EarlyWord is the home of GalleyChat, monthly online discussions where library staff share excitement about upcoming books. More information here.
Summaries of chats and announcements are posted to the right. Use them to add to your own TBR piles and for collection development.
Links on the far right of the site offer information useful to readers advisors.
Hope to see you during our next chat,
GalleyChatters
Q: “Do you have any picture books of Haiti?’
A: Yes! Small press Cinco Puntos has a wonderful book that is joyously illustrated despite its serious subject matter; homeless/ familyless children. It was a 2005 ALA Notable Book.
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Also available in paperback:
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Hurrah; Scholastic is reviving the Baby Sitters Club.
I don’t know about you but I have a whole new generation of readers who will love a refreshed look and updating (no more “perms;” the girls will now have their hair “styled”). I’m not the only one excited about it; the NYT devoted a fairly long story to the announcement.
The first two volumes are coming in April, along with a newly written prequel, The Summer Before, which will be followed by a reissue of three more next year (ther are 213 titles in the entire series).
As a sign of how things have changed since the series’ original publication (1986 to 2000), they are now being aimed at a slightly younger ages group — 7 to 10, rather than 8 to 12.
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| Claudia And The Phantom Phone Calls (The Babysitters Club) |
| Ann M. Martin |
| Retail Price: | $5.99 |
| Mass Market Paperback: | 176 pages |
| Publisher: | Scholastic Paperbacks – (2010-04-01) |
| ISBN / EAN: | 0545174767 / 9780545174763 |
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| The Truth About Stacey (The Baby Sitters Club) |
| Ann M. Martin |
| Retail Price: | $5.99 |
| Paperback: | 176 pages |
| Publisher: | Scholastic Paperbacks – (2010-06-01) |
| ISBN / EAN: | 0545174775 / 9780545174770 |
Over at the Barnes & Noble Review, I take a look at the good, the bad and not-so-bad of sequels. Below are the titles I cover:
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Audio CD: Penguin Audio; 9780143145073; $19.95
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Audio: Hyperion; 9781401394226; $39.95
I just heard that Capstone Publishers will be reissuing the Myth-O-Mania series by Kate McMullan — I don’t have the pub date yet, but as soon as I know, so will you.
For those who missed them when they were first published (see covers of the first few in the series, below — all are now OP), they are fractured retellings of Greek myths, with equally fractured titles — Have A Hot Time in Hades, Phone Home Persephone, Nice Shot Cupid, and Get to Work, Hercules. The kids at my school are nuts for them, and not just the Percy Jackson fans.
I am often asked this question so I am throwing it open to EarlyWord readership. What is your binding preference? For high-interest series books, I prefer paper over board like Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It holds up to multiple circs and I don’t have to worry about the dust jacket. When I was in the public library we bought a lot of series paperbacks.
So, here is your chance, before the publisher goes to press. Any opinions about the series? Would you prefer paperback over hardcover? Need a dustjacket? Paper-over-board?
I had an interesting reference question today from a school administrator of an inner city school with a high percentage of ESL families.
A generous donor is going to buy a book for every child in the school, K through 5th grade, to take home to keep. The donor wants the books to be hardcovers and something they will treasure for years and perhaps read to their own children in the future. What books would I suggest?
After considering beautifully illustrated classics like Alice in Wonderland or modern classics like Because of Winn Dixie, I thought about what I like to give kids that I don’t know. I often choose poetry, because it is something one can revisit, share and revel in. I also wanted to choose books that would be beautiful to hold.
Here’s what I suggested for each grade. What would you pick?
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Has everyone seen The Little Dump Truck by Margery Cuyler?
I could shout from the rooftops. It’s not just another truck book with bold graphic child-friendly pictures, you can sing it (think “I’m a little teapot”);
I’m a little dump truck
Run by Hard Hat Pete.
Rattle-rattle-clatter,
Driving down the street.
Pre-school teachers are knocking each other out of the way to get their hands on my review copy. Buy a stack; children’s librarians will be hoarding them for story time.
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Hold the presses! When I did my recent round-up of holiday craft books, I let one slip through the cracks.
