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Results 1 - 25 of 33
1. ALL THROUGH MY TOWN wins the Dutch Silver Pencil Award!

Yesterday I received a fabulous package from Bloomsbury - lovely prizes from the Netherlands.

ALL THROUGH MY TOWN won the Dutch Silver Pencil Award - otherwise known as the Zilveren Griffel! Doesn't that have a wonderful ring to it?

And yes - over to the left - that's a gorgeous silver pencil with my book title in Dutch and the name and date of the award engraved in. Amazing!

I'm completely honored. Congratulations, as well, to my fabulous illustrator Leo Timmers and awesome translator Bart Moeyaert.

0 Comments on ALL THROUGH MY TOWN wins the Dutch Silver Pencil Award! as of 11/20/2014 3:16:00 PM
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2. Hooting About My 2-Book Deal!

Hoot! I'm beyond excited about my latest book deal.

From Publishers Weekly.

"Virginia Duncan at Greenwillow has acquired two picture books by Too Purpley! author Jean Reidy; the stories feature Specs, a not-so-clear-sighted young owl who explores the world with his friends. Book one is scheduled to release in summer 2016; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary did the deal for world rights."

0 Comments on Hooting About My 2-Book Deal! as of 7/1/2014 1:37:00 PM
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3. TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! CBA Celebration: Giveaways, Critique Contest and Big News for Teachers!

WHEEE! I'm so thrilled and honored that TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS is the 2013 winner of the Colorado Book Award for Children's Literature.


Let's celebrate!

Time Out for Picture Books Critique Contest - Picture Book Writers, do you have a manuscript that needs a fresh read? Here's a chance to win a free critique, coming on July 29th!

Time Out for Teachers - Free Skype Visits and Resources for Teachers and Librarians. I'm now scheduling for the 2013-14 School Year. Also, check out my free downloadable curriculum/activities guides linked to learning standards.

Need Autographs and Award Stickers? - If you've purchased one or more of my books, e-mail me for free personalized and autographed book stickers. If you've purchased LIGHT UP THE NIGHT or TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! - both Colorado Book Award Winners! - I'll send you shiny, gold award stickers too.

Tweet or retweet the message below any time between now and 8/31/13 and be entered to win a $25 gift card to Amazon or the bookseller of your choice AND an autographed copy of TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS!

TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! Colorado Book Award Winner! Giveaways, freebies and more! #stuckintimeout LINK.

And don't forget TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! can be found on bookstore and library shelves everywhere or you can ORDER YOUR COPY RIGHT HERE!

"Energetic and appealing to young artists everywhere, this one is a winner." School Library Journal

"Spread after spread is a riot of color, goofy fantasy, and well-choreographed freneticism." Publishers Weekly

"Readers will relate to the main character’s boredom and spunky reaction. Like Max with his Wild Things, this boy takes control in his own age-appropriate way ...budding artists and those who have ever felt misunderstood will cheer on this 'time out' king." Kirkus


The timeout corner has NEVER been this fun!

7 Comments on TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! CBA Celebration: Giveaways, Critique Contest and Big News for Teachers!, last added: 7/27/2013
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4. TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! Picture Book Critique Contest

Last summer, TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! made a monster appearance on bookstore and library shelves everywhere.  And now it's won the 
COLORADO BOOK AWARD!

Now that's something to celebrate!

So  for all my writer friends out there I'm holding a

TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! PICTURE BOOK PEEK
MONDAY, JULY 29TH
Win a free critique of a selected picture book manuscript. 
 
Here's how it works:

Sign up for a critique by entering your picture book WORKING TITLE in the comment section of this blog post anytime (midnight to midnight Mountain Time) on July 29th. Titles submitted before or after July 29th will not be considered.

I'll throw all the submitted titles into a hat and pick 1 for critique.

Keep in mind:
* Manuscripts must be 1000 words or less.

* I accept only fiction.

* Please understand that I'm not an editor and will not be providing line-editing of your work. My critique will be comprised of suggestions for improving your manuscript. So please send me your most polished piece.

* The critique winner must e-mail me his/her manuscript as a Word attachment within 48 hours of the announcement . Manuscripts will be kept completely confidential. When I receive the manuscript, I'll let the author know when to expect my critique.

* As with any art form, likes and dislikes are entirely subjective. Please understand that my critiques are only one reader's/writer's opinion. It's always wise to seek feedback from a few different readers. If my ideas resonate with you, they're yours to use. If you disagree, I encourage you to compare my comments with those of other readers. But in the end, it's your book. Stay true to your vision.

I look forward to reading your work.
Jean

P.S. Stop by my Colorado Book Award Celebration for giveaways and other prizes and don't forget to check out  TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! at your favorite bookstore or library.

53 Comments on TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! Picture Book Critique Contest, last added: 7/30/2013
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5. TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! wins the Colorado Book Award! Congratulations to ALL!

I couldn't be more honored and thrilled. And I'm loving my cover bling!


