And now a word in support of listservs.
In an era where serious debates attempt, and fail, to be conducted on such sites as Twitter, a place never meant for serious discussions of any significant length, allow me to sing the praises of an almost old-fashioned web tool that continues to have meaning and currency long after many would have predicted its demise. Listservs, those mailing lists where people talk to one another via email in a digest form, have survived the rise and fall of Pets.com, Friendster, and I’d warrant that they’ll outlive many of the social networking sites we lean so heavily upon today. In the world of children’s literature we saw the relatively recent demise of the ccbc-net listserv, but I am happy to report that the child_lit listserv out of Rutgers is alive and well. If you have not joined it, feel free to do so. Where else can you hear Philip Pullman in talks with Jane Yolen or see Leonard Marcus wax eloquent?
Sometimes the conversation on child_lit has greater implications as well. Recently Marilynn Olson wrote the following:
I have learned this week that the reissue of Clever Bill (William Nicholson, 1926) that is in process at Egmont Publishing intends to leave out the handwritten lettering that is an integral part of the pages (see Barbara Baden or Nathalie op de Beeck, or Brian Alderson on this subject) (or Michael or me or Selma Lanes) and replace it with italic printing on the grounds that modern children (toddlers?) and possibly their parents do not know how to read joined-up lettering. Other much more minor editorial changes are also contemplated.
Maurice Sendak was probably Nicholson’s greatest fan in America, and even if you haven’t read Clever Bill, perhaps you have seen his comments. To some of us, the Nicholson picturebooks changed the history of the American picturebook and, indeed, of the kind of picturebooks we think of as ideal. (. . .) I guess I am trying to determine whether this seems serious to many?
A hot little debate followed, but this choice on the part of the publisher did not particularly surprise me. I remember working as a children’s librarian in the Central Children’s Room of NYPL and encountering a 10-year-old girl in search of funny books ala Wimpy Kid. I loaded her down with the usual fare, making sure to slip one of my favorite books, The Popularity Papers by Amy Ignatow, into the mix. She returned to me at the desk with the book in hand. “I can’t read script.” It took me a little bit to realize that “script” meant “cursive”. I knew that kids weren’t being taught to write it anymore (mostly) but did that mean they couldn’t read it either? Apparently so in this case. However, what this also proved to me was that an enormously popular series can actually include “script” and pretty much get away with it. You’ll have some kids who won’t try to decipher it, but you’ll also have a huge swath who will.
In the case of Clever Bill, here are some of the interior images that will give you a better sense of what the book looks like with its cursive handwriting intact:
The debate is whether or not the book is ruined irreparably if the handwriting here is not cursive any longer. And while I might argue that to replace it with typewritten words would throw off the whole shebang, if it is carefully done and it still looks like handwriting (and not that computer font that looks like fake handwriting) I personally see no reason why it would hurt the book significantly. There are many who would disagree, but sadly I would argue that in this particular case the book will only appeal to those prone to nostalgia, collectors, and already existing children’s literature enthusiasts if the handwriting is left intact. It is the placement of the text that makes all the difference here, I think.
It is interesting to note that my first encounter with Clever Bill came in the NYPL archives. There we had an edition of Clever Bill filled with pencil notations by author William Nicholson himself. It seems that he was mighty displeased with the initial print job of the book and set about kvetching in his tiny comments about the book’s poor colors. Had he but known that it would be the handwriting that caused debate nearly 100 years later, I think he would have laughed in his tea.
For further information about Clever Bill, as well as his far more controversial Pirate Twins, please see the Werewolf piece Classics: The Pirate Twins (1929) by William Nicholson.
And for thoughts on cursive in children’s literature, the 100 Scope Notes piece “What Does This Say?” The Cursive Conundrum in Picture Books is for you.
There comes a time when I have so much news for a Fusenews that it paralyzes me and rather than write one up I just let my files accrue more and more schtoof until the vicious circle ends with a massive deletion. Today some of this stuff will strike you as a bit out of date, but the bulk is pretty darn fun.
