Month: January 2013

Blue Peter Book Awards 2013 Shortlist

| Tasha

The Blue Peter Book Awards 2013 Shortlist has been announced.  The Blue Peter Book Awards are given in two categories: Best Story and Best Book with Facts.  Eligible books have been published in the last year.  Winners are chosen by a children’s vote and will be announced on Thursday, March 7, 2013.

Best Story Nominees

 Hero on a Bicycle 

The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas by David Almond, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Hero on a Bicycle by Shirley Hughes

Tom Gates – Genius Ideas (Mostly) by Liz Pichon

 

Best Book with Facts Nominees

House of Horrors (Horrible Science) Walter Tull's Scrapbook. by Michaela Morgan Fantastic Mr. Dahl

Horrible Science: House of Horrors by Nick Arnold and Tony De Saulles

Walter Tull’s Scrapbook by Michaela Morgan

Fantastic Mr. Dahl by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Quentin Blake

This Week’s Tweets and Pins

| Tasha

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

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

100 Chapter Books You MUST Read to Your Children!! | Chasing Supermom http://buff.ly/UFf86l

ALA 2013 Youth Media Awards will be announced on January 28th at 8 am PST! Yippee! http://buff.ly/WzGPrd

BBC Enlists Famous Children’s Authors To Pen Doctor Who | The Mary Sue http://buff.ly/TOujpV

CJ Daugherty’s top 10 secret society books | Children’s books – http://buff.ly/11k6Su8

Interview with children’s book author Ame Dyckman about BOY + BOT, picture books & writing process – Inkygir http://buff.ly/WFnQeV

Jo Knowles – Live Your Life: A Theme and a Challenge for 2013 http://buff.ly/WyTOte

‘Polar Bear Morning,’ by Lauren Thompson, and More in the NY Times – http://buff.ly/WDPNUA #kidlit

TED Blog | 10 great children’s books that will become classicshttp://buff.ly/11gmcrT

E-BOOKS

Douglas County Acquires 10,000 E-Book Titles from Smashwords | ALA TechSource http://buff.ly/TOB0Zd

Why Amazon Won’t Give You Free Digital Copies of Your Movies and Books http://buff.ly/11kkiq8

LIBRARIES

Helsinki Central Library

As Use of Libraries Grows, Government Support Has Eroded –http://NYTimes.com http://buff.ly/Wz5rAr

Book Forest Library in Berlin – GalleyCat http://buff.ly/VREhpU

Check These Out at the Library: Blacksmithing, Bowling, Butchering –http://buff.ly/11dlsDY

DAFUQ You Say to Me?: CNBC Calls Librarian one of the 10 Least Stressful Jobs for 2013 « The Magpie Librarian http://buff.ly/11jP8iM

Douglas County, Smashwords Refine Selection Tools for Bulk Ebook Purchases – The Digital Shift http://buff.ly/11fQ33L #ebooks

Emerald Fennell’s top 10 villainesses | Children’s bookshttp://buff.ly/Zkk41G #kidlit

Kids Rule In The Land Of ‘Hokey Pokey’ : NPR – an interview with Jerry Spinelli http://buff.ly/Sdy7Ed

New 10 States Sticking Up for Public Libraries – Stephen's Lighthouse

River Falls Public Library’s motorcycle exhibit woos bikers and bookish … quietly http://buff.ly/11j8dSc

School Library Thrives After Ditching Print Collection – The Digital Shift http://buff.ly/11gm3EP

Screwy Decimal: 5 Reasons Being a Librarian Is Stressful http://buff.ly/TOQFHU – A sane, funny response to the idiotic CNBC article

Stacked: On being busy and being stressed http://buff.ly/Wz6vEm

Turning a new page: Libraries hoping to attract new ‘customers’ » Naples Daily News http://buff.ly/WophhE

PRIVACY

How Generation Y really feels about online privacy | CES 2013|CNET Blogs http://buff.ly/UNYO38

PUBLISHING

Penguin Random House merger begins a new chapter for publishing | Books http://buff.ly/118ji8m

READING

Gorgeous books

The Best Books of 2012 | GeekDad http://buff.ly/11fbUIp

The Psychology of Books: Why We Read What We Read | Beyond The Margins http://buff.ly/SfFTgL

A Very Merry Christmas for Children’s Booksellers http://buff.ly/11fQbQP

SOCIAL MEDIA

New Myspace: an early review of the good, bad and overwhelming – Forbes http://buff.ly/UFfmum

Plus-One This: Proof That Google Plus Will Prevail | Fast Companyhttp://buff.ly/ZwVJpt

TEEN READS

First Look at Catching Fire

Fifty Fantasy and Science Fiction Novels to Look Forward to in 2013 | The Ranting Dragon http://buff.ly/UhjdYW

UK teenagers without the internet are ‘educationally disadvantaged’ – University of Oxford http://buff.ly/Z5Petp

Y.A. to Watch for: The Winter 2013 Preview – Entertainment-The Atlantic Wire http://buff.ly/TNBC12 #yalit

Review: Owly & Wormy, Bright Lights and Starry Nights by Andy Runton

| Tasha

bright lights starry nights

Owly & Wormy, Bright Lights and Starry Nights by Andy Runton

When the first Owly book came out years ago, I made sure to get it into the hands of my own reluctant reader.  Unburdened by the need to read words, he immediately took to both Owly and Wormy.  I’m happy to say that the series has continued to be just as good as that first book.  Runton has started to do more picture book versions as well and this is one of those.  In this book, Owly and Wormy go on a trek out of the woods and up to a hill where they will be able to view the stars better.  Along the way, they get caught in a rainstorm and take refuge in a cave.  There are strange and frightening noises and their telescope has disappeared!  It will take real bravery and no fear of the dark to figure out what happened.