Congratulations to my fellow finalists and all the winners! Here they are by category. Please join me in a rousing round of applause for all!

Anthology
Reclaiming School in the Aftermath of Trauma , edited by Carolyn Lunsford Mears (Palgrave Macmillian)
Biography
Letters from Berlin: A Story of War, Survival, and the Redeeming Power of Love and Friendship, by Kerstin Lieff and Margarete Dos (Lyons Press)
Children's Literature
Time Out for Monsters! , by Jean Reidy, illustrated by Robert Neubecker (Disney Hyperion)
Creative Nonfiction
Descanso for My Father: Fragments of a Life, by Harrison Candelaria Fletcher (University of Nebraska Press)
Crime/Mystery
KOP Killer, by Warren Hammond (TOR Books)
General Nonfiction
Full Body Burden , by Kristen Iversen (Crown Publishing Group)
Genre Fiction
The View from Here ,by Cindy Myers (Kensington Books)
History
The Admirals: Nimitz, Halsey, Leahy, and King - The Five-Star Admirals Who Won the War at Sea , by Walter R. Borneman (Little, Brown and Company)
Juvenile Literature
Katerina's Wish , by Jeannie Mobley (Simon & Schuster)
Literary Fiction
East of Denver, by Gregory Hill (Penguin Group USA - Dutton)
Pictorial
Crazy: A Creative and Personal Look at Mental Illness, edited by Michael Hanna and Tami Leino Hanna (Adams Place)
Poetry
Second Nature , by Jack Collom (Instance Press)
Young Adult Literature
Kissing Shakespeare, by Pamela Mingle (Delacorte Books for Young Readers)

6 Comments on TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS! wins the Colorado Book Award! Congratulations to ALL!, last added: 7/9/2013
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6. How a Novelist Learned to Write Picture Books by Anna Staniszewski

My friend and agency mate, Anna Staniszewski's publishing success sounds a little like a fairy tale -- hugely popular novels, sequels, prequels. WOW! Then, just like Jenny, the main character in her latest novel My Epic Fairy Tale Fail, Anna took on what seemed an impossible task ... she wrote a picture book.

So how did she make the transition? Brilliantly ... with a few lessons she learned from novel writing ... that all picture book writers need to know.

Now, take it away, Anna!

How a Novelist Learned to Write Picture Books
by Anna Staniszewsk

For years, I considered myself to be strictly a novel writer. I thought I was far too wordy to write picture books, and besides, I never had any good picture book ideas. I mean I had ideas, but they were TERRIBLE.

But over the years, something strange happened. In writing novels, I learned to:

-Focus focus focus and cut cut cut!
-Choose active verbs and interesting nouns. (My thesaurus and I are now best friends.)
-Make each scene active and give the story forward momentum.
-Make the ending tie into the beginning.




Why look at that. In my efforts to improve my novels, I’d trained myself to do many of the things that are required when writing picture books.

Okay, so now I knew how to write a picture book, but I still didn’t have any good ideas. Then one day, as I was getting ready to walk the dog and she was squeaking her furry head off to try to hurry me along, I said: “Calm down, dogosaurus. We’re going.” And there it was. An idea.

Of course, an idea is not a story. It took me about a year and many revisions (with help from my agent and my critique partners) to get the manuscript to where it needed to be. And amazingly, Dogosaurus Rex found a home at Henry Holt and is scheduled to be published in 2014. Finally, my years of inadvertently training myself as a picture book writer had paid off!

These days, while I still think myself primarily as a novelist, I’m getting more comfortable with my picture book identity. And I have to say, I love working on picture books. They’re a challenge that I really enjoy. Who knew there was hope for a former rambling writer with terrible ideas?

About Anna:
Born in Poland and raised in the United States, Anna Staniszewski grew up loving stories in both Polish and English. She was named the 2006-2007 Writer-in-Residence at the Boston Public Library and a winner of the 2009 PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Discovery Award. Currently, Anna lives outside of Boston with her husband and their adopted black Labrador, Emma.
 

When she’s not writing, Anna spends her time teaching, reading, and challenging unicorns to games of hopscotch. Her first novel, My Very UnFairy Tale Life, was released by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky in November 2011. The sequel, My Epic Fairy Tale Fail, is coming on March 1, 2013. Visit her at www.annastan.com.

About her latest book:  
Jenny has finally accepted her life of magic and mayhem as savior of fairy tale kingdoms, but that doesn't mean the job's any easier. Her new mission is to travel to the Land of Tales to defeat an evil witch and complete three Impossible Tasks. Throw in some school friends, a bumbling knight, a rhyming troll, and a giant bird, and happily ever after starts looking far far away. But with her parents' fate on the line, this is one happy ending Jenny is determined to deliver.

Watch the book trailer for more FAIL fun! 


Now it's your turn to chime in. What lessons have you learned from one genre of your writing that inform or inspire your others?






9 Comments on How a Novelist Learned to Write Picture Books by Anna Staniszewski, last added: 2/5/2013
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7. Visit Your Favorite Authors at CCIRA Feb. 6th - 9th!


