Fusenews: Truncated Edition

My little sister Kate (who has taken it upon herself to become the best friend a picture book author ever had) created this little video of my recent appearance at the Bookbug bookstore in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  I’ll be doing a proper write-up of that day (two words: smoke machine) but for now here’s a taste of what you might see if you headed on over to the WORD Bookstore this Sunday at 1:30.  I may even show up this time.  Bonus!


By the way, my fantastically talented illustrator Brandon Dorman just wrote a piece for the Greenwillow blog that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the early and preliminary images he created for Giant Dance Party.  Like process?  Like art?  This post’s for you.


In other news, I’m moderating a free (f-r-e-e, folks) webinar for the good folks here at SLJ.  Called Books for Kids: Spring Reading for Growing Minds the event is on Tuesday, May 14th from 3-4 ET.  Here’s a quickie description:

Are you ready for an adventure? With beautiful illustrations, imaginative journeys, and timeless lessons, a great children’s book captures the hearts and minds of all generations. Whether you’re looking for the perfect book to fit in with the Common Core State Standards or you’re just looking to spice up story time, this free webcast is for you. Join Groundwood Books, Teacher Created Materials, and Random House Inc. as they present the best new upcoming books for kids from Shell Education, Archie Comics, National Geographic for Kids, Blue Apple Books, and Quirk Books.

Sign-up today!

Aw heck.  It’s just that kind of day.  Planning on coming to BEA?  Then check out the autographing roster.  Then figure out when I’m signing and come keep me company.  My nightmare is that they put me next to someone like Mo Willems and I stare at an empty sea of nothingness while he manages thousands of rabid fans.  Maybe the seating will be alphabetical.  That would be okay.  Just no Willems, dear god, no Willems.


Now let’s keep it within the family.  You may know that the remarkable children’s book editor Cheryl Klein has a regular podcast with her squeeze James Monohan.  For those who would seek it out it’s called The Narrative Breakdown.  Well my own squeeze, Matt Bird (he of the smart-as-a-whip blog Cockeyed Caravan) is on their latest episode.  The topic?  The Power of Irony.  You’re going to have to check it out, I’m afraid.  It’s your required listening of the day.


You have seen children’s fan letters before.  You may also have read my recap of what happened when Lemony Snicket, Jon Klassen, and Neil Gaiman all shared a stage together at Bank Street.  But you have NOT seen the honest-to-goodness hilarious (there is no other way to describe them) “fan” letters sent to the attendees.  Gold, guys.  These things are gold.  My favorite is the one that shows two stick figures, and one of them is reclining and eating what is clearly a shiny red apple.  Thanks to Allie Bruce for the link!


It was with a heavy heart that I learned about the recent death of Gregory Rogers, author illustrator, and Australia’s first Kate Greenaway Medal winner (for Way Home by Libby Hathorn). Of course my favorite books of his were The Boy, the Bear, the Baron and the Bard and Midsummer Knight .  I only met him briefly when he was in New York, but he was a charming fellow.  Godspeed.


Mentioning to you a Kickstarter campaign to promote a library podcast that has already reaching its primary funding goals sounds a bit odd, but I have my reasons.  You see, one of the rewards on offer is a piece of commissioned artwork by Tom Angleberger, the author of the Origami Yoda series.  Tell me you wouldn’t want a piece of that!


Daily Image:

Not much more to say about this next one except that it combines two of my favorite things: robots and librarians.  Now THERE’s a picture book idea.

Now someone go get me a pair of her shoes.

Culled from the Flavorwire post 25 Vintage Photos of Librarians Being Awesome.