Month: June 2012

ALSC Notable Children’s Books Nominees–Informational and Nonfiction

| Tasha

I always look forward to the list of titles under consideration for the Notable Children’s Book list from ALSC. Notable books must be “worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding.” The list includes books for birth through age 14.

Here are the informational and nonfiction titles that will be discussed at the upcoming ALA Annual Conference.

INFORMATIONAL PICTURE BOOKS

  

Bird Talk: What Birds Are Saying and Why by Lita Judge

The Camping Trip That Changed America: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir and Our National Parks by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein

Just Behave, Pablo Picasso! by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

  

Mrs. Harkness and the Panda by Alicia Potter, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Queen of the Track: Alice Coachman Olympic High-Jump Champion by Heather Lang, illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Stay: the True Story of Ten Dogs by Michaela Muntean, illustrated by KC Bailey and Stephen Kazmierski

 

NONFICTION POETRY

 

Forget-Me-Nots: Poems to Learn by Heart selected by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Michael Emberley

Freedom’s A-Calling Me by Ntozake Shange, illustrated by Rod Brown

  

I Lay My Stitches Down: Poems of American Slavery by Cynthia Grady, illustrated by Michele Wood

In the Sea by David Elliott, illustrated by Holly Meade

Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Mark Hearld

  

Step Gently Out by Helen Frost

A Stick Is an Excellent Thing: Poems Celebrating Outdoor Play by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Water Sings Blue: Ocean Poems by Kate Coombs, illustrated by Meilo So

 

NONFICTION BIOGRAPHY

  

Best Shot in the West: The Adventures of Nat Love by Patricia C. McKissack and Frederick L. McKissack, illustrated by Randy DuBurke

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer

Chuck Close: Face Book by Chuck Close

 

Steve Jobs: The Man Who Though Different by Karen Blumenthal

Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World by Sy Montgomery

 

NONFICTION

 

The Beetle Book by Steve Jenkins

Citizen Scientists: Be a Part of Scientific Discovery from Your Own Backyard by Loree Griffin Burns

 

First Girl Scout: the Life of Juliette Gordon Low by Ginger Wadsworth

Hope and Tears: Ellis Island Voices by Gwenyth Swain

 

Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson

We’ve Got a Job: the 1963 Birmingham Children’s March by Cynthia Levinson

ALSC Notable Children’s Books Nominees–Fiction and Picture Books

| Tasha

I always look forward to the list of titles under consideration for the Notable Children’s Book list from ALSC. Notable books must be “worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding.” The list includes books for birth through age 14.

Here are the fiction titles that will be discussed at the upcoming ALA Annual Conference.

FICTION

   

Bink and Gollie: Two for One by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee

Crow by Barbara Wright

A Diamond in the Desert by Kathryn Fitzmaurice

Freaky Fast Frankie Joe by Lutricia Clifton

   

Kepler’s Dream by Juliet Bell

Kindred Souls by Patricia MacLachlan

The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose

  

Mr. and Mrs. Bunny – Detectives Extraordinaire by Polly Horvath

No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

  

One Dog and His Boy by Eva Ibbotson

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Wonder by RJ Palacio

 

PICTURE BOOKS

  

And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano

A Bus Called Heaven by Bob Graham

Demolition by Sally Sutton, illustrated by Brian Lovelock

  

Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen

Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan, illustrated by Merhdokht Amini

  

Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

The Hero of Little Street by Gregory Rogers

Just Ducks by Nicola Davies

 

Oh, No George! by Chris Haughton

One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo

  

Pip’s Trip by Janet Morgan Stoeke

We March by Shane W. Evans

Z Is for Moose by Kelly Bingham

Reading to Babies

| Tasha

The Guardian has news of a British survey by ICM and the Fatherhood Institute on behalf of Booktrust.  The study was done with more than 500 parents of infants participating. 

They found that 64% of parents were not reading to their babies at 7 months old and that 57% did not own a single book. 

Booktrust provides families with a pack of free books via their Bookstart program.  Happily, 75% of families started sharing books with their babies as soon as they received their free books. 

The Booktrust program is celebrating its 20th anniversary this week.  Booktrust gives books to 3 million children a year in the UK with 30 million titles having been given away since 1992.

Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

| Tasha

shadow_bone_sketch_both3

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Alina lost her family in the Border Wars and now depends solely on her close friendship with fellow orphan Mal.  Now the two of them are in the army together and head off for the dangerous crossing of the Fold, a place where magic contaminated the very world and covers it in darkness and horrible monsters.  When the two of them were younger, they were tested for magic themselves, but neither of them had any.  So what happens in the Fold is even more remarkable.  The ship they are crossing in is attacked by hundreds of beasts and Mal is horribly wounded.  Alina shields his body with her own as the monsters attack, but then she loses consciousness herself.  Coming to, she is guarded by soldiers and taken before the Darkling himself, a man almost as powerful as the king.  But what could she have done that would make her worthy of his attention?

It is difficult to believe that this is Bardugo’s debut novel.  Her writing has a wisdom and surety that is very special.  From page one, I was captivated by the strength of her world.  Set in a Russia-like place, the world and society are solidly built and remarkably original.  This is a world torn apart by war, where there is also an internal power struggle happening that could cause irreparable harm to the society too.  It is a world where villains look like heroes and heroes can appear villainous at times. 

The individual characters are well written and finely drawn.  Alina is a heroine who often doesn’t act like one, a girl with power that she does not understand, and a loneliness that aches the bones.  She is brave, strong and at the same time young and naïve.  The Darkling is equally successfully written.  He is aloof until he is close, disdainful until he is captivated, and completely complex.  He’s a delight of a character, one that offers no easy answers.

Highly recommended, this is one of the most original fantasies I have read in awhile.  Not populated with vampires, zombies or angels, it is still filled with magical writing, amazing characters and one incredible world.  Appropriate for ages 13-17.

Reviewed from copy received from Henry Holt and Company.

Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2012 Longlist

| Tasha

The Longlist for the UK’s 2012 Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize has been announced.  The eight finalists are:

   

The Abominables by Eva Ibbotson

A Boy and a Bear in a Boat by Dave Shelton

Bullet Boys by Ally Kennen

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

   

Dying to Know You by Aidan Chambers

A Greyhound of a Girl by Roddy Doyle

Soonchild by Russell Hoban

The Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Review: Dog in Charge by K. L. Going

| Tasha

dog in charge

Dog in Charge by K. L. Going, illustrated by Dan Santat

Dog had been busy all day.  He had sat, stayed and even danced dressed in a pink ribbon and tutu.  But his entire day changed when he was left in charge of the cats when the humans left.  Dog knew just what to do.  He would have the cats sit and stay.  But before he could order the cats around, all five of them had completely disappeared.  One-by-one dog found the cats.  They were lapping milk on the kitchen counter, hiding in the fireplace, in the clothes hamper, in bed, and putting on makeup.  Dog had to think of something quick!  Then he had a great idea: cat treats!  Unfortunately, they smelled so delicious that he couldn’t help himself and ate the entire bag.  Then, exhausted and full, he fell asleep.  When the cats found him, you will never guess what they did next!

Going has a wonderful tone and patter for slapstick comedy.  Her timing is right on and makes the book a delight to read aloud.  She also puts on an unexpected ending that will warm the heart and makes the book all the more wonderful to share. 

Santat’s illustrations are done in a mixture of different types of frames that add a dynamic touch to the book.  At the same time, they bring to mind vintage cartoon characters and have all of their charm and wit. 

This jolly picture book would make a great addition to storytimes about either cats or dogs.  It’s one of those that you can hold until the end to make the little bodies stay still.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy received from Dial Books for Young Readers.

This Week’s Tweets and Pins

| Tasha

Here are the links I shared on my Twitter and Pinterest accounts that you might find interesting:

You can also check out my tweets and pins about libraries and technology on my Sites & Soundbytes blog.

20 FREE YA and Classic audiobook downloads! | teenbookclubtpl http://buff.ly/L7SCeF ‪#yalit‬

Announcing “Teachers Write!” A Virtual Summer Writing Camp for Teachers & Librarians http://buff.ly/LvaMoU

Asking questions while reading out loud improves literacy, new study reveals – Chicago Education News – http://buff.ly/LgUJOW

Born to Be Wild – Interview with Libba Bray on SLJ http://buff.ly/Lv9nP1

"Closing libraries is a form of child abuse, Michael Morpurgo has warned"http://buff.ly/LAPNRL ‪#libraries‬

David Walliams signs new book deal with HarperCollins | http://Licensing.biz http://buff.ly/LSxzxz ‪#kidlit‬

"I think everyone should be given an opportunity to find a book they love.” -Lilli Leight in The @MiamiHerald: http://hrld.us/K2gDA5