- Anytime I write a post that involves race in some way I gird my loins and prepare for the worst. The worst did not occur yesterday, however, when I wrote about moments of surprising racism in classic children’s books. Perhaps everyone was distracted by Jonathan Hunt’s post on The Present Tense. Now THAT is a hot and heavy discussion!
- Oh, Cotsen Children’s Library. Is there anything you can’t do? Because, to be perfectly frank, I think even the prospect of interviewing Philip Pullman would render me effectively mute. And then there was that AMAZING piece on the woman who makes Harry Potter miniatures. Seriously, this is your required reading of the day.
- Because I love Kalamazoo in all its myriad forms, this caught my eye. For you Michiganders out there:
In February 2014, 95 youth librarians, youth library workers, and students gathered at Clinton-Macomb Public Library for a truly excellent day of professional development, idea-sharing, networking, and learning, unconference style. In 2015, we’ll gather April 24th at Kalamazoo Public Library. Hosted by Lisa Mulvenna (Clinton-Macomb PL), Anne Clark (Alice and Jack Wirt PL, Bay City), and Andrea Vernola (Kalamazoo PL), the MI KidLib Unconference will feature relevant and engaging sessions decided on by participants at the conference. And as is typical of an Unconference, it’s FREE to attend. Registration begins in January 2015.
Here are the session notes from last year in case you want to see what we learned together. We hope you’ll join us and spread the word to anyone who’s interested in youth services in libraries!
- If you had told me even two years ago that I would be the de facto mathematics librarian, ideal for moderating events like the Science & Mathematics Panel of Jordan Ellenberg, “Science Bob” Pflugfelder, and Benedict Carey at the Penguin Random House Author Event for NYC Educators, I would have been utterly baffled. And yet here we are. Know any teachers in the NYC area? Because the whole kerschmozzle appears to be free.
- Things That I Didn’t Know Existed Until Recently: Apparently the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center created a site called BookDragon that seeks to create a site for multicultural children’s literature. And not just of the Asian Pacific nature either. It’s a true multicultural site and a fun one to scroll through. Check it!
- This came out a while ago so I’m sure you already saw it, but just in case you didn’t, the Marc Tyler Nobleman Kidlit Mashups are nothing short of inspired.
Oh man. Iron Man as a goodnight picture book done in a homemade cut paper style. Not a real book. Should be though. Thanks to Marjorie Ingall for the link.
One of my favorite illustrators, Aaron Zenz, wrote me the following message you would be very wise to read it, oh those amongst ye with an artistic bent. This art gives light and life and meaning to my day:
We play this game on our second blog every three years or so, and I believe you’ve made note of it in the past. So I thought I’d let you know this time around also that we’re letting professional illustrators and artists dip into the 8 year archive at Chicken Nugget Lemon Tooty to reimagine Z-Kid art once again:http://www.isaacgracelily.blogspot.com/2014/08/8yearcelebration.html
There have been some great kid lit contributors in the past like Nathan Hale, Charise Harper, Jarrett Krosoczka, Renata Liwska, Adam Rex… And even though the call just went out for this new round, kid lit folks Julie Phillipps and Doug Jones have already hopped on board (both of them have also played all three times!)
Go! Play!
- My sister wrote me the other day to ask for a recommendation of a great children’s book about a jellyfish. I complied then found out why she wanted to know. I love it when she succeeds in her crazy plans on her blog but truth be told she’s awfully hilarious when she fails. It’s a Jellyfish in a bottle [FAIL].
It’s nice to have friends who know boats. Particularly when they start critiquing classic works of children’s literature. My friend Stefan Driesbach-Williams recently posted this familiar illustration:
Then he wrote, “I’m seeing a cutter with a loose-footed staysail and a boomkin.”
But it was the response from his nautical friends that made my day. One Levi Austin White responded with the following:
“Aye! Captain Max has only got his smallest storm stays’l aloft like a prudent mariner, although his main looks really drafty and dangerously powered up.
He seems to have his main trimmed in all the way, but headed dead downwind. That seems like a disastrous combination considering his mains’l tuning. I don’t see any reef points on his main though, so perhaps he’s outta luck.