My favorite cookie baking book of all time has been Rose’s Christmas Cookies by Rose Levy Beranbaum. Really; it was all that anyone needed for the holidays.
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Then last year came Cookie Craft: From Baking to Luster Dust, Designs and Techniques for Creative Cookie Occasions by Valerie Peterson and Janice Fryer. Sweet! I learned how to make fancy cookies like those you see in pastry shops; how to make cookies in beautiful shapes and cool designs that not only looked good but were tasty too. The price of the book was worth it just to for the tips on how to roll out the dough, and when to put it in the fridge. Plus, the professional design techniques are inspiring.
When I was at the Brooklyn Public Library, we had a cookie decorating program that was an amazing success. We could have used Peterson and Frye’s tips on how to make and freeze quantities of cookies for decorating.
With Cookie Craft Christmas, my new rolling pin and a couple of gingerbread people cookie cutters, I am ready to go.
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If you go into the 600’s at my library looking for books on HIV/AIDs, you are unlikely to find any. I patiently explain to faculty that the research in this area is changing quickly and I have weeded most of the dated titles, keeping only memoirs like Pedro and Me. I recommend websites and articles in databases for students and faculty for current information.
That’s why I was particularly happy to discover an important new YA title, Quicksand: HIV/AIDS In Our Lives by Anonymous (Candlewick). Written in a caring yet passionate tone as a first-person account of what it is like to learn that someone in your family has contracted the disease, the book covers a range of topics like diagnosis, false fears, the stigma of having HIV, the toll on family and friends, and the current medical care and research
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Also included is a very helpful selected bibliography. I am checking it to make sure these resources are easily accessible to our community.
Handmade gifts show love. For those of us with more time than money (an expanding category these days), hand made may be the only way to go.
For the crafty among us, now is the time to think about holiday gift giving; a darling scarf for the mother-in-law, mittens for the cousins, or bath salts for the sister. Here are four new titles that work with kids and can form the basis of a gift-making program.
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Cool craft projects with a modern slant. Bright colors and clean lines are featured in print-making. Make wooden spoon puppets, Noguchi-like sculptures, Calder-like mobiles and wearable art.
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The craft projects in this new version of the book originally pubbed by Disney in 2002 are right up my alley. Want to plan an ornament making program? Lot’s of terrific low-cost suggestions from 3-D dough pieces to elegant paper drops. Want to know how to make dancing gingerbread people? Love the edible wildlife ornaments; Pine Cones stuffed with peanut butter and birdseed (use almond butter if allergies are a problem) carrots wrapped in twine, and popcorn strung garlands. My favorite is the homemade gift of a gingerbread family decorating kit. Make gingerbread people and fill a tissue-lined box with a tube of white icing, sprinkles, redhots, tiny M&M’s and string licorice. Label the box Gingerbread Family Decorating Kit. Did you know you can make peanut brittle in the microwave? Have you thought about washing an old woolen sweater until it is felted to create material to reuse as mittens? Pretty easy and green too. Not just Christmas but other winter holidays are represented. Make a kinara for your Kwanzaa celebration. Create a mobile of stars for your Hanukah party.
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I am digging into my yarn stash after being inspired by the comfy yet stylish wrist warmers; a great beginner project for anyone who has just learned to knit and purl. I’ve been wanting to make a hot-water bottle cover; here it is as well as neck warmer. Also included are some pretty cool felted projects.
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From Ann Budd who wrote my favorite knitting book, The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns, comes a book of 30 gift ideas. A variety of projects for the beginning and experienced knitters; scarves, hats, socks, and toys that can be knitted up over a short period of time with lovely professional results.
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Reduce, reuse , recyle: create clutches, totes, computer bags from old neckties, wool sweaters, shower curtains and even an umbrella. These are just the kind of things that I see for sale at the very hipster Brooklyn Flea. So that’s how they made that!
Esther Hautzig meant a lot to me. Her book, The Endless Steppe, a survival story about a family exiled to Siberia during WW II, was one that I read over and over again as a child. I must have borrowed it from the synagogue library, a small room where they trusted you to take and return books on your own. I was in the middle of a run of holocaust books like When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit.
