From the Mailbox

Here are a few items of interest I found in my inbox:

A La Jolla couple has donated "$1 million to the San Diego State University Library to fund an endowment and visiting scholar fellowships in children's literature." Super cool: Kathy Day reports for La Jolla Light.

The 8th Annual National Book Festival is upon us. You can read all about the scheduled events on their website if you will be lucky enough to attend. If, instead, you won't be in D.C., the Book Festival team has put together ways for you (us) to participate online. From the press release:

• The National Book Festival Young Readers’ Online Toolkit, features information about National Book Festival authors who write for children and teens, podcasts of their readings, teaching tools and activities for kids. This resource shows educators, parents and children how they can host their own book festival.
  
• Online chats hosted by washingtonpost.com featuring a select group of Festival authors. These live text-based discussions will take place throughout September leading up to the Festival at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/liveonline/index.html, where participants can submit questions and comments any time before or during the live chat.
• Podcasts, also available on iTunes, featuring interviews with some of the award-winning authors participating in the 2008 National Book Festival.

I'll definitely check out the podcasts, how about you?

And don't miss Candice Ransom's new column at Ellsworth's Journal--Vintage Wednesdays. Candice (Writer) and Ellsworth (the stuffed elephant) review vintage children's books in style.

More Links on a Monday

A few interesting articles came to my attention past the weekend deadline. Also, there are some noteworthy changes in the kidslitosphere. Here's what's going on:

First "major media 'review'" (called a snap judgment) of Breaking Dawn at the Los Angeles Times. I haven't read any of the Twilight books for a number of reasons, so I can't comment on the review.

Matthew Thornton has an interesting piece on "shared translation" in Publishers Weekly.

The Publishers Weekly children's book reviews are up and online.

Think issue books (marijuana, plastic surgery, anti-drug) are only big in the U.S.? Then check out this article from The Local: Sweden's News in English.

Anastasia Suen's new Scholastic blog--Kid Lit Kit--is now live.

Do you have a children's book or writing blog? Then consider joining the Kidlitosphere Circle set up by Melissa Wiley. (I have mine in the right side bar. Just scroll down and you'll find it.)

Gail Gauthier blog tour + Cybils interview

Gail Gauthier's A Girl, a Boy, and Three Robbers tour is underway. Here's the schedule:

June 29: Books Together Blog
June 30: Sam Riddleburger
July 1: Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
July 2: Jen Robinson's Book Page
July 3: Big A little a
July 4: The Miss Rumphius Effect
July 5: A Fuse #8 Production

Gail also has a giveaway at her own Original Content. I'll be posting a review of A Girl, a Boy, and Three Robbers this week as well. It's a do-not-miss-title for readers ages five to nine.

In other interview news, Cynthia Leitich Smith interviews Anne Boles Levy and me over at Cynsations about the Cybils. Thanks, Cyn!

Random Items for a Wednesday

Tomorrow I'll have a review and book giveaway much like what's happening over at Jen Robinson's place. In the meantime, here are some things I'm thinking about today:

1. How many of you live in states where political ads are running already? John McCain ads have been in regular rotation for about a month here in Iowa, and Obama popped up today. Isn't it only June? I know Iowa is probably up for grabs (it constantly swings from red to blue and back again), but June? June?
   
2. Don't miss the 7-Imps interview with David Small today. It's a good one!
3. Speaking of interviews, Fuse 8 is up over at the Class of 2k8.
4. What do you remember from the prom? I'll admit it: I remember a long, pink, lace-infected Jessica McClintock dress. Oh, and super big hair. If you're in the mood for reliving the prom, then don't miss this photo collection at Jezebel.
   

New Kids on the Block and other matters

Don't miss Bookworms' Reviews: children's books reviewed by (gasp!) kids! Mom Chris is the features editor for The Edge of the Forest and a member of my Far Flung Writers critique group. I'm hoping at least one of my kids will big up and write for the blog too.

Speaking of The Edge of the Forest--the fantastic June issue (with a Dar Williams interview by Carrie Jones) will be up Monday, June 16.

I've been tagged for a great summer goals meme by the great Jen Robinson. Last week was a total wash for me, though, so I'm going to wait until Friday to respond. I'm still making my goals!

Remember the pay-for-blog-tour issue that came up earlier this week? A great discussion is still going on in the comments here, at Colleen's, and at Kelly Fineman's place.

I'm With Them.

