MORE POSTS FROM JULY 2008

Unfortunate Covers (#4)

Travis Jonker, July 23, 2008 | Unfortunate Covers



For this edition of the ongoing Unfortunate Covers series, we’re back to Roald Dahl. Another great book with a cover that isn’t helping the cause: “Danny the Champion of the World” Even though I took lengthy measures to avoid math after high school, I’d like to put an equation out there for cover art designers: […]

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Book Review: Shooting the Moon

Travis Jonker, July 22, 2008 | *Best New Books*, Reviews



Shooting the Moon Frances O’Roark Dowell Atheneum ISBN: 9781416926900 $16.99 Grades 4-6 In Stores *Best New Books* I may lose some kid lit cred by admitting this, but I tend to shy away when I see rolled up jeans on a cover. Just call it my “Edward’s Eyes” problem. But as was the case with […]

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Nonfiction Monday: Fish

Travis Jonker, July 21, 2008 | *Best New Books*, Reviews



Fish By Robert Snedden Smart Apple Media ISBN: 9781599200774 $27.10 Grades 3-6 In Stores *Recommended* Check out the Nonfiction Monday roundup at Picture Book of the Day. My first pet was a goldfish. Immediately after winning him/her at the county fair ring toss, I took my prize home, flipped to the very back of the […]

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The Scary World of Children’s Lit

Travis Jonker, July 19, 2008 | News



Are children’s books getting darker? Is it a reflection of the current state of world affairs (see: turbulent)? Newsweek makes the case. Click the image below to read more:

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Video Clip: Man on Wire

Travis Jonker, July 17, 2008 | Authors



(Click the image above to browse through) “The Man Who Walked Between the Towers” – good book, right? Children’s lit Hall of Fame caliber. In fact, they have this award that honors the best picture book of the year, which “The Man Who Walked…” has already won. As first reported at Wizards Wireless last month, […]

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Read ‘Savvy’ for Free

Travis Jonker, July 15, 2008 | News



Been to a bookstore lately? It seems that legislation has been passed mandating “Savvy” by Ingrid Law be prominently featured. While I have not yet read the book, I’m thinking it’s getting lots of face time for good reason – glowing reviews abound. Well now this humble cheapskate and you can read “Savvy” free of […]

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Book Review: The Underneath

Travis Jonker, July 15, 2008 | *Best New Books*, Reviews



The Underneath By Kathi Appelt Illustrated by David Small Atheneum ISBN: 9781416950585 $16.99 Grades 4-6 In Stores *Best New Books* I’m a skeptical reviewer. I’m prone to be disappointed in the books I read if they don’t live up to my hopes. It’s a curse. Until I started hearing the rave reviews, “The Underneath” is […]

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Audio Clip: The Willoughbys on NPR

Travis Jonker, July 11, 2008 | Articles



I love books. You probably love books (or maybe you’re just an oblivious internet wanderer – in which case you can stay, albeit begrudgingly). You know who else digs the text? NPR. NPR loves books. Lowis Lowry’s “The Willoughbys” was recently featured on Weekend Edition. Lowry gives a reading and discusses the inspirations behind the […]

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On TV: Night of the Veggie Monster

Travis Jonker, July 10, 2008 | Reviews



“Night of the Veggie Monster” author George McClements was featured today on The Rachel Ray Show. Why is a 27 year old male school librarian watching Rachel Ray in the middle of the day? Let me emphasize the word school in my job title. Summer break. Plus, uh, I wasn’t actually watching, it was just […]

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Book Review: Alistair and Kip’s Great Adventure!

Travis Jonker, July 9, 2008 | *Best New Books*, Reviews



Alistair and Kip’s Great Adventure! By John Segal Margaret K. McElderry Books ISBN: 9781416902805 $15.99 Grades PreK-1 In Stores *Best New Books* Complexity is not a prerequisite for success. Simplicity is a good thing. It’s also a quality that is becoming increasingly rare in children’s lit. “Alistair and Kip’s Great Adventure!” is simplicity at its […]

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