How to use this Page

A few interesting articles came to my attention past the weekend deadline. Also, there are some noteworthy changes in the kidslitosphere. Here's what's going on:

First "major media 'review'" (called a snap judgment) of Breaking Dawn at the Los Angeles Times. I haven't read any of the Twilight books for a number of reasons, so I can't comment on the review.

Matthew Thornton has an interesting piece on "shared translation" in Publishers Weekly.

The Publishers Weekly children's book reviews are up and online.

Think issue books (marijuana, plastic surgery, anti-drug) are only big in the U.S.? Then check out this article from The Local: Sweden's News in English.

Anastasia Suen's new Scholastic blog--Kid Lit Kit--is now live.

Do you have a children's book or writing blog? Then consider joining the Kidlitosphere Circle set up by Melissa Wiley. (I have mine in the right side bar. Just scroll down and you'll find it.)

Gail Gauthier's A Girl, a Boy, and Three Robbers tour is underway. Here's the schedule:

June 29: Books Together Blog
June 30: Sam Riddleburger
July 1: Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
July 2: Jen Robinson's Book Page
July 3: Big A little a
July 4: The Miss Rumphius Effect
July 5: A Fuse #8 Production

Gail also has a giveaway at her own Original Content. I'll be posting a review of A Girl, a Boy, and Three Robbers this week as well. It's a do-not-miss-title for readers ages five to nine.

In other interview news, Cynthia Leitich Smith interviews Anne Boles Levy and me over at Cynsations about the Cybils. Thanks, Cyn!

Tomorrow I'll have a review and book giveaway much like what's happening over at Jen Robinson's place. In the meantime, here are some things I'm thinking about today:

1. How many of you live in states where political ads are running already? John McCain ads have been in regular rotation for about a month here in Iowa, and Obama popped up today. Isn't it only June? I know Iowa is probably up for grabs (it constantly swings from red to blue and back again), but June? June?
   
2. Don't miss the 7-Imps interview with David Small today. It's a good one!
3. Speaking of interviews, Fuse 8 is up over at the Class of 2k8.
4. What do you remember from the prom? I'll admit it: I remember a long, pink, lace-infected Jessica McClintock dress. Oh, and super big hair. If you're in the mood for reliving the prom, then don't miss this photo collection at Jezebel.
   

Don't miss Bookworms' Reviews: children's books reviewed by (gasp!) kids! Mom Chris is the features editor for The Edge of the Forest and a member of my Far Flung Writers critique group. I'm hoping at least one of my kids will big up and write for the blog too.

Speaking of The Edge of the Forest--the fantastic June issue (with a Dar Williams interview by Carrie Jones) will be up Wednesday around 5pm CST.

I've been tagged for a great summer goals meme by the great Jen Robinson. Last week was a total wash for me, though, so I'm going to wait until Friday to respond. I'm still making my goals!

Remember the pay-for-blog-tour issue that came up earlier this week? A great discussion is still going on in the comments here, at Colleen's, and at Kelly Fineman's place.

It's graduation. Rain for the first time in years. Then we're off for a Very Important Medical exam for kid 2 in nearby University City. So, basically, I'm out of here. But, before I go, I wanted to tell you there's lots to read today on the children's book blogs. The Summer Blog Blast Tour begins today! You can find the schedule at organizer Colleen Mondor's blog Chasing Ray. And Elaine Magliaro has a great roundup of other events today at Wild Rose Reader.

Oh, and don't miss my nephew's review of What's Up Duck?, by Tad Hills, if you're in need of a smile.

Hi, Everyone. I'm having an unexpectedly busy week (the FLU hit here in Smalltown, and not one member of the family escaped unharmed), but I thought I'd check in with a few items of note:

First of all, thanks to all of you who have written in about The Edge of the Forest submissions. I have set aside a few hours tomorrow for planning and I'll get back to you right away.

In a first, my day life collides with my blogging life. Graphic Novelist Josh Elder (whose Mail Order Ninja I reviewed here) is visiting and will be giving a writer's talk tomorrow night. Over dinner he told me about...

Kids Love Comics! Maybe you all know about Kids Love Comics! and I just missed the boat somehow. Anyway, this group of graphic novelists has banded together to give talks, presentations, workshops, you name it. An awesome endeavor. (You can check out their reading list here.) One suggestion: Add a blog, folks!

Today we learned of the demise of the Nestle Children's Book Awards in the U.K. Sad news. But here's a university in the U.K. getting kids into the act of judging: The Bolton Children's Book Awards lets children 11-14 select their favorite book from a shortlist. And, guess whose book is on the shortlist? Nick Green! Author of The Cat Kin, and blogger at Green Knight's Chapel.

I'm sort of embarrassed to bring this up, but Esme Raji Codell (!) just awarded me a "Lion Award" from the Shameless Lions Writing Club . The award is in honor of "those people who have blogs we love, can't live without, where we think the writing is good and powerful." All I can say is--if you'll allow me this tween moment--OMG! And, thanks, Esme. I'm definitely blushing now. Esme is a wonderful writer, children's book activist, and first class blogger, so I'm beyond honored.

