Betsy Bird's Blog, page 280

Review of the Day: Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon

Dory Fantasmagory

By Abby Hanlon

Dial (an imprint of Penguin)

$14.99

ISBN: 978-0-8037-4088-4

Ages 6-8

On shelves October 9th

Which of the following types of children’s books are, in your opinion, the most difficult to write: Board books, picture books, easy books (for emerging readers), early chapter books, or middle grade fiction (older chapter books)? The question is, by its very definition, unfair. They are all incredibly hard to do well. Now me, I have always felt that easy books must be t...

Review of the Day: Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood

Bad Bye, Good Bye

By Deborah Underwood

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

$16.99

ISBN: 978-0-547-92852-4

Ages 3-7

On shelves now

As a mother who recently spent the better part of twenty hours in a car with a three-year-old and a three-month-old baby, I feel a special kinship with parents who have also engaged in the ultimate endurance sport: travel with children. If you feel no particular sympathy for those engaged in this activity that is because you have not experienced it firsthand yourself. But eve...

Book Trailer Premiere – Zorgoochi Intergalactic Pizza: Delivery of Doom by Dan Yaccarino

Today I am pleased as punch to premiere the brand spankin’ new book trailer for Dan Yaccarino’s middel grade novel debut Zorgoochi Intergalactic Pizza: Delivery of Doom (say that five times fast – I dare you). The video captures humor, pathos, and angry mushrooms. In other words, everything that makes life worth living.

Enjoy

Fusenews: Avada ke-dairy

I have never, in all my livelong days, been so proud of an illustrator. And Mary Engelbreit at that. For someone as well-established as she is the decision to create and sell a print with all proceeds going to the Michael Brown Jr. Memorial Fund, which supports the family of Michael Brown, the Missouri teenager who was gunned down by police two weeks ago. Here’s what it looks like:

Next thing you know Ms. Engelbreit is being blasted by haters and trolls for this work. You can read about the co...

Press Release Fun: Tour the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre From the Comfort of Your Own Home

Believe it or not, this year marks the 50th Anniversary of Roald Dahl’s beloved CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. This September, Penguin is celebrating with a week long Skype Tour of the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre!

On the Skype tour:

• The Roald Dahl Museum’s Education Manager will lead your group around

the Museum virtually

• Kids will get a look inside Roald Dahl’s real Writing Hut, featuring

his famous chair and the unusual objects he kept on his desk

• Experience the world of Da...

Historical Kids: What the HECK is Going On With Nonfiction Bios These Days?

Maybe it’s Common Core. Maybe not. I’m not always quite certain how far to place the blame in these cases. However you look at it, children’s nonfiction bios are getting weird these days. In some ways it’s quite remarkable. I’m the first one to say that nonfiction for kids is better now than it has ever been. I mean, when I was a young ‘un the only nonfiction I ever enjoyed was the Childhood of Famous Americans series. Not that it was actually nonfiction. I mean, it made these interesting sup...

Video Sunday: “Luke, I Am Your Father” (in a manner of speaking)

I’m a chick who loves Star Wars. I’m not ashamed of the fact. Feminist icon Princess Leia? I can get behind that (gold bikini or no). So when I saw a galley for that AMAZING Star Wars children’s book coming out with art from the original concept artist Ralph McQuarrie, I was blown away. Here, Tony DiTerlizzi (who did the writing in the book) talks about the film and the art. Geeks unite!

I love that he mentions that moment with the two suns. For me, that was undoubtedly the most iconic scene i...

Press Release Fun: Thalia’s Book Club at Symphony Space

Celebrate Reading This Fall with Thalia Kids’ Book Club at Symphony Space

The always popular Thalia Kids’ Book Club includes lively discussions between top children’s book authors and their fans, with special guests and a behind-the-scenes look at how books are written and produced. The interactive series is co-presented with the Bank Street Bookstore.

For more information and tickets, visit http://www.symphonyspace.org/tkbc .

Wednesday, September 10, 7 pm

Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller: Nightmar...

Review of the Day: El Deafo by Cece Bell

El Deafo

By Cece Bell

Amulet (an imprint of Abrams)

$21.95

ISBN: 978-1-4197-1020-9

Ages 9-12

On shelves September 2nd

We appear to exist in a golden age of children’s graphic novel memoirs. Which is to say, there are three of them out this year (El Deafo, Sisters, and The Dumbest Idea Ever). How to account for the sudden tiny boom? If I were to harbor a guess I’d say it has something to do with publishers realizing that the genre can prove a profitable one (hat tip then to Smile). We’re beginn...

Books to Films – Coming Soon So Be Prepared!

The advantage of having a bookstore in the library is when it has a tendency towards brilliance. Take this recent list the employees of the Schwarzman Building of NYPL came up with. I can take no credit for this. It’s just smart stuff (and very useful for my ordering as well). With mild tweaks on my part:

KIDS

READ the book: Alexander and the No Good Horrible Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

BEFORE YOU SEE the movie, opening in October

READ the book: Here Be Monsters! by Adam Snow

BEFORE YOU SEE the...