Launch 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...
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...
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...
read moreKids Make It Better Educator Giveaway
Author Suzy Becker is holding a Great “Adorable*” “Gem**” Book Giveaway for Educators for her new book, Kids Make It Better: A Write-in, Draw-in Journal. Enter here to win. Kids Make It Better: A Write-in, Draw-in Journal (Workman, Paperback $8.95 ) is a Tillywig-Award-winning interactive children’s book that engages kids’ empathy, imagination and intellect to solve some of the world’s biggest problems– from pollution to prejudice. **”This gem will allow students to become...
read moreInterview with Writers League of Texas
Want to hear all of Curious City’s secrets including how owner Kirsten Cappy got thrown out of Girl Scouts (twice) and conspired to squeeze Philip Pullman’s knee? Read all in an interview with Scribe, the Writers League of Texas blog. Curious City will be speaking at the Writer’s League of Texas this Spring. Follow the Yellow Brick Road: Creating an Independent Marketing Plan Based on Your Unique Content Writers League of Texas Saturday, April 2, 2011 9 a.m. to Noon $49 members / $109 nonmembers Share...
read moreGentile Groove
Curious City is honored to have once again selected the book fair titles for three Maine synagogues’ literary celebrations. This is our sixth year working with educator Nancy Levinsky of Temple Beth El in Portland, Maine. This gentile (and children’s literature consultant) loves (surprised?) picking out the children’s collection. Share...
read moreSudipta Bardhan-Quallen Reanimates the Dead!
The New York Times announced the death of the picture book and Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, the mad scienctist that she is, is willing to reanimate the monster. Check out her post about book trailers and specialty marketing bringing parents back to picture books. Thanks to Sudipta for highlighting Curious City’s work. Does that make us the Igor to her Frankenstein? And speaking of ghoulish reanimation, watch her trailer as each view = a donation to a zoo! Share...
read moreMany Voices, Many Stories
MANY VOICES, MANY STORIES A Multicultural Book Fair For Families & Educators Saturday, November 20th 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Ongoing Breakwater School Gym 865 Brighton Ave., Portland Checks & Cash Only . . . . BROWSE & SHOP CHILDREN’S BOOKS (K-12) depicting the cultures of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, as well as Asian American, African American, Native American, Latino American, Muslim American, and immigration books. . . . MEET AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR Charlotte Agell, the creator of the chapter book about a...
read moreAnna Alter, Master of Disguise!
The fabulous Anna Alter has just released a book sure to rescue all us wallflowers and to playfully sedate the bodacious amongst us. The picture book, Disappearing Desmond depicts a young creature who would just as soon NOT be noticed. Desmond is a master of disguise, pulling attention away from himself by blending into the background. He meets his match in Gloria, a gal who likes to notice and BE noticed. Anna Alter and Curious City started their brainstorm with Desmond’s Master of Disguise Kit (Lovely Anna modeling in...
read more