So many awesome author and illustrator friends will be presenting and/or signing books at the Colorado Council International Reading Association Conference next week 2/6-2/9. And I'm getting SUPER excited to catch up with these literacy heroes!

Chris Barton
Leslie Clark
Carmela LaVigna Coyle
Melanie Crowder
Julie Danneberg
Lindsay Eland
Ellen Javernick
Jeanne Kaufman
Claudia Cangilla McAdam
Pam Mingle
Jeannie Mobley
Ann Nagda
Linda Osmundson
Nancy Oswald
Marjorie Blain Parker
Kathleen Pelley
Donald Samson
Todd Tuell
Denise Vega
Nicole Weaver
and ...
ME!

Whom did I miss? E-mail me and I'll add you to my list.

And if you're a picture book lover, check out my Session #268 
"What's Love Got To Do With It? 
The Picture Book's Link to Literacy."
We'll explore beloved picture books, give away gobs of door prizes and have some fun with those treasures we all adore - books, reading and literacy.

I hope to see you there!

2 Comments on Visit Your Favorite Authors at CCIRA Feb. 6th - 9th!, last added: 2/8/2013
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8. Congratulations to all the ALA Youth Media Award Winners!

It's so fun watching the live stream of the Youth Media Awards and listening to the hoopla from the crowd for these brilliant authors, illustrators and books. I feel lucky to have read so many already and excited to add so many distinguished titles to my to-read list.

Here's the press release:

SEATTLE — The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the top books, video and audiobooks for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards – at its Midwinter Meeting in Seattle.
A list of all the 2013 award winners follows:

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature:
The One and Only Ivan,” written by Katherine Applegate, is the 2013 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers.
Three Newbery Honor Books also were named: “Splendors and Glooms” by Laura Amy Schlitz and published by Candlewick Press; “Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon” by Steve Sheinkin and published by Flash Point, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press; and “Three Times Lucky” by Sheila Turnage and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group.

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:
This Is Not My Hat,” illustrated and written by Jon Klassen, is the 2013 Caldecott Medal winner. The book is published by Candlewick Press.
Five Caldecott Honor Books also were named: “Creepy Carrots!” illustrated by Peter Brown, written by Aaron Reynolds and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division; “Extra Yarn,” illustrated by Jon Klassen, written by Mac Barnett and published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of
HarperCollins Publishers; “Green,” illustrated and written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger and published by Neal Porter Books, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press; “One Cool Friend,” illustrated by David Small, written by Toni Buzzeo and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group; “Sleep Like a Tiger,” illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Mary Logue and published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:
Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America,” written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney is the King Author Book winner. The book is published by Disney/Jump at the Sun Books, an imprint of Disney Book Group.
Two King Author Honor Books were selected: “Each Kindness” by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group; and “No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller” by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie and published by Carolrhoda Lab, an imprint of Carolrhoda Books, a division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award:
I, Too, Am America,” illustrated by Bryan Collier, is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book is written by Langston Hughes and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.
Three King Illustrator Honor Books were selected: “H. O. R. S. E.,” illustrated and written by Christopher Myers, and published by Egmont USA; “Ellen’s Broom,” illustrated by Daniel Minter, written by Kelly Starling Lyons and published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group; and “I Have a Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr.” illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Martin Luther King, Jr. and published by Schwartz & Wade Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:
In Darkness,” written by Nick Lake, is the 2013 Printz Award winner. The book is published by Bloomsbury Books for Young Readers.
Four Printz Honor Books also were named: “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division; “Code Name Verity” by Elizabeth Wein, published by Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group; “Dodger” by Terry Pratchett, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers; “The White Bicycle” by Beverley Brenna, published by Red Deer Press.

Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience:
Back to Front and Upside Down!” written and illustrated by Claire Alexander and published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., wins the award for children ages 0 to 10.
A Dog Called Homeless” written by Sarah Lean and published by Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, is the winner of the middle-school (ages 11-13) award.
The teen (ages 13-18) award winner is “Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Am,” written by Harry Mazer and Peter Lerangis and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.

Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences:
Caring is Creepy,” by David Zimmerman, published by Soho Press, Inc.
Girlchild,” by Tupelo Hassman, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Juvenile in Justice,” by Richard Ross, published by Richard Ross
Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore,” by Robin Sloan, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
My Friend Dahmer,” by Derf Backderf, published by Abrams ComicArts, an imprint of Abrams
One Shot at Forever,” by Chris Ballard, published by Hyperion
Pure,” by Julianna Baggott, published by Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
The Round House,” by Louise Erdrich, published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Tell the Wolves I’m Home,” by Carol Rifka Brunt, published by Dial Press, an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc.
Where’d You Go, Bernadette?,” by Maria Semple, published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Andrew Carnegie Medal for excellence in children's video:
Katja Torneman, producer of “Anna, Emma and the Condors,” is the Carnegie Medal winner.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Award honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children. The 2013 winner is Katherine Paterson. Paterson was born in China in 1932 to missionary parents and grew up in the American South, moving eighteen times before she was 18. After graduating from King College in Bristol, Tennessee, she herself became a missionary in Japan. She returned to the U.S. to attend the Union Theological Seminary in New York, where she met and married John Paterson, a Presbyterian minister. Her first book, “The Sign of the Chrysanthemum,” was published in 1973. Katherine Paterson currently lives in Barre, Vermont.

Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement: Demetria Tucker is the 2013 recipient. Tucker has served as youth services coordinator within the Roanoke (Va.) Public Library System and library media specialist at the Forest Park Elementary School, where she was selected 2007 Teacher of the Year. As family and youth services librarian for the Pearl Bailey Library, a branch of the Newport News (Va.) Public Library System, Tucker now coordinates a youth leadership program, a teen urban literature club and many other programs that support the youth of her community.

Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults:
Tamora Pierce is the 2013 Edwards Award winner. Pierce was born in rural Western Pennsylvania in 1954. She knew from a young age she liked stories and writing, and in 1983, she published her first book, Song of the Lioness. She continues to write and even record her own audiobooks. She currently lives with her husband (spouse-creature) and a myriad of animals in Syracuse, New York.
May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award recognizing an author, critic, librarian, historian or teacher of children's literature, who then presents a lecture at a winning host site.
Andrea Davis Pinkney will deliver the 2014 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture. Andrea Davis Pinkney is a New York Times best-selling writer of more than 20 books for children and young adults including picture books, novels and nonfiction. During the course of her career, Pinkney has launched many high-profile publishing and entertainment entities, including Hyperion Books for Children/Disney Publishing’s Jump at the Sun imprint, the first African American children’s book imprint at a major publishing company.

Mildred L. Batchelder Award for an outstanding children's book originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States and subsequently translated into English for publication in the United States:
My Family for the War” is the 2013 Batchelder Award winner. Originally published in Germany in 2007 as “Liverpool Street,” the book was written by Anne C. Voorhoeve, translated by Tammi Reichel and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Two Batchelder Honor Books also were selected: “A Game for Swallows: To Die, to Leave, to Return,” written and illustrated by Zeina Abirached, translated by Edward Gauvin and published by Graphic Universe, a division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.; and “Son of a Gun,” written and translated by Anne de Graaf, and published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Odyssey Award for best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States:
The Fault in Our Stars,” produced by Brilliance Audio, is the 2013 Odyssey Award winner. The book is written by John Green and narrated by Kate Rudd.
Three Odyssey Honor Audiobooks also were selected: “Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian,” produced by Listening Library, written by Eoin Colfer and narrated by Nathaniel Parker; “Ghost Knight,” produced by Listening Library, written by Cornelia Funke and narrated by Elliot Hill; and “Monstrous Beauty,” produced by Macmillian Audio, written by Elizabeth Fama and narrated by Katherine Kellgren.

Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award honoring a Latino writer and illustrator whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience:
Martín de Porres: The Rose in the Desert,” illustrated by David Diaz, is the Belpré Illustrator Award winner. The book was written by Gary D. Schmidt and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
No Belpré Illustrator Honor Books were selected this year.

Pura Belpré (Author) Award:
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,” written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, is the Belpré Author Award winner. The book is published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.
One Belpré Author Honor Book was named: “The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano” by Sonia Manzano, published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children:
Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon,” written by Steve Sheinkin, is the Sibert Award winner. The book is published by Flash Point, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press.
Three Sibert Honor Books were named: “Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin,” written and illustrated by Robert Byrd and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group; “Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95,” written by Phillip M. Hoose and published by Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers; and “Titanic: Voices from the Disaster,” written by Deborah Hopkinson and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.

Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award given annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience:
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,” written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, is the Stonewall Award winner.
Four Stonewall Honor Books were selected: “Drama,” written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier and published by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.; “Gone, Gone, Gone,” written by Hannah Moskowitz and published by Simon Pulse, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division; “October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard,” written by Lesléa Newman and published by Candlewick Press; and “Sparks: The Epic, Completely True Blue, (Almost) Holy Quest of Debbie,” written by S. J. Adams and published by Flux, an imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book:
Up, Tall and High!” written and illustrated by Ethan Long is the Seuss Award winner. The book is published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group.
Three Geisel Honor Books were named: “Let’s Go for a Drive!” written and illustrated by Mo Willems, and published by Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group; “Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons” by Eric Litwin, created and illustrated by James Dean and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers; and “Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover,” written and illustrated by Cece Bell and published by Candlewick Press.