But, why am I embarrassed? Here's why: This award reminded me that the fabulous Shelf Elf awarded me this prize in December. During a blogging break. I had meant to pay it forward and then forgot! (BTW: If you haven't bookmarked or added Shelf Elf to your reader, please do so today. Shelf Elf is a great kidlit blog--Kerry writes beautiful reviews.)

The upside? I get to give 10 awards!

Okay, gotta run. The Cybils blog needs some feeding. Just one word of advice before I go: Get a flu shot. It's not too late!

a few good stories! For The Edge of the Forest. For March and April. I'm looking for book-centered stories in particular. So, if you have a great idea, send me an e-mail and we'll talk. (Upfront announcement: The Edge of the Forest is a venture of the heart.) I'm also interested in an author interview for March and a Kid Picks column for any month.

In other news:

Don't miss the January contest-edition of the Carnival of Children's Literature at Wizards Wireless.

Bruce Black interviews one of my favorite writers, T.K. Welsh, over at Wordswimmer.

There's lots of activity in the kidslitosphere this week. Here are some posts I've noticed:

• Tricia of The Miss Rumphius Effect has a new blog called Open Wide, Look Inside. This blog focuses on children's books and teaching. She's got a great post up on outstanding science books of 2007.
• Colleen Mondor tells us which books she's looking forward to in 2008 and inspires many other bloggers to do the same. She has the roundup, so don't miss it!
• Author Kaza Kingsley (Eric Rex) series is on a massive blog tour. Catch her at Deliciously Clean Reads. Emily has the full tour list up!
  

So, you go to a conference and you find out a news alert you posted about turns out to be a marketing ploy. Egads. And, too bad. The story was completely believable. (Thanks to Leila, Inkygirl and Gail Gauthier for the news.)

Anyway, I'm home from the conference which was truly amazing. I was the first to leave, so Mark at Just One More Book arranged for this photo on the way out the door. How many bloggers and writers do your recognize?

I just spent the day going through my [email protected] account. While I was abroad, some 200 e-mails piled up unanswered. In the process of going through this mess, I found some really neat things. They include:

• goodreads. Okay, I need another social networking site like I need a hole in my head. But this one is special. You meet and talk with your friends about books and books only. Awesome! I signed up, invited everyone to be my friend, and am trying to figure out how to edit. (ETA 10pm: Apparently when I invited everyone, I invited everyone in my e-mail box. I'm so sorry! Please feel free to reject my invite. I thought I had invited everyone already in goodreads. Oops!)
• Ummm...speaking of social networking sites....Shelfari is another great one and they have many a Harry Potter event going on, including giveaways.
• Speaking of Harry Potter, Kidsreads.com has a ton of Harry content online, including a Harrypedia and a Spell dictionary. My kids have been throwing spells at one another for days, so I'm sending them this link asap.
• Are you writing fantasy? Then you might want to check out "A Practical Guide to Fantasy," an online writing seminar hosted by Nina Hess on September 28, 2007 at 11 a.m. EST. You can get all the registration details by e-mail ([email protected])

Whew! Down from 287 emails to 23. That's progress, folks. Updates on Poetry Friday, The Edge of the Forest, and more will come tomorrow.

Well, it was great fun reading First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover and hosting the main character, Sameera Righton. Make sure to catch the rest of the tour if you have a chance.



I'm currently in Williamsburg, Virginia, and starting tomorrow, I'll be attending and blogging the Children's Literature Association conference. It took me 26 hours to get here, for some unknown reason (Thanks, United!), so I'm hoping the conference will be another good one.



In the meantime, here are some things I've noticed out and about in the kidlitosphere:



Fuse is in her new home and looking good. Make sure to update your links! I'll be following my own advice this weekend.



Liz B. responds to yet another blog vs. print article at A Chair, a Fireplace and a Tea Cozy. Her response is excellent and really makes you wonder--when are these anti-blog people just going to call it a day? Seriously.



Colleen Mondor goes proactive on us all and explains the impetus behind the Summer Blog Blast Tour at Chasing Ray. It's going to be a fun week.

It's been awhile since I've done a new blog roundup and, in the meantime, I've found a few other resources as well. So, here are the new resources:

• Annick Press, with the help of a grant from the Canadian government, has made video interviews of their authors and illustrators available online. Each interview is two minutes long and there are many available online now, including interviews of Michael Martchenko and Robert Munsch.
• Are you looking for children's books available online? The check out Children's Books Forever, which offers books to use as a download or on Smartboard, PowerPoint, or on overhead projector.

Okay, on to the blogs I'm adding to the ol' blogrolls:

• Lessons from the Tortoise. Libby writes smart posts about reading, writing, YA and children's lit, cooking, parenting, feminism. Can't beat that!
• Editorial Anonymous: The Blog of a Children's Book Editor. Why? Well, I've been remiss in adding this earlier, even though I've been reading this blog for awhile. Smart, smart stuff.
• Kid*Lit(erary). Laurel Snyder is a writer, who talks about writing and her favorite books on her blog.
• Writers' blogs: Colleen Ryckert Cook and Susan Beth Pfeffer (Thanks, Becky!)

