In defense of librarians

Below is a letter that my friend and fellow author, Helaine Becker sent to the National Post re:  a derogatory comment about librarians.  It's such a great letter, that I want everyone to read it.   Yeah Helaine!  And if you think this letter is great, you can check out her books too.  You'll find a link to her website at the bottom of the page.  PS. Helaine is really really funny:)


Dear Mr. Gunter,

I was enjoying your analysis of Easy Rider in this morning's National Post
("Getting over Easy Rider, "June 2,2010) when I was caught short by this
sentence: "The teens who were prompted by its anti-establishment message to
pledge themselves to change the world are today school librarians and public
broadcasting technicians living in suburban bungalows, looking around the
next bend at pensionability and wondering whether to open a B&B in Niagara."

Yikes! There's a sweeping stereotype there! 

I know you were trying to humorously make a point about becoming the essence
of establishment self-focus. But clearly, you have not met many school
librarians, nor do you fully appreciate what they do every day. (I can't
speak for the broadcasting technicians.)

I am not a school librarian, but in my career as a writer of children's
literature, I have had the great privilege of meeting and spending time with
hundreds of school librarians across North America - from Nunavut to New
Brunswick, from the Jane-Finch Corridor in the GTA to the rural communities
of Manitoba, Alberta and Yukon; in Texas, California, New York and Lima
(Peru). Virtually every single one of the people I met are still honoring
that pledge to change the world.

Don't be fooled by the prim reading-glasses-on-chains cartoon image.
Teacher-librarians are true revolutionaries, trying to change and improve
society by empowering the most vulnerable members of society: children. 

Their working conditions: abysmal. 

Their weapon: literacy. 

Their opposition: entrenched bureaucracy that gives lip service to literacy
and equity, but shows its true colors by gutting schools of books and
trained staff. 

Meet, for example, Nina W., a school-librarian in the great State of
California who currently has responsibility for three inner city schools,
virtually no support from administration (when I visited with her two weeks
ago, nearly 600 teachers had just been let go and were engaged in costly and
divisive legal hearings instead of teaching in the classroom). Yet despite
being stretched nearly to the breaking point, Nina still managed to
administer a Reading is Fundamental book program for Kindergarten and grade
1 students, organize author visits to inspire hundreds of children, and
facilitate delivery of books to needy schools that were collected on an
independent book drive.

Or meet Fabienne T., who works in a remote Northern community. Her student
body contains a high number of kids who come to school hungry, tired and
unprepared to learn because of upheaval at home and in their community. For
these children, literacy is truly a foreign concept - their own culture did
not even have a written language 40 years ago! Many elders there are
actually suspicious of reading as a form of learning, since their own
educational system involved a more active approach, being out on the land.
Yet Fabienne cheerfully strides from school to school, bringing books and
enthusiasm and a desire to help improve the opportunities available to her
charges. Those opportunities will only open to them when they possess the
skills needed to "make it" in the contemporary world, so with her copies of
"Clifford the Big Red Dog" and "Twilight" in hand, Fabienne is truly
managing to change their worlds.

Or why not let me introduce you to Jenny E., who teaches in a tough primary
school in one of Toronto's most challenging neighborhoods. To see what she
has done with these old-too-soon kids is nothing short of miraculous, and
she's been doing it for more than 20 years, day in and day out (I'm sure the
number is higher than that, but I don't want to embarrass her!). 

The crisis facing school libraries today is an issue that has not yet
surfaced in the Canadian consciousness. Yet let me assure you, it is very
real, pervasive, and will have long-term consequences. Only a tiny
percentage of Canadian school libraries meet the minimal standards (Set by
the Canadian Library Association ) required to achieve learning objectives
in all curricular areas, not just literacy. 

A fully functional school library is the heart of a school, providing
necessary sustenance and support for teachers and students. It is at the
vanguard of "best practices," incorporating information literacy into school
culture, and it the avenue through which students learn how to do research,
analyze sources and interpret media messaging. 

School librarians are professionally committed to freedom of thought and
speech, and to the notion that teaching kids how to learn is the root of all
education. If that's not progressive, I don't know what is.

I know, I know, you didn't really mean to disparage school librarians -
yours was a throwaway comment designed for a laugh. But it perpetuated a
lie, and was a disservice to some of the most revolutionary members of our
society. But! Here's the good news! You can easily correct that disservice!