Any news on his journey? Did he survive the storm? The way the seafoam is scudding across the wave tops, I’d say that he’s on the lee shore of a low lying island, with 50-70 kts windspeed. Looks properly vicious.
Best of luck, Captain Max. May the seas be forever in your favor.”
Maybe half a year ago I mentioned that Ms. Lucy Knisley had created a cartoon poster for the first four Harry Potter books. Now with the final Potter movie coming out, the posters are at long last complete. They follow the plots of the books, not the films, but the look of the characters can be amusingly cinematic at times. And for the record, if I were a tattoo-minded dame, I would adore getting this image of Luna Lovegood and her pop.
But that’s not really my top news story of the day. How could it be? No the top news story is that it is once again time for the Summer Blog Blast Tour. Twice a year a cadre of bloggers for child and teen books gather together to interview some of the luminaries in the field. Chasing Ray has the round-up, so seek ‘em out and read ‘em up. I know I will.
When I lived in London for a time (it was like a little Intro to New York) I would periodically buy the newest issue of Time Out London and find interesting places to visit. One day the mag highlighted a toy museum. It was called The Museum of Childhood and it was fascinating. I was too intimidated to take any pictures, though, so I sort of forgot that I even went. Years have passed and I see that author/illustrator David Lucas has also been to that same museum and he has written about it in the post What do TOYS Think of Us? Stick around for the moment when he starts talking about panpsychism. Looking at all those ragamuffin bits of much loved cloth and felt reminds me of my library’s own original Winnie-the-Pooh. He is, after all, of the British persuasion.
- Yay, Sunday Brunch! Over at Collecting Children’s Books my partner in writing crime (we’re doing a Candlewick book with Jules from 7-Imp) has a delightful post that is well worth your time. My favorite parts include the childhood of a future Brat Packer, a reason why Erin E. Moulton’s Flutter is unique, and a vote for “The Year’s Creepiest YA Novel.” Hooked yet?
- Marci, this is for you. Remember how we were trying to figure out how one would go about creating Quidditch croquet? Well . . .
A hot little debate followed, but this choice on the part of the publisher did not particularly surprise me. I remember working as a children’s librarian in the Central Children’s Room of NYPL and encountering a 10-year-old girl in search of funny books ala Wimpy Kid. I loaded her down with the usual fare, making sure to slip one of my favorite books, The Popularity Papers by Amy Ignatow, into the mix. She returned to me at the desk with the book in hand. “I can’t read script.” It took me a little bit to realize that “script” meant “cursive”. I knew that kids weren’t being taught to write it anymore (mostly) but did that mean they couldn’t read it either? Apparently so in this case. However, what this also proved to me was that an enormously popular series can actually include “script” and pretty much get away with it. You’ll have some kids who won’t try to decipher it, but you’ll also have a huge swath who will.
Perhaps if it was hand-lettered but in print instead of cursive they could maintain the feeling of the book. I still write in cursive, but I don’t have much opportunity to read it anymore so even as an adult, I’m getting out of practice.
I just ordered a used copy of this book after reading about it on the listserv! I had never heard of it before. Can’t wait to receive it and see what all the fuss is about.
The Babar books were originally published with the text in a form of cursive, but long ago that was changed to ordinary typography. This change may have been long in the works, pushed along by the growth of international publishing.
I had forgotten. Were they in cursive when they were initially translated to English or were they English cursive translations?
HOW I love this book! One of my childhood favorites. I love the minimal colors and calligraphic drawings. I think they’ll be able to get a beautiful result with a carefully chosen typeface. But it must be clever!
I found learning cursive in school tedious and difficult, so I’m glad that teachers will be using that time for what I hope will be more enriching instruction. But, I ended up adopting cursive as an adult out of my own volition, because I do my drafting by hand and spend a lot of time taking notes in seminars. Cursive is just faster and pleasanter in these contexts, and so I’m glad I had the knowledge in me to adopt it when I needed to (also, I kind of like that it’s hard for people to see what I’m writing over my shoulder).
More importantly, this all just makes me think of the Berly Cleary book Muggie Maggie.