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I wrote a tribute at Kirkus today to my friend and co-author Peter D. Sieruta. It is here.

I’ll be back tomorrow with art. Till then …

Well, this marks the first time in 7-Imp history—at least since 7-Imp started doing weekly “kicks” posts on Sundays—that I’m not kickin’ on a Sunday, but it’s Saturday night as I write this and I just received the news that the one and only Peter D. Sieruta, with whom Betsy Bird and I have been researching and writing a book since 2009, passed away Friday night. I’m still lacking details about what exactly happened, but his brother has announced the news.

I am still shocked about the brand-new, intractable fact that there’s a Peter-shaped hole in the world now, and I don’t really want to accept it, to imagine further manuscript conversations without Peter, as much as I adore working with Betsy. I have no doubt she feels the same.

(In fact, Betsy has written a tribute as well, and readers can also leave memories/comments at that post on Sunday. Betsy chose just the right words and remembers him well.)

I had planned on featuring an illustrator tomorrow, listing kicks, and inviting others to do so, as I do every Sunday. But it seems only right now to say some words about Peter and invite those who knew him to do the same.

It was my pleasure to work and write with Peter over the past three years. He had a keen wit, a kind heart, and a brilliant mind. He was an avid reader; every time we turned around Betsy and I were amazed, but not surprised, by the number of children’s lit-related stories he had stored in his brain and the knowledge he held on the subject. I remember one of us asking him early on in our research, seriously, Peter, how do you KNOW all this stuff?, and he replied simply, “lifelong interest in kids’ books!”

He would get a bit anxious at times about the editing process—joking about all of his portions of the book getting hacked and removed altogether from our manuscript—and this would leave me shaking my head in wonder. And that’s because his writing was very tight and always entertaining. I often turned to him to help me find more economy with my own words. Oh, RIGHT. Why didn’t I think of that? I’d wonder, after Peter got a hold of one of my sentences. (Or, as Betsy wrote, “He was such a professional, modest to a fault, always willing to help us out when we were feeling stuck. It is intolerable to lose him.”)

Ever curious, he seemed to be always reading, writing, and learning. And his blog, Collecting Children’s Books, was a true delight, where his unique voice as a writer was on display weekly.

Peter also adored his family. This I know. He spoke so fondly of them. His brother and parents remain, and I’m sure they are devastated. I extend my deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to them. Peter and I were writing partners but also had conversations of a personal nature about friends, family, and … life in general. And I know that he loved his family more than my words could possibly say here.

It was also clear to me and Betsy that Peter was very excited about our book’s publication, and it won’t be the same at all now. Not with his absence.

If anyone else would like to share memories of Peter here or leave a tribute, please know that you are welcome to do so.

I re-read these beautiful words from Walt Whitman just last week, and the least I can do is offer them up now in Peter’s honor, though I do so in shock and sadness:

All goes onward and outward, nothing collapses,

47 Comments on In Honor of Peter …, last added: 5/30/2012

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Little Willow said, on 5/26/2012 9:08:00 PM

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with his friends and family, including you and Betsy, and those he touched with his work.

Saints and Spinners said, on 5/26/2012 9:08:00 PM

Dear Jules,
I have no personal memories of Peter, other than reading his blog, but I feel sorrow and incomprehension. Thank you for the Walt Whitman words.

Ed Spicer said, on 5/26/2012 9:14:00 PM

I have shared several Facebook messages and wall posts with Peter. His blog, as you say, is a delight. I loved hearing his stories about how children’s authors got their start. I also loved Cindy Dobrez’s stories about how much fun she had working on the LA Times Book Prize with Peter. This summer Cindy, Travis Jonker, and I arranged our schedule so that we could spend time with Peter. I collect Newbery books and was very much looking forward to seeing Peter’s collection. He planned to take us to his favorite bookstore. Most importantly we were going to spend the day talking about books with an expert! When he sent me the news of falling down the stairs, I was disappointed, but still determined to find a time to visit. What a loss. Condolences to Peter’s family and to his many friends. Peter made me feel like family and I know that I am not alone in this thought.

jules said, on 5/26/2012 9:18:00 PM

Ed, I’m so sorry you didn’t see that collection. It sounded like it was a wonder, indeed.

He was a consummate book-lover, huh? And such a wicked funny wit at times …

Fuse #8 said, on 5/26/2012 9:23:00 PM

I keep not quite believing it and waking up tomorrow I dread that moment when I get up and realize that it actually happened. I don’t have enough words or the right words to do him justice. He just was the best of the best of the best.

bybee said, on 5/26/2012 9:46:00 PM

I loved Peter’s writing so much. I will miss him terribly.

