Writing and Ruminating.

Writer Emily shares picture book writing secrets in ...whimsy... - Part One: The Conference... posted at Whimsy Books.

polliwog interviews author Meg Cabot in Guest Frogger - Meg Cabot posted at Polliwog's Pond.

Jen Robinson interviews a book character in Sameera Righton (Sparrow) Interview posted at Jen Robinson's Book Page, saying, "This interview of Sameera Righton is good news because it was published on the release date of First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover, by Mitali Perkins."

DeputyHeadmistress remembers a favorite author in The Common Room: Lloyd Alexander, RIP posted at The Common Room.

Storytellers count as authors, don't they? Alkelda the Gleeful shares with us the story Little Monkey Face posted at Saints and Spinners.

The title says it all. NYCTEACHER presents I've come to believe you cannot ask your students to do what you don't do. posted at Mentor Texts and More.



Anne-Marie presents Summer school and a trip to the zoo with Sylvan Dell and Top 10 recommended summer reading lists posted at A Readable Feast.

Sherry Early presents Summer Reading List: Middle School Daughter at Semicolon posted at Semicolon.





Have you read THE TRUE STORY OF STELLINA to your NYC child yet? Get busy, says Mother Reader in MotherReader: Poetry Friday: Stellina posted at MotherReader.

Terrell shares some end-of-school-year thoughts in PTSW: Crystal Stair posted at Alone on a Limb.

:: Suzanne :: spotlights the poet Elsa Beskow in Around the Year - Elsa Beskow posted at :: adventures in daily living :: .




Allen Holman reminds us of the classic game Judge and Jury posted at Classic Kid's Games and Party Games.

Laurie Bluedorn introduces us to a dollmaker and illustrator at Trivium Pursuit » Blog Archive » Podcast #3 Interview with Eloise Wilkin’s Daughter, Part Two posted at Laurie Bluedorn.



Kelly shares some excellent news for girls who want more out of life than to be the best French braid maker in Excellent News (Finally) and a Feminist Rant posted at Big A little a.

Roderick Russell gives us a real conversation starter with Children's Book Preaches Cryonics posted at NOUMENON :: Art, Ideas, Culture & Capricious Opinion.

Rory Sullivan shares a conversation started by a book in Impromptu Sex Education - Is It Always When You Least Expect It? posted at hamelife.

Jeanne presents Kids Lit Itinerary posted at soultravelers3.com , saying, "Using books while you travel is a fantastic and fun way to home school on the move and helps enrich the experience for a child. We are on a multi year trip around the world but this same idea can be used for field trips at home or on any vacation or trip." You read that right -- a multi year trip around the world! You gotta check this one out!

The ultimate field trip for a book lover is probably the Book Expo. Liz reports on her BEA experience with BEA at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy.

Summer presents Thursday thirteen great books on conservation and the environment posted at Mom Is Teaching.

Veronica reports on a conversation prompted by AND TANGO MAKES THREE in What makes a family? posted at The Red Thread.

DHM debates the need to dilute children's intellectual food in Sesquipedalians and Children posted at The Common Room.

Phil shows how real life can be framed as a well-known fable in The Turtle and the Rabbit « Phil for Humanity posted at Phil for Humanity.

That's the good news for June in the Kidlitosphere!

And this fine Monday morning I discover that Fuse posts on holidays.

And then I read the best news ever and I'm sitting here cheering for her.

A Fuse #8 Production is moving to School Library Journal and Fuse will be paid for blogging.

I think this is great news and a big congrats to Fuse.

Am I a wee bit jealous? Yes. I mean, getting paid to do what I love? That's good.

And it's the healthy kind of jealousy -- because it makes me all the happier that someone is able to achieve it (and Fuse deserves it -- she doesn't let things like Weeks From Hell (see last week) stop her from posting and she stays on topic (kids books) while I wonder into zombie land now and again.)

Fuse anticipates many of the arguments against getting paid in her announcement. All I can say, is if non-blog reporters, journalists, editors write for money, why not a blogger? Why assume a change in what will or won't be written about? And this is Fuse we're talking about. We've seen her integrity in posting again and again.

And to tell the truth, as I've seen print papers & magazines attempt to set up blogs to get online readers, I've wondered, why don't they just hire an established blogger? It makes more sense than starting from scratch. And just as a paper would hire an experienced reporter, why not hire an experienced blogger?

Anyhow.

CONGRATULATIONS. And let us know what the new RSS feed will be!

I would like to send out a big THANK YOU to all YALSA members. The results of the 2007 election are in, and -- drum roll, please -- I am a member of the Michael L. Printz Committee!! This is the Committee that will select the 2009 winner, so I don't start reading until 2008.

Congratulations to all; but a special shout-out to my fellow New Jersey librarians, Sarah Cornish Debraski who is Vice President/ President Elect, and new Margaret A. Edwards Committee member Sharon Rawlins.

Links: YALSA Blog

I cannot find the ALSC election results, but will edit and post once I do.

The ALSC Election results. Once again, congratulations to all, with a special shout out to Ed Spicer, (09 Caldecott Committee) and to NJ librarian Carol K. Phillips (09 Sibert Committee Chair.)