WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE is often touted as the perfect picture book and the one to study if you’re an aspiring PB writer. I remember, when I first read it (my oldest received it as a newborn gift) finding Max’s naughtiness distinctly refreshing. His smirky, little face could be found on any one of my kids. This is a must-have for anyone who once was or has loved a “naughty” kid. I’m thrilled it took #1 in Betsy Bird’s Top 100 Picture Books Poll. Tell me why you love WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE and win a copy of the book. I’ll draw a winner from the first ten readers to comment on this blog post.
A Great Day for GOODNIGHT MOON!
HURRAY!! GOODNIGHT MOON took the #2 spot on Betsy Bird’s Top 100 Picture Books Poll. Tell me why you love GOODNIGHT MOON and win a copy of the book. I’ll draw a winner from the first ten readers to comment on this blog post.
Children’s Book Week begins Monday May 11th!!
Drum roll please! The Children’s Choice Book Awards will be announced next week. And while the voting is closed, you can still take a peek at the finalists. While you’re at it, check out the terrific resources the Children’s Book Council provided for Children’s Book Week . You’ll find nifty took kits and ideas for teachers, librarians, booksellers, and publishers. Kids, link to free puzzles, story starters and downloadable posters and bookmarks. Teens, hook into ideas for celebrating the week like staging a read-in, sharing terrific teen reads or linking into Flamingnet.
Here’s a bit of history from the site:
“Since 1919, Children’s Book Week has been celebrated nationally in schools, libraries, bookstores, clubs, private homes-any place where there are children and books. Educators, librarians, booksellers, and families have celebrated children’s books and the love of reading with storytelling, parties, author and illustrator appearances, and other book related events. It all began with the idea that children’s books can change lives.”
So let’s take time to celebrate the books kids love to read.
A Little Stand-Up with Lois Lowry
Having read her books like THE GIVER, GATHERING BLUE and NUMBER THE STARS I had almost forgotten that Lois Lowry has her ANASTASIA KRUPNIK side (do you remember what Anastasia wants to name the baby?) as well. Take a look at her hilarious judge’s decision process in School Library Journal’s “Battle of the Kids Books” Kahuna Round. Plus you’ll get a peak at the winner – THE HUNGER GAMES.
In an old house in Paris …
… that was covered with vines
How many of you
can finish those lines?
(Admittedly atrocious rhyme substitute)
For those who can, you’ll be thrilled to see that Madeline made it to Betsy Bird’s #8.
I think I can still recite the entire book – which is the beauty of rhyming picture books. The predictability of the words allows early readers greater success with the story and makes for folkloric recitation years later.
What are your favorite rhymers??
Tooting Your Own Horn: Best-Seller Coaching
There’s an article in the Denver Post today about author Ellie Newmark’s rise on bestseller lists using Peggy McColl’s “Best-seller Coaching Program.” See “Making Success Happen.”
I’m wondering if it can work for traditionally published books as well.
Practice Makes Perfect – or at Least Very, Very Good.
OUTLIERS, by Malcolm Gladwell, heads up my to-read list, and there’s a lot of blogging going on about his 10,000 hours to success theory. I buy it. And today a friend directed me to this NEW YORK TIMES op-ed piece about practice as compared to genius. I like that Brooks actually uses a writer as his primary example. The theories have merit – or at least they offer me a hefty dose of rationalization for the writing hours I put in and the stack of books on my nightstand.
National Picture Book Writing Week!
Can you write 7 books in 7 days? Or maybe just one perfect picture book. The challenge begins tomorrow. And Paula Yoo kicks it off here
Tell Me About Your “Lilly” moments and Win a Book!
If you haven’t been following Betsy Bird’s Top 100 Picture Book Poll you’re not too late to join in the fun. This NYC children’s librarian polled her blog readers on their top 10 picture books. Now she’s not only tallied the results, but she’s compiled comments, reviews, pictures and more, for each of the 100 selections. And she’s awarding even bigger blog blurbs to her top 20.
I was thrilled to see Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse make it to #15. Hooray!
Why do I love this book so much? Because I’ve had “Lilly” moments – even as an adult. My face gets hot just thinking of them – ah, that melting point of anger and embarrassment. Sheesh! If you don’t know what that means, please check out the book – a sweet, funny, smart story about a mouse having a little-bit-naughty day and her terrific teacher who gets it. It’s completely honest and totally charming.
How about you? Do you remember one of your little-bit-naughty days? To celebrate Lilly on the list, tell me about your own Lilly moments. And as a reward for fessing up, I’ll award a copy of Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse to the best story.
Rules:
1. Stories must be true, from your childhood and G-rated.
2. Stories must appear in the comments section of my blog by midnight MST on May 8th.
3. Stories will be judged on several factors but especially on how well they mimic the authenticity of the”Lilly” moment. By the way, it’s a requirement that you did get caught.
4. I’ll conduct voting via e-mail when the contest closes.
In this world of pressure and perfectionism, it’s refreshing to laugh at the little bit of Lilly in each one of us.
I Need to Be Rescued!
Tonight I’m being abducted. Right here. In downtown Denver. As a show of solidarity with Uganda’s night commuters – the Invisible Children. My sons have visited the IDP camps. They’ve slept where the night commuters have slept. The tragedy is real.
Please, if you know any Denver moguls – Mayor Hickenlooper, Governor Ritter, John Elway, The Fray – anyone who can lend a face and a voice to this cause – please let them know that we must be rescued. All they have to do is show up. We’ll be walking from Civic Center Park and spending the night at Cheesman Park.
But even if you don’t have those connections, please join our efforts by checking out this site http://therescue.invisiblechildren.com/ Read about the Invisible Children. Watch the videos. Then send the link to a friend.
Thank you!
My Books