William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens:
Seraphina,” written by Rachel Hartman, is the 2013 Morris Award winner. The book is published by Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.
Four other books were finalists for the award: “Wonder Show,” written by Hannah Barnaby, published by Houghton Mifflin, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers; “Love and Other Perishable Items,” written by Laura Buzo, published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.; “After the Snow,” written by S. D. Crockett, published by Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; and “The Miseducation of Cameron Post,” written by emily m. danforth, published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults:
Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon,” written by Steve Sheinkin, is the 2013 Excellence winner. The book is published by Flash Point/Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
Four other books were finalists for the award: “Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different,” written by Karen Blumenthal, published by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of (Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; “Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95,” written by Phillip Hoose, published by Farrar Straus Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; “Titanic: Voices from the Disaster,” written by Deborah Hopkinson, published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic; and “We’ve Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March,” written by Cynthia Levinson, published by Peachtree Publishers.
Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, ALA awards guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by judging committees of librarians and other children’s literature experts, the awards encourage original and creative work.  For more information on the ALA youth media awards and notables, please visit www.ala.org/yma .

1 Comments on Congratulations to all the ALA Youth Media Award Winners!, last added: 1/29/2013
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9. Author Spots for Schools!


Here's a great way to connect children's authors and readers, and it's a WIN-WIN-WIN for schools, authors and school book fairs everywhere!


AUTHOR SPOTS FOR SCHOOLS!

Author Spots are FREE mini-commercials created by children's authors that schools can broadcast to promote their book fair to kids and parents.

I'm not talking about anything fancy here - just a 30 second to 1 minute webcam, YouTube video of a children's author giving a shout-out about his/her books along with a personalized promotion for a school book fair. It might be something as simple as:

"Hi, I'm Jean Reidy, children's author! I'm super excited that TOO PURPLEY! is coming to the Abraham Lincoln Elementary book fair. (MAYBE ADD MORE ABOUT THE BOOK HERE) Don't forget to stop by and check out all the awesome books on sale. GO LIONS!"

Author Spots could be shown in morning video announcements, during library time, in the classrooms, at PTO meetings, at the school entrance, or loaded on the school's website ... the possibilities are endless.

It's simple! Here's how it works:

Teachers, Principals, and Book Fair Volunteers: Review the authors and their books listed below and decide who might be a good fit for your school book fair. Authors who have books specifically at Scholastic Book Fairs are noted with an "S" after their name. Their names link you to their website. Choose a few options because not every author will be available at all times. Then contact one or more -- can you imagine a whole week of AuthorSpots? -- of the authors below requesting a FREE AuthorSpot. If the author agrees, tell the author how you'd like it personalized - school name, school mascot, etc. And when the video is posted, the author will send you the link. It's as simple as that.

Children's Authors and  Illustrators:
If you're interested in recording Author Spots for Schools, e-mail me your name, your 5 most recent book titles, genres and your website link and I'll add you to the list. Send your information to reidy(dot)jean(at)gmail(dot)com. If you know that one or more of your books is offered specifically at Scholastic Book Fairs, please let me know, and I'll put an "S" after your name. Then, when a school contacts you, record your Author Spot, upload it to YouTube and send the link to the school. If you'd like to participate but you'd prefer to record only one generic book fair promotion video that ANY school can use, let me know. I'll start a separate list and link to your video. If we get enough authors participating, I'll even host a website specifically for Author Spots.

The following authors are interested in promoting your book fair! And here is just a sampling of their books. Please check their website for contact and other information.

FICTION PICTURE BOOKS:
Jean Reidy (S) -  TOO PURPLEY!, TOO PICKLEY!, TOO PRINCESSY,  LIGHT UP THE NIGHT, TIME OUT FOR MONSTERS
Mirka Breen - THERE'S A TURKEY AT THE DOOR
Liz Garton Scanlon (S) - ALL THE WORLD, THINK BIG, A SOCK IS A POCKET FOR YOUR TOES, NOODLE & LOU, HAPPY, BIRTHDAY BUNNY!
Judith Snyder - WHAT DO YOU SEE?, STINKY FEET 
Audrey Vernick (S) - SO YOU WANT TO BE A ROCK STAR, IS YOUR BUFFALO READY FOR KINDERGARTEN?, TEACH YOUR BUFFALO TO PLAY DRUMS

NONFICTION PICTURE BOOKS:
Alison Ashley Formento (S) - THIS TREE COUNTS, THIS TREE 1-2-3, THESE BEES COUNT, THESE SEAS COUNT 
Audrey Vernick (S) - SHE LOVED BASEBALL, BROTHERS AT BAT

MIDDLE GRADE FICTION:  
Ruth McNally Barshaw (S) - THE ELLIE MCDOODLE SERIES 
Mary Bartek FUNERALS AND FLY FISHING 
Mirka Breen -THE VOICE OF THUNDER 
Jennifer Nielsen (S) - THE FALSE PRINCE, THE RUNAWAY KING 
Audrey Vernick (S) - WATER BALLOON 
Danette Vigilante - THE TROUBLE WITH HALF A MOON 

MIDDLE GRADE NONFICTION
Cynthia Levinson - WE'VE GOT A JOB   

YOUNG ADULT
Penny Blubaugh - BLOOD AND FLOWERS, SERENDIPITY MARKET 
J. Anderson Coats - THE WICKED AND THE JUST 
Peter Salomon - HENRY FRANKS

And if an Author Spot is not enough ... So many authors, including me (see my Time Out for Teachers page), do free 15-30 minute virtual visits with schools.  And that's FANTASTIC! You can find that list right here on Kate Messner's blog or check out the Skype an Author Network.