Lisa Yee said, on 5/26/2012 9:52:00 PM

I am at a loss for words.

Jessica Young said, on 5/26/2012 9:55:00 PM

While I didn’t know Peter in person, his posts made me smile every day. I especially loved his playful painting and cooking experiments and his brilliant observations on children’s books and life in general. He must have been wonderful to work with. I’m so sorry to hear this, and my thoughts are with his family and with you.

Jules said, on 5/26/2012 10:47:00 PM

Peter was always so on top of children’s lit news and always had such a strong opinion about news items, that it’s like I can imagine him being shocked at his own death, writing at his own site, “can you believe this HAPPENED?”

No, I can’t.

What a huge loss. He was special.

Zoe said, on 5/26/2012 11:19:00 PM

Hi Jules, I didn’t know Peter, but I can feel your sorrow in your words and I’m so sorry for you, and Betsy.

Colleen said, on 5/26/2012 11:48:00 PM

Dearest Jules - I’m so very sorry for you (and for Betsy) in the loss of your friend. I’ll be thinking of your both.

jama said, on 5/27/2012 12:53:00 AM

I only knew Peter through his blog, and remember that from the very first time I read it, I was blown away by his brilliance, breadth of knowledge and wit. I was constantly in awe of the sheer elegance and beauty of his writing, his genuine love for children’s literature, and his generosity in sharing what he knew.

I know what an uncommon experience it’s been for you and Betsy to work with him on your book, and am so sorry you’ve both lost such a dear friend. Love and Prayers. ♥

Monica Edinger said, on 5/27/2012 2:05:00 AM

So so so sad about this. I’ve done a tribute on my blog too: http://medinger.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/the-world-of-childrens-literature-has-just-lost-another-great-one-peter-d-sieruta/

Philip Nel said, on 5/27/2012 2:25:00 AM

Jules: So sorry to hear of this. (I’m a little behind on news because I’ve been traveling.) I know that the book’s publication will be somewhat bittersweet now, but how fortunate that you and Betsy are here to carry forth Peter’s legacy — not just in the book, but in the work you both do. Take care.

Charlotte said, on 5/27/2012 4:44:00 AM

This is just awfully sad. Like others, I only knew him through his blog, but what a great pleasure that was.

eisha said, on 5/27/2012 4:51:00 AM

There’s no real comfort to be offered in a situation like this. He was awesome, and he’s gone too soon. But thank goodness for the book. Now some of his knowledge and stories, along with his brilliance and wit, will be preserved forever.

Liz in Ink said, on 5/27/2012 5:02:00 AM

Oh no!! Oh, Jules — and Betsy — I’m so so sorry to read this news. He was just a fount of wonder when it came to children’s literature. My sympathies to his families and to you, his collaborators…

Margie Culver said, on 5/27/2012 6:02:00 AM

Jules, I am so very sorry that you and Betsy have lost this wonderful friend and collaborator. I am deeply saddened for his family. Peter Sieruta was a rare gem and will be sorely missed.

Vintage Kids' Books My Kid Loves said, on 5/27/2012 6:10:00 AM

What a tremendous loss of a generous and talented soul.

:paula said, on 5/27/2012 6:21:00 AM

This is a terrible shock. In a way, I am glad that the book is forthcoming - we’ll get just a little more of his insight and appreciation.

The World of Children’s Literature Has Just said, on 5/27/2012 6:45:00 AM

[…] and  passion for children’s and YA literature I eagerly awaited his book with Betsy and Jules. Now I do more than ever (and am incomparably saddened at their loss as well as the loss […]

jules said, on 5/27/2012 6:56:00 AM

Monica’s post is just right, and I hope interested folks go read that. Thanks, Monica.

Debbie Ridpath Ohi said, on 5/27/2012 6:57:00 AM

So very sorry to hear of this news and for your loss :-(. I did not know Peter personally but enjoyed his blog posts and had hoped to meet him in person someday.

Timothy Forry said, on 5/27/2012 7:16:00 AM

This is such sad news. I will miss his insight, surprise emails and the best blog about children’s literature, bar none. I had been sharing information, trading books with, buying from and selling to Peter for years, but sadly never got to meet him in person. Still, his influence on my life and work and that of so many others is indelible.

jone said, on 5/27/2012 7:22:00 AM

Dear Jules,
I am so sorry for your loss of a friend and collaborator. How terribly sad. Sending you love.
Jone

Susan T. said, on 5/27/2012 7:27:00 AM

This is sad news, Jules. I am sorry to hear it.

JES said, on 5/27/2012 7:57:00 AM

Oh Jules — very greatly saddened by this news. I am so, so sorry for you and Betsy and his family and friends.

