HUGO Gets 11

The news out of Hollywood yesterday was that HUGO pulled in 11 Oscar nominations, including best director, art direction, cinematography, costume design, film editing, original music score, sound editing, sound mixing, visual effects and adapted screenplay. Beyond that fact that I'm delighted that HUGO turned out so well, that Hollywood recognized a children's book, and that Brian Selznick is a great person and artist who deserves the good fortune, I'm delighted that it reminds that we all start somewhere. many years ago when Eeyore's bookstore was open and delighting the children of NYC, a young man named Brain asked the then manager, Steve Geck (of BN, Greenwillow, and now Sourcebooks) for a job. Steve, though, didn't think Brian knew enough about children's books and sent him off to read. Brian returned, Steve gave him a job, and a star was born. Later, Brian turned his knowledge, experience, and artistic ability into creating the books he once sold, and I can honestly say, the world is a better place for it.