Wishing you a VERY successful book fair!
Jean 

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10. National Book Award Finalists Announced!

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALISTS


Fiction
This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz (Riverhead)
A Hologram for the King by Dave Eggers (McSweeney's)
The Round House by Louise Erdrich (Harper)
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain (Ecco)
The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers (Little, Brown)

Nonfiction
Iron Curtain: The Crushing of Eastern Europe, 1945-1956 by Anne Applebaum (Doubleday)
Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo (Random House)
The Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Volume 4 by Robert A. Caro (Knopf)
The Boy Kings of Texas by Domingo Martinez (Lyons Press)
House of Stone: A Memoir of Home, Family, and a Lost Middle East by Anthony Shadid (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

Poetry
Bewilderment: New Poems and Translations by David Ferry (University of Chicago Press)
Heavenly Bodies by Cynthia Huntington (Southern Illinois University Press)
Fast Animal by Tim Seibles (Etruscan Press)
Night of the Republic by Alan Shapiro (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Meme by Susan Wheeler (University of Iowa Press)

Young People's Literature
Goblin Secrets by William Alexander (Margaret K. McElderry Books)
Out of Reach by Carrie Arcos (Simon Pulse)
Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick (Balzer + Bray)
Endangered by Eliot Schrefer (Scholastic)
Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin (Flash Point/Roaring Brook)

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11. A Letter to the President

Dear President and Mrs. Obama,

Thank you for being the honorary chairs at the National Book Festival in Washington D.C. this weekend. I hope you can stop by the Colorado booth at the Pavilion of States on Saturday to take a look at my children's book, LIGHT UP THE NIGHT. There, you'll meet a nice woman named Chris from Colorado Humanities & Center for the Book. Tell her "Jean" sent you.

Sincerely,
Jean Reidy


P.S. I'd love a photo of you two at the booth - if you happen to have your iPhone with you.

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12. Time Out for Teachers is GOING ON NOW!

And here's what it's all about ...


For more information go to
http://www.jeanreidy.com/Time_Out_for_Teachers.html

I hope to hear from you soon!
Jean

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13. LIGHT UP THE NIGHT is a Finalist in the Colorado Authors' League Awards!

I'm so honored to be among so many talented writers!

Colorado Authors’ League 2012 Awards Finalists

Book-length Mainstream Fiction

Safe Haven by Susan Dugan (Karat Publishing)
The New Sons of Liberty by Tom Stohlgren (CreateSpace)
River Stone by JB Winsor (BoulderDigital Publishing)

Book-length Genre Fiction
A Way in the Wilderness by Paula L. Silici (Moonlight Mesa Associates)
Buried by the Roan by Mark Stevens (People’s Press)
Fox & Geese by Sandy Whelchel (National Writers Press)

Book-length Children’s Fiction (Picture Books and Early Readers)

The Mutt & the Mustang by Judy Archibald (Pet Pals Publishing)
Raj, the Bookstore Tiger by Kathleen T. Pelley (Charlesbridge)
Light Up the Night by Jean Reidy (Disney Hyperion)

Book-length General Nonfiction

Tea Leaf Reading for Beginners: Your Fortune in a Teacup by Caroline Dow (Llewellyn Publications Worldwide)
Speaking Ill of the Dead: Jerks in Colorado by Phyllis J. Perry (Globe-Pequat Press)
Walking Denver by Mindy Sink (Wilderness Press)

Book-length Creative Nonfiction
The Long Road to Oklahoma: Images and Impressions of Our Trip Across America by Kathy and Ron Hendricks (Self-published)
Michener's South Pacific by Stephen J. May (University Press of Florida)
Delirious Delhi by Dave Prager (Harper Collins India)

Adult Feature Article
Who Do They Call? byJoy Overbeck (Vail Valley Magazine)
On the Edge: How a Handful of People Have Preserved Some Rare, Valuable sheep and their Wools by Deborah Robson (PieceWork Magazine)
Rays that Pay by Susan J. Tweit (Audubon Magazine)

Adult Essay

Journey of Discovery by Dan Guenther (An Elevated View:ColoradoWriters on Writing, Seven Oaks Publishing)
A Shape-Shifting Land by Page Lambert (West of 98, University of Texas Press)
The King's Speech Speaks for 3 Million Who Can’t by Jeff Miller (DenverPost)

Poetry
The Mysteries by Kathryn T.S. Bass (Turkey Buzzard Press)
dance 101 by Constance E. Boyle (La Forza di Vita: Caffeinated Poems)
What answer forthcoming by Constance E. Boyle (The Human Touch)

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14. Cover Reveal: TIME (OUT) FOR MONSTERS!