The video which Betsy embedded in her post — just a walking tour, nominally about his collection at the time he uploaded it, silent except for the music — says SO much to me about the kind of person he must have been, and how much he must have meant to those who knew him.

Thanks so much for sharing Peter with those of us who didn’t.

Schuyler said, on 5/27/2012 8:01:00 AM

I cannot process this. I have been exchanging emails with PDS for five years His heart was only surpassed by his humor. Few people could make truly laugh out loud. This sucks!

Steven Withrow said, on 5/27/2012 8:15:00 AM

Rest in peace, Peter. Your words have long been an inspiration to me, and your life a lasting example. I had always hoped we’d meet in person, but I am glad we encountered each other through our work.

may’s green library
is riffled by winds and turned
like leaves of a book

Leslie Muir said, on 5/27/2012 8:22:00 AM

So glad Peter’s passion and love for children’s books will live on in the pages of your upcoming book. Take care, Jules.

Laurina said, on 5/27/2012 8:31:00 AM

Jules, I feel such deep sadness for you, for Betsy, for Peter’s family, for all who knew and loved him. It’s difficult to accept such a loss. I didn’t know Peter, but I knew him as a fine fine person from hearing you speak of him. I liked what Eisha said — “thank goodness for the book.”

Kathi Appelt said, on 5/27/2012 8:41:00 AM

So very sorry to hear this. Oh gosh.
xoK

leda said, on 5/27/2012 9:33:00 AM

This is so very sad. Like so many people who love both children’s lit and Peter’s work, I never met him, but corresponded with him a few times. I wish he had lived to see your book published. I wish he had lived, period. What a loss. I’m so sorry.

Amy g Koss said, on 5/27/2012 10:07:00 AM

I am so sorry. Peter came to a talk of mine at Book Beat once, but we didn’t speak. I really only know him through his blog and facebook but cyber or not, I too will miss him.

Rachel said, on 5/27/2012 10:12:00 AM

Jules, so very very sorry for the loss of your friend. You and his family are in my thoughts.

Sebastian Clouth said, on 5/27/2012 11:08:00 AM

Hi!

I am the Books editor at Before It’s News (beforeitsnews.com). Our site is a rapidly growing people-powered news platform currently serving over 3 million visits a month. We like to call ourselves the “YouTube of news.”

We would like to republish your blog’s RSS Feed in our new Books section. Every post would have a description of your site and a link back to it. Our visitors would love to read your content and find out more about you!

You could also publish excerpts of your books if you’d like :), along with links back to pages where they are for sale.

It’s a great opportunity to spread the word about your work and reach new readers. We don’t censor or edit work.

We will be featuring and promoting content and book excerpts across the web.

Finally, if you want to receive a weekly email of the top 5 posts of our Books section, let me know.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Thanks,

Sebastian Clouth
Books Editor, Before It’s News—
[email protected]

Denise said, on 5/27/2012 11:29:00 AM

Jules,
What sad and shocking news. I’m so sorry you’ve lost a dream collaborator as well as a good friend. And I’m sorry for the kidlit world that we’ve lost a thoughtful and worthy champion.

Stacey said, on 5/27/2012 12:13:00 PM

Jules,
I am so, so sorry for your loss. And Betsy’s and Peter’s family as well. Sending hugs.

Emma D Dryden said, on 5/27/2012 12:27:00 PM

Such a terrible and sad loss for our entire community. All best wishes -

Samantha Vamos said, on 5/27/2012 10:02:00 PM

Sad for you and Betsy, and Peter’s family, of course. Thinking of all of you.

Donna McKinnon said, on 5/28/2012 10:41:00 AM

Hi Jules,
I still feel pretty new to the blogging world…still ‘discovering’ wonderful new (to me) blogs. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend, and I wish I had come across his blog in another way, but wow, what a writer…what a resource! I’m going to add him to my favourites, and spend some time getting to know Mr Sieruta, and his books.
Take care,
Donna

Con said, on 5/28/2012 10:47:00 AM

I am just so sad he did not live to see the book. His pride and pleasure in working with you and Betsy was so obvious and endearing.

Links Galore « Annie Cardi said, on 5/28/2012 5:31:00 PM

[…] wonderful voice this weekend. I didn’t know Peter D. Sieruta personally at all, but these posts about him are very […]

Sandy D. said, on 5/29/2012 7:10:00 AM

That was a beautiful tribute.

Joanne R Fritz said, on 5/29/2012 9:06:00 AM

I’m shocked. Peter’s blog was such a treasure trove for anyone passionate about children’s books. He will be missed. My heart goes out to all of you who knew him well.