An interview with China Miéville – http://prsm.tc/e50tTo ‪#yalit‬

Let’s end the great gender lie | The Guardian http://buff.ly/LAP8zO

Meet Manjiro, Japan’s Unlikely Teen Ambassador : NPR http://buff.ly/JCzZRr ‪#yalit‬‪#kidlit‬

Multicultural publisher holds its own | Crain’s New York Business http://buff.ly/LhMUTD ‪#kidlit‬

Palacio’s ‘Wonder’ Launches Companion Anti-Bullying Campaign http://buff.ly/LSxMkr ‪#kidlit‬

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Official Trailer) – YouTube http://buff.ly/K8EdBN ‪#yalit‬

PlayStation Announces Interactive Book Controller, Partners With J.K. Rowling For First Title http://buff.ly/Lv2TzU ‪#kidlit‬

Print or E-books: Which Are Better for Early Learners? – Early Years – Education Week http://buff.ly/LAwtUN ‪#kidlit‬ ‪#literacy‬ ‪#reading‬

SLJ’s 2012 Day of Dialog: Walter Dean Myers Vows to Close the Reading Gaphttp://buff.ly/Lvhxqw ‪#literacy‬ ‪#reading‬

Summer Reading Programs Boost Student Achievement, Study Says http://buff.ly/KRC4sp ‪#reading‬ ‪#libraries‬

Teen Reads: Summer Books For You And Your BFF : NPR http://buff.ly/KRyBdj

Top 10 YA Books That Should Be Adapted for Film | LitReactor http://buff.ly/LSv4eB ‪#yalit‬

Wanderful Acquires Licensing Rights to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Living Books – MarketWatch http://buff.ly/KGZkdL

Wider letter spacing helps dyslexic children http://buff.ly/KjmqBq ‪#reading‬

YA Fiction at BEA 2012: Not Chasing Trends, Making Them | Publishing Perspectives http://buff.ly/McCc23 ‪#yalit‬

A Y.A. Lover’s Summer Reading List, by Judy Blume, R.L. Stine, and Others – Entertainment – The Atlantic Wire http://buff.ly/LSnosN ‪ #yalit‬

2012 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards

| Tasha

The 2012 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards for Excellence in Children’s Literature were announced at BookExpo America.  There are winners in three categories as well as honor books for each.  Here are the winners:

Picture Book

 

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen

Fiction

No Crystal Stair by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Nonfiction

Chuck Close: Face Book by Chuck Close

And the Honor Books:

Picture Books

 

And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead

And the Soldiers Sang by J. Patrick Lewis, illustrated by Gary Kelley

Fiction Books

 

Life: An Exploded Diagram by Mal Peet

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Nonfiction Books

  

Georgia in Hawaii: When Georgia O’Keeffe Painted What She Pleased by Amy Novesky, illustrated by Yuyi Morales

The Elephant Scientist by Caitlin O’Connell & Donna M. Jackson, photographs by Caitlin O’Connell and Timothy Rodwell

Review: Red Knit Cap Girl by Naoko Stoop

| Tasha

redknitcapgirl

Red Knit Cap Girl by Naoko Stoop

Red Knit Cap Girl finds that when she is in the forest, she has time to think about all sorts of things.  In particular, she thinks about the moon and how she can get close enough to speak with her.  She tries reaching the moon with a branch, finding her in the reflection in the water, but nothing works.  Hedgehog recommends that she find Owl and ask about how to reach the moon.  So she does, and Owl tells her that there is no way to reach the moon, but she will bend down to listen.  So Red Knit Cap Girl heads out to find a way to get the moon to listen.  She decides to have a party for the moon and all of her friends help.  Bear and Squirrel hang lanterns in the trees that she has folded.   But moon does not appear.  What can they do to get moon to listen?

Stoop’s book is eye-catching and gorgeous.  Painted on plywood, the grain of the wood becomes a large part of the images.  The grain becomes clouds in the sky, patterns on the shore, and darkness in the deep forest.  It also works tremendously well with the subject of a girl in a forest.  The colors are deep and beautiful, so rich that they are almost wet in places.  The reds glow, the blues haunt, and the deep browns are real shadows.  Against these rich colors, the simple lines of the drawings pop.  The animals and Red Knit Cap Girl ground the book with their distinctive charm.

The writing is equally lovely with moments that catch the breath.  From the opening line, I knew I was going to love this book: “In the forest, there is time to wonder about everything.”  Isn’t that just the way you feel when you venture into the woods, like time has stopped and there are moments of eternity just to think? 

A shining picture book that has a richness and beauty that does not negate its inherent child appeal.  Add this to your next story time on moons or forests.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from library copy.