Hey, I'm back! We got home late yesterday and while scrolling through 1000 reader items, I came upon a reference to this site. Yep. Now authors can pay to be part of a blog tour and have bloggers review their books. You do understand that this means all bloggers will look bad, as if they're all blogging for free books. (Don't get me started on the site's condescending instructions to participating bloggers.)

So, yeah, I stand with Colleen Mondor and Kelly Fineman. And I think we need an image, a button, if you will, declaring our stance as Independent Bloggers. Anyone up for the challenge?

ETA: Look what showed up on Lifehack (coincidentally) today: How to Get a Blogger to Promote Your Product. Quote of note: "While it costs marketers little to reach out to bloggers, it can potentially cost bloggers quite a bit in terms of lost integrity and lost audiences. Offering a blogger your product for free seems nice, but a blogger can quickly lose their readers’ goodwill if they’re perceived as a shill for some company." Word.
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It's Poetry Friday! Sarah Reinhard is on the roundup. I'll be back later with a Poetry Friday book review.
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Don't miss Liz B's post on the U.K. age designation argument. When I first heard of this plan, I thought it might be a good idea. But then, as often happened, I changed my mind and now believe it's a bad plan.

A Very Busy Monday

It's graduation. Rain for the first time in years. Then we're off for a Very Important Medical exam for kid 2 in nearby University City. So, basically, I'm out of here. But, before I go, I wanted to tell you there's lots to read today on the children's book blogs. The Summer Blog Blast Tour begins today! You can find the schedule at organizer Colleen Mondor's blog Chasing Ray. And Elaine Magliaro has a great roundup of other events today at Wild Rose Reader.

Oh, and don't miss my nephew's review of What's Up Duck?, by Tad Hills, if you're in need of a smile.

On the blogs

Interesting Post Alert: My blog friend Doret tells authors "Your PCness Offends Me" in a fascinating post a TheHappyNappyBookseller. Doret writes, "I absolutely hate when I read a MG or YA title, and a character is described as African American. 'Nicole is my African American neighbor.' Ok so that example sucks, but why can't Nicole just be black."

It's a good question and I hope you all will head on over to Doret's place and leave your two cents.

It's time for another blogroll update! If I'm missing a great blog (yours included!), please let me know in the comments. Here are a couple I know I'm adding this evening:

Under the Covers
The Reading Tub

And now for the good news...

After a day filled with plastic surgery books for the tots and scary book deals (Bethenney Frankel [A Real Housewife of NYC]; Patti Stanger [the Millionaire Matchmaker]), I was feeling low. Fortunately there's plenty to read on the children's book blogs to raise one's spirits.

Sara Lewis Holmes tells the story of her niece's trip to the Harry Potter set--a trip sponsored by the Make-a-Wish foundation. Read it and you just might donate.

Speaking of donations...Those fabulous readergirlz--with the help of YALSA--are at it again. Here's what you need to know: "Not only are YALSA and readergirlz donating thousands of publisher-donated young-adult books to teen patients across the U.S. and in Canada, they’re also encouraging all teens and YA authors to leave a book in a public place on April 17, in celebration of Support Teen Lit Day. There will be a big celebration later that night at the “TBD Post-Op Party” hosted at the readergirlz MySpace forum (April 17th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Pacific, http://groups.myspace.com/readergirlz)."

Now, which books should I leave out and about tomorrow?

Tomorrow is Poem in Your Pocket day! All you have to do is carry a poem around with you to share with others. Cloudscome has celebrated a wee bit early due to scheduling issues and you can see the results over at A Wrung Sponge. Need a poem? Elaine Magliaro has you covered over at Wild Rose Reader.

Whew! I feel better now.

Long Day, Long Post

Hi, Everyone. I'm having an unexpectedly busy week (the FLU hit here in Smalltown, and not one member of the family escaped unharmed), but I thought I'd check in with a few items of note:

First of all, thanks to all of you who have written in about The Edge of the Forest submissions. I have set aside a few hours tomorrow for planning and I'll get back to you right away.

In a first, my day life collides with my blogging life. Graphic Novelist Josh Elder (whose Mail Order Ninja I reviewed here) is visiting and will be giving a writer's talk tomorrow night. Over dinner he told me about...

Kids Love Comics! Maybe you all know about Kids Love Comics! and I just missed the boat somehow. Anyway, this group of graphic novelists has banded together to give talks, presentations, workshops, you name it. An awesome endeavor. (You can check out their reading list here.) One suggestion: Add a blog, folks!