Jeremy said, on 5/29/2012 4:25:00 PM

So sorry Jules. It sounds like he was wonderful.

Greg Pincus said, on 5/30/2012 9:11:00 AM

What sad news, indeed. My thoughts are with Peter’s family and all of you who knew him better than I. Though we were only online acquaintances, I know I’ll miss him, too.

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A quick post to note that the International Board on Books for Young People today announced the short list for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. That list is here. The winning author and illustrator will be announced next week at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. (Oh, how I wish I were going back!) There are many good folks shortlisted here, so I shouldn’t single out anyone, but to say I’m a ginormous John Burningham fan doesn’t even quite cut it, so I’m particularly excited about that.

That’s it for now. Until tomorrow …

I’m visiting this week (as a “special guest”) at a Highlights Foundation workshop in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Last night at dinner, my former career as a sign language interpreter came up, and before I knew it, the ever-effusive Katie Davis—who could probably talk a cat into a long, leisurely bath—had convinced me to interpret her latest picture book, Little Chicken’s Big Day, into American Sign Language, while she read it — all in the name of World Read-Aloud Day 2012, which is being celebrated today, in fact.

I haven’t interpreted in—gulp—nearly eight years (with the wonderful exception of having the opportunity to interpret for Walter Dean Myers’ 2009 Arbuthnot Honor Lecture at the Alex Haley Farm in East Tennessee). This is far from a perfect interpretation. There are even mistakes. I feel like I should point this out to any deaf folks or interpreters watching. Did I mention it was very impromptu? It was also at the end of a long day, as you can tell from my shiny face and tired hair. (I’m hardly a vain person, but you know … Whew.)

And it was fun. May you enjoy reading aloud today, if you’re so inclined.

I hope to be back tomorrow with actual picture book art. Until then …

I’m away this week, speaking at this workshop in Pennsylvania, but here’s a quick post to mention two quick things…

Pictured above is illustrator R. Gregory Christie. That image comes from my 2009 breakfast interview with him. Greg has a wonderful and worthwhile new idea for which he needs financial backing from those so inclined to provide some support. Here’s all the information you need to know (don’t miss the video linked there at the top), but bottom line is that Greg has a children’s and young teens’ bookstore (in a mall) in Decatur, Georgia, that “needs a new look.” He writes at that link:

The store will feature my published children’s books and sell handmade products at a reasonable price. Additionally the mall’s management is fine with me bringing in creative friends to do weekend long intensive workshops. It would be a fulfillment of a dream to teach the community to stop buying back their own culture from corporations. Most of the expensive items they wait in a line for, can easily be made or personalized with their own creativity. I miss the days when kids would buy a brand, then paint it, tear it, sew it and redesign it in to their own expression.

Workshops teaching book-binding, painting, t-shirt production, silk screening, even computer and cell phone cover design painting will be offered. I will have something to teach any aspiring art student or curious craft enthusiast.

Whether or not you can financially support the endeavor, please spread the word (especially to those in the Georgia area).

Secondly, you can bet I’ve got my face in this book this week, both at the airport and when I’m not speaking or listening to others speak at the workshop. Anyone else read this yet? I’ve just started it — and am enjoying it.

Till next time …

I had the great pleasure of jurying the 2012 BolognaRagazzi Award for the 2012 Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy. I’m now back from my visit to Bologna—needless to say, I slept like a log last night—after having looked at nearly a thousand illustrated books from all over the world with fellow jury member and French book designer Raymond Stoffel, as well as Professor Antonio Faeti, chair of the jury and all-around brilliant human being.

To say that I am grateful and thrilled to have seen so much beautiful international children’s book art would be a serious understatement.

Here I am pictured in front of Giannino Stoppani, the world’s most perfect children’s bookshop. One day I am going to go back to Italy with my pillow and sleeping bag to just MOVE IN to this shop and sleep there amongst the books.

Later, I will share more pictures from the inside, and I’ll tell you more about it then, too. I am waving now to the lovely Grazia Gotti, who owns the shop and reads 7-Imp daily. (And I say “ciao!” in my best Italian accent, though it will probably sound a bit twangy, no matter how hard I try.) It was simply flat-out AMAZING to find out that someone across the world reads and loves 7-Imp. I am still so flattered, and it’s hard to find words to describe how wonderful it was to meet her and her kind, smart, passionate colleagues and to spend the day in their shop.

I also finally got to meet in person the dear, sweet Cristiana Clerici. More on that soon, too.

The 2012 BolognaRagazzi Award winners will be announced soon. Exciting! Until then, I set off to get caught up on everything else.

