There are some topics that it’s impossible to imagine a great picture book about. Until someone does it. Here are a few books that are great stories first, important topics second. As I mentioned in my ‘issue books‘ review, it’s so important to have stories that reflect children’s experiences. But it takes a great writer [...]
Monthly Archives: November 2007
Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little
November 28, 2007 – 1:08 pm
HaikuReview: Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford Moxy loves: To read. Hates: Being told what to do. Summer reading sucks?
Mirror, Mirror, on the wall…
November 27, 2007 – 7:06 pm
I was trying to express the other day why the children’s book community is such a warm and supportive place. I think it’s the same reason why I write for children and young adults in the first place. That is: writers and illustrators of children’s books are trying to achieve something greater than a fantastic [...]
Books of the Week: ‘Truck’ Books
November 25, 2007 – 1:49 pm
There’s probably a better name for this genre, but I call them Truck books. It includes any book that kids love because of the big machines, trains, or trucks that vroom and crunch through it. Though I started out a bit disdainful of this necessary, but often boring genre, I’m learning to respect a good [...]
Mashed Potatoes!
November 22, 2007 – 3:00 am
Mmmmm…. Mashed Potatoes. And hot rolls. And Turkey with Cornbread stuffing. And Pumpkin Pie. Hope everyone is having a delicious Thanksgiving. Love and Mashed Potatoes to you all!
One for my baby and one more (page turn) for the road
November 20, 2007 – 6:04 pm
That last page can make or break a story. At the SCBWI Schmooze the other day, someone asked what I was learning from the Great Picture Book Read of ’07. So here’s the biggest thing. It’s not enough to have a good story. You must have a great ending. A ‘sweet’ last page ends up [...]
Books of the Week: For the old’uns
November 18, 2007 – 12:41 pm
It’s Day 56 in my journey to 100 Days, 1000 Books. I’ve read 574 books so far and I’m loving it. Mostly. Here are some of the books that are making this adventure a joy. Part II of the best of reads brings my favorite picture books for the sophisticated, jet-setting, caviar munching, seen-it-all 4 [...]
Flirting with inspiration
November 14, 2007 – 12:55 pm
The Westside Schmooze, part of the LA SCBWI, is going to be talking about genres today. What is the difference between board books and picture books? Middle grade and YA? Is it smart to switch between these age groups? This topic is especially relevent to my life right now. After being completely devoted to my [...]
Wiggle and Waggle
November 12, 2007 – 3:00 am
I was at Children’s Book World the other day, and let me take this opportunity to say that Children’s Book World is an awesome bookstore. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and generous with their time and attention. It’s by far the best place to find a good read in Los Angeles. Anyway, I was at [...]
Books of the Week: Issue Books
November 9, 2007 – 3:00 am
Stories are, above all, a way for us to understand the world. When we see a character having the same feelings as us, going through the same experiences, reacting in the same way, we discover we are not alone. Lying, teasing, being frustrated, being jealous of a friend, does not make us a bad person. [...]
Blue-Haired Lady
November 7, 2007 – 1:10 pm
Blue hair on my head Like a beacon of fun-ness. Everyone smiles. I thought having blue hair would get me the cold shoulder. I’d be that blue-haired punk that people were suspicious of and frowned disapprovingly at. But the opposite happened. Now, I walk around in a bubble of friendliness, showered with compliments about my [...]
To Rhyme or Not to Rhyme, That is the Question
November 6, 2007 – 1:04 am
Each time I read a rhyming story, Be it sweet or be it gory. I wonder how the book would read, If the words didn’t rhyme instead insteed. Cause sometimes words are forced and pushed, Until they’re broken, bent, or smushed. And the flow seems out of whack. As if the line had been attacked, [...]
Books of the Week:For the Young’uns
November 2, 2007 – 5:00 am
Amazingly, some books have really stuck in my mind even after reading over 400 picture books. They aren’t always the ones I’m immediately ‘wowed’ by, but often the stories that come sneaking out when I’m telling Tony about my day. Or make me laugh later when I’m driving or writing email, from the memory of [...]