Thirty years later, when I met Esther Hautzig at a celebration for Books for the Teenaged at New York Public Library, I was speechless. Then I burst into tears; that’s how real the narrator was to me.
Esther passed away on Sunday (read her obituary in the New York Times). Her funeral will be held today in New York City:
Wednesday, November 4, at 1:00
Plaza Jewish Community Chapel
Amsterdam and 91st Street
Full information is available here.
A chance to see our EarlyWord Kids contributor, Lisa Von Drasek:
Monday, Nov. 2 at 5:30 pm
NYPL Mulberry Street Branch Library
10 Jersey St., between Lafayette & Mulberry
Participants:
Lisa Von Drasek – EarlyWord Kids
Alexandra Crosier – Shelved @ NYC
Jenna Freedman – Lower East Side Librarian
Jennifer Craft – Blogging @ NYPL (Mulberry Street Branch)
I had the rare opportunity to go to an early screening of the Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, which opens for lesser mortals today. Having read the first book long ago, I had only a vague memory of the plot. No matter.
What do I want in a movie?
Fast paced adventure? Check!
A sense of humor? Check!
No shaky hand held cameras? Check!
No intrusive “author’s message”? Check!
A real movie critic might quibble about the slight story line and thin premise, but I am here to say lighten up, it was fun. John C. Reilly as the vampire was alternately menacing and sweet (I know — just go with it). The lead teen was understated as the perfect high-schooler whose life gets turned upside down. The supporting characters were fantastic; I am in love with the snake boy.
A heads-up for language and violence; yeah that’s why it is PG-13. The language was more an exclamation point in the witty dialog and the fight scenes were more cartoonish than scary.
So as a good friend of mine would say, the movie is a great advertisement for the books.
[To see a larger version of the trailer, go to the official movie Web site]
Tie-in:
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I just opened a box of review books from Simon and Schuster. In my hands is a the fat bind-up of the first two books in the Flowers In The Attic series. For those who were not held in V.C Andrews’ thrall in the early ’80s, let me summarize. The four Dollanganger children are being held in their evil grandmother’s attic. I ate these up like candy in the day and dread rereading with my adult critical mind. I probably won’t but that won’t stop me from recommending that librarians stock up.
Check out that creepy cover!
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Movies are bringing attention to favorite picture books; the tie-ins to Where the Wild Things Are (opening tomorrow) and Cloudy with a Chance of Meat Balls (in theaters now) are both on the NYT bestseller lists, but don’t forget to check the originals; you probably need fresh copies.
At #1 on the NYT Picture Book list after two weeks:
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On the USA Today list, however, the original is at #9.
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At #8 on the NYT Children’s Paperback list, after 4 weeks:
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On the USA Today list, the original is at #68 after 8 weeks.
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So, listen up, Hollywood, below are some of my favorites among the new picture book titles:
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Silliness abounds as the Ambassador of Children’s Literature and master of the fractured fairytale takes on Mother Goose.
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An alien robot arrives to conquer earth, does battle and creates havoc on a domestic scene.
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I’ve mentioned this one before and it hits the NYT picture book bestseller list at #3 this week. This lovely compilation is perfect for families to share.
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This is a delightfully surprising collection of animals that one wouldn’t suspect were dangerous. Jenkin’s signature cut-paper collage creatures will engage children for storytime.
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Why do dogs wag their tails? The sweet, simple text and minimalist drawings captured my heart.
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You don’t need me to let you know but just in case. There’s a New Fancy Nancy!
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Owen and Mzee created a whole new category of “Reality Picture Books.” Below are some of my favorite new titles in the category.
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A dolphin that gets a prosthetic tail.
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A marine saves an abandoned and abused Iraqi dog. A librarians’ favorite from BEA.
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Tarra, former circus performer has retired to an elephant sanctuary where she resides with her faithful canine companion. The best in cross-species friendship books.
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And now for something completely different…
Cookbooks for kids really move in my library. If you are looking for something for a reluctant reader, they can be a big hit.
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This exquisitely designed Italian cookbook for kids takes a sensible approach, with real fresh food and easy-to-follow recipes
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Just in time to replace those ratty old copies or those twenty copies showing on the catalog that don’t really exist, the fiftieth anniversary edition of a picture book classic.
