Betsy Bird's Blog, page 292
March 23, 2014
Video Sunday: And to think . . .
And here I thought that Dr. Seuss films began with The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T and those short animated specials and ended with stuff like the CGI fests we’re seeing in theaters practically every year. Not so! Good old stop-animation also has had a hand in Seuss’s silver screen career. Interestingly, this is the only film version (that I know of) of And To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street.
And To Think I Saw it on Mulberry Street by CarlStallingEnthusiast
Fun Fact: Beatrix Potter was a fan of t...
March 20, 2014
Fusenews: Abundant Smart Cookies
Oh, what fun we shall have now that the weather is better. Here in New York spring sprang yesterday and all the New Yorkers, as one, exhaled in relief. We are perfectly aware that it can’t last (can anything?) but we’re enjoying it while we can. So sit back and glue your eyes to a computer screen instead of enjoying the respite. Unless you have outdoor wi-fi, of course. Then go wild.
I don’t think I can go any further without bringing up the dual Myers pieces in the Times this past Sunday. As...
Press Release Fun: The CBC and the 2014 Children’s Choice Book Awards
As some of you may have heard, the Children’s Book Council has recently been answering a lot of questions about their Children’s Choice Book Awards recently. More specifically, the fact that their Author of the Year category includes one Rush Limbaugh. I’d first heard about this on the child_lit listserv where questions and concerns were raised. In the end, it appears that the CBC’s hands are somewhat tied by their own rules. They have to consider the top selling authors for this award, regar...
March 19, 2014
Review of the Day – Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poems selected by Paul B. Janeczko
Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poems
Selected by Paul B. Janeczko
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Candlewick Press
$16.99
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4842-8
Ages 4-8
On shelves now
Is reviewing works of poetry essentially a ridiculous thing to attempt? I’m not trying to be facetious or anything, I honestly want to know. It took me a long time to appreciate poetry on any level, but when I did I was able to come to it understanding that its closest relative in the arts world is music. Music that a person...
March 17, 2014
Newbery / Caldecott 2015: Spring Prediction Edition
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Yes, folks, it’s that time of year again. Just when you had a spare moment to catch your breath after all that award craziness, I come in with my wheelbarrow of 2015 predictions ready to dump them on your proverbial lap whether you want them or not. And on a holiday that has NOTHING to do with children’s books at that! How’s that for gall? If I were to take a guess I’d say you weren’t crazy about the prospect of having to consider what is and is not “distinguished” so...
March 15, 2014
Always Bridesmaids, Never Brides: Caldecott Almosts
There is a phenomenon that I have detected in the wide world of Caldecott Awards. A phenomenon to which one cannot ascribe blame, but rather occurs in a bubble outside of any logic or comprehension. It’s something I’ve noticed for a little while but have never put a name to.
Inspiration for this post came when I was reading a recent PW report onthe second gathering ofChildren’s Books Boston. In the piece (called Why Did That Book Win?: A Children’s Books Boston Discussion) Vicky Smith said som...
March 14, 2014
Press Release Fun: Eric Carle Museum Seeks Public Submissions
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Seeks Public Submissions for its
What’s Your Favorite Animal? Exhibition
(Amherst, MA—March 10, 2014) The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is creating a special exhibition to celebrate the new book, What’s Your Favorite Animal? by Eric Carle and Friends. The Museum will showcase the original work of the 14 published artists as well as a digital exhibition from friends from around the world.
The Museum is inviting people of all ages to submit a digita...
March 12, 2014
Review of the Day: The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
The Night Gardener
By Jonathan Auxier
Illustrated by Patrick Arrasmith
Amulet Books (an imprint of Abrams)
$16.95
ISBN: 978-1-4197-1144-2
Ages 10 and up
On shelves May 20th
For whatever reason, 2014 is a dark year in children’s middle grade fiction. I speak from experience. Fantasy in particular has been steeped in a kind of thoughtful darkness, from The Glass Sentence and The Thickety to The Riverman and Twelve Minutes to Midnight with varying levels of success. And though none would contest...
March 11, 2014
Fusenews: Gleeps! Whiskers! Golly!
Good old brackets. They’re the greatest gift basketball ever gave to children’s literature. I’m certain you’ve all been following the Battle of the Kids’ Books over at our sister blog here at SLJ. That upcoming schedule sure looks like a doozy. 3/12 Doll Bones vs Eleanor & Park judged by Lauren Oliver? Lauren, baby, my condolences. 3/13 Far Far Away vs Flora & Ulysses judged by SaraMlynowski? You can bet I’ll be there that day to watch THAT bit of logic. But if it’s even more brackets you see...
March 8, 2014
Review of the Day: Sparky! by Jenny Offill
Sparky!
By Jenny Offill
Illustrated by Chris Appelhans
Schwartz & Wade (an imprint of Random House)
$16.99
ISBN: 978-0-375-87023-1
Ages 4-8
On shelves March 11th
The sloth is not a noble animal. Few people spend time contemplating their heroic qualities and distinguished countenances. Had I an Oxford English Dictionary on hand I’d be mighty interested to learn whether or not the term “sloth” as in “a habitual disinclination to exertion” was inspired by the tropical, slow-moving animal or if it...