Let me suggest that, next Fall, you accompany me to some representative
school libraries in the GTA. Let me show you how we are letting down
Canadian students by underfunding our school libraries. Let me show you how
the mouth-noises that insist "we support literacy" are a lie when in fact
the school libraries in our country are short of books and staff.

On a personal note, it was in a school library that I first fell in love
with books. That early exposure and support has enabled me to live a full
and productive life as a literate citizen. 

When I speak to kids during my school presentations, I often ask them, "Why
are you learning how to read?" The typical response is, "so I can get a job
one day." "So I can get good grades." Or simply a shrug of shoulders - we
are made to read and write because the grownups want us to. 

I tell the kids that all of those answers are all acceptable ones, but are
not the best reasons. Do you really want to learn to read just so you can
grow up to become an obedient worker bee, or to boast a meaningless A on
meaningless report card? No.

No, The real reason you should want to learn how to Read well, Write well
and Speak well is because these are the tools that give you power - both the
power over your own life, and the power to persuade others to make
improvements to our world.

School librarians are bringing power to the people, every day. Please give
them their due. 

Sincerely,

Helaine Becker
Author

www.helainebecker.com

www.helainebecker.blogspot.com

Follow me on twitter! Twitter.com/Helainebecker

Addiction

The first stage for a recovering addict is to admit that you have a problem.
I do.
I, Sheryl McFarlane, am addicted...
I'm admitting this freely.
I'm admitting it without duress.
I have an addiction to books.



















Today I went into one of my fav. independent bookstores (Victoria has a wack of independents...yeah Victoria... and I bought a bag full of books.  Some were recommended by Frieda, who works in the kids' book section and used to be my neighbor as well as a fellow Vancouver Folk Music Festival goer.  We are a terrible pair.  We're both junkies.  We get each other excited.  Books fly off the shelves into our hands, titles drip from our lips.  We interrupt each other.  We can't help ourselves.


My arms are full and I'm telling Frieda about this one book that I can't remember the name of but it's so awesome that she has to read it.  It's a picture book about basketball.  I remember the cover illustration is a young boy with a basketball.  He's in mid air.  It's a picture book, I tell her.  It's written in free verse and it is sooo good.  I turn around and find I'm talking to myself.  Frieda is down the isle looking it up on the computer.  Hoops she tells me.  It's called Hoops and It's by Robert Burleigh with illustrations by Stephen T. Johnson.  They don't have it, but will order it for sure.  In the meantime she comes up with two more must haves.  Fortunately, she rushes away to a staff meeting before she can pile more onto my already swelling pile.  I leave the store with awesome titles like When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, Looks by Madeleine George, Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan, The Bite of the Mango by Mriatu Kamara, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart, and Blood Red Snow White by Marcus Sedgwick.


I know, I know!  I can barely keep up with what I've already got!  But what's an addict to do!  The real problem is that I actually went in looking for my next book club read, which I promptly forgot the name of the minute I stepped into the teen section for a "quick peek"...Sigh.  Now I'll have to go back to the bookstore.  And that, my friends, will be a whole new temptation.


For now though, I'm hap hap happy, with the fruits of my addiction surrounding me on the couch.

What's Shaking The School: A Principal's Retrospective

For any of you former Margaret Jenkins students, parents, or teachers, retired elementary school principal Judy Bertram has just self published a book about her former principalship, What's Shaking The School. In my opinion, Judy was one of the best principals I've ever met. And, in my career as a teacher and author, as well as in my role as a parent, I've met quite a few! This is one self published book that I'll definitely be picking up. Click here order your copy.

Guys Read: Funny Business - The Joke

The contributing authors for the upcoming book, Guys Read: Funny Business reads like a who's who of kid's books. Check out Jon Scieszka, Mac Barnett, Adam Rex, David Yoo, Paul Feig, Kate DiCamillo, Christopher Paul Curtis, Eoin Colfer, Jack Gantos, David Lubar, and Jeff Kinney tell in the book's trailer called "The Joke". It's a hoot. (I'll post the cover as soon as Harper Kids passes it along).

More good news

More good news...

Sara Pennypacker has a new Clementine book coming out. Clementine: Friend of the Week with illustrations by the fabulously quirky Marla Frazee. I'm not sure what sort of adventure Clementine is in for, but you can be sure it will be one you won't want to miss.

