A History in Pictures

February 29, 2012Leave a comment

Writing and illustrating picture books is hard. To execute it well, you have to have the succinctness of a poet, an understanding about how children see and want to see the world, and an artistic vision. How do you guys do it?

To help me wrap my brain around it, the Atlantic has a very cool article about the history of picture books all over the world. The article is almost a review of Children’s Picturebooks: The Art of Visual Storytelling, by Martin Salisbury and Morag Styles, which sounds fascinating. I especially liked this quote by Maurice Sendak about Randolph Caldecott, who basically invented the picture book as we know it:

“Caldecott’s work heralds the beginning of the modern picture book. He devised an ingenious juxtaposition of picture and word, a counter pint that never happened before. Words are left out — but the picture says it. Pictures are left out — but the words say it. In short, it is the invention of the picture book.”

Make sure to check out the whole article. Lots of great images as well!

Links Galore

February 28, 2012Leave a comment

A few more fun links:

An interesting look at archery in The Hunger Games and the upcoming Brave. Still, I’m pretty sure Alanna could tackle her opponents with a sword.
Speaking of The Hunger Games, somehow I don’t think a Barbie Katniss is as cool as the Capital Couture.
Using Pinterest as a resource for educators.
A super cute book trailer for Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton. I think George and I have the same problem
I won’t be at AWP this year, but if you’re going my friend Jill has some suggestions on how to stay nourished (or not).

YA Inspired Fashion

February 28, 2012Leave a comment

This list stretches the term YA, but I was kind of glad to see that Mallory of the BSC got a fashionable shoutout.

Just because you’re the awkward girl in sixth grade who’s really into reading doesn’t mean you can’t grow up to be hip in your Warby Parker glasses. (Thanks to Lindsey for the link!)

A Farewell to Jan Berenstain

February 28, 2012Leave a comment

You’d be hard-pressed to find a someone who grew up in the last forty years or so who doesn’t know the Berenstain Bears. The anthropomorphic bear family has helped generations of readers learn about telling the truth, not talking to strangers, starting school, and scores of other topics. So it’s both sad to lose co-creator Jan Berenstain, who passed away recently at the age of 88, and touching to see the reaction of those who grew up with her work.

One of my favorite stuffed animals growing up was a Sister Bear doll. I think part of this was because I found the series so comforting–the stories were thoughtful and cozy, and the art was upbeat and fun. I hope readers in many future generations get to enjoy the series as well.

Ask Not What Your YA Novel Can Do For You

February 28, 2012Leave a comment

A hilarious video about how YA novels can inspire economic change.

Zombie love story? Been there, done that!

Okay everyone, let’s get writing novels about our cheerleaders with tails!

Local Library Love

February 27, 2012Leave a comment

As a native Rhode Islander, I was excited to see this article on the Providence Athenaeum. It’s a beautiful library:

The article is a fantastic look at the Athenaeum’s history and current place in the New England academic and cultural scene. If you’re in the area, make sure to stop by.

(image: Providence Athenaeum)

There Will Always Be Readers

February 27, 2012Leave a comment

There can be a lot of doom-and-gloom when it comes to the publishing/writing world. Articles claim that books are being killed by e-readers/Amazon/the internet/asteroids. But On her blog, agent Rachelle Gardner shares 6 reasons for writers to be optimistic. My favorite:

5. People still READ.
And now that everyone’s on the Internet all the time, people are reading more than ever. That means if you write words, chances are, you’ll find someone to read them.

Maybe things are changing for books. Maybe one day we’ll all have e-readers or chips implanted in our head that flash the words into our brains. But I think people will always want stories. In pretty much all of human history, we’ve shared stories–around campfires, on cave walls, on paper, online, etc. If you have a great story to share, people will probably want to read it.

What good thought keeps you going through the barrage of bad publishing news?

The Academy Can’t Resist Animated Books

February 27, 2012Leave a comment

Last night’s Oscars didn’t have many great surprises or exciting moments, but I was glad to see that The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore won for best animated short. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out here:

http://youtu.be/Adzywe9xeIU

I haven’t seen the other nominees, but this one is so beautifully done I’m really glad it won. Who were your Oscar favorites?

Friday Fifteen

February 24, 2012Leave a comment

You’ve been waiting all week for the Friday Fifteen (haha) and now it’s here! The latest in fifteen word-or-less reviews:

1. Bunnicula by Deborah Howe and James Howe
What evil lurks within the hearts of bunnies? Harold knows!

2. Self-Help by Lorrie Moore
Every undergrad in a fiction workshop should read this.

3. Disgrace by J.M. Cotzee
It felt like there was an interesting story that kept getting blocked by the protagonist.

4. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Eerie account of a teen struggling with anorexia, avoids being an “issue novel.”

5. Knuffle Bunny: a Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems
A beloved stuffed animal is left behind, with a sweet and surprising ending.

6. Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child
I’ve only attempted once recipe so far, but I love flipping through this one.

7. Karen’s Cartwheel (Baby-Sitters Little Sister #29) by Ann M. Martin
Karen was annoying. but this was about gymnastics and dolls. Of course I read it.

8. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Everyone has nine names. Levin and Kitty were may more interesting than Anna.

9. Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard P. Feynman
Probably would like this more now, but as a 9th grader I was suspicious of Feynman.

10. Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry ed. Billy Collins
A lovely collection of poetry, especially good for reluctant readers.

11. The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2003, ed. Dave Eggers and Zadie Smith
“A Primer for the Punctuation of Heart Disease” by Foer is great. Can’t remember others.

12. Peanut Butter and Jelly: A Play Rhyme by Nadine Bernard Westcott
My sandwiches are peanut butter-only but I loved this lyrical book as a kid.

13. The Young Unicorns by Madeleine L’Engle
Read this before I knew about the Austins. The non-Austin characters were my favorites.

14. Night by Elie Wiesel
First book that made me cry. Arresting account of the Holocaust, a must-read for humanity.

15. Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare
Shakespeare or grindhouse? Your call!

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Links Galore

February 24, 20122 Comments

Get through Friday with more fun links:

A book by any other name would sell as well? Not so, apparently.
App spin-offs from children’s book favorites.
But don’t worry, apps aren’t killing actual books.
I definitely need to focus more on what I’m actually reading.
The Hunger Games cast and producers are working with United Nations World Food Programme and Feeding America to raise awareness about very real problems of starvation around the world.
How does a genre “die” and is chick lit on the way out?
Susan Dennard is giving away a signed ARC of Something Strange & Deadly for her birthday. Happy Birthday, Susan!

Annie Cardi

Category: Books

A History in Pictures

Links Galore

YA Inspired Fashion

A Farewell to Jan Berenstain

Ask Not What Your YA Novel Can Do For You

Local Library Love

There Will Always Be Readers

The Academy Can’t Resist Animated Books

Friday Fifteen

Links Galore