I have a review of Kate and M.Sarah Klise's beautiful Imagine Harry up over at Book Buds today.

You'll never believe this, but we know who will be hosting Poetry Friday and it's only Thursday! Poetry Friday will be taking place at A Wrung Sponge tomorrow.

My review of Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple's Sleep, Black Bear, Sleep (ill. by Brooke Dyer) is up at Book Buds. Also, Jules reviews the same title over at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast as part of a Bear roundup. (I swear, for those of you who remember Middle School, I did not call Jules and ask, what are you reviewing today?)

A super-duper, gigantic congratulations goes out to Don Tate whose picture book story was accepted by Lee & Low. To watch Don dance and to congratulate him, head on over to Devas T. Rants and Raves.

Here are a few things I've been thinking about today, but haven't had time to write coherently about:

• Motoko Rich's book review article hits the kidlitosphere: Roger is for vetting, Liz B. finds the article, on the whole, balanced, and Colleen gets to the heart of the matter.
• Thank you all for your wonderful recommendations for Early Readers. I'll summarize and mock up a handy pdf file for people like me headed to the bookstore. I'll put it up on Friday.
• How have I missed Saints and Spinners? I'm heading over to fix that right now.

During yesterday's busy and, I think, ultimately fruitful debate about blog reviewing over at Read Roger, I neglected to post on a number of interesting things happening in the kidlitosphere. Reviewing aside, blogs are an easy, fast, and flexible way to present news and information. Here's what's up:

• Don't forget to submit your links to the 13th Carnival of Children's Literature being held this weekend over at Jen Robinson's Book Page.

• Over the past two days I've listened to the first seven chapters of L. Lee Lowe's Mortal Ghost. In this first part of Lowe's novel, Jesse, a teen runaway, is taken in by Sarah and her mother, Meg. Jesse, who is traumatized in a way we don't know about until Chapter 7, is suspicious of their intentions and Meg's almost miraculous healing powers. Sarah--an accepting and intelligent girl--wants Jesse to seek shelter with them, but Jesse remains uneasy. Maybe they'll hurt him in their good intentions? Oh, and strange things begin happening in Chapter Seven. Great listening (the reader is a young Welsh musician) and a compelling text. You can cheat by reading ahead, but I'm holding out for more audio. Mortal Ghost is highly recommended and FREE online.

• The first-ever wiki children's novel is chugging right along. Four chapters are up now and Moctor Fall (so christened by A Fuse #8) is in all kinds of trouble. I just put up pages for chapters five and six and they're waiting to be filled with text. If you're interested in participating, send me an e-mail.

I'm still editing the Forest (up today at 5pm CST), but I wanted to tell you about a great toddler book I read recently--Wag a Tail, by Lois Ehlert. I have a review up over at Book Buds.

Speaking of Book Buds, did you know Anne will be editing the children's pages for The Poetry Foundation? She gives us the scoop here and reports on a Jack Prelutsky event here.
-----------------------

In the "it's my blog and I can if I want to" department, Eric Wilson profiles "the headmaster of fashion," Tim Gunn, at The New York Times. Now before you all start thinking I'm a major fashionista, I'll tell you that I appreciate Gunn as a teacher most of all. He's truly a master in the classroom. Take this classic comment, for example: "I appreciate what you're trying to do. Do I love it? No." Perfection.
----------------------
In the no comment, but some of you may be interested department: more celebrity, more books.

It's a busy morning in the kidlitosphere. Here's what's going on:

• Don't miss the 12th Carnival of Children's Literature over at Midwestern Lodestar. ML did a fantastic job putting the submissions together! (My cholesterol is up by 10 points just by reading.) Speaking of carnivals, Susan at Chicken Spaghetti gives us the 411 on running and submitting to carnivals.
• The fantabulous Jen Robinson has been 7-Imped. It's a fascinating interview.
• Margo Rabb (Cures for Heartbreak) begins her blog tour over at Colleen Mondor's Chasing Ray.
• The children's book wiki is now located at a lightning fast server.
• For those of you who have been archiving your reviews at Children's Book Reviews, I've switched over to PB wiki's new editing platform. Now adding your links is as easy as posting them in a blog entry or e-mail. Let me know if you have questions.

Happy Monday!

There's tons of great content out in the kidlitosphere. So much, in fact, I'm going to have to do a roundup.

• A Fuse #8 Production has the first review of The Titian's Curse (the third in the Percy Jackson series) I've seen. Please correct me if I'm wrong. She's right: the cover is awesome!
• Lisa Yee is the 2007 Thurber House Children's Writer-in-Residence. But of course she is. I can't think of a better choice. Lisa Yee is the real deal. Congrats, Lisa!
• Speaking of real deals and new talents, check out the Melanie Watt interview up at the Cybils. I'm a huge fan of Scaredy Squirrel and Melanie Watt promises more of our beloved neurotic.
• Gail Gauthier took my challenge and responded to the Jenna Bush publishing deal. Gail, as always, responds with reason and takes a "let's wait and see approach." (P.S. I still adore her.)