Monica Edinger's Blog, page 8

My Jaunt to Vienna: Sensitive Sisi, Comfy Cafes, and Over-the-Top-Opulence of the Hofburgs.

I am just back from a quick visit to Vienna. It was just the right amount of time for me — three days. I decided to go as I’ve long been curious, I’m fluent in German so it is easy, I wanted to get far away for a few days, and I’m not a beach and sun sort of person. Some highlights:

I arrived from my flight late morning so had plenty of time to wander about the center. I toured the Opera, looked about St. Stephen’s Cathedral, stopped by the  legendary confectionary Demel’s (where I picked up...

She’s heading our way, umbrella and all: Mary Poppins Returns

This trailer has me excited. Picking up nicely at the end of the last movie, Lin Manuel Miranda, cute kids, Emily Blount are all looking spit spot for the story.

 

NYU to Host “Telling Lives,” a Symposium Exploring Picture Book Biography

New York, NY – On Friday, April 13th from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, and its Constantine Georgiou Library and Resource Center for Children and Literature will host “Telling Lives,” a half-day symposium and exploration of picture book biography. The event is free and open to the public.

The program will consist of three parts:

An illustrated overview of picture book biography by one of the world’s preeminent scholars and authorit...

My Thoughts on The Wrinkle in Time Movie

I’m one who adored the book as a young reader (you can see a sample of my fan art here) and so I did my best to go into the movie with a recognition that it was an adaptation, film, and made decades after the book was written. Here are some thoughts after seeing it.

Thought the back story of the father was beautifully done. Loved the opening scenes of him with Meg, with her mother, as a loving couple, family, and as brilliant scholars. Outstanding! Storm Reid is wonderful. She is able to com...

Tickets available for 2018 Arbuthnot Lecture featuring Naomi Shihab Nye

CHICAGO — The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), Western Washington University, and the Whatcom County Library System announced that tickets for the 2018 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture featuring Naomi Shihab Nye are now available.

The lecture, titled “REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED – Our Lives of Reading & Writing” will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at the Western Washington University Performing Arts Center. Required tickets are free for the lecture and mus...

Learning About Africa: For Those Who Want to Know More After Seeing Black Panther

I was delighted with Black Panther for so many of the reasons articulated elsewhere. The one I want to highlight is the thoughtful representation of African culture. I admit I had been a bit wary about this going into the movie, being so aware of the ways the continent is so regularly misrepresented, but I was actually impressed with the care taken, recognizing attire, jewelry, and more that identified specific ethnic groups of which I was familiar. The plot was fabulous — not being familiar...

Ten Recent and Forthcoming Books I Liked

Here are ten to put on your radar. (There are some others coming that are going to get solo posts, but I wanted to give these their due too.)

Wed Wabbit by Lissa Evans. I adore this one and wrote at goodreads, “This is MY kind of whimsy. That is, this is a story pushing back on traditional whimsy in a witty and wry way that is still ultimately a journey story for a couple of kids.” Currently having so much fun reading it aloud. You Go First by Erin Entrada Kelly. This is a gentle and moving...

Thoughts on Newbery: Today’s Announcements

This was only the second time I wasn’t at Midwinter for the announcements. I went to school figured I’d see if I could watch the live stream or perhaps peek at my phone. Happily, someone was doing something with my class and I was able to watch all of it. And, boy, did I end up happy and pleased. Congratulations to all the honorees and committee members!

Here are some quick responses (while my class is out for a few minutes):

First and foremost — I’m over-the-top pleased with Erin Entrada Kel...

Gentleman Bill Teale

I am remembering the intelligent, kind, pensive, thoughtful, quiet actor, beautiful, wonderful Bill Teale. I knew him first as a smart leader in the field of literacy education, later as a fellow mascot to the 2002 Newbery Committee (we both were connected to members of that legendary group and so allowed to hang around:), then as a trailblazer in educational technology who invited me to present with him, as one who so loved his wife Junko, and of his sense of fun. My sympathies to his family...

The Art of MARCH: A Civil Rights Masterpiece is coming to NYC’s Museum of Illustration

This looks completely awesome!

The Art of MARCH: A Civil Rights Masterpiece On display at the Museum of Illustration at the Society of Illustrators February 28 – June 30, 2018.  

 

The Art of MARCH: A Civil Rights Masterpiece walks visitors through the story of Congressman John Lewis’s experience in the civil rights movement as depicted by the pen of MARCH trilogy illustrator Nate Powell. This landmark exhibition of Congressman Lewis’s celebrated graphic novel memoir, co-written with And...