Today we learned of the demise of the Nestle Children's Book Awards in the U.K. Sad news. But here's a university in the U.K. getting kids into the act of judging: The Bolton Children's Book Awards lets children 11-14 select their favorite book from a shortlist. And, guess whose book is on the shortlist? Nick Green! Author of The Cat Kin, and blogger at Green Knight's Chapel.

I'm sort of embarrassed to bring this up, but Esme Raji Codell (!) just awarded me a "Lion Award" from the Shameless Lions Writing Club . The award is in honor of "those people who have blogs we love, can't live without, where we think the writing is good and powerful." All I can say is--if you'll allow me this tween moment--OMG! And, thanks, Esme. I'm definitely blushing now. Esme is a wonderful writer, children's book activist, and first class blogger, so I'm beyond honored.

But, why am I embarrassed? Here's why: This award reminded me that the fabulous Shelf Elf awarded me this prize in December. During a blogging break. I had meant to pay it forward and then forgot! (BTW: If you haven't bookmarked or added Shelf Elf to your reader, please do so today. Shelf Elf is a great kidlit blog--Kerry writes beautiful reviews.)

The upside? I get to give 10 awards!

Okay, gotta run. The Cybils blog needs some feeding. Just one word of advice before I go: Get a flu shot. It's not too late!

I'm looking for...

a few good stories! For The Edge of the Forest. For March and April. I'm looking for book-centered stories in particular. So, if you have a great idea, send me an e-mail and we'll talk. (Upfront announcement: The Edge of the Forest is a venture of the heart.) I'm also interested in an author interview for March and a Kid Picks column for any month.

In other news:

Don't miss the January contest-edition of the Carnival of Children's Literature at Wizards Wireless.

Bruce Black interviews one of my favorite writers, T.K. Welsh, over at Wordswimmer.

Out and About

There's lots of activity in the kidslitosphere this week. Here are some posts I've noticed:

• Tricia of The Miss Rumphius Effect has a new blog called Open Wide, Look Inside. This blog focuses on children's books and teaching. She's got a great post up on outstanding science books of 2007.
• Colleen Mondor tells us which books she's looking forward to in 2008 and inspires many other bloggers to do the same. She has the roundup, so don't miss it!
• Author Kaza Kingsley (Eric Rex) series is on a massive blog tour. Catch her at Deliciously Clean Reads. Emily has the full tour list up!
  

Damn

So, you go to a conference and you find out a news alert you posted about turns out to be a marketing ploy. Egads. And, too bad. The story was completely believable. (Thanks to Leila, Inkygirl and Gail Gauthier for the news.)

Anyway, I'm home from the conference which was truly amazing. I was the first to leave, so Mark at Just One More Book arranged for this photo on the way out the door. How many bloggers and writers do your recognize?

Amazing Things Online

I just spent the day going through my kidslitinfo@gmail.com account. While I was abroad, some 200 e-mails piled up unanswered. In the process of going through this mess, I found some really neat things. They include:

• goodreads. Okay, I need another social networking site like I need a hole in my head. But this one is special. You meet and talk with your friends about books and books only. Awesome! I signed up, invited everyone to be my friend, and am trying to figure out how to edit. (ETA 10pm: Apparently when I invited everyone, I invited everyone in my e-mail box. I'm so sorry! Please feel free to reject my invite. I thought I had invited everyone already in goodreads. Oops!)
• Ummm...speaking of social networking sites....Shelfari is another great one and they have many a Harry Potter event going on, including giveaways.
• Speaking of Harry Potter, Kidsreads.com has a ton of Harry content online, including a Harrypedia and a Spell dictionary. My kids have been throwing spells at one another for days, so I'm sending them this link asap.
• EDITED: Are you interested in Fantasy? Then you might want to check out "A Practical Guide to Fantasy," an online seminar hosted by Nina Hess on September 28, 2007 at 11 a.m. EST. Hess will discuss "the popularity of fantasy for all kids and its value in encouraging reluctant readers--particularly boys, to feel at home in the library." Perfect for teachers, librarians, and all others who work with kids and teens. You can get all the registration details by e-mail (info@raabassociates.com)

Whew! Down from 287 emails to 23. That's progress, folks. Updates on Poetry Friday, The Edge of the Forest, and more will come tomorrow.

Out and About

Well, it was great fun reading First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover and hosting the main character, Sameera Righton. Make sure to catch the rest of the tour if you have a chance.



I'm currently in Williamsburg, Virginia, and starting tomorrow, I'll be attending and blogging the Children's Literature Association conference. It took me 26 hours to get here, for some unknown reason (Thanks, United!), so I'm hoping the conference will be another good one.