It's a Book by Lane Smith

OMG! It's a Book and the trailer that goes with it is pure awesomeness. Of course that shouldn't be much of a surprise since it's by Lane Smith who is always awesome. Check it out.Macmillan: Videos for It's a Book: Books: Lane Smith And by the way, if you are a part of my bookish world (editor, agent, book group friends, etc.) don't buy this book because someone you know has already bought you a copy! Anyone else, get your butt to the bookstore!

Important News!

Important news! My friend Dennis Foon, novelist and playwright has made Time Magazine. The film he wrote the script for, Life, Above All, received a 10 minute standing ovation from an audience filled with stars such as Mick Jagger, Russell Crowe and Jennifer Lopez during it's Cannes preview. The film deals with the tragic but uplifting story of a young girl fighting to help her family in the face of the scourge of AIDS in Africa. Read the article, or better still, go to the movie when it comes and definitely read the book it was based on, Chanda's Secret by Allan Stratton.

Wiff and Dirty George

Thanks again to Betsy Bird of A Fuse #8 Production, I have come across another great book that I have to read...Wiff and Dirty George by Steve Swinburne. It sounds like a total hoot, with a couple of kids who set out to solve the mystery of disappearing pants (including their own). Apparently an evil man in a bunny suit and his attractive but not really evil assistant are behind the mystery which somehow threatens the Queen (yes it's a British book). The whole thing just sounds hilarious, from the first few chapters I read, which can be downloaded here.

Red Cedar Book Award Winners

The winners of the 2009[2010 Red Cedar Book Awards are:

Information Book Award Winner: Sweet: the delicious story of candy by Ann Love and Jane Drake, illustrated by Claudia Davila

Fiction Award Winner: Dear Jo: The story of losing Leah... and searching for hope by Christina Kilbourne

Congratulations to the winners!

Here are the lists of nominated titles for next year so get reading!

2010-2011 Red Cedar Fiction Nominees

Pete's Gold by Luanne Armstrong
Feather Brain by Maureen Bush
Zach and Zoe and the Bank Robber by Kristin Butcher
The Girl in the Backseat by Norma Charles
Grave Yard of the Sea by Penny Draper
Dear Canada: Days of Toil and Tears by Sarah Ellis
Libertad by Alma Fullerton
Diary of Laura's Twin by Kathy Kacer
The Nine Lives of Travis Keating by Jill MacLean
Star Climber by Kenneth Oppel
Dear Toni by Cyndi Sand-Eveland
The Shadow of Malabron by Thomas Wharton

2010-2011 Red Cedar Information Book Nominees

One Peace: True stories of young activists by Janet Wilson
Super Crocs & Monster Wings by Claire Eamer
Who Discovered America by Valerie Wyatt
Science on the Loose by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Claudia Davila
The Curse of Akkad by Peter Christie
Dirt on Dirt by Paulette Bourgeois, illustrated by Martha Newbigging
Polar Worlds by Robert Bateman
Everything but the Kitchen Sink by Frieda Wishinsky and Elizabeth MacLeod, illustrated by Travis King
Alien Invaders by Jane Drake and Ann Love, illustrated by Mark Thurman
A Native American Thought of it by Rocky Landon with David MacDonald
Ballplayers and Bonesetters by Laura Coulter, illustrated by Martha Newbigging
Inside Hockey! by Keltie Thomas, illustrated by John Kicksee

Congratulations to all the Nominees.

Robert Munsch by Frank B. Edwards

Further to yesterday's post about Robert Munsch... Frank Edwards has recently written a biography for kids that deals with some of Munsch's ongoing problems in a sensitive way. CM Magazine recommends it and says "It is everything we want to know about Robert Munsch told with care and sympathy." The book was recently short-listed for The Silver Birch Awards; reader's choice awards that attract some 250,000 readers in Ontario.

Bob Munsch is as brave as he is talented.

I can't say that I was shocked by children's book author Robert Munsch admission of mental health problems, but I was saddened. Bob's writing has brought a unique off-the-wall perspective to children's books that I and many others treasure. I recall thinking (when I took my kids to see him years ago) that his energy output during his performance was verging on manic. It seems that wasn't far off the truth. In a note to parents on his website, Bob admits to struggling with a manic/depressive disorder and in a recent interview he's owned up to drug and alcohol abuse to cope with it. All I can say is, not only is the man an incredible talent, but he's also exceedingly brave. Way to go Bob. For what it's worth, you have my support and I trust the rest of the children's literature community is behind you too.