Back soon …

I don’t tend to cover news items here at 7-Imp. I leave that to other bloggers, who are particularly good at rounding up the newsy-type notes, but here are two quick ones for today, ones I feel are important for various reasons:

1) The documentary film Library of the Early Mind is now available for digital download through the film’s site, and DVDs will be available through the site on December 1. The film’s producers, Edward J. Delaney and Steven Withrow, are now accepting reservations here.

If you haven’t seen this informative documentary, now’s your chance.

2) Author/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka will be hosting the 2nd annual auction for the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarships. The auction will go live on Monday morning at 10 am EST. I love the very idea of this scholarship: Jarrett created it in memory of his grandparents, who raised him. Given at the Worcester Art Museum, they provide tuition to underprivileged children who are in unique familial situations. The below video explains more about the purpose of the scholarship:

This year, Jarrett has four items up for bid:

A full-color, acrylic portrait on canvas of Lunch Lady and Betty:

(more…)

Would you like to hear one very possible story of smart and ballsy self-promotion before breakfast (though I’m hardly the first children’s-lit blogger to post about it)? Once upon a time, there was a talented author who believed in his manuscript, and he decided to take advantage of his robust online presence to drum up some interest in it.

Marc Tyler Nobleman is the author of more than seventy books for children—in fact, those 7-Imp readers with superb memories may recall that he chatted with me in 2008 about his picture book biography, Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman—and he’s super psyched about the subject of his latest manuscript, which has yet to be picked up by a publisher. This nonfiction book he’s written, Thirty Minutes Over Oregon, tells the story of Nobuo Fujita, who … well, let me just share here the flap copy Marc created for the book:

(more…)

I’ve been prepping for this. Local friends, come join me.

Until later …

See my special tee shirt that I’m wearing today for a special reason? And I’m wearing it in solidarity this morning with two other friends, sportin’ the exact same haute couture. What in the actual what the? you may be wondering. Let me explain.

It goes a little like this: Whenever author Jack Gantos very simply either writes or speaks, cyberspace chatter amongst myself, blogger/public librarian Adrienne Furness (What Adrienne Thinks About That), and blogger/school librarian Camille Powell (BookMoot) enthusiastically ensues — all on account of our most sincere (and long-time) fan-dom. Jack has written a new novel, Dead End in Norvelt, which I covered over here in a July Kirkus column (and followed up here at 7-Imp with an interview with the man himself). This book sees its official release today. Adrienne, Camille, and I exchanged many emails about the book over the past few months (we were lucky enough to have early copies of it) and discussed how much we enjoyed it. Natch. This didn’t surprise us.

But I also had the distinct pleasure of hearing Jack speak in April at The University of Tennessee, and I contacted Adrienne and Camille, my number-one fellow Jack-fans, at that time to say, “I saw Jack speak again, ladies, and once again I was reminded why it is that I decided to study children’s lit in the first place.” Because, you see, hearing Gantos speak will do that for you, as well as make you laugh so hard, you think you’ll nearly split in half. (Thank goodness for his wicked and refreshing sense of humor.) His words are just invigorating is all there is to it. The three of us chatted about, as always, his general awesome-ness as a force in children’s lit, given this new novel and his appeal as a speaker. So . . . (more…)

Click to enlarge and see names more clearly.

Will I see you in Nashville this year?

I’m out of town. May not be posting for a few days.

Seven apologies before breakfast.

But please carry on without me. Um, in the immortal words of Linda Richman, Ralph Fiennes is spelled neither rafe nor fines. Discuss. Alternately: The jelly bean is neither made of jelly, nor is it a bean. Discuss.

Until later….

(Where ever I may be at this exact moment, I very likely have a cup of coffee in hand. Hence, the image, though that coffee pictured there really needs some half-and-half. Quite possibly, a drop or two of Baileys Irish Cream. Also, I don’t think I’m capable of doing a post without an image. Discuss.)

I feel like I should say something dramatic here, such as, if you read any one 7-Imp post this year, let it be this one. And that’s because today I’m shining the spotlight on the folks at Literacyhead.com, a bi-weekly magazine connecting literacy and the visual arts. They came to my attention months ago, and gracious knows they’ve been ever-so patient with me, since I told them about that long ago that I wanted to post about what they do. I’m finally getting to it. Ahem, better late than never, yes?

