Monica Edinger's Blog, page 134

John Langstaff, Wild Mountain Thyme, and Other Specialnesses

One of the iconic members of the CLNE group was the marvelous imp, John Langstaff.  He led us in song and dance and was such a wonderful part of the experience that it was very hard when he was gone.  I do have to say Gregory Maguire has a lovely singing voice, but as anyone who was around for John at CLNE, no one can replace him.  After mentioning (and first mispelling) "Wild Mountain Thyme" in my previous post I went searching for a video of it. Didn't find one with John, but did find this...

SECRETS TOLD AND UNTOLD: A CLNE Colloquy

I am one of those CLNErs. That is, starting in 1999 (relatively recent compared to those who were involved many, many years before me) I began attending the annual summer institute of Children's Literature New England.  I hadn't intended to make it an annual thing, but like many others, once I started I couldn't stop.

These institutes were extraordinary.  There were required readings, some quite dense, lectures, small group discussions, poetry, singing, talks of a caliber quite remarkable. ...

I'm Back in the World of Sounis, Attolia, and Eddis (not to worry, no spoilage in this post)…

and before too long you will be too.

Yes, ARCs for Megan Whalen Turner's A Conspiracy of Kings were indeed available at NCTE.  But silly-in-need-of-instant-gratification-me was unable to wait till then and so last Thursday, after getting word that they were "in the building," I nipped over to HarperCollins for my copy while my class was in PE (fortunately there is a convenient subway line that made it possible for me to do this).  I'm now about half way through and have to say I'm not rushing...

Smart Kid Reviews: First in a Series

I started a Book Bloggers Club this year for kids who had blogs with me when they were in 4th grade. So far I've got six 6th grade girls in the club (one brings a friend who brings a friend, etc) and we are all enjoying it very much. One of our first events, as some of you know, was to see and review the Where the Wild Things Are movie.  They are also reading and reviewing other new and forthcoming books.  Here are links to some of their reviews:

C16km thinks Kate DiCamillo's The Magician's...

Yes!! Claudette Colvin Wins Young People's National Book Award

Congratulations to all involved in the creation of this year's young people's winner of the National Book Award, especially author Phillip Hoose, editor Melanie Kroupa, and Claudette Colvin herself.  As I think I made clear in this post, Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice is one of my favorite books of the year.  Hurray!

I'm a big fan of the runners-up too:

Deborah Heiligman, Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith
(Henry Holt)
David...

A Blog After My Own Inappropriate Heart

Philip Nel just pointed out to me that Lane Smith and Bob Shea had scooped me on the "Andy Warhol, Children's Illustrator" post with an actual picture book the wiggy guy did.  More importantly it is on their blog, Curious Pages: Recommended Inappropriate Books for Kids.   A blog I didn't know about till Phil told me about it a few minutes ago.  A blog full of my favorite snarky, subversive, weird, dotty, bizarre, clever, and not-your-usual children's book books.  They've got stuff by Gorey...

Megan Whalen Turner on Jewel Boxes, Writing Advice, and Sulky Characters

All I can say is that endings are very important to me as a reader and so they are important to me as a writer. I really resent stories without endings. I was once very flattered to be lumped in the same category as Frank Stockton, but that's because of The Griffin and the Minor Cannon. Don't get me started on "The Lady or the Tiger?" (Megan Whalen Turner)

For those eagerly waiting for A Conspiracy of Kings, check out HipWriterMama's excellent interview with...

Andy Warhol, Children's Illustrator

253. WARHOL, Andy (1928 – 1987) Best in Children's Books Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1957-1959. Small 8vo. Volumes 5, 15, 27 and 33. Condition: dust jackets lightly worn with some minor chips.
Early in his career, the Pop Art icon Andy Warhol illustrated several volumes of the popular series Best in Children's Books issued by the Doubleday Book Club between 1957 and 1961. But these light, childlike pictures are generally unknown to admirers of his famous pictures of Campbell's Soup Cans and...

NCTE: Old Books — New Journeys

The theme of the conference, "Once and Future Classics: Reading Between the Lines," is designed to inspire courageous conversations about traditional and contemporary literature and foster lively discussions of how we teach as well as what we teach.

from Program Chair Carol Jago's NCTE Convention Welcome

A big fan of classical literature in the classroom (I've even written a book about it), I was delighted when this was announced as the convention theme and can't wait to see what will be said...

Hurray!

Peace Corps Returns to Sierra Leone

Freetown

Date: November 2, 2009

November 2, 2009 – United States and Sierra Leone government officials signed an agreement to reestablish a Peace Corps program in Sierra Leone after a 16 year absence. Glenn Fedzer, the Chargé d'Affaires for the U.S. Embassy in Freetown, and Sierra Leone's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura, signed an agreement to officially re-establish Peace...