This wordless picture book relies on its illustrations to succeed.  Happily, Owly and Wormy have a warm friendship that is evident from the very first page.  Add the dash of darkness, the storm and a really dark cave and you have a real adventure.  All of the content is ideal for the youngest independent pre-readers who will enjoy having a graphic novel of their very own. 

Runton takes fear of the dark and the unknown and turns it into a chance to make new friends and see new things in this strong addition to a great series.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from copy received from Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Review: The Herd Boy by Niki Daly

| Tasha

herd boy

The Herd Boy by Niki Daly

Malusi looks after his grandfather’s sheep during the day, taking them grazing and also protecting them from predators.  Malusi has to be able to work in the heat of the sun, keep the sheep away from the ravine, and keep close watch for snakes and baboons.  His friend Lungisa is also a shepherd but he has his own dog, something Malusi wishes for.  He also dreams of becoming something more than a herd boy, maybe even president! 

Daly weaves in African details to create a setting and society in this picture book.  The details are small but vibrant such as the food, the animals out in the wild, the landscape, and language.  She uses a few words and phrases of throughout the book, just enough to add some African spices to the tale.  Using poetic language, she draws the strong character and large dreams of Malusi clearly.  He is a young hero with large responsibilities and a willingness to lead.

Daly’s art embraces the landscape of Africa with ravines and hills framing the page, eagles soaring in the sky, and distinctive plants in the foreground.  There are full color images but also sepia toned ones that show small touches of the story as well.  The large format of the full-color images make this book good for sharing with a group.

Thanks to the beauty and depth of Daly’s writing, this picture book trends a little older than many.  It will also lead to interesting discussions with slightly older children.  Appropriate for ages 6-8.

Reviewed from copy received from Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

Review: Perry’s Killer Playlist by Joe Schreiber

| Tasha

perrys killer playlist

Perry’s Killer Playlist by Joe Schreiber

This second book in the Perry & Gobi series continues Perry’s story.  After surviving a wild night with Gobi, an assassin who disguised herself as a foreign exchange student, Perry’s band is doing very well and is now touring Europe.  He is dating a new girl, an older girl, who is sophisticated and completely out of his league.  But when the band travels to Venice, Perry can’t help but visit Harry’s Bar, the place the Gobi said she would meet him someday.  Gobi does show up, but once again she brings trouble with her.  Perry is once again drawn into her world of narrow escapes, bullets, guns, murder, trust and betrayal. 

Schreiber excels at creating books that are superbly readable.  This sequel is only a couple of hundred pages long and reads so quickly, the pages blur.  The pace is breakneck and wild, it’s a book that sweeps you up and you just have to know what happens next to these two characters. The setting of Europe lends a new vitality to the book as well.  It’s a pleasure to romp through Europe with these two.

The focus is on the action in this book and less on the characters, but I was pleased to see that we got to know Perry and particularly Gobi better in this book.  While she continues to be a mysterious figure, we are also shown tantalizing glimpses of what her life must have been like.  Perry serves as her perfect foil, reacting humanly to all of their escapades while Gobi remains cool and calm.  It probably helps that she is the one with the gun most of the time.

For fans of the first book, they will not be disappointed with the continued mayhem and action of this sequel.  This is a great series to hand to reluctant readers who will appreciate the fast pace and short length.  Appropriate for ages 13-16.

Reviewed from ARC received from Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.

Review: H.O.R.S.E.: A Game of Basketball and Imagination by Christopher Myers

| Tasha

horse

H.O.R.S.E.: A Game of Basketball and Imagination by Christopher Myers

A basketball court + a ball + two kids = the perfect sum to play horse!  When two boys meet at the basketball court, they immediately invite one another to play horse or ghost.  It’s the game where one person takes a shot and then the other person has to try to match the shot exactly.  It starts out simply enough with a layup with your eyes closed, but watch where this game goes!  Filled with a banter that challenges one another to seek an even wilder idea, the two boys quickly start to talk about shooting a basket from the roof of a neighboring building when standing on one toe.  The Magellan shot takes it even further, with a jump across the ocean and around the world and a dunk with a tongue!  That’s not the end of the game though, you will just have to read it to see the final play.

I love the playfulness of this book and the friendly tone of the banter between the two boys.  The fact that not a single shot is actually thrown makes it very funny too.  This is not a challenge about sports but about imagination and thinking outside the court.  Myers writes with a feel for modern dialogue between teens that doesn’t resort to modern vernacular but instead has the perfect rhythm and posturing.  Myers’ art is equally modern with lanky boys against bright colored backgrounds.  He also mixes in photographs and builds collages that add texture and pattern. 