And here’s why I love them: Well, I feel like the real heroes out there, as cliché as this may sound, are the teachers and school librarians of the world, working tirelessly day-to-day in our oft-beleaguered schools. I tend to run my mouth here at 7-Imp about illustration (in particular)—oh, I can wax annoyingly poetic for days about just one book or just one eloquent illustration or one very funny spread—but every now and then, when I can, I like to shine the spotlight on people doing the hands-on work in educating our children. (And those of you interested in literacy are reading Jen Robinson’s blog, Carol Rasco’s blog, and Terry Doherty’s Reading Tub, yes? I’m probably forgetting a slew of other great literacy blogs, but when in doubt or when needing even more info, go to those smart, passionate ladies for the low-down.)

So, where was I? Right. Why do I love Literacyhead? Because, as you can see at this page of their site, the folks over there love children’s literature and art (”the connections between the two make us positively giddy”); they want to “help teachers nurture their creative lives while they meet the demands of high accountability to which they are subject”; and they “believe that the arts are a basic component of a healthy life, not an afterthought or a bonus if there is time or funding.”

So, taking these beliefs, they use art to assist teachers in illustrating to children the writing process, to support comprehension of books, and to provide writing workshops. They also provide book recommendations, essays, reviews, visual aids and graphic organizers, and much more. I’m not currently in a school library and haven’t tried this out, but their work sounds impressive to me, and I wanted to hand the blog over to them today so that they could tell us more. (Yes, when you catch me facing a manuscript deadline, you get to interview yourself at 7-Imp, and I’m glad they were game.)

Oh, best thing of all about Literacyhead? They believe “that art is the most promising catalyst for social change,” and they “want children to begin to think that they need and deserve beauty in their lives.” Finger snap. Head roll. They are kindred souls, you see. If you read my blog at all, you know I second these beliefs. I mean, check out this page: There are galleries for Taeeun Yoo, Shadra Strickland, Jon J Muth, and more. The illustration junkie in me is swooning. (more…)

Hey, you. Yes, I’m waving at you, talented illustrators of the world. Please note this call for entries from the Society of Illustrators.

The Original Art: Celebrating the Fine Art of Children’s Book Illustration award/exhibition has celebrated the art of children’s book illustration for over 30 years. The annual exhibit in NYC showcases the year’s best children’s books. Sponsored by the Society of Illustrators, Gold and Silver medals are awarded by a jury to three chosen books representing a wide variety of medium and technique.

At the Call for Entries page at the Society’s site, you will see all the information you need to know — who may submit (illustrators, agents, writers, and publishers); eligibility; how to enter; the entry fee; etc. So head on over there, if you’re so inclined. The deadline for entries is July 22.

Now back to your regularly scheduled coffee . . .

The Summer Blog Blast Tour is going on this week, and I was remiss in not mentioning it earlier. (I blame my manuscript deadline.)

You can head over here to Chasing Ray, if you’re so inclined, for the master interview schedule for the week. I’ll be welcoming Canadian illustrator Genevieve Côté on Thursday for this summer’s round of interviews.

I’m not posting any picture-book art today, but I will share my project of the week: My felt-board adaptation, let’s call it, of Paul Fleischman’s and Julie Paschkis’s 2007 picture book collaboration, Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella.

Every year for my pubalic liberry’s summer reading program, I do volunteer storytelling. I try to mix things up but usually end up whippin’ out my felt board. I just can’t help it. As a wise friend said recently, “felt boards are like magic to our pixel-saturated children.” She’s right, you know. So, I always end up learning a new story and creating new felt pieces.

This year, since the summer reading program theme is “One World, Many Stories,” I decided to take Fleischman’s book and learn it, and I’m making Paschkis-inspired felt-board pieces for the journey of Cinderella around the world. My plan is to start off by asking the children to tell me the story we tend to tell in this country (based on Perrault’s version), and then I’ll run through it as Fleischman does with felt pieces representing elements of the story as it’s told all over the world. The pieces in this photo above are just a portion of the many I’ve made for this tale. (You may click on the image to enlarge it, if you’re so inclined.) This is decidedly more complicated than last year’s story, but so far, so good.

And the fairy godmother isn’t up there in that pic. Right now, I’m not pleased with her. She looks like some sort of sickly Jedi. I need to fix her. In a bad way.

I’m off now to continue cramming on this story. I’ve got some children to entertain on Wednesday. See you later this week with some actual picture book illustrations to showcase. Until then…uh, may the magic-wand force be with you.

I may have mentioned seven skerjillion times or so here at 7-Imp that I like sun images. Here’s my favorite sun stamp. I really own … let’s see … one stamp. Yup. That one. Because a sun stamp is all a person really needs. My daughters’ burgeoning collection of dinosaur stamps disagrees with me. RAAOOOORRR! they tell me and threaten to stampede, but I still say a sun is better any day.

