Morning Notes: Trick or Treat with Darth Vader Edition

INTRODUCING THE RANDOM PENGUIN

Two of the world’s largest publishers, Random House and Penguin, appear to be joining forces. I’m not the first to say it, but I’m disappointed they didn’t go with the name Random Penguin for the new venture. Really missed the boat on that one. Click here to read.

MAKE A GOOD(READS) CHOICE

The “Facebook for readers”, Goodreads, just opened up voting in the 2012 Goodreads Choice Awards. Included are categories for Middle Grade & Children’s and Picture Books. And some worthy nominees in both. Click here to vote.

AMAZON WHISPERS TO SCHOOL LIBRARIANS: BUY A KINDLE

Amazon recently debuted Whispercast, a service that will make it easier to manage multiple Kindles from a single account. While many questions are unanswered, and it remains to be seen if the service will truly be a win for e-readers in a library setting, I can’t help but give an exasperated “finally!” I also got to drop a “bee in the school library bonnet” quote in the article. Click here to read it.

ARE YOU ANNOYING?

Apparently I am, a little bit. I learned this after reading the Top 20 Most Annoying Book Review Cliches. It’s a compelling, deceptively simple, lyrical, gripping, poignant post. Click here to read it.

PICTURE BOOKS: SO NOT DEAD

Since the New York Times knocked the form a couple years back, readers have come to the defense of picture books. Case in point, Thursday begins Picture Book Month. Check out the website and celebrate accordingly all November long. Click here to read.

HEAR THAT SOUND?

That’s the alarm that blares whenever a reality star has more than one book on a children’s bestseller list. Who is it? Click here to visit the list.

LIBRARY EMPLOYEE FINDS GUN INSIDE DONATED BOOK

Speaking of alarms – blow the real headline didgeridoo! Click here to read.

KEEP THE WONDER ALIVE!

I’ve never been there, but I hope I get a chance to visit. Renowned New York independent bookseller, Books of Wonder, has fallen into some financial bad luck. But with our help, they can keep the doors open. Click here to read.

‘IT’S HARD BEING A SINGLE PARENT AND DARTH VADER’

Aaaaand the award for the best book tagline of 2012 is thus awarded. Click here to read about the book.

‘TIS THE SEASON TO POLL THE PUBLIC

Delightful Children’s Books seeks your help in naming the 60 Not-to-be-Missed Picture Books. I’m liking the looks of the list thus far. Click here to read.

EVER SEEN A ‘HARRIET THE SPY’ TATTOO? WANT TO?

Harriet and Ramona – a double dose of children’s literary tattoo. Click here to check them out.

(Thanks to @sutherlandsuz for the link)

PARENTS AGAINST THE GIVING TREE

This link is a bit less work friendly, due to some language. I recently came across STFU Parents – a blog that highlights some of the crazy stuff parents share on FaceBook. This post about The Giving Tree made me laugh. Click here to read.

(Top Image: ‘Percolate Five Days A Week‘ http://www.flickr.com/photos/61171019@N00/348889367 Found on flickrcc.net)

Filed under: Morning Notes, News