Coming out in July from Disney Hyperion!
About a kid stuck with only his HUGE imagination in the time out corner.

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15. Jean's Spring 2012 Appearances

Oh goodness! I hope I have time to write. I'm thrilled to be visiting:

2/3/12         CCIRA Session # 410 1:30-2:30 What's Love Got to Do With It?

2/3/12         CCIRA RMC-SCBWI Booth #73 2:30-4:30 Visiting and Signing

2/27/12       Good Shepherd Catholic School Denver

3/7/12         World Read Aloud Day Special Guest Reader and Skype Sessions

3/21/12       St. Mary's Academy

3/24/12       Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore

3/26-3/30   South Bend Schools

4/1-4/15      The IRS

5/3/12         Skyview Academy

5/8/12         Windsor Public Library

5/12/12       Picture Book Panel Tattered Cover Highlands Ranch (TBD)

6/1/12         REACH Conference Presenter

6/8/12         Bookworm Bookstore Edwards Colorado

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16. The TOO PRINCESSY! Boredom Buster Winners are ...

... posted right here!

Congratulations to all!

And don't forget to explore all the ideas for some cabin-fever creativity!

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17. Thank You Booklist and Library Lady for These Stellar Reviews of LIGHT UP THE NIGHT

 This charming bedtime book plays off of the “This Is the House That Jack Built” cumulative classic. A little boy tells of his universe, starting from the farthest point he can imagine and ending up in his bed, just in time for sleep and dreaming. Reidy’s rhymes are so lively and appealing, however, that the child being read to may feel rejuvenated rather than lulled (“This is my continent, far and wide. / It kisses an ocean on either side, / on half the Earth, / which circles the sun, / which hides its face when the day is done”). Likewise, Chodos-Irvine’s illustrations reveal a boy who, after being kissed good night, gets up from his bed and wraps himself in his red-and-white quilt in order to narrate this grand tour. The quilt becomes a jet, a rocket, a flying saucer, and other red-and-white forms of transportation. From the swirling galaxies and the woodcut-style sun to the color-coded map of the U.S. and the retro feel of the boy’s bedroom, it does seem like a wonderful world. Booklist

Simply outstanding. In a cumulative,"house that Jack built" narrative, a young boy folds his blanket around himself and sails out over the Earth, into the stars and then all the way back till finally snuggling down in his own bed, ending each verse with "in my own little piece of the universe".
The concept is lovely and comforting, the rhymes are PERFECT and the art colorful, child friendly and has just the right amount of details. Wonderful at bedtime or any time of the day.
The Library Lady

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18. Light Up the Library Auction Items Still Going for Under $15

As of the date and time of this post, the highest bids on the following items were still under $15. Stop on by to put in YOUR bids on these screamin' deals.

Signed Copy of PUNXSUTAWNEY PHYLLIS!

Signed Copy of NOT YET, ROSE!

Autographed copy of Close Encounters of a Third-World Kind by Jennifer J. Stewart

In-Depth Critique of College Application Essay!

Middle Grade Novel Manuscript Critique from Author Mary Bartek

TOO PRINCESSY! Pink Hat and Scarf

Cozy, Cuddly Teddy Bear Quilt

 

 

 

 

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19. Melissa Conroy Author and Artist and Her Writer's Block Monster



My guest blogger today is Melissa Conroy (Yes! She has a famous author dad!) whose sweet new book Grandma is an Author releases today. It's an interactive story and journal about creativity and writers' block. But after visiting her amazing website and browsing her many creative endeavors, I have a hard time believing Melissa is ever blocked. And I got a chance to ask her about just that.

JR: How do all your creative endeavors inspire each other - your books, your dolls, your sculpture, your prints, your knits? How do they compete for your time? In other words when you wake in the morning, how do you decide what to do? I'm not necessarily talking about a routine here, but more about discerning which muse is calling to you.

MC: When I made my portfolio website, it was an opportunity to catalog what I had been working on for many years. I know it looks like a huge variety of pursuits, but in real time it has been a slow evolution from one thing to the next. When I had a studio in Brooklyn I could make large sculptures. Now, my life is more suited to making picture books. Ideas come in moments when I am not expecting them. Years ago, the image of a fort of translucent sandbags appeared in my head. It was there to greet me every time I daydreamed. That fort became a mini obsession. I worked on it for six months, piling and securing stiff translucent pillows until it was taller than me. It was a glowing oasis in my studio for about a month before slowly collapsing. If the vision of translucent sandbags came to me today, I would have the inclination to weave it into a story.

The mediums I use go back to when I was a child. I taught myself to sew in second grade to repair stuffed animals. I see a direct connection between my soft sculpture and more recently, my dolls to those early stitches. Drawing was another childhood discovery. The moment I realized I could draw was thrilling. The world began to reveal itself to me through drawing. I began to see details, shapes, colors, relationships and even personality in things that I had never noticed before. When I am feeling stuck I go outside and draw something. Drawing is the medium that is always at my disposal, while other mediums will tap me on the shoulder now and then.

