The Book Standard has an interesting article: Picture Books Fight Back: What the Publishing Industry Is Doing To Reinvigorate Illustrated Books about what is happening with picture books in book stores and publishing houses. I read with dismay that one of the tactics being looked at is more glitter and flaps. Those books are ok in their own way, but give me a solidly written and illustrated book and it can more than match the joy of a sparkly pink flap. I want a book that I can turn to time and again with my children and in my storytimes without fail. It takes a lot more than a sprinkling of fairy dust to get that. It takes talent.
Month: May 2006
Guardian Longlist
The Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize has announced their longlist:
Clay by David Almond (I really like the British cover much better!)
Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Blown Away by Patrick Cave
A Swift Pure Cry by Siobhan Dowd
Fly By Night by Frances Hardinge
The Worst Witch Saves the Day by Jill Murphy
A Darkling Plain by Philip Reeve
The Survival Game by Tim Wynne-Jones
Children's Music that Rocks
Thank goodness for great niche blogs like Children’s Music that Rocks, a blog all about music for children. I freely admit that I know almost nothing about children’s music, especially not the kind that really rocks. This is a great blog for librarians to know about for collection development and for recommendations for music that parents can actually stand to listen to with their children.
Frank Portman
Dr. Frank’s What’s-it is Frank Portman’s blog. Portman is author of the very hot King Dork, which is on my list to read. His blog is witty and great fun and filled with pictures of all types of people reading King Dork.
Pat Mora
Pat Mora’s website is a bright, sunny place filled with information on her many books, news and herself. I enjoy that the information on each book is accompanied by reviews as well as a synopsis. Very handy.
Artcards
I don’t usually link to for-profit sites, but ArtCards is of special interest. It is an online greeting card shop that specializes in cards with images by famous Australian children’s book illustrators!
Among Amid Awhile
Among Amid While is the blog of award-winning science fiction author, Margo Lanagan. I enjoy writer’s blogs that allow readers to see how the business of writing works: both the publishing and the process.
Just Teenie
Just Teenie by Susan Meddaugh.
Meddaugh writes books filled with whimsy and magical happenings and this book certainly delivers. Teenie is a very small little girl who is sick of being the smallest one. When she sees a fortune teller’s booth, she asks to grow. The fortune teller hands her a box with a plant inside of it. The plant grows and grows and eventually starts reaching down and taking things from people. When someone tries to cut down the tree, the tree grabs Teenie and carries her high up in its branches. Everyone is very scared, but Teenie loves living high in the tree. When cool weather comes, the plant droops and falls to pieces. But even at the end, there is hope for next year.
This is a great read-aloud story with exactly the right amount of text on each page to share with preschoolers and kindergarteners. The illustrations are vibrant, especially once the plant is in full bloom. It is a magical tale combined with a normal wish that children have, to grow. This one is a winner!
Froggy Rides a Bike
Froggy Rides a Bike by Jonathan London, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz.
Another installment in the beloved Froggy series, this book focuses on Froggy learning to ride his brand new bike. The book starts with a dream sequence which may confuse some children, but soon after that they will be enjoying Froggy’s escapades as he falls and has to keep on trying. The book is filled with London’s signature sound effects as well as the frog parents bellowing after FRROOGGYY! Another winner in a great series that children adore.
Waking Brain Cells 