Kirby Larson's Blog, page 64

Thought for the Day

"I will prepare and some day my chance will come."
― Abraham Lincoln

Banned Books Week

The good folks at the American Library Association asked me to be part of a video blast to recognize Banned Books Week. Here I am, looking awfully dorky (but I had been up at 3 am to catch a plane to New Orleans and I had to film it the second I arrived and it was 9000 degrees!) but my sentiments are quite sincere.
(Mom -- you may want to cover your ears.)

Old Favorites?

[image error]I had lunch recently with a fellow bookworm. Every time we're together, it's a breathless exchange of "Have you read this?" and "You've got to read that." Maybe the turning leaves put us in a school days frame of mind, but we got to riffing on books we'd loved as kids. I'm not saying these books stand up to the test of time, but I loved Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch, the Eleanor Cameron Mushroom Planet books and biographies about famous people, most of which contained invented dialogue and white-washed facts. But I didn't care! [image error]Not sure which of my 3 siblings decorated the first pagesWhat are some of your golden oldies?

Thought for the Day

"The original definition of courage is to tell the story of who you are with your whole heart." ― Brené Brown

Come see me on Saturday!

As part of Smithsonian Magazine day, I'll be signing at the Rosalie Whyel Doll Museum in Bellevue this Saturday from 1-3. Rosalie and her staff have been tremendous supporters of my newest book, The Friendship Doll so I am very glad to return the favor and share part of my afternoon with them. Chatting with Miss Kantoshu, the Doll Museum's Friendship Doll
If you've ever thought about visiting the Doll Museum (which is uber-kid friendly!), this is a great time. Sadly, this wonderful community resource will be closing in 2012.

Start Your Week Off Right

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Read this wonderful interview with Linda Urban at Ingrid Law's blog. Then go read Hound Dog True.

Motherreader calls 'em as she sees 'em

So Pam Coughlan invited me to be on a panel with her, Lizzy Burns and Little Brown publicist Zoe Ludewitz at KidLitCon (based on this year's conference, you do not want to miss KidLitCon 2012!). It was a lot of fun until Pam shared one of her pet peeves: author blogs that don't list the author's full name and her books.
Gulp. Guess whose blog did not have her author name and list of books? But if you peek over to the right hand side of my blog at this very moment you will see I have corrected this oversight. Whew.
There were many specifics I picked up at this year's KidLitCon but, really, what will stick with me longest is the lovely supportive atmosphere. I'm telling you, the kid lit world is magic.
Others will sum it up more eloquently than I. But kudos to Jackie Parker and Colleen Mondor for knocking themselves out to host us all; to all the presenters for generously sharing their time and expertise; and to all of the book bloggers out there who spend their precious free hours making sure the world knows about children's and young adult books.

This will make you laugh

I think Pam Coughlan had too much sun over the summer as she invited me to participate in a panel on blogging as part of the KidLitCon taking place today and tomorrow here in the Emerald City, at the Hotel Monaco. (Sorry to say, registration is closed but I promise to share notes about Scott Westerfeld's keynote address!)[image error]I know as much about blogging as I do shifting gears on my new bike: not much. But Neil assures me that if I keep riding and keeping playing around, I'll get the hang of it and not clank-clank-clank like a rank beginner. Perhaps the same will true of my blogging!

Crankleberry Johnson

So, when our kids were little and not their usual adorable, perky, above-average selves, I would wonder aloud if Crankleberry Johnson had come to visit.
Well, he came to visit me today. The Seattle Times had quite a nice feature about the upcoming Northwest Bookfest, taking place in Kirkland, Washington, October 1 and 2. Lovely photo of Ivan Doig  (darling man). Lovely photo of Karl Marlantes (tough book: Matterhorn). Sweet photo of "popular young adult/paranormal author" Richelle Mead. 
Two precious columns of information about the event.
Not one "stick" (old-fashioned newspaper term; about 150 words) about all of the amazing children's/YA authors appearing, donating their time, energy and expertise, including: Jennifer Bradbury, Erik Brooks, Deb Caletti, Holly Cupala, Karen Cushman, Heather Davis, Kevin Emerson, Sundee Frazier, Liz Gallagher, Suzanne Kaufman, Peg Kehret, Laura Kvasnosky, Deb Lund, Clare Meeker, J. Elizabeth Mills,  Craig Orback, Dave Patneaude, Cat Patrick, Suzanne Selfors, Joni Sensel, Samantha Vamos, Wendy Wahman, Richard Jesse Watson, and Suzanne Williams (please forgive me if I've left anyone out!).
Part of me wants to say: what are we, chopped liver? Part of me wants to say, shame on you, Seattle Times. Because if we don't cultivate and celebrate reading in the young, who will be reading Ivan Doig or Karl Marlantes?
Just asking.

Do me a favor: if you live in Puget Sound, check out the full Northwest Bookfest schedule here and come out and support books written and illustrated for readers of all ages.

And tell them Crankleberry Johnson sent  you.

Book Title Challenge

My clever friend, Grier Jewell, (who is evidently procrastinating about starting her novel) came up with a new game with these rules: Combine the full title of a children's book with the full (or partially full) title of a book for adults.
A few of her creations: Green Eggs and HamletFun with Dick and Jane EyreLord of the Rings and Flies
I, of course, contributed one title without reading the rules correctly. So now I must wear the cone of shame. You all, of course, are much more careful and actually READ the rules so you will fare much better. Head on over to Grier's blog to post your brilliant creations.