- “Jarrett Krosoczka is one of 25 hottest children’s authors in the nation.” So said Henderson City Mayor Andy Hafen when presenting Mr. Krosoczka with the key to the city. I’ll just say that again. The mayor of a city mentioned Jarrett being part of my old The Hot Men of Children’s Literature series when presenting him with that city’s key. Geez o’ petes. Looks like I’m going to have to restart that series one of these days (though I KNOW I did more than just twenty-five!). Credit to The Las Vegas Review Journal for the image.
- In my children’s room we have two copies of Florence Parry Heide’s The Shrinking of Treehorn. It is regularly requested throughout the system, though sometimes difficult to find thanks to its small size (it will occasionally meander over to our Little Books Shelf when it’s in a wandering mood). Thus it was with sadness that I learned that Ms. Heide passed away recently at the age of 92. We should all reread Treehorn (or any of her other works, for that matter) in her honor.
- Wow. I am in awe. Here we have a really amazing and worthwhile piece over at Teach Mentor Texts charting a teacher’s changing attitude towards Jon Klassen’s I Want My Hat Back. From initial disgust to grudging appreciation to possible enjoyment. It’s a testament to keeping an open mind after a first reading, and the amount of self-awareness at work here is amazing. Folks sometimes tell me that my reviews of picture books are far too long, but I think this post makes it infinitely clear how there is to be said about the power of that format.
- Remember that picture book manifesto that aired recently? Well at Fomagrams there’s a piece from David Elzey called of picture books and amnesiacs that gives that document a thorough once over. Everything from the statement on “robust criticism” to the relative honesty or dishonesty of “tidy endings” is examined thoroughly. Today I appear to be linking to posts from folks unafraid to use their brains. A nice trend.
- Is 90% of everything crap? Jonathan Hunt says so, sparking a variety of different comments from his regular readers. Heavy Medal is always good for thoughts of this sort. In fact, I recently decided that the site has given me a chance to examine my own personal Newbery book prejudices. Prejudices, I would add, that most committee members share, but prejudices just the same. More on that when I tally up the final predictions at the end of the year, of course.
- Speaking of the Newbery, is it a good or bad idea to find out as much as you can about a book before rendering a final decision about its worth? I ask this because Jules recently had 6 Comments on Fusenews: “A sort of child’s Jane Eyre.”, last added: 11/2/2011
That is an interesting observation- that ‘The Secret Garden’ is like a child’s ‘Jane Eyre’! Very true. Now this I must share with my co-contributors on Saffrontree!
I’ve heard THE SECRET GARDEN called the child’s LADY CHATTERLY’S LOVER because of the Dickon/Mary/Colin triangle. And in googling to see where I may have read that, found this: http://muse.jhu.edu/login?uri=/journals/childrens_literature_association_quarterly/v019/19.1.plotz.html Of to see if I can get a copy. Let me click through the links you have to see if they mention it.
Gah, an orca drowning its trainer? It’s too soon for that joke.
Thank you so much for pointing out the Edward Ormondroyd interview. David and the Phoenix was my husband’s favorite childhood book, and we read it together when we were first engaged. Can’t wait to share it with him!
Vanity Fair had an article about Brown back in 2000, BUNNY DEAREST. I’m pretty sure they discussed the fur book.
I agree with Brooke, Betsy – thanks for pointing out the Edward Ormondroyd interview.