Roast the Kaiser
Marketing children’s book allows one to play in every conceivable era. In Searching for Silverheels by Jeannie Mobley (Margaret K. McElderry Books), the political climate of 1917 Como, Colorado, churns with the declaration of war against Germany, exhibitions of patriotism and accusations of un-American behavior, and a lone cry for the women’s right to vote. The novel opens with 13-year-old Pearl saying that it is “strange how sometimes, even though the whole world is changing around you, everything can feel so much the same.” But, like...
read moreRead the Vote
Is the coursework for “Civics” going the way of “Home Ec”? Regardless of whether your kids are taught about the election in school, think about how you teach it. Voting is the role of each citizen and talking about the vote is the role of each parent. There are tips on having this important conversation in the article Go Vote, and Take Your Kids With You” from Washington Post (11/3/14). Learning by living is exactly what election day is about. We talk a lot in our family about making the world a better place,...
read moreStill Lugubrious: Exhibit Celebrates ALICIA HAS A BAD DAY
In celebration of a beloved Maine children’s book’s 20th anniversary, The Portland Public Library will be celebrating with an art exhibit entitled “Still Lugubrious: 20 Years of the Book, Alicia Has a Bad Day.” Opening on First Friday November 7, 2014 from 4:00-6:00 PM, the picture book’s artwork by Portland, Maine author/illustrator Lisa Jahn-Clough will be on exhibit through November in the Children’s Room. Lisa Jahn-Clough will appear at the event and sign books and art prints for sale by Longfellow Books. The picture book Alicia Has a...
read moreBooks of Power, Power to Offend
With Halloween approaching, we could consider the connection between fear and KitLit. No, not spooky books, but people who have been spooked by books and have sought to challenge or ban them. “I suggest that parents read these challenging (and challenged) books and use them for opportunities to talk about difficult subjects with their child. We need to remind ourselves that any book that has power also has the power to offend.” —Children’s Book Author, Katherine Paterson You can listen to our conversation about Banned Books...
read moreTrolls, Grumpy Gators and Unassigned Reading
A chill is in the air and the summer days of lounging with a chapter book in hand appear to be over for the year…WAIT not so fast! You can incorporate elective reading in your day-to-day DESPITE homework, soccer, and this and that. Create a habit of 20 minutes a day when the WHOLE family is reading something they WANT to read. No judgement, no reading levels, just ADVENTURE… Here are some recommendations from Curious City’s radio appearance on Green Mountain Mornings available as a podcast here …...
read moreVampire Babies Help Libraries
Do You Know a Vampire Baby?? Do those baby teeth look a too pointy? Does that baby bite just a little too hard? Admit it, have you ever suspected a teething baby or toddler of vampirism??? The big brother in the hilarious picture book Vampire Baby by Kelly Bennett and illustrated by Paul Meisel (Candlewick Press) sees the signs in his very own baby sister! Bring out the vampire in your child and your library could win books! Easy as… 1… 2… 3! Your Vampire Baby Photo = Free Books for Libraries Select a set of hilarious...
read moreHarry Potter Welcomes Unaccompanied Minors
Reading Harry Potter increases tolerance? A new study conducted in Italy and England and published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology showed that young people that read J.K. Rowling’s series and discussed sections of the book that deal with prejudice showed improved attitudes towards immigrants, GBLTQ citizens, and other minority groups. More here. Imagine that. Those who identified with Harry standing up for mudbloods and house elves and thwarting the malevolence of the Malfoys are better citizens. Speaking of citizens and the need...
read moreLet Me Stand Alone: Illustrating Rachel Corrie’s Words
“If the words I use buzz away from my lips meaninglessly…” —Rachel Corrie Thanks to the efforts of the Corrie family to publish Let Me Stand Alone: The Rachel Corrie Story (W.W. Norton), Rachel’s worlds did NOT buzz away meaninglessly. After Rachel’s tragic death in Gaza in 2003, the Corries collected her journals and poems into a moving collection of one young woman’s hopes and musings. Audiobook narrator Tavia Gilbert transformed those journal entries and poems into an unforgettable performance in time for the 10th anniversary of Rachel’s...
read more20,000 Librarians Walk Into Vegas…
20,000 Librarians walk into a Vegas casino… It sounds like the set up to a bad joke. Even my Ethiopian American cab driver got the joke. Dropping me off at the Convention Center for the week-long ALA Annual Convention, he said, “Here it is party, party all day and all night. But you women are quiet and thinking. How can you be here? It is almost funny.” 20,000 librarians, publishers, and other book professionals walk into a Las Vegas casino bombarded with cigarette smoke, slot machine clangs, loud music, and scantily-clad women. ...
read moreCurious City on the Brown Bookshelf
Honored to be invited by author/illustrator Don Tate to write about “Making Your Own Market” for The Brown Bookshelf, a website “designed to push awareness of the myriad of African American voices writing for young readers.” “For me, children’s book marketing on the Brown Bookshelf or off has never been about social media, press, coverage, or other perils of “self-promotion.” For me, marketing has always been about storytelling and discovery. The best marketing finds ways to: retell a story beyond the...
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