I’ve mentioned it in these pages before, but the strangest bookmark story I have is when a student came up to me, holding a picture of me, explaining that he had found the photo in his library book. It turns out I had checked that book out the previous summer, marked the page with what [...]
Back in the halcyon days of the late aughts, A Fuse #8 Production’s Top 100 Picture Books and Top 100 Chapter Books polls were daily required reading for any children’s lit supporter worth their salt. Consider that the warm-up. Process perfected and team of number-crunchers assembled, the Top 100 lists are making a triumphant return. [...]
Amos had some good friends. They were looking out for him. – Barack Obama Picture books spotted in the wild! The first family sat down at the annual White House Easter Egg Hunt for a bit of story time. Sasha and Malia read 2011 Caldecott winner A Sick Day for Amos McGee, and the president [...]
The One and Only Ivan By Katherine Applegate HarperCollins ISBN: 9780061992254 $16.99 Grades 4-6 In Stores *Best New Book* Find it at: Schuler Books | Your Library For a children’s book, inhabiting the world of animals can be a dicey proposition. While the appeal is broad, it seems like the rate of true success is [...]
You think Willy Wonka is a happy guy frolicking about his chocolate factory? The man has an edge, I tell you. And a penchant for electronic music, apparently. Be sure to play this at your next children’s lit-themed dance party. Oddly mesmerizing.
I need your opinion on something. It’s funny how library decorations become invisible after a while, isn’t it? We’re putting the library back together at my K-2nd grade school after a recent book fair and we pulled out these two clay statues (which had been standing on top of a tall shelf forever) and thought [...]
Boy + Bot By Ame Dyckman Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino Alfred A. Knopf (Random House) ISBN: 9780375867569 $16.99 Grades K-2 In Stores Find it at: Schuler Books | Your Library Oh, unlikely friendships – where would children’s literature (scratch that – any kind of literature) be without ye? Contrasting personalities always add richness to the [...]
While it was fun to redo the covers of some of the earliest Newbery winners, I like that we’re getting into more modern times. Click here for the Covering the Newbery gallery Today we have a book that I still run into quite a bit – especially on the classroom read-aloud and literature circle circuit [...]
The Easter Bunny’s Assistant By Jan Thomas Harper (HarperCollins) ISBN: 9780061692864 $12.99 Grades PreK-2 In Stores *Best New Book* Find it at: Schuler Books | Your Library In terms of consistency, few picture book creators in the world are operating at the level of Jan Thomas right now. Since her debut in 2007, What Will [...]
Oh, No! by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann. In stores September 11, 2012. I know I’m supposed to be impartial and all, but everyone has favorites right? For my money, Candace Fleming is one of the best in the authoring biz. And Caldecott-winner Eric Rohmann is one of the best illustrators going. The two are [...]
As a wildly inhibited librarian, I appreciate personality. Every time I turn around it seems Mac Barnett and Adam Rex are letting their personalities (code word here for weirdness) show. Take, for example, this crazy “book trailer” for the picture book Chloe and the Lion starring Mr. Barnett and Mr. Rex. I haven’t seen anything [...]
National Poetry Month has arrived, and we’re celebrating with book spine poetry. Three (maybe even four) cheers for everyone who gave it a shot. If you try book spine poetry during the month of April, snap a picture, post it to your blog, or email it to me at scopenotes at gmail dot com. I’ll [...]
We’ve hit #50 in the series that keeps on giving. And giving. Each week we’re moving into more recognizable covers. Speaking of… 1971: Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars Original Cover: My Redo: Side by Side: Verdict: I like the illustration on the original – I think mine could have used something more. Click [...]
In an unexpected move, sources are reporting that this summer will see the release of a prequel to 2010 Newbery winner When You Reach Me. Here’s the exclusive cover reveal: The publisher is being tight-lipped about the book, but an anonymous source says it will “do what the first book failed to do with all [...]
Recent Comments