Information Book Award Long List...time to narrow it down.

Yep, it's that time of the year again. Here's the long list for the 2010 Information Book Award for Canadian children's non-fiction. Most of the books are available from the Greater Victoria Public Library or at your local library. Selections will be made by June 15th and the winner is chosen in the fall.

Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada

2010 INFORMATION BOOK AWARD PRELIMINARY LIST

Ages 5-8

Alfalfabet A to Z: The Wonderful Words from Agriculture

Written by Carol Watterson. Illustrated by Michela Sorrentino

BC Agriculture for the Classroom Foundation, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-9812317-0-9

Follow That Map! A First Book of Mapping Skills

Written/Illustrated by Scot Ritchie

Kids Can Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55453-274-2

Fun With Composers – Volume II

Written by Deborah Lyn Ziolkoski. Illustrated by Jim Fee

Fun With Composers, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-9780360-5-8

Getting There

Written by Marla Stewart Konrad

Tundra Books, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-88776-867-5

Have You Ever Seen an Octopus With A Broom?

Written by Etta Kaner. Illustrated by Jeff Szuc

Kids Can Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55453-247-6

I Is for Inuksuk: An Arctic Celebration

Written/Illustrated by Mary Wallace

Maple Tree Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-897349-57-1

It’s a Snap! George Eastman’s First Photograph

Written by Monica Kulling. Illustrated by Bill Slavin

Tundra Books, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-88776-881-1

La Primera: The Story of Wild Mustangs

Written by Ian Tyson. Paintings by Adeline Halvorson

Tundra Books, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-88776-863-7

Oh, Canada!

Written/Illustrated by Per-Henrik Gurth

Kids Can Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55453-374-9

Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion

Written by Jane Barclay. Illustrated by Renne Benoit

Tundra Books, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-88776-951-1

The Rocket

Written by Mike Leonetti. Illustrated by Greg Banning.

North Winds Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-545-98948-0

Who Lives Here? Forest Animals

Written by Deborah Hodge. Illustrated by Pat Stephens

Kids Can Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55453-070-0

AGES 9-15

Adventures on the Ancient Silk Road

Written by Priscilla Galloway with Dawn Hunter

Annick Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55451-198-3

Animal Aha! Thrilling Discoveries in Wildlife Science

Written by Diane Swanson

Annick Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55451-1655

Charlie: A Home Child’s Life in Canada

Written by Beryl Young

Key Porter Books, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55470-200-8

The Children of Africville

Written by Christine Welldon

Nimbus Publishing, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55109-723-7

Children of War: Voices of Iraqi Refugees

Written by Deborah Ellis

Groundwood Books/House of Anansi, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-88899-907-8

The Chinese Thought of It: Amazing Inventions and Innovations

Written by Ting-Xing Ye

Annick Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55451-196-9

Dieppe: Canada’s Darkest Day of World War II

Written by Hugh Brewster

Scholastic, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-545-99420-0

Dinosaurs in Your Backyard

Written by Hugh Brewster. Illustrated by Alan Barnard

Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-8109-7099-1

Hoaxed! Fakes and Mistakes in the World of Science

by the Editors of Yes Magazine

Kids Can Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55453-206-3

How Figure Skating Works

Written by Keltie Thomas. Illustrated by Stephen MacEachern

Owlkids, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-897349-59-5

How to Build Your Own Country

Written by Valerie Wyatt. Illustrated by Fred Rix

Kids Can Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55453-310-7

If America Were a Village: A Book about the People of the United States

Written by David J. Smith. Illustrated by Shelagh Armstrong

Kids Can Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55453-344-2

Kaboom! Explosions of All Kinds

Written by Gillian Richardson

Annick Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55451-203-4

Learn to Speak Music

Written by John Crossingham. Illustrated by Jeff Kulak

Owlkids, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-897349-65-6

Living Stories

Written by Mindy Willett, Therese Zoe and Philip Zoe

Illustrated by: Tessa Macintosh (photographs)

Fifth House (Fitzhenry and Whiteside), 2009

ISBN: 1-897-252-447

Out of This World: The Amazing Search for an Alien Earth

Written by Jacob Berkowitz

Kids Can Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55453-197-4

Pharaohs and Foot Soldiers

Written by Kristin Butcher. Illustrated by Martha Newbigging

Annick Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55451-171-6

Remembering John McCrae

Written by Linda Granfield

Scholastic, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-439-93561-6

Robert Munsch

Written by Frank B. Edwards

Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55455-138-5

Sargeant Gander: A Canadian Hero

Written by Robyn Walker

Dundurn Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55488-463-6

Spiked Scorpions & Walking Whales: Modern Animals, Ancient Animals & Water

Written by Claire Eamer

Annick Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55451-206-5

A Thousand Years of Pirates

Written by William Gilkerson

Tundra Books, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-88776-924-5

Vanishing Habitats

Written by Robert Bateman with Nancy Kovacs. Illustrated by Robert Bateman.