JR: I hear you when you say ideas come when you least expect them. But translucent sandbags? Wow! I would love to see that in a gallery OR a picture book someday. I also love that you sew. And the fact that you repaired stuffed animals is so tender.  I think we could have been 2nd grade friends.

With all you do, you can't possibly EVER be without creative inspiration. So what led you to write a kid's book about writer's block? Tell us more about Gus. And tell us more about the journal that comes with the book.

MC: Perhaps doing so many different things can be a symptom of writer’s block. Reach a roadblock with a painting? Take out some needles and knit for a while. Having two options at my disposal helps. I can return to each with fresh eyes. That’s why I enjoy picture books so much. I love shifting from text to drawings and back to text until they are dependent upon each other.

I like to think I have plenty of ideas to work from. But, ideas don’t always equal functioning stories. When I sat down to write Grandma is an Author, every story I started hit a wall after the first page. I felt like there was a writers block ghost floating around in my head, turning my words into mush. At the same time, I found myself helping my daughter c

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20. Auction Preview: 50 Pages or 5 Picture Books - It's Your Pick - Critique from Agent Erin Murphy!

Donated by:  Erin Murphy (Erin Murphy Literary Agency)

Item Description:   For all those writers with polished manuscripts wondering "How so I get this in front of an agent?" here's your chance. Erin Murphy, a leading children's book agent who no longer does conference critiques is offering this rare opportunity -- a critique of the first 50 pages of a middle-grade or YA novel, OR up to 5 different picture book manuscripts. Erin will provide gentle and specific feedback and suggestions and follow-up interaction if needed. All to be completed by January 31, 2012.

For more information on Erin Murphy Literary Agency please visit: emliterary.com

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21. Auction Preview: Autographed Cap and Suit from Olympic Hopeful Missy Franklin!!


Item Description: At the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai, 16-year-old Missy Franklin came home with 5 medals (3 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze). She won her first Individual World Championship in the 200 Back with an American Record, narrowly missing the World Record. Missy is donating her official autographed USA swim cap and competition swim suit for this wonderful cause. Plus, this item will ship in time for Christmas!!

 WOW!

This is only a preview of one of the many amazing items I'll be featuring at my LIGHT UP THE LIBRARY auction 11/7 - 11/18. And I've got something for everyone. To learn more, please stop by my auction website at http://lightupthelibrary.blogspot.com.

Get excited!!!  

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22. Lighting Up the Night Across the Pond: A Pub Release-- I mean -- A Dublin Release Party!




CHEERS!


Thanks, Catherine, for spreading the word.

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23. LIGHT UP THE NIGHT Mini Blog Tour Schedule

Hi friends,
I'm getting so excited for my October 11th release of LIGHT UP THE NIGHT. And over the next few weeks, I'll be chatting with some awesome folks online. I hope you can join me at one or more of my blog tour stops.

October 11 - Sharing Our Notebooks  http://www.sharingournotebooks.amylv.com/ Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

October 12 - Tamson Weston Books  http://tamsonweston.com/blog/  Tamson Weston

October 13 - Literary Friendships http://literaryfriendships.wordpress.com/  Audrey Vernick

October 14 - Write Up My Life http://writeupmylife.com/    Julie Hedlund

October 17-20  (THE WHOLE WEEK) - Picture This!  http://robsanderswrites.blogspot.com/    Rob Sanders

November 4 - Writing for Kids While Raising Them http://taralazar.wordpress.com/  Tara Lazar

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24. Win a Signed Copy of LIGHT UP THE NIGHT on Goodreads.

This is my first giveaway for LIGHT UP THE NIGHT. And all you have to do is "click" to enter. What could be easier? Here's the Goodreads Giveaway link.

I hope you win!!

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25. A Heartfelt Thanks to Publishers Weekly for this Lovely Review!

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
"A boy celebrates his place in the world in Reidy’s (Too Pickley!) soothing bedtime story. Removing the red-and-white quilt from his bed, the narrator fashions it into an open-cockpit jet and blasts into outer space: “These are my galaxy stars so bright—/ they light up the heavens late at night/ in my own little piece of the universe.” The cumulative verse follows the boy’s journey as he eventually zeroes in on Earth, where, after he pays tribute to his continent, country, town, and street, he returns to his house, bedroom, and cozy bed. Caldecott Honor artist Chodos-Irvine’s (Ella Sarah Gets Dressed) brightly colored matte prints portray the universe as a welcoming place, abuzz with activity, with swirling, starlit skies and friendly constellations, astronauts, and aliens. Acting as a confident tour guide, the boy remains literally in the driver’s seat, as his quilt-patterned vehicle transforms into a spaceship, prop plane, train, truck, and skateboard before reverting to its original form. The collaborators are entirely in sync as they remind readers that the universe and its wonders are theirs to revel in. "
Ages 4–8. (Oct.) Publishers Weekly

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