In the meantime, here are some things I've noticed out and about in the kidlitosphere:



Fuse is in her new home and looking good. Make sure to update your links! I'll be following my own advice this weekend.



Liz B. responds to yet another blog vs. print article at A Chair, a Fireplace and a Tea Cozy. Her response is excellent and really makes you wonder--when are these anti-blog people just going to call it a day? Seriously.



Colleen Mondor goes proactive on us all and explains the impetus behind the Summer Blog Blast Tour at Chasing Ray. It's going to be a fun week.

Out and About

It's been awhile since I've done a new blog roundup and, in the meantime, I've found a few other resources as well. So, here are the new resources:

• Annick Press, with the help of a grant from the Canadian government, has made video interviews of their authors and illustrators available online. Each interview is two minutes long and there are many available online now, including interviews of Michael Martchenko and Robert Munsch.
• Are you looking for children's books available online? The check out Children's Books Forever, which offers books to use as a download or on Smartboard, PowerPoint, or on overhead projector.

Okay, on to the blogs I'm adding to the ol' blogrolls:

• Lessons from the Tortoise. Libby writes smart posts about reading, writing, YA and children's lit, cooking, parenting, feminism. Can't beat that!
• In this month's "this blog wasn't already on my blogroll?" category, AmoxCalli. I've read Gina Ruiz's posts at La Bloga, but somehow have failed to link to her own personal bookblog. Sorry, Gina!
• Editorial Anonymous: The Blog of a Children's Book Editor. Why? Well, I've been remiss in adding this earlier, even though I've been reading this blog for awhile. Smart, smart stuff.
• Kid*Lit(erary). Laurel Snyder is a writer, who talks about writing and her favorite books on her blog.
• Writers' blogs: Colleen Ryckert Cook and Susan Beth Pfeffer (Thanks, Becky!)

Two Things

I have a review of Kate and M.Sarah Klise's beautiful Imagine Harry up over at Book Buds today.

You'll never believe this, but we know who will be hosting Poetry Friday and it's only Thursday! Poetry Friday will be taking place at A Wrung Sponge tomorrow.

A quick review and a big congrats!

My review of Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple's Sleep, Black Bear, Sleep (ill. by Brooke Dyer) is up at Book Buds. Also, Jules reviews the same title over at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast as part of a Bear roundup. (I swear, for those of you who remember Middle School, I did not call Jules and ask, what are you reviewing today?)

A super-duper, gigantic congratulations goes out to Don Tate whose picture book story was accepted by Lee & Low. To watch Don dance and to congratulate him, head on over to Devas T. Rants and Raves.

Scattered Thoughts for a Wednesday

Here are a few things I've been thinking about today, but haven't had time to write coherently about:

• Motoko Rich's book review article hits the kidlitosphere: Roger is for vetting, Liz B. finds the article, on the whole, balanced, and Colleen gets to the heart of the matter.
• Thank you all for your wonderful recommendations for Early Readers. I'll summarize and mock up a handy pdf file for people like me headed to the bookstore. I'll put it up on Friday.
• How have I missed Saints and Spinners? I'm heading over to fix that right now.

Fun online

During yesterday's busy and, I think, ultimately fruitful debate about blog reviewing over at Read Roger, I neglected to post on a number of interesting things happening in the kidlitosphere. Reviewing aside, blogs are an easy, fast, and flexible way to present news and information. Here's what's up:

• Don't forget to submit your links to the 13th Carnival of Children's Literature being held this weekend over at Jen Robinson's Book Page.

• Over the past two days I've listened to the first seven chapters of L. Lee Lowe's Mortal Ghost. In this first part of Lowe's novel, Jesse, a teen runaway, is taken in by Sarah and her mother, Meg. Jesse, who is traumatized in a way we don't know about until Chapter 7, is suspicious of their intentions and Meg's almost miraculous healing powers. Sarah--an accepting and intelligent girl--wants Jesse to seek shelter with them, but Jesse remains uneasy. Maybe they'll hurt him in their good intentions? Oh, and strange things begin happening in Chapter Seven. Great listening (the reader is a young Welsh musician) and a compelling text. You can cheat by reading ahead, but I'm holding out for more audio. Mortal Ghost is highly recommended and FREE online.

• The first-ever wiki children's novel is chugging right along. Four chapters are up now and Moctor Fall (so christened by A Fuse #8) is in all kinds of trouble. I just put up pages for chapters five and six and they're waiting to be filled with text. If you're interested in participating, send me an e-mail.