Morning Notes: Shiftless Uncle Dave Edition

WISE WORDS FROM JON SCIESZKA

Ambassador of Young People’s Literature emeritus (oh yeah, and much loved author) Jon Scieszka was interviewed over at Musing (How to Get Kids to Love Reading (Tip: Stop Telling Them How Important Reading Is)) and it’s the perfect reminder heading into the school year. A great post to share with the librarians, educators, and parents in your life. Click here to read.

JUDGING BY …

Are you a children’s or YA literature blogger? Do you like the idea of picking the best books of the year? Okay (calculating) … then you should look into becoming a judge for the Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards, also known as the CYBILS. I submitted my name to be considered for a judging slot and so should you. Click here to find out more.

IN IMPRACTICAL CRAFTING NEWS

Boing Boing has a headboard made out of books. Click here to read.

YOU, UH, GIVE THINGS WITH YOUR HANDS??

You can buy The Giver nail polish. The tie-in is as clear as mud. Click here to check it out.

THE EVOLUTION OF A COVER

How does a cover come into being? Illustrator Brian Biggs has a great image-filled post about the process of creating the cover for his new project with Jon Scieszka – Frank Einstein. Click here to read it.

We now interrupt this scheduled Book Buzz to bring you the latest best seller lists from the New York Times:

Best Sellers – Children’s Picture Books

Best Sellers – Children’s Middle Grade

Have you heard of the 40 Book Challenge originated by Donalyn Miller? In this fascinating post, Donalyn revisits the challenge, and what happens when “the original thinking behind an instructional idea becomes lost when it’s passed along like a game of Telephone.”

Ashley Spires, author/illustrator of Binky the Space Cat and The Most Magnificent Thing made an appearance on the Toronto-based The Morning Show recently to talk book hacking.

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