Another reason I’m posting a lovely sun today is to inform 7-Imp readers that I’m taking several days off to go soak in some sun rays of my own. (I’m embarking on what I like to call our “redneck staycation,” but I won’t bore you with details.) Part of my goal, though it is a local staycation of sorts, is to stay away from work email and blog email and typing and Facetwitter and this, that, and the other. Think I can do it? I think so. But wish me luck anyway (because I really just like talking to many of you who live far away).

I’ve got some fun and talented visitors to 7-Imp waiting in the cyber-wings. And I’ll be back on Friday. See you then.

In the meantime, check out the winners of the 2011 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards! (Seven cheers for ANNA HIBISCUS, which I’m yelling in excitement!) Such good choices, and I’m particularly happy to see Salley Mavor win for Picture Book! (Here’s my December 2010 interview with her for fellow fans to read and enjoy.)

Have a sunny, most excellent week, all.

I haven’t posted about Nashville Kidlit Drink Nights in a while. We meet once a month (first Tuesday of each month, beginning at 6:30), and I just figured everyone assumed that, not to mention we have our own ways of communicating about these things. But here I am, touching base quickly all publicly at the blog, with two quick announcements regarding May’s upcoming Drink Night — for any new folks who may be interested in joining us.

This month, we will meet at a new location. We’re no longer at the wonderful Boscos in Hillsboro Village. Last month, we tried the Tavern on 1904 Broadway instead, and it worked out well, so we’ll be there again next week, the first Tuesday of May.

Secondly, this month, we’re going to blatantly copy the upcoming New York City Kidlit Drink Night (since they had such a smart idea) and take donations—a suggested $5, but any amount will do, even if only one dollar—to benefit Reading is Fundamental. Since a bill was recently signed that eliminated funding for RIF, the nation’s largest organization providing free books and literacy resources for children, this cut means that they need folks’ support now more than ever.

So, see you there, I hope:

I wasn’t sure when Kirkus was going to announce this, but it’s clearly already up at their site, so I’ll share it here as well:

I’ll be writing weekly columns over at Kirkus Reviews — for the new Kirkus Book Blogger Network, that is. My columns will be all about children’s lit and a lot like what I do here at 7-Imp, but just … well, more economically-worded. (Yes, here I can jibber-jabber to my heart’s content, but I’ll have actual word limits there, which is always a good exercise for me.)

I’m very excited. Incidentally, this doesn’t mean an end to 7-Imp or any such thing. Just a different venue for me, I suppose. Come join me? Here’s the info all about the gig and my fellow bloggers in many categories. I’ll give a hoot and a holler (that’s a technical term, if you live in the South) when my first column goes up.

I’m excited. Nervous. Excited. And nervous.

(And That Picture over there? Gah. Clearly, I had to take a picture of myself with a cell phone camera. I’m RIGHT UP IN YOUR FACE, aren’t I? I should have just gone ahead and thrown in a “mwah!” in a speech balloon, since my noggin is just so THERE. Also, the sci-fi/fantasy blogger added “he also likes bagels” at the end of his bio. I like him already. I should have said something about coffee. I want a do-over.)

See you over at Kirkus, too, I hope. If you’re so inclined to stop by, that is. I will make note here of columns that are published over there, and it should be weekly.

And, because I am certain I don’t say it enough, thanks for visiting 7-Imp, for joining me in the conversation about children’s lit. You folks are my people.

{Clearly, I need some intervention sometimes when it comes to post titles.}

I don’t tend to cover news here at 7-Imp. If I had more time to blog, I think I’d have fun rounding stuff up, but for now I leave that to the experts. You want the latest in children’s lit happenings from every perspective? Betsy pretty much rocks it with her Fusenews. I also like to hit 100 Scope Notes for some buzz. Or Read Roger for the no-nonsense buzz. Jen Robinson and Scrub-a-Dub-Tub and Rasco From RIF are absolutely who you want to go hang with for literacy-related round-ups. And there are many, many more, but you get my point. I don’t do it. I go to them and others for the low-down.

This morning, however, I wanted to share a few picture-book or illustration-related links that have come to my attention lately. I can’t help but feel the need to gab about them: (more…)

I want to add, now that I got that Caldecott yawp’ing out of me, congratulations to all of today’s winners in all categories.

Just because I want to celebrate with more art, here’s a previously-featured illustration from Seeds of Change (Lee & Low Books, April 2010), written by Jen Cullerton Johnson and illustrated by Sonia Lynn Sadler, who was named the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent (Illustrator) Award winner. (To see more, visit this August 2010 post.)

The Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book is Gary Golio’s vibrant picture book biography of the young Jimi Hendrix, Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow (Clarion Books, October 2010), illustrated by Javaka Steptoe. You can visit this December 2010 post for more illustrations from that title.

Okay, seriously. To the work-that-pays…

All images posted with permission of publishers and recycled from earlier posts.

I can hardly contain my excitement, you all! The ALA Youth Media Awards were just announced, and I was particularly excited about the Caldecott. (more…)

Just another reminder for any Tennesseans who happen to read the blog that we middle-Tennessee folks have kicked off the monthly Nashville Kidlit Drink Night, which will be the first Tuesday of each month, beginning at 6:30. Tomorrow evening, we meet again at Boscos (in Hillsboro Village).

For the last couple of meetings, we’ve had a good turn-out, and we hope to see even more kidlit folks each month — whether you’re a blogger, teacher, librarian, author, illustrator, anyone who works in publishing in any way, person who works in no way with children’s lit but is a fan, and whomever else I might be forgetting. And please spread the word. I have started a Google group so that we can share children’s-lit-related announcements, as well as remind each other about our monthly gatherings, so if anyone wants on that list, please contact me.

Perhaps we can indulge this month in some rum-laden eggnog. Or maybe even—in tribute to my second favorite holiday picture book ever—I can convince the person next to me to join me in some cognac, as Raymond Briggs’s surly Father Christmas, pictured above, prefers. I bet he’s got either that or “a good drop of ale” in that thermos of his on that book cover.

See you there, I hope:

My unofficial consultant on Good Causes Backed by Wonderful Artwork, illustrator (and designer and fine artist and teacher) Bill Carman—featured here at 7-Imp in 2009—tells me about a great list of artists for a great cause, Art Blocks for Ghana, a charity art auction, sponsored by the Picture Book Project Foundation and The Hopkins Foundation. These original works are created by established artists in the fields of illustration and animation, trying to raise funds to help build a children’s home in Ghana in March 2011.

Here’s the site for more information.

(P.S. Where has the Picture Book Project Foundation been all my life, and do you think they’ll hire me? I’d sweep their cyber-floors. I would. Their mission is to “bring continued resources and support to orphaned and underserved children around the world through art.” YES. That is precisely perfect.)

And pictured here is Bill’s offering toward the project:

Rain is copyright © 2010 Bill Carman. Used with his permission. All rights reserved and all that good stuff.

Here’s Alfred again. If you’re thinking, hubba what? or who shot who in the what now? or what in the what the? or Alfred hubba who? or who said what in the hey now?, that means you don’t tend to make it to the bottom of my 7-Imp interviews. (And this would be okay. I mean it when I tell people, which I do a lot, that it’s almost a science to keep up with children’s-lit blogs these days. It’s hard, isn’t it?) Anyway, Alfred—who came from the pen of author/illustrator Matt Phelan (whom I forever associate not only with good books for children, but also lots and lots of ukuleles) and whom Matt told over a year ago to pack his bags and live here at 7-Imp—is always here to introduce the Pivot Questionnaire. I have finally added Alfred to the “about” page of the blog. See here. I figured that 7-Imp has a new mascot (see here and scroll down for the news), thanks to illustrator Scott Magoon, whom I placed on the “about” page. (The mascot, not Scott himself.) And then I realized poor Alfred has really been a mascot of sorts ALL ALONG. Or at least my good buddy. He and I meet for toast and coffee every morning and discuss what to post. Yes, he looks rather sinister and moderately surly, but he’s really sort of a softie, too.

Also, someone suggested that 7-Imp have its own theme song. Paula of Pink Me

SEVEN THINGS! What kind of things they could be any things mostly book things but sometimes they’re other things SEVEN THINGS!!

I made that font big, as I imagine the lyrics being sort of yelled spastically and crowd-goers moshing and such, as if they don’t have one single care in the world. Paula has suggested They Might Be Giants record it (I’ll also agree to The Black Keys, even if they don’t yell), possibly with horns in the arrangement. Maybe a ska treatment, Paula says.

I will also accept Those Darn Accordions, but only if the elderly guy in the Santa hat sings it while clutching the typed-out lyrics:

Any takers? Any musicians up for it who can take 7-Imp to eleven? (You all know I don’t expect to get a response to this crazy-ass question, but if I do, I might straight up squeal. And I’d take a squeal right about now.)

I’m here with a few random announcements (and, quite clearly, lots of rambling — I promise I’m about to get to the real content here), the first one being that Alfred finally landed his rightful place on the “about” page. (My apologies to Alfred for taking so long to put him there. For a while, he was annoyed with me and even slipped NON-DAIRY CREAMER into my coffee.) But also: (more…)