A Month of L<3VE
February 1, 2008 – 8:16 pm
Instead of candy hearts and flowers, I’m celebrating Valentine’s Day with books! I hereby declare the month of February as one humongous Valentine’s card to my favorite authors and stories. Yes, even writers and illustrators need to feel the love. So lets give it to them! I’m going to be dedicating each day of February [...]
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
January 17, 2008 – 10:50 pm
Wow. Really wow. I just listened to the amazing audiobook of Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, read by the author Jack Gantos. I found myself laughing and tearing up at the same time. Joey Pigza, a kid with extreme behavior issues, is so friendly, so dynamic, and so exuberant that I fell in love with [...]
A Company of Swans
January 15, 2008 – 7:47 pm
HaikuReview: A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson Defiant woman, Pirouettes through the jungle. Sweet, swirling story.
If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period
January 7, 2008 – 2:44 pm
HaikuReview: If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko Now that I’m done will the Great Picture Book Read of ’07, I’ve been catching up with some middle grade and YA books. It turns out that If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period was a great place to start. Gennifer Choldenko won the [...]
1000 Books!!!
January 1, 2008 – 4:48 pm
Hooray! On the last day of 2007, I reached my goal of reading 1000 picture books in 100 days. It was one of the best things I’ve ever done for my writing. I have a new understanding of picture books that I’m already putting to good use and much fun. I kept track of all [...]
Mr. Willoughby’s Christmas Tree
December 25, 2007 – 5:51 pm
Haiku Review: Mr. Willoughby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry Christmas time machine, This book is just the right size. I am 5 again. Merry Everything, Everyone!
“I’ve got a golden ticket…”
December 20, 2007 – 7:28 pm
So, I’m going to see The Golden Compass tomorrow. I’m pretty excited, and not just because Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is amazing. Tony worked on the movie and his name’s in the credits. Hooray! If you go see the movie, keep an eye out for the wolves in Bolvangar. And stay long enough [...]
Books of the Week: Illustrators
December 17, 2007 – 10:15 am
I’m constantly delighted by the illustrations in the picture books I’ve been reading. Here are a few illustrators that have really captured my imagination. Dan Yaccarino (Every Friday, Trashy Town) Mark Teague (How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, The Secret Shortcut) David Shannon (No, David, Duck on a Bike) Steve Jenkins (Move, Actual Size) David Wiesner [...]
Hook, Line, and Sinker
December 12, 2007 – 11:15 am
I once caught a book contract that was THIS big… but it got away. The Westside Schmooze topic this month is all about beginnings and hooks. To be exact: “Are You Hooked Yet? How can you use your first pages, first lines, and queries to hook readers and editors? Join us as we try to [...]
Words VS Pictures
December 10, 2007 – 1:08 pm
My friend, Tonilyn, asked me the other day if I thought illustrations and text were a 50/50 partnership in picture books. Hmmm…. lets find out. Fight! Illustrations can make or break a picture book. You cannot have a great book without great pictures. Mediocre Text + Fantastic Pictures= Good Book Fantastic Text + Mediocre Pictures= [...]
Books of the Week: Did I mention…
December 7, 2007 – 12:52 pm
My Little Sister Ate One Hare written by Bill Grossman and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes Maggie and the Monster written by Elizabeth Winthrop and illustrated by Tomie dePaola The OK Book written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld Chickens to the Rescue by John Himmelman Bark, George by Jules Feiffer Click,Clack,Moo: Cows [...]
Books of the Week: Great books, Tough topics
November 30, 2007 – 1:45 pm
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