Scholastic/Madison Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-545-98621-2

The War to End All Wars: The Story of World War I

Written by Jack Batten

Tundra Books, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-88776-879-8

What’s the Big Idea? Inventions that Changed Life on Earth Forever

Written by Helaine Becker

Owlkids, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-897349-60-1

Whispers from the Ghettos

Written by Kathy Kacer and Sharon McKay

Puffin Canada, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-14331-251-2

You Are Weird: Your Body’s Peculiar Parts and Funny Functions

Written by Diane Swanson. Illustrated by Kathy Boake

Kids Can Press, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55453-282-7

Ontario Reader's Choice Awards Announced

The Ontario Library Association has announced the "2010 Tree Awards." Congratulations to the winners of this wildly popular reader's choice awards.

Blue Spruce Award (Kindergarten–Grade 2):
Jeremy Tankard, Boo Hoo Bird (Scholastic Canada Ltd.)

Silver Birch Express (Grade 3–4):

Cyndi Sand-Eveland, Dear Toni (Tundra Books)

Silver Birch Fiction (Grade 4–6):

Robert Paul Weston, Zorgamazoo (Penguin Group Canada)

Silver Birch Non-fiction (Grade 4–6):
Larry Verstraete, At the Edge: Daring Acts in Desperate Times (Scholastic Canada Ltd.)

Red Maple Award (Grade 7–8):
Susin Nielsen, Word Nerd (Tundra Books)

White Pine Award (Grade 9–12):
Pam Bustin, Mostly Happy (Thistledown Press)

Jacob Lambert is worth a read

I came across this very funny article by humorist JACOB LAMBERT

Are Picture Books Leading Our Children Astray? It's a total hoot with Lambert using five classic picture to explain how picture books are "thinly-veiled endorsements of chaos". I happened on it when perusing Chicken Spagetti, a wonderful blog I enjoy following. Check them both out.

Celebrity Kids' Books

Do you have a beef against bad celebrity kids' books? Have you ever read a good one? If you've answered yes to either of these questions, you'll want to make your voice heard on Betsy Bird's A Fuse # 8 Blog. Even if you don't have your own pet peeves or favs, you'll enjoy reading the postings others have made.

I can hardly wait to find out if the winners jive with my picks.

Earth Day update

Earth Day update: Here's another great title that I missed. Check out Compost Stew by Mary McKenna Siddals.

Hey it's Earth Day, so do something for our planet with the help of books...eat locally, walk or take the bus instead of driving...bring cloth bags to the grocery store...carry a reusable water bottle...anything to help our planet...and pass the word along.

BC BOOK PRIZES

Last night was the BC Book Prize gala. It was awesome, and the food was sooo good, but the best thing of all was being in a huge room full of people where everyone there loves books as much as you do.

I was honored to be asked to announce one of the awards. Several people asked me to post my comments. Here they are.

I'm honored to have been asked to present the Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize, supported by Kate Walker & Co. and awarded to author & Illustrator of picture books, picture book stories, illustrated non-fiction books. This is a relatively recent prize, and is particularly important because it divides the awards into two categories whereas previously there was only one; meaning books for babies were weighed against books for teens. Harris, considered the matriarch of Canadian Children's Literature in English, knew how important stories were for children. In her 94 years she wrote 20 books for young people & I am fortunate to have been able to call her a friend. She often began her stories with "I bide the time..."

One of the best ways to support books for children is to buy a book for a child. If you don't have children in your life, you can always donate a book to a school in your community.

Here are the nominees in the category Of illustrated books for children.

Bubble Homes and Fish Farts by Fiona Bayrock, illustrated by Carolyn Conahan, published by Charlesbridge is a creative, innovative and entertaining take on thematic science for young children supported by illustrations that illuminate and compliment the text. Read it for a whole new take on gas.

