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We're jumping up and down and popping balloons, celebrating our Fourth
Blogiversary...and you're invited to join in the fun by entering to win
one of four gift certificates to a fab independent bookstore. Details?
Read all about it here! .
In keeping with our blogiversary celebration, we're talking about indie bookstores. Here's my riff:
I was a long-time active member of the Southern California Children's Booksellers Association (SCCBA), a feisty organization of indies who generously shared knowledge on how to run a bookstore among themselves and with those thinking about starting a children's bookstore. These newbies could have seen as their competitors, but instead they were embraced as colleagues and became friends.
SCCBA was a leader among children's independent bookseller associations and in 1984 SCCBA was the midwife in the birthing of the national organization, American Booksellers for Children (ABC) (which has since merged with the American Booksellers Association.)
SCCBA itself folded into the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association just a few years ago. All this merging was hard for many of us, and sad, so sad...but SCIBA has proven itself to be a lively, engaged and strong non-profit trade association.
So which are my fav indies? Must I choose just one? A longtime favorite, just up the freeway from me, is Children's Bookworld, founded in 1986 by Sharon Hearne, and still going strong.
BUT there's great news: indies are making a comeback and I'm lucky to have not one but two fabulous indies just a few miles from my home, both opened within the last few years:
Here's my rough draft of a book poem in honor of indies today:
HOOKED ON A BOOK: (The Evolution of Bruno LittlemoreBy Benjamin Hale)
rough draft poem by April Halprin Wayland
I’m reading the autobiography of a classically educated, erudite chimpanzee.
I stay up too late reading it. Rather than listen to NPR’s Morning Edition, I prop the book against the fish bowl as I brush my teeth.
His story sticks to the souls of my hiking shoes as I clamber up a steep slope in Arizona.
While buying half a head of Napa cabbage at the farmers market, I wonder what will happen to his owner, Lydia and why he’s writing the book from a jail cell.
Through a dinner of grape tomatoes, Napa cabbage, juicy chicken and roasted potatoes, baby turnips and
carrots, it haunts me
like cookie dough ice cream haunts me from the freezer.
Hats off to Indies that offer us so much! Please DO NOT wander around an indie and then go home to order online. Here's why (under two minutes and worth watching...):
I'm trying to remember to put my name at the end of these posts...this is important because those who subscribe don't see the byline which automatically posts our names for us. So...
tah-tah from April Halprin Wayland!
11 Comments on What's YOUR fav Indie Bookstore? And Happy Poetry Friday!, last added: 4/29/2013
Love every bit, April! I didn't know this book, so at first I must admit I had to look it up. Your poem says it well. One is very committed when giving up NPR to read the book! I love the "souls of your hiking boots". Thanks for the funny video, although so true! We are lucky to have some wonderful Indie bookstores in Denver, and some wonderful used bookstores!
Indie bookstores ROCK! Love your poem, especially the line: "His story sticks to the souls of my hiking shoes as I clamber up a steep slope in Arizona." I can relate...thanks for sharing. =)
Hi there April, Happy Blogiversary! I've been meaning to give some more love to independent bookstores and doing a series of special features on this one too. Maybe in time for our own Blogiversary! Loved reading your poem - made me a little bit hungry though. :)
Haha--great ending, April! And my favorite line is
His story sticks to the souls of my hiking shoes
Beautiful.
There are several wonderful indies in the Twin Cities--especially Red Balloon and The Bookcase of Wayzata and one I must visit called Addendum. I wish one was within 5 miles of me, though:>)
Terrific post and poem, April! I love the image of you reading that book while brushing your teeth....
Yay Indies. If you're anywhere near Atlanta, you have a few to choose from. My faves are THE LITTLE SHOP OF STORIES in Decatur and FOXTALE BOOK SHOPPE in Woodstock. In my own town an hour north of ATL, Myra Meade's HALL BOOK EXCHANGE gives so much to the community!
Love the poem, especially the cookie dough ice cream haunting you from the freezer. So familiar! Another great Twin Cities indie bookstore is The Wild Rumpus. Gem of a store!
