Savvy Bunch at 2K11
If you have not found your way to the environs of this savvy group of writers, take a trip over. The Class of 2K11 is a self-proclaimed “group of 19 debut middle grade and young adult authors working as a team to promote our books and reading in general.” I am quite impressed with their collective support for each others work and for their joint navigation through the foggy seas of promotion. I hardily thank them for inviting me to respond to a series of their marketing questions in a Guest Blog Post. Share...
Read MoreLaunch Party for WHAT’S BUGGING BAILEY BLECKER?
Children’s book author, Gail Donovan released her middle grade novel, What’s Bugging Bailey Blecker?, a humorous novel featuring fifth-grader Bailey Blecker whose classroom has been attacked by an all too common problem–head lice. The book was launched with a family event featuring all sorts of bugs, but fortunately no lice. Children circled around the Live Bug Zoo with naturalist, Tony Sohns… enjoyed bug games… giveaways, and goodies… And a book autographing. Share...
Read MoreA Salute to the Purveyors of Words & Books
It was a joy to capture the playfulness and humor of Kathleen T. Pelley’s, Raj the Bookstore Tiger (Charlesbridge). The script, a salute to the power of words and books and those that purvey them, came in on cat feet. Katherine Davis voiced the script with an unexpected (and welcomed) puckishness and Bill Dufris scrubbed, polished, and set music to Katherine’s narration. Charlesbridge kindly delivered Paige Keiser’s illustrations which laid down as sweetly as cupcakes on a peckish afternoon. A fine team effort for a fine picture book. Share...
Read MoreAffectionate Readers Wanted
“Affection for a book is its best award, and books that earn that award arrive from the hearts and minds of writers, not juries.” –E.L. Konigsburg* Delighted by the ALA Youth Media Awards? Disappointed? The halls of the ALA Midwinter Conference buzzed with each librarian and reader’s applause (and whoops) for winning titles and sighs of disappointment (and rumbles of more than disappointment) for favorite titles not selected. Instead of cataloging my complaints and huzzahs, I have resolved to instead be a more affectionate reader. Taking a page from the...
Read MoreSampling Tigers
You know you have a fine job when you get to debate the merits of tiger roars. Curious City was delighted to head into the studio to record a book trailer script for Katheen T. Pelley’s upcoming picture book, Raj, The Bookstore Tiger. We were once again at Mind’s Eye Productions with William Dufris’ sound genius and the sweet, silly voice of narrator Kate Davis. Here is Kate (all covered in stripes) with the proofs of the upcoming picture book from Charlesbridge. Stay tuned for the official tiger roar and trailer coming to a screen near you. Share...
Read More