You know that recurring nightmare where you have to give a TED talk at TedX Beacon Street in Boston? The one where they fit you with a teeny tiny hand free mic on your head and then you have to stand in front of a series of two-tone cubes? To combat this fear of mine I watch other people’s. Particularly if they are about children’s literature, of which, I can only think of three. As a wise woman once told me, children’s books are woefully underrepresented on ted.com. To get on the site, a video needs many many views. Therefore, it stands to reason that I should promote every last single one of them I see. Ladies and gentlemen, the great, the only, Linda Sue Park!
Switching gears, when I moved to the Chicago area I had a vague idea of the already existing children’s literature community in place. What I didn’t know was the degree to which it existed. The people here . . . they dwarf me with their talents. Take Toby Rajput for example. She’s an assistant professor at National Louis University’s reading and language program and a children and youth literature librarian at National Louis University. Here’s she talks on Good Day Chicago about buying diverse books for kids this gift giving season. Go, Toby, go go go!
In spite of appearances, I actually don’t get a chance to see that many fan-made videos by kids about their favorite books. So when Amy Ignatow linked to this video on Twitter the other day, I was grateful. Particularly to whatever mom it was that allowed her clothes to be paraded about like that.
My sole problem with the Politics & Prose Bookstore in D.C. is that it’s in D.C. So I live in the impossible hope that at some point they’ll be picking that puppy up and moving it to the Chicago area. Preferably Evanston. Tomorrow works for me. But until this happy day arrives, I get to show you some of their events, particularly when they feature my co-writer Julie Danielson. This was the store’s third annual picture book panel discussions called “Too Good to Miss—Picture Books for Older Readers.” Jules was kind enough to recap it over at Kirkus, with videos of the previous two years as well. Enjoy.
Thanks to Jules Danielson for the link.
And finally, an off-topic video that appeals to me because of the life I rejected. Coming out of college with a Fine Arts major and a concentration in photography I was accepted to the SALT photography program in Maine. Ultimately I decided not to attend the program, which I think was the right choice. Nonetheless, up until that moment photography, particularly portraiture, had been my love. With that in mind, this:
Thanks to Wendy for the link.