Ella’s Umbrellas 
by Jennifer Lloyd, illustrated by Ashley Spires and published by Simply Read Books is delightful and the perfect picture book to cheer up young readers on a drizzly day with a rhythmic text, bright illustrations and a message that speaks of good turns rewarded.

Maggie Can’t Wait by Frieda Wishinsky, illustrated by our own Dean Griffiths from here on The Island and published by Fitzhenry & Whiteside is a child centric story built around the conflicting emotions children sometimes experience when a new sibling arrives. The illustrations admirably capture the emotional range of the characters in a way that make them jump off the page.

On My Walk 
by Kari-Lynn Winters, illustrated by Christina Leist
 and published by Tradewind Books is a celebration of sounds heard by a boy, his mom and his dog on a walk. It’s told with onomatopoeic flare with the story complimented and extended by the illustrations.

Vanishing Habitats by Robert Bateman with Nancy Kovacs, illustrated by Robert Bateman and published by Scholastic Canada / Madison Press is a hopeful, engaging environmental science book for the young that does not sugarcoat the extent or significance of habitat loss. It is visually stunning, making it all the more powerful in it's message.

...and the winner is Maggie Can't Wait by Frieda Wishinski and Dean Griffins. Frieda was unable to attend but Dean is here to accept.

I only wish I could share Dean's acceptance speech here with you. It was very very moving.

Eric Walters and Impossible 2 Possible

So this morning I was going through my email and heard from friend and fellow author Eric Walters. Now Eric always has something crazy on the go; sometimes it involves tigers at book launches, or a press release in New York with NBA players, or building schools in Africa, so I opened up his message with interest. "I wonder what Eric's up to these days," I asked myself. But even from a guy whose been full of surprises over the years, Eric's news was a bit of a shocker. It seems he's hooked up with high performance athlete Ray Zahab and the Impossible 2 Possible Team. The plan is to run 250 kilometers across sand dunes and hard pack of the Sahara Desert in Tunisia to raise funds for Ryan's Well Foundation. Now I have to tell you that Eric is no elite athlete; I'm not saying he's in terrible shape. It's just that he's an average guy my age who lives in the suburbs, has kids, and plays a little recreational sports when he has time...But there is something just a little bit different about Eric and you only need to have a short conversation with him to know what that is...the guy is crazy committed to making the world a better place for kids. An even more obvious thing about Eric is that his commitment is infectious. So, this brings me to back to his latest venture. All I can say is I'm glad it's you Eric and not me pitting yourself against an unforgiving environment while trying to keep up with much younger elite athletes. I'll be watching the video feeds and following the blogs that will be broadcast to schools across North America though Eric. And I know a whole lot of other people will be too. The well of funds that this crazy venture brings in is gonna cost you in aches and pains that you've never imagined buddy. But then I'm guessing you know that. I'm also guessing that wild horses wouldn't be able to stop you from doing it. Way to go Eric and good luck.

You or your school can help Eric out by raising funds and donating online at the above website.

Top 100 Children's Novels

I think I may have mentioned before that I love Betsy Bird; children's librarian, critic, and blogger queen. If you haven't had a peek at her site before, you'll want to check out her "Top 100 Children's Novels" poll. And guess which book tops the list? Nope, I won't give it way. You'll have to visit A Fuse #8 to find out. Thanks again Betsy. You rock.

A Shine of Rainbows

Thought I'd pass along this bit of news from my film-maker friend Dennis Foon. His new family movie, Shine of Rainbows will be opening this weekend in Vancouver, Langley and Victoria. It's based on the Lillian Beckwith novel of the same name. Go see it if you get the chance.

Cinemark Tinseltown in Vancouver

Cineplex Colossus in Langley

Empire University

Here's the trailer.

Future of Kids Books

Here's a link to a Washington Post article in which the author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, series, Jeff Kinney says "I think a book still has a special kind of magic." I couldn't agree More Jeff.

It take heart that someone who has been so successful the blogosphere (Diary of a Wimpy Kid began as blog posts that now receive 70,000 hits a day) remains enamored with the written page. Interestingly, the series didn't appear as a book until after it's blog success and of course it has just been released as a movie.

When it comes to trying to predict the future of children's books, it seems to me, that if you give kids something they can relate to, they'll eat it up with a spoon, no matter what the format. Just keep that in mind all you kid's writers, illustrators and publishers out there.

