Nic Bishop Lizards by Nic Bishop
Nic Bishop books combine fascinating science with exquisite photographs. They are magnets for reluctant readers who love animals and nonfiction. His latest book on lizards continues with the high quality standard he has set with previous books. See a lizard hatching, so close that you can almost feel the rubbery egg. Look right into the eyes of a bright-green baby chameleon. Marvel at the skin of the thorny devil. Run across water with a basilisk in a series of stunning shots. Gawk at the geckos in all of their diversity. Linger with lizards here in this book that makes science accessible, fascinating and beautiful.
Bishop excels at creating nonfiction for children. His writing turns scientific facts into accessible and fascinating prose that points readers to reasons for wonder. With his stunning photographs accompanying his prose, it is too easy to ignore the fact that his writing works so well. And of course, you have his amazing gift for photography. Photography that is crystal clear and brings readers so close to the subjects. Make sure you read his author notes at the end for details about what it took to get the photographs you see in the book.
Highly recommended, this belongs in every school and public library along with Bishop’s other titles. Get this in the hands of animal lovers, both reluctant readers and non. But beware, bring it home and you too may be looking into a pet gecko for Christmas. I hear his name is going to be Bob.
Reviewed from copy received from Scholastic.
Art & Max. David Wiesner. 2010. October 2010. Clarion (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). 40 pages.
Careful, Max!
Hey, Art, that's great!
The name is Arthur.
I can paint too, Arthur!
You, Max? Don't be ridiculous.
Oh, all right. Just don't get in the way.
Art and Max are friends. Arthur is a great artist. Max, well, not so much. He's new at it. He's got much to learn. Can a painting lesson turn into a great adventure? You might just be surprised!
I really liked this one. I liked both Max and Arthur. (I especially liked Max's enthusiasm.) I liked Wiesner's storytelling too. It's a funny story. The illustrations tell much of it.
I really enjoyed the Library of Congress Cataloging one-sentence summary:
Max wants to be an artist like his friend Arthur, but his first attempt at using a paintbrush sends them on a whirlwind trip through various media, with unexpected consequences.
It does such a great job!
© Becky Laney of
Young Readers
Maybe they slither, but they aren't slimey.
I just finished this piece for Highlights for Children 2 weeks ago. It was a fun story to illustrate. It's not too often that I get to do some night/moon lighting, which is one of my favorite things to color.
There is a lot more to this illustration that I didn't post, the open light blue area toward the bottom is just the beginning of the space needed for the story text. There will also be skinks (the lizards) all around the text and hiding under some of the photos throughout the two pages. It will published in the December 2009 issue.
The sketch is below. You should immediately notice the change in the walls and the removal of the man's facial hair and some of the skinks, most notably the skink sleeping by his side which I was quite sad to see go.
I have never met a kid (or an adult) that didn't love Highlights for Children, you can click here to get a subscription.
Just pass the tissues, will ya? I sent three short stories out into the world today. Brave little soldiers. As much as I love them, I hope they don't come back; time for them to find a new home, find their place in this world. I'm kicking everybody out of the nest. (Using up my stamps, too.)
In other news, I found the lizard that had been living in my computer room. I was cleaning Aaagh! Don't freak out! and organizing, and I dragged out a box and there he was. After the prerequisite scream, I realized the lizard wasn't moving.
When he first moved in last year, I couldn't stick my feet under my desk for fear he might leap on my toes. I grew used to tucking my feet up under my chair and to hearing the sound of him, rustling about in my day lilies.
Here's for you Mr. Lizard. You weren't bad, as far as roommates go.
Back to your routine? I am. The snowman is in, the bells are down; no matter these things are standing in my living room, the neighbors can't see them, so they think I'm all packed up like they are.
I had a bit of a problem bringing the snowman in--I didn't know it, but a lizard had stowed away and clung to the snowman until we got into the house. He waited until I closed the door before he jumped off. Screaming comes naturally to me. Some reactions people verbalize only when others are around, such as laughing at a TV show, but for me, screaming works with or without an audience.
Part of getting back into the routine includes organizing and cleaning. I've done the easy part. I've bought stuff to organize and clean with. That counts, right?
I finished the copyedit for Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning, and FedEx is taking it up to New York today. This being my first novel, it was also my first copyedit. I knew it wouldn't involve the broad suggestions of the editorial letter or the turning of phrases in the line edit, but I wasn't really sure what to expect. Here's what the copyedit addressed: a few word changes, a few tense changes, mechanical issues (punctuation, italics/Roman, compound or hyphenated words), and some queries to confirm the material. The copyeditor did a great job; I learned a few things and I might have to pass my Danette-the-Dictionary crown (acquired in sixth grade) to her. She also left smiley faces on the manuscript here and there--you can't beat that!
I gave my first presentation on SPITFIRE on Monday and couldn't have asked for a more pleasant and receptive audience. Clinton Community College hosts a teachers' historical workshop about Benedict Arnold in the Champlain Valley. Facilitators Tom Mandeville and John Mockry do a fantastic job sharing knowledge about Lake Champlain history and leading field trips around the region.
I was the after-lunch speaker on Monday. They had lasagna, and I worried about this, but only one person dozed off a little, and I think I woke him up with my bo'sun's whistle. (It's used to issue orders during battle...or to get attention during a presentation as the need arises...)
I presented my PowerPoint about the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain, the real 12-year-old boy who fought in that battle, and how I researched his life and life on board an 18th century gunboat to write SPITFIRE. I also gave teachers a sneak peak at my school presentation, showing some of the artifact replicas, articles of clothing, and other 18th century treats I'll be sharing with students this fall.
I gave my first reading from SPITFIRE to people who don't live with me, and that was a terrific feeling. The teachers were kind enough to laugh in all the right places, had nice things to say about my research and writing, and clapped when I was done.
It was a wonderful afternoon, and it was great to spend time with people who love Lake Champlain and its history as much as I do.
I'm giving my first presentation for SPITFIRE tomorrow!
The book won't be out for almost two months, but this week's historical workshop at Clinton Community College focuses on Benedict Arnold in the Champlain Valley, so it's a perfect opportunity to share SPITFIRE and the story behind it with a great group of area teachers.
I'll be presenting a PowerPoint on the Battle of Valcour Island and the real 12-year-old who fought in it, sharing some artifacts to give teachers a taste of my program for schools, and... sharing my new book trailer for SPITFIRE!
Have I mentioned how much I love iMovie?
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Love the cover art for this one!