Great fun to read, it will have you challenged to a game of horse as soon as you can find a court and a ball.  My favorite shots were always with my eyes closed and backwards.  How about you?  Appropriate for ages 5-7. 

Reviewed from copy received from Egmont.

Review: Red Car, Red Bus by Susan Steggall

| Tasha

red car red bus

Red Car, Red Bus by Susan Steggall

Turn to the first page of this picture book and you will see people waiting at a bus stop.  Another page turn has them aboard the bus and only two words: “Red bus.” The next page has a red car join the red bus and readers will see two people dashing for the bus stop.  By the time the bus reaches its next stop, the page is filled not only with a yellow van, yellow car, the red car and the red bus, but the people running for the bus have dropped their teddy bear.  As the pages turn, the road gets more crowded with vehicles and it becomes all the more fun to figure out what the story is on the side of the road.  The only words in the book describe the colors of the vehicles and name the vehicles themselves, otherwise it is more of a wordless book as the complicated action takes place in pictures only. 

Steggall has created a picture book that really plays with the reader.  At first, I thought it was going to be a very simple color and vehicle book for toddlers, but it is something much more.  The intricate cut paper illustrations tell the story along the roadside, as each page turn moves the reader further down the road.  There is a wonderful sense of motion to the entire book.  The vehicles appear in patterns with colors and sorts of vehicles. 

This is a delight of a read, surprising in its depth and yet fully appropriate for the youngest reader who enjoys cars and trucks.  This is one to linger over and discuss, talking about the story that is told wordlessly, perfect for curling up with your special little one.  Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from library copy.

Review: Oliver by Birgitta Sif

| Tasha

oliver

Oliver by Birgitta Sif

Oliver was different than everyone else.  He spent time in his own little world, visited only by his friends who were his toys and puppets.  They played endlessly together, having adventures across the living room.  When his family got together, Oliver played by himself under the table, wishing that he didn’t have to be there at all.  Then there was the day when he played the piano for his friends, but no one bothered to listen.  Oliver felt different all over again.  The next day though, when playing tennis alone, his ball bounced and bounced away.  It landed near a girl, who was herself playing tennis alone.  Yes, Oliver was different but it turns out that Olivia was too.

This debut picture book speaks directly to those of us who are introverted and who feel a bit different too.  Oliver lives in a world that may seem lonely to some, but is also obviously rich with imagination and creativity.  Sif takes care to make sure that it is evident that Oliver is not unhappy, he prefers to be alone.  I also particularly enjoyed that the book does not have parents worried about making Oliver less different.  Instead it is all about Oliver’s own point of view.

Sif’s illustrations have a great softness to them.  The colors are muted, the backgrounds on the pages are softly colored too.  Children looking closely will be able to find mice on each page as they watch Oliver’s life.  They visit the library with him, listen to him play the piano and only disappear when Oliver is feeling lonely.  They are a wonderful whimsical touch.

This strong picture book looks at introverted and solitary people with a warm fondness that will make even the most introverted reader want to visit Oliver and become his friend too.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from copy received from Candlewick Press.

Review: Butter by Erin Jade Lange

| Tasha

butter

Butter by Erin Jade Lange

Bullied because of his weight, Butter eats alone at a table with a special bench in the cafeteria.  He sits alone in each class, thanks to his specialized desks.  His parents struggle with his weight to, his mother continuing to try to get him healthy food and his father basically not speaking to him at all.  Butter’s one big connection is with his online girlfriend who doesn’t realize who he is and who is starting to pressure him to meet in person.  As Butter’s life continues to become more and more bleak, he makes a desperate decision: to eat himself to death on the Internet.  When he makes the threat, Butter suddenly gets attention from some of the most popular boys in school.  Suddenly, Butter has friends, a group of kids that includes the bully who gave Butter his name.  But as the day gets closer, Butter begins to wonder if he really wants to commit suicide and how he will survive at school if he doesn’t go through with it.

This book has such a strong premise with the overweight teen bullied into committing suicide in the most humiliating way possible.  What I didn’t expect though was to completely fall for Butter.  Butter is big yes, but in so many more ways that his physical size.  He has a huge sense of humor.  He has an enormous musical talent.  Best of all, Butter is completely human, not stereotypical in any way. 

Lange’s writing skill takes this book from what could have been a morose and vicious read and turns it into a book that really explores the levels of bullying, ranging from a single cruel and inhuman attack to the more subtle and even more dangerous support for self harm.  Along the way, Butter will become dear the reader, as his death approaches, Butter’s dark friendship with the boys buoys his spirits, but readers will continue to see through it even when Butter can’t. 

This is not a book you can put down, because you will have to see how it ends but also because Butter himself is a compelling protagonist.  From its timely anti-bullying message to the thrill of the Internet both for dating and humiliation, this book is a great teen read.  Appropriate for ages 14-17.

Reviewed from ARC received from Bloomsbury.