Tips on getting boys to read

My friend Helaine Becker has posted a must read list of how to get boys to read on her blog. Check it out. Comic books and graphic stories will make great additions to her list of books about underwear, explosions and hockey. If in doubt, I'm sure your local kid's librarian will be more than happy help you gather boy-friendly books. While you're there, check out a few of Helaine's books. You won't regret it.

Sad news about Sid Fleischman

Sad news. Sid Fleischman, who has been ill for some time, passed away March 17 in his home. His humor has been a light in the life for so many young people. Although he was 90, he will still be missed. Here is a link to an article about one of children's literature's favorite sons.

BC BOOK PRIZE SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED

BC BOOK PRIZE shortlists were announced today:

Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize
- Counting on Hope by Sylvia Olsen, Sono Nis Press
- The Gryphon Project by Carrie Mac, Penguin Group Canada
- Inferno by Robin Stevenson, Orca Book Publishers
- Return to Bone Tree Hill by Kristin Butcher, Thistledown Press
- The Ship of Lost Souls by Rachelle Delaney, HarperTrophyCanada

Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize
- Bubble Homes and Fish Farts by Fiona Bayrock
Illustrated by Carolyn Conahan, Charlesbridge
- Ella’s Umbrellas by Jennifer Lloyd
Illustrated by Ashley Spires, Simply Read Books
- Maggie Can’t Wait by Frieda Wishinsky
Illustrated by Dean Griffiths, Fitzhenry & Whiteside
- On My Walk by Kari-Lynn Winters
Illustrated by Christina Leist, Tradewind Books
- Vanishing Habitats by Robert Bateman,
Scholastic Canada Ltd.

Congratulations to everyone!

Bird in flight

If you're into kids' books, chances are you've read or at least heard of Besty Bird and her amazing blog, A Fuse #8 Production. Not only is Betsy prolific and quirky, she's usually right on in her reviews. As knowledgeable about kids' books as she is passionate, she's a shining light for readers, sifting through a sea of books and directing us toward the best. By day, Betsy is a librarian in New York City, but after hours she's all about her blog which she was enticed to move to the School Library Journal website a while back. Bird has been a juror for the Newbery Book Awards, tackled the issue of "review as promotion in disguise" in Amazon.com's "Vine Voices," and been involved in Blogger Awards. I'm pretty sure is a super duper speed-reader judging by the breadth of the books she can talk about intelligently. Not surprisingly, this one-woman wonder of kids' books has been flying under the radar for years. Now though, Bird is finally causing a flap outside the cosy world of children's books with the recent Forbes article. Check it out. Besty, you deserve these cu-does and more...

A great video created by Ocoee Middle School

I just came across this great video thanks to one of the blogs I follow. It's made by Ocoee Middle School in central Florida. One of these days I'll figure out how to upload a video, but in the meantime, check out Gotta Keep Reading on You Tube. While you're watching, see if you can spot any familiar book titles. I bet you can! And while you're at it, maybe you could be the mover and shaker behind your own school video. If you do, send the link along to me and I'll publicize it. Happy reading.

Cybils Announced

Looking for a good book? It's your lucky day...The 2009 Cybils Awards were just announced. For those of you who don't know, The Cybils are a grassroots award for kids/teen books created by avid book bloggers. Lots of categories, like picture book, early reader, teen fiction, poetry, non-fiction mean that there is something for everyone. For more great books, be sure to check out the short lists too.

Wordle is so cool. Try it.

I just discovered this very cool site that plays with words. Here is a puppy poem I did this morning. Isn't it cool! So check out www.wordle.net to create your own fun poems.

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Celebrate Family Literacy Day

Tomorrow is Family Literacy Day. Celebrate by reading your favourite kid's books with a young person. For tips on family activities or to find out about local events, check out ABC Canada.

2010 National Ambassador of Young People's Literature appointed

I'm thrilled to hear that Katherine Patterson, one of my favorite writers, and author of Bridge to Terabithia, has been named the new National Ambassador of Young People's Literature by The Library of Congress in the US. I sure wish that Canada would follow their lead since kids who read tend to grow into adults who read. If you haven't read anything by Katherine Paterson, now's a good time to start. She's a powerhouse. You can pick up her books at any library, or better yet, support her by buying one of her many titles.

In the meantime, the wonderful Elizabeth Bird of A Fuse #8 Production fame has rounded up cool videos of past Ambasador, Mr. Scieszka. Check it out.