The Teaching Authors are thrilled to present an interview with our dear friend and GuestTeaching Author Carolyn Marsden.
Carolyn grew up in Mexico City and Southern California. Although she wrote for adults for many years, she began to write for children after the birth of her daughters. She attended Vermont College and earned an MFA in Writing for Children. Her first book, The Gold-Threaded Dress, published by Candlewick, was a Booklist Top Ten Youth Novel of 2002. Her second novel, Silk Umbrellas, was a Texas Bluebonnet nominee and Booklist Top Ten Art Novel of 2003. Since then, Carolyn has published several more award-winning middle grade chapter books with Candlewick and Viking, almost all with multicultural themes. The Buddha’s Diamonds was a Southern California Booksellers Association finalist and a Booklist Top Ten Religion Novel of 2008. Her latest book, Sahwira: An African Friendship, is set in what is now Zimbabwe. Carolyn lives in La Jolla with her Thai husband and two half-Thai daughters.
To celebrate Carolyn’s appearance on our blog, we're giving away an autographed copy of her newest book, Sahwira: An African Friendship. To enter the drawing, see the instructions at the end of this post.
Welcome, Carolyn! How did you become a Teaching Author?
In 1981, when I was living in Tucson, Arizona, mostly writing poetry for adults, I got a job as a Poet-in-Residence. For either a week or a month at a time, I visited urban and rural schools (K-12), including those on the Navajo and Pima reservations. Whenever I entered a classroom, I had about one minute to convince the kids that writing poetry could be fun. Following the lead of Kenneth Koch (Rose, Where Did You Get that Red?), I never used poetry written for children as my examples. I enjoyed seeing the children’s writing rise to new levels when I used poems by writers like Shakespeare or William Carlos Williams, or poems from other cultures. The students absorbed the rich language, rhythms, and subject matter. To my eternal delight, the kid at the back of the class, the one the teacher told me wouldn’t write anything, the one with the learning disability, invariably wrote the best poem.
What’s a common problem your students have, and how do you address it?
The most c
13 Comments on Book Giveaway and Guest Teaching Author Interview with Carolyn Marsden!, last added: 12/3/2009
Thank you. Very interesting interview with a unique author. I have a question for Ms. Marsden. If she is taking questions, I would be delighted to know more about how she works out the details of her collaborations. I notice she her collaborators are named co-authors. Any advice she has for working out this arrangement would be valuable, as I am writing a book with a multi-cultural aspect and would love to have someone on board who has more experience and knowledge than I. I'd like a copy of her latest book because it looks like a great story. Thanks, Mary Cronk Farrell
Thank you for having a guest author! I am amazed at her writing process because I have been wanting to do similar interviews with my grandmother (Mema) to write the incredible stories of her fascinating childhood. Now I am truly inspired! I would love a copy of the book! I have recently taken a new position as Instructional Coach at my school. As a writer, working with teachers and students at all grade levels on improving writer's workshop is always a top priority for me. Using this book in my model lessons would be amazing. Not to mention the exposure would be far reaching since I usually try to use the same book with modified applications from kinder up through fifth grade. Thank you again- I look forward to reading your next inspiring post!
I learned a lot in this interview! I think getting on author's perspective on how to teach writing and the processing of writng itself is always inspirational. I am entering to win this book because I have always loved the idea of signed books having been "touched" by the actual author. For me, it takes away some of the inpersonal aspects of mass market book production.
Having a copy of the book would be great but her other books sound wonderful as well. I learned that my way of writing more than one thing at a time is okay. I too have too many ideas. Thanks for admitting to that. lol
I love the idea of working with others on the parts that you don't know and that it is okay to admit that.
Thanks for having such a wonderful interview with such a wonderful lady. Nina
What a fascinating interview. I used to help out in elementary schools in England, and the way you help a child describe a daisy reminds me of that. There's something so fulfilling about bringing words and pictures out with a child.
I'm intrigued by how you collaborate with others to write, and I'd love to have the chance to read one of your books.
I would love to have a copy of this book for several reasons. I, too, had cousins who grew up in Africa as MKs and I would like to read something that relates to that experience and let them know about this book. Another reason is I am a sixth grade teacher at a Christian school where the black/white ratio is nearly 50-50. I think my students would love this story and it would also enhance our World Studies curriculum.
What a fascinating interview! I would love to win a copy of this book. As someone who has lived and traveled in Asia and who married a Filipino man with whom we have 2 children, I am very interested in other cultures. As an adult, I find myself saddened by the fact that I hated history in school so took the minimum required courses and no more. After travelling and learning so much about the world and its' people, I've realized that I love the history - it's the way it's traditionally taught that I have a problem with. The very word "history" contains the word "story" yet it is the stories that get neglected. Reading those stories truly opens my eyes to the world, the people, the cultures. I want to bring this to my children as they grow up.
Thanks for a great interview. Your historical fiction books sound so wonderful--I am a big fan of historical fiction and using it to teach kids about different places and times!
Margo Dill http://margodill.com/blog/ Read These Books and Use Them
Historical fiction brings life to subjects many students find boring and thus refuse to spend the time to learn. It is exciting to read well-written historical fiction and I look forward to reading more books by Carolyn Marsden. Thank you for featuring her.
With the funding cuts our school libraries in California are now dealing with, these contests offer a chance for them to add current literature to their shelves. Thank you.
I am working on a book about a young Maasai warrior in Kenya. The more opportunities our young people have to learn about cultures other their own, the richer their lives will be. I applaud you, Carolyn! I love reading about your writing process and your Airstream makes my little office seem like a very ordinary spot to write.
Find out about our Teaching Author Book Give-Away Contest running all this week! Click here for details.
Happy New Year! This week we’re celebrating the new school year and our very own April Halprin Wayland’s book, New Year at the Pier—A Rosh Hashanah Story, which is about another kind of new year—the Jewish New Year.
JoAnn: Give us a feel for the time line of this book—from the first inkling of an idea to Book On the Shelf.
April: I’ll tell you, but if you’re an aspiring children’s author, it might be best to cover your ears and sing “La, la, la” through today’s post…especially the very end.
So—here’s how it started. An editor asked me if I had any Jewish stories in me. I had a few…but one ritual was the standout for me: tashlich.
I began by writing down everything I knew about tashlich—how it feels to walk up the pier, singing, with two hundred of my friends, the sun, the waves, the butterflies in my tummy, the feeling I have when I give my “sins” to the winds.
Next, I read books about tashlich, starting with children’s books, though there weren’t many. The most recent children’s book I found in which tashlich is the main subject is Carol Levin’s A Rosh Hashanah Walk (Kar-Ben, 1987).
Then I interviewed my friend, Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels of Beth Shir Sholom Temple in Santa Monica, California. Rabbi Neil is very tuned into kids; he’s written many albums of children’s songs.
I just re-read my notes from that afternoon and realize how much of what he taught me infuses the book. Look over my shoulder at a few of my notes:
• Rabbi Neil doesn’t like using the word “mistake,” as mistake means not on purpose, and sometimes you do some of these things on purpose.
• There’s a famous story of a man who goes to his rabbi and says that he gossiped about someone in town and he is now sorry and wants the rabbi to help him make it right. The rabbi said no, he can’t help this man. What? What do you mean, says the man. I really am sorry. I want to make it right. No can do, says the rabbi. But why? Asks the man. Go get me a knife and a feather pillow, says the rabbi. The man does. The rabbi stabs the feather pillow and takes out all the feathers and throws them to the winds. The idea is that you can’t always fix a situation. A situation can be changed through apology, but not undone.
• His example, regarding how you can’t fix something completely, was of a child stealing a doll and bringing it back. She might say, “I know I can bring the doll back, but I can’t make you trust me again.”
• Not: “It’s okay.” (Because maybe it’s not okay.) But: “I accept your apology.”
• Neil suggests that instead of burning her list, she uses it as a checklist.
After the manuscript was written and accepted, my editor, Lauri Hornik, guided me through the rewrites with her clear vision. I growled at her under my breath. She sent edits. I stomped around my computer. She sent more edits. Back and forth, back and forth.
But ask her now how many “Thank you, my dear darling editor!” notes I’ve sent her since the book came out! (Lauri’s since been promoted to President and Publisher of Dutton Children's Books, in addition to her previous title of President and Publisher of Dial. My new fabulous editor at Dial is Jessica Garrison.)
So here, finally, is the spoiler…the actual time line of New Year at the Pier:
• April 2002: interviewed rabbi
• October 2004: accepted by Dial
• many, many, many edits, changes, drafts…
• May 2007: projected publication date is 2008
• September 2007: book delayed until 2009
• April 2008: tiny edit—five small word changes
• June 2009: book is on bookstore shelves—YAY!
SEVEN YEARS?!?!?! Well, yes. Would you believe me if I told you it was worth the wait? Look at the harvest—a starred review in Publishers Weekly and lots of other wonderful reviews!
image credits: photo of people walking up the pier by Rachel Gilman
I really enjoyed visiting your website. I have a fun website that revolves around the topics of children's books, reading and literature yet is focused on the lovable characters from my children's book series Danny the Dragon. It's always a pleasure to connect up with like-minded individuals and websites that share similar interests, and with that in mind I'd love to connect up. I review other child-related issues and books at my blog as well as have radio interviews posted at: http://DannyTheDragon.com/blog and http://DannyTheDragon.com Also, if we agree, would you be interested in reciprocating links on our sites? The ideas are limitless when it comes to connecting up. Thanks Tina http://TinaTurbin.com
One-half of knowing what you want
is knowing what you must give up before you get it.
~ playwright Sidney Howard
(he adapted Gone With The Wind for the screen)
Envision what you want your life to look like.
Then ask yourself, “What do I have to become to manifest this vision?” ~ Rev. Michael Beckwith (paraphrased)
Dear Readers,
Huzzah, huzzah--it's nearly fall and a new Teaching Authors CONTEST has begun!
New Year At The Pier—A Rosh Hashanah Story by April Halprin Wayland, illustrated by award-winning Canadian Stéphane Jorisch, is so delicious, we want you to have a chance to win an autographed copy!
Here’s lots of juicy stuff about the book, here's the 1:16 minute book trailer and here’s a summary of the book, which got a starred review in Publishers Weekly:
Izzy’s favorite part of Rosh Hashanah is Tashlich, a joyous ceremony in which people apologize for the mistakes they made in the previous year and thus clean the slate as the new year begins. But there is one mistake on Izzy’s “I’m sorry” list that he’s finding especially hard to say out loud.Humor, touching moments between family and friends, and information about the Jewish New Year are all combined in this lovely picture book for holiday sharing.
So...how can you win your very own autographed copy?
Simple. Since the book is about the new year...do you have a new school year goal? Great! Then post one reading, writing or teaching goal you'd like to accomplish by December 31, 2009 in 25 words or less.
Here are some sample goals to get you thinkin':
Do you want your student(s) to understand the concept of Show, Don’t Tell?
Do you want the courage to delete all of your emails so that the clutter isn't keeping you from writing the next Charlotte's Web?
Do you want to set aside 30 uninterrupted minutes to read for pleasure each day?
Do you want to send out a manuscript by Halloween?
What is that one goal for this bright and shiny new school year?
Be specific. Here’s the place to ‘fess up!
Win-an-autographed-copy-of-New-Year-at-the-Pier CONTEST rules:
1) Read the two quotes at the top.
2) Take a deep breath.
3) Post ONE reading, writing or teaching goal for the new school year in 25 words or less.
4) Your goal must be posted on one of the Teaching Authors blog posts between Friday, August 28, 2009 and Monday, September 7, 2009.
5) You must include your email address in your post so that we can contact the lucky winner.
Here are our general give-away rules.
The winner will be announced Tuesday, September 8, 2009.
We expect to hear back from you in the first two weeks of January—every one of you. If you don't win this time, you'll have another chance in January when you report on your progress. How did you do? Who or what helped you? Who or what hindered you?
Coming next week: more on New Year at the Pier!
And finally, because it's Poetry Friday...and to REALLY confuse you now that you're thinking about goals...I leave you with a beautiful completely contrary anti-goals poem by my wonderful friend, poet and author George Ella Lyon:
First homework, then housework, now soulwork. No list, no checking off, no done. ~ George Ella Lyon
image of girl with a goal by April Halprin Wayland
21 Comments on 1) Take a deep cleansing breath. 2) Set a goal. 3) Enter our contest!, last added: 8/31/2009
My goal (for the whole school year, not just until December 31, but that will make a good check-in point) is to stay BALANCED. I will not let school (teaching, planning, grading, mentoring, committee-ing) take over my life. I will work on my writing project every week (but I will not require a certain number of hours of myself). I will tend to my gardens. I will spend time with family and friends. I will keep up with my reading project (Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts for NCTE). I will keep the house reasonably clean and I will fold and put away my laundry as soon as it comes out of the dryer. (okay, that one might be a little unreasonable, but I'll TRY...)
My goal is to get my daughter's toddler school back on track, develop a steady source of income, get caught up on my book reviews, and successfully follow a schedule. And lose 30 lbs... :)
Tomorrow we will sponsor our first book giveaway here at TeachingAuthors! We’re excited about providing occasional gifts for our readers. However, we want everyone to be clear about our giveaway procedures.Entry Rules:To enter a giveaway drawing, you must post a comment to the specified blog post. Your comment must fulfill the requirements of that particular contest to be valid.You must include
0 Comments on Book Giveaway Guidelines as of 7/14/2009 6:17:00 PM
Love every bit, April! I didn't know this book, so at first I must admit I had to look it up. Your poem says it well. One is very committed when giving up NPR to read the book! I love the "souls of your hiking boots". Thanks for the funny video, although so true! We are lucky to have some wonderful Indie bookstores in Denver, and some wonderful used bookstores!
That book should be approached cautiously, Linda. It's fascinating and a bit weird and dark, too. But magnetic, as the best books are. xxx
Thanks for sharing the terrific video, April, along with your wonderful poem. You are indeed lucky to have several Indies close to you.
Indie bookstores ROCK! Love your poem, especially the line:
"His story
sticks to the souls of my hiking shoes
as I clamber up a steep slope in Arizona."
I can relate...thanks for sharing. =)
Hi there April, Happy Blogiversary! I've been meaning to give some more love to independent bookstores and doing a series of special features on this one too. Maybe in time for our own Blogiversary! Loved reading your poem - made me a little bit hungry though. :)
Just spent $50 at my local indie children's bookstore!
YAY Indies!
Haha--great ending, April! And my favorite line is
His story
sticks to the souls of my hiking shoes
Beautiful.
There are several wonderful indies in the Twin Cities--especially Red Balloon and The Bookcase of Wayzata and one I must visit called Addendum. I wish one was within 5 miles of me, though:>)
Mary Lee--that's TRUE indie love!
Thanks for coming by and commenting, Bridget,Myra and Laura.
And Laura, I love the name Addendum for a bookstore!
Wonderful poem! I love it when I'm hooked on a book like that.
Terrific post and poem, April! I love the image of you reading that book while brushing your teeth....
Yay Indies. If you're anywhere near Atlanta, you have a few to choose from. My faves are THE LITTLE SHOP OF STORIES in Decatur and FOXTALE BOOK SHOPPE in Woodstock. In my own town an hour north of ATL, Myra Meade's HALL BOOK EXCHANGE gives so much to the community!
Love the poem, especially the cookie dough ice cream haunting you from the freezer. So familiar! Another great Twin Cities indie bookstore is The Wild